Best hotels in Moscow

Swissotel Krasnye Holmy, Moscow

Swissôtel Krasnye Holmy is a landmark in Moscow, standing 150 meters tall as a striking beacon of modern architecture. Opened in 2005, it was the tallest hotel in the city at the time of its completion. Designed as the primary tower of the Riverside Towers complex, the building's circular, slender silhouette was intentionally crafted to offer 360-degree panoramic views of the Russian capital.

“The sweeping panoramas seen from the Swissôtel’s 27 cylindrical stories outclass those of the low-lying luxury hotels near the Kremlin. Floor-to-ceiling windows in every room add drama to the scene.”

Hotel National, Moscow

Hotel National, located at the corner of Tverskaya and Mokhovaya streets, is a true Moscow icon. Built in 1903 by the acclaimed architect Alexander Ivanov, this historic five-star hotel remains a masterpiece of imperial architecture. It has witnessed over a century of Russian history, serving as a luxurious residence for foreign diplomats, business tycoons, and eventually, the home of the first Soviet government following the 1917 Revolution.

“If you seek historical splendor, assiduous service, and plenty of plush comforts, this 1903 landmark, the city’s most elegant hotel, is for you. For some capitalistic indulgence, you can stay in a two-room suite where Lenin lived for a time in 1918.”

Featured as Fodor’s Choice in Moscow.

Hotel Baltschug Kempinski, Moscow

Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow is a legendary property with a history as rich as the city itself. Its iconic façade, featuring striking corner towers topped with spires, dates back to 1898. Designed by the famous architect Alexander Ivanov, the building originally served as a hub for art and culture, with its upper levels housing studios for celebrated Russian painters like A. Vasnetsov and K. Korovin.

“The view is as amazing as it used to be when the building held artists’ studios, but no doubt the rooms are much more luxurious. They are all large and comfortable, and come in several classy designs, with muted colors and rich fabrics.”

Featured as Frommer’s Exceptional Choice in Moscow.

Hotel Metropol, Moscow

Hotel Metropol is a legendary landmark in the heart of Moscow, located just steps from the Kremlin and Red Square. Originally envisioned by art patron Savva Mamontov as a "palace of the arts," it opened in 1905 and remains a masterpiece of Russian Art Nouveau. Its unique façade is adorned with stunning majolica panels, including the famous "Princess of Dreams" by Mikhail Vrubel, and features a cryptic Friedrich Nietzsche quote carved into the stone.

“This luxury Moscow hotel was built in 1901 by the Russian equivalent of John D. Rockefeller, the industrialist and art patron Savva Mamontov. Its very central location is right across from the Bolshoi and a few minutes’ walk to the Red Square.”

Featured as Frommer’s Exceptional Choice in Moscow.

Russo Balt Hotel, Moscow

The Russo-Balt Hotel in Moscow is a true hidden gem, housed within a beautifully restored aristocratic manor that dates back to 1879. Originally designed by architect P. Zhukov, the building has a rich cultural pedigree; it once served as the home for the Musaget symbolists publishing house and was frequented by renowned Russian literary figures like Alexander Blok and Andrei Bely.

“With 15 rooms in an exquisite art deco building, the Russo Balt is as intimate and elegant as it gets in Moscow. Standard rooms are on the small side, but the whole place is beautifully decorated with period furnishings and original artwork, with the utmost attention to detail.”

Godzillas Hostel, Moscow

Godzilla's Hostel, located in a historic pre-revolutionary building on Bolshoy Karetnyy Lane, holds the title of Moscow’s first independent hostel. Since opening in 2005, it has become a staple for travelers, particularly those embarking on Trans-Siberian adventures. Its prime location in the Tverskoy district makes it a well-known hub for social interaction, often serving as a meeting point for tour groups.

“Tried and true, Godzillas is Moscow’s best-known hostel, with dozens of beds spread out over four floors. The rooms come in various sizes, but they are all spacious and light-filled and painted in different colours.”

The Carlton Hotel, Moscow

The Carlton, Moscow, occupies one of the city's most storied plots on Tverskaya Street. In the 19th century, this site housed the "France Hotel," later replaced in the 1960s by the concrete "Intourist Hotel," which locals famously nicknamed a "decayed tooth." Today’s grand building, designed by architect Andrey Meerson, was completed in 2007 to restore the historical aesthetic of the area with a facade inspired by Russian classicism.

“At the upper extreme is the Ritz-Carlton. Just steps from the Kremlin, the former Intourist hotel has 334 luxurious rooms.”

Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Moscow.

Radisson Collection Hotel, Moscow

The Radisson Collection Hotel, Moscow, is a true icon of the city, famously known as the historic Hotel Ukraina. Completed in 1957, it is one of the legendary "Seven Sisters"—the towering Stalinist skyscrapers that define the Moscow skyline. Standing 206 meters tall on the banks of the Moskva River, it was once the largest hotel in the world.

“One of the famed Seven Sisters skyscrapers commissioned by Stalin in the 1950s pampers present-day capitalists in luxurious Italianate guest rooms, jauntily decorated lounges, and a world-class spa.”

Featured as Fodor’s Choice in Moscow.

Azimut Hotel Tulskaya, Moscow

The Azimut Hotel Tulskaya in Moscow offers a distinct loft-inspired experience, standing out for its bright, modern interiors that contrast sharply with the city’s more traditional architecture. Located on the Varshavskoe highway, the hotel is housed in a building that reflects a functional, industrial aesthetic, which the brand has expertly adapted into comfortable, minimalist accommodation.

“The new Moscow branch of this Russian hotel chain is a gracious, relaxing haven just one stop outside the central metro line. Azimut is housed in a 19th-century textile factory, and maintains many features of the original design: exposed brick, vaulted ceilings and cast-iron columns.”

Hotel De Paris, Moscow

Hotel De Paris is an elegant boutique property located in a quiet courtyard on Bolshaya Bronnaya Street, right in the historic heart of Moscow. Housed in a charming three-story mansion, the hotel offers an intimate and peaceful escape from the frantic pace of the city. Its location is particularly notable for its deep connections to Moscow's cultural legacy, being situated near the atmospheric Patriarch's Ponds, which famously inspired scenes in Mikhail Bulgakov's literature.

“Steps from the hustle and bustle of Tverskaya, this is a delightfully stylish hotel tucked into a quiet courtyard off the Boulevard Ring. Situated on the lower floors, the rooms do not get much natural light, but they feature king-sized beds, whirlpool tubs and elegant design.”