Moscow Is For Lovers

Our Local Expert Says:

Pocket-size Golden Apple isn’t just the city’s first boutique hotel, it’s the city’s only boutique hotel. If you can’t stand heights or crowds, and want easy-access, high-end accommodation downtown, this one is for you. Golden Apple’s sleek, minimalist interior is an antidote to garish Moscow opulence.

Description:

Nestled amidst some of Moscow's trendiest nightclubs, restaurants, and shops, this boutique hotel opened its doors in 2004. Its sleek, modern interior was designed by Canadian architect Rafael Shafir, with the goal of being unique and visually stimulating. Visitors will find themselves within walking distance of both Red Square (Krasnaia Ploshchad') and Kremlin (Kreml') (The). Patrons traveling for business and pleasure can both enjoy the numerous amenities offered by Golden Apple, including 24-hour concierge service, health club, and sauna. For an extra fee, guests can upgrade to the Golden Apple Club Floor, and enjoy benefits like early check-in/late check-out, complimentary room service, and use of private meeting space.

Description:

This is possibly the most famous central square in the world. It is a humbling sight both day and night; beautiful in winter— regally dramatic all the year round. Originally an expanse of nothing more than mud, and populated by a ragged collection of hawkers, beggars and outcasts, Red Square acquired its present grandness gradually. Nowadays, the square and its surrounds positively exude the drama of Russian past and present. The walls of the Kremlin loom on one side, their blood-red height belittling the pale GUM department store opposite. At the southern end of the square towers, is the onion-domed exuberance of St Basil's Cathedral.

Description:

Mayor Luzhkov was once considered a pretender to the Russian Presidency. He certainly does not lack the sense of civic grandeur with which previous Russian rulers have been blessed. This vast cathedral, whose golden domes sit atop a pale majestic hulk of marble and granite, was built at Luzhkov's bidding for the princely sum of USD150 million. The original was erected in commemoration of Russia's defeat over Napoleon. And the current reconstruction was built for Moscow's 850th anniversary, and is a fitting symbol both of a reborn Russia and the dizzy pretensions to grandeur of modern Moscow. Admission is free.

Description:

At 240 meters, carrying a golden star-tipped spire on the top and displaying giant Communist-style statues on terraces and portals, this is the highest and easily the most impressive of the Seven Sisters. The main tower houses university offices. The smaller towers and the wings are blocks of hostels (6,000 rooms) and splendid professional flats (184). The two lowest storeys of the main tower are marble and bronze. A doorway from the University's Museum of Earth Sciences on the 24th floor leads to an open-air observation terrace with a panoramic view to the northeast.

Description:

The accompanying photo features one of the seven behemothic structures towering above Moscow's city center. They were ordered by Stalin in 1947 in an attempt to add a little Soviet grandeur to the city's skyline. Their soaring gothic spires are haunting from a distance and overwhelming at close quarters. The most prominent of the seven is the building of the Moscow State University, a 36-storey beast standing 240 meters tall and topped by a 12-ton star.Other impressive examples include the Hotel Ukraina at Kutuzovskii Prospekt,2, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building at Smolenskaia-Sennaia Ploshchad', 32/34.

Description:

Founded in 1937 by Bolshoi Theater choreographer Igor Moiseyev, this company sought to break free from the restraints of classical dance and has been putting on brilliant performances of their mixture of ballet and folk dance ever since. Folk dances emphasize rhythms from Russia and other former Soviet republics. The company performs at different theaters around town (and around the world), so keep an eye out for their posters at theater kiosks (called teatralniye kassy) or for ads in the English-language press.

Description:

Another restaurant that spent millions on décor, Bistrot recoups by charging an arm and a leg. A replica of a restaurant in Italian resort town Forte de Marni, it is frequented by the same set of people who actually vacation there and demand quality. Expect to pay a lot for a slice of prosciutta, a nibble of gorgonzola and a glass of Chianti.

Description:

Harmoniously housed in the city's posh, Ararat Park Hyatt hotel, Conservatory Lounge & Bar is the ideal venue to sip cocktails or beers during leisurely summer afternoons. Thanks to its 10th floor location, you are sure to get mesmerized by the soul-stirring views of the city, while you relax with your favorite drink or munch on light meals. Complimentary chips, Russian beer and array of pastries with cocktails are served. Impeccable service, refined menu options and drinks will encourage you to make repeated visits.

Description:

Located close to the Moskva river, this estate is the former property of the Russian noble family, Golitsyn. In 1810 the entire estate was purchased by the famous art collector and socialite Iusupov (1750-1831), who, amongst other things, added a harem. Attractions to look out for within the estate include the 17th-century Church of the Archangel Michael, the 18th-century Bolshoi Dom (Big House) with an Italian garden decorated with marble sculptures, and the 19th-century Malyi Palace which has columns commemorating a tsar's visit and inside a famous former serf theatre (1816-1818).

Description:

Possibly Moscow's most unique museum, it's a multi-storeyed and colourful testimony to the life of the early Soviet poet, Maiakovskogo. He committed suicide in 1930 - some say because of a love affair gone wrong, others because of his disillusionment with the course of the revolution to which he had given words. The museum was opened in 1974, and the rooms are decorated with works by Maiakovskogo, photos from his life, newspaper articles, sculptures, and physical embodiments of imagery from his poems. It's all arranged in a higglety-pigglety and disjointed manner - presumably the intention is to convey a sense of being let loose in the poet's mind.

Description:

This garden lying near the north-west stretch of the Garden Ring was founded in 1892 on Karetny Ryad by the entrepreneur Yakov Schukin. The park opened in 1894 and was an immediate success with the public. Nowadays the grounds of the park accommodate three older theatres: New Opera, Sphere, and the Hermitage. A sprinkling of park furniture, flower-beds and decorative touches further enhance the park and by night it is all lit up by 19th century-style lanterns.

Our Local Expert Says:

35mm screens foreign movies in their original languages, including the weird, highbrow and/or sexually explicit movies no one else will show. If you're hankering for a contemporary Finnish film festival or anime marathon, this is your place, hipster.

Description:

This comfortable cinema hall is a part of the 'Central House of Business' complex. The capacity of the theatre is 200 seats. 35mm is equipped with a Dolby Digital sound system. The cinema hall plays commercially successful films as well as more 'alternative' and lesser-known movies. The cinema also organises presentations by famous actors and directors. The cinema is planning to adopt a scheme to get its audience involved in choosing the films that are shown. Viewers will be able to vote for their favourite film.

Description:

For avant-garde shows and cuisine, try this club with its graduated dining platforms and somewhat 1970s decor.

Our Local Expert Says:

Pocket-size Golden Apple isn’t just the city’s first boutique hotel, it’s the city’s only boutique hotel. If you can’t stand heights or crowds, and want easy-access, high-end accommodation downtown, this one is for you. Golden Apple’s sleek, minimalist interior is an antidote to garish Moscow opulence.

Description:

Nestled amidst some of Moscow's trendiest nightclubs, restaurants, and shops, this boutique hotel opened its doors in 2004. Its sleek, modern interior was designed by Canadian architect Rafael Shafir, with the goal of being unique and visually stimulating. Visitors will find themselves within walking distance of both Red Square (Krasnaia Ploshchad') and Kremlin (Kreml') (The). Patrons traveling for business and pleasure can both enjoy the numerous amenities offered by Golden Apple, including 24-hour concierge service, health club, and sauna. For an extra fee, guests can upgrade to the Golden Apple Club Floor, and enjoy benefits like early check-in/late check-out, complimentary room service, and use of private meeting space.

Description:

Kuskovo Estate was originally owned by prominent Moscow nobles, the Sheremetevs, and is a fine example of an 18th century suburban residence. The estate and buildings were created as a place for receptions, celebrations and other kinds of high-Moscow festivities. Some of the more interesting monuments of architecture located on the estate are the Palace Residence, Grotto, Greenhouse, and Dutch and Italian Palaces. There's also a ceramics museum containing a large and beautiful collection of ceramics and glass, dating from antiquity (an Egyptian dinner service) to present time (a vase comemorating the construction of Moscow's metro). The museum's finds include more than 33,000 pieces of Russian, Venetian, English and Italian glass and porcelain.

Description:

This is the best place to experience the phenomenon of Ice Disco, beloved by university students. The music is so loud that many people prefer to skate along the park's pathways, which are also covered in ice during the winter. The rink and paths are cleared of snow fairly regularly, but in the depths of winter conditions can get a little dicey - all part of the fun.

Description:

This concert hall is a great place to hear chamber music. The best singers and musicians right from the Borodin Quartet to the performers of ancient musical instruments - regularly perform at the conservatory. The hall is small and not air-conditioned, dress accordingly. Legend has it that the beautiful soft seats of the concert hall have been here since Tchaikovskii himself was alive. During breaks, you can have a look at the commemorative marble design incorporating the names of the Conservatory's gold medalist graduates.

Description:

The Sky Lounge is located on the 22nd floor of the Russian Academy of Sciences building and has the best panoramic view of Moscow you can get. The Sky Lounge on Leninskiy Prospekt is among the best bars in Moscow where you can sample Euro-Asian fusion cuisine and some delicious cocktails. The cuisine is French, Japanese and Russian and the cost of dinner includes the view which is priceless. On Fridays and Saturdays the bar is open all 24 hours. And on other days, the bar closes only after the last guest leaves. Now that's Russian hospitality!

Our Local Expert Says:

Pocket-size Golden Apple isn’t just the city’s first boutique hotel, it’s the city’s only boutique hotel. If you can’t stand heights or crowds, and want easy-access, high-end accommodation downtown, this one is for you. Golden Apple’s sleek, minimalist interior is an antidote to garish Moscow opulence.

Description:

Nestled amidst some of Moscow's trendiest nightclubs, restaurants, and shops, this boutique hotel opened its doors in 2004. Its sleek, modern interior was designed by Canadian architect Rafael Shafir, with the goal of being unique and visually stimulating. Visitors will find themselves within walking distance of both Red Square (Krasnaia Ploshchad') and Kremlin (Kreml') (The). Patrons traveling for business and pleasure can both enjoy the numerous amenities offered by Golden Apple, including 24-hour concierge service, health club, and sauna. For an extra fee, guests can upgrade to the Golden Apple Club Floor, and enjoy benefits like early check-in/late check-out, complimentary room service, and use of private meeting space.