Best Hotels in Moscow

About Moscow

Moscow isn’t a city you “visit”; it’s a place that gets under your skin, sometimes without asking permission. The winter light cuts sharply between onion domes and gray facades, while summer lingers late into the evening; people still walking their dogs at 11 p.m., espresso in one hand, phone in the other. It’s both regal and unhurried, formal yet full of laughter. Streets like Tverskaya and Arbat have the polish of global capitals, yet you’ll still find babushkas selling berries from folded tables near metro exits. The first impression often depends on where you stay. The best hotels in Moscow range from stately Soviet-era giants with echoing marble halls to minimalist Nordic-style boutique stays tucked behind quiet courtyards. The rhythm of the city is written in those hallways, the creak of polished floors at Hotel Metropol, the quiet hum of the air conditioning in a high-rise near the Moscow River.

Business travelers tend to cluster around the financial district or near Belorussky Station for convenience, while leisure guests drift toward Red Square, where every window seems to catch a piece of history. The Moscow Metro, with its chandeliered stations, remains the city’s hidden luxury; reliable, grand, and only 60 rubles a ride. Even after years of visiting, there’s still a tiny thrill when a train slides in under those arched murals. If there’s one quiet truth about Moscow, it’s that comfort depends on choosing the right pocket of the city and knowing when to book.

Explore a variety of Moscow tour packages with Akbar Travels, offering well-planned itineraries, guided city experiences, and hotel options to match every budget.

Moscow Airport Address

Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO)
Address: Khimki, Moscow Oblast, Russia, 141400
Contact: +7 495 578-65-65
Email: info@svo.aero 

Secondary airports include Domodedovo (DME) and Vnukovo (VKO), both modernized and metro-accessible. Taxi fares to the center range between 1,400–2,500 rubles, depending on the hour and traffic. Avoid the unofficial cab touts right outside arrivals; order via Yandex Go or Citymobil instead.

The Best Time to Visit Moscow

Late May to mid-September feels alive. Sidewalk cafés spill onto boulevards, and hotel terraces fill with late-night chatter. December brings its own magic: frost on every lamppost, mulled wine at Christmas markets, and prices on hotels in Moscow that rise about 25% near New Year’s Eve.

Book 45–60 days in advance for fair Moscow hotel price comparison results; rates fluctuate wildly during major conventions and Orthodox holidays. Early autumn (September) offers crisp air, thinner crowds, and that amber light Moscow photographers chase all year.

How to Reach Moscow

By Air:

Flights arrive daily from every major hub in Europe and Asia. Sheremetyevo handles Aeroflot’s main routes; Domodedovo sees Emirates, Turkish Airlines, and others. Keep printed copies of visas and bookings, immigration desks sometimes frown on phone-only versions.

By Rail:

Moscow’s rail stations are destinations themselves; ornate, confusing, and proud. Leningradsky handles trains from St. Petersburg (around 4 hours on Sapsan). Kazansky connects to the Urals and Siberia. If you book hotels in Moscow near railway station zones, you’ll save on cabs and gain morning access to bakeries that open early for commuters.

By Road:

Driving in Moscow can feel like a polite duel. Navigation apps help, but traffic snarls unpredictably around Garden Ring and Kutuzovsky Avenue. For intercity travel, long-distance buses arrive at Novoyasenevskaya Terminal.

Things to do in Moscow

• Red Square: Heart of the city, ringed by St. Basil’s, GUM Mall, and Kremlin walls.
• The Kremlin: Russia’s political core, housing palaces, cathedrals, and the Armory Museum.
• Bolshoi Theatre: A world-class opera and ballet stage with gilded interiors.
• Gorky Park: Reborn green space with bike paths, cafés, and riverside decks.
• Tretyakov Gallery: Vast Russian art collection; icons to avant-garde.
• Moscow Metro Tour: Each station is a museum of Soviet-era mosaics and sculptures.
• Izmailovsky Market: For crafts, antiques, and an occasional nesting doll that still smells of lacquer.
• Moscow River Cruise: Smooth ride past the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour at sunset.
• Sparrow Hills: City panorama point near Moscow State University.
• Arbat Street: Pedestrian shopping lane with street music and outdoor portraitists.
• Novodevichy Convent: Peaceful monastery complex, shimmering ponds.
• VDNKh: Soviet exhibition park turned into a futuristic fairground.

Shopping in Moscow

Skip the glossy brochures. The real finds are scattered between heritage arcades and tiny designer corners.

• GUM: Landmark mall with stained-glass roofs and a secret ice cream kiosk from Soviet times.
• TSUM: Fashion flagship where Gucci and Prada share floors with Russian designers.
• Aviapark: One of Europe’s biggest malls, there’s a full-sized aquarium inside.
• Okhotny Ryad: Underground mall right under Manezhnaya Square.
• Arbat Street Shops: Tourist kitsch but great for amber jewelry and linen scarves.
• Danilovsky Market: Fresh produce, gourmet stalls, and a killer Uzbek plov booth.
• Atrium Mall: Younger vibe, right beside Kursky Station.
• Vintage Voyage: Curated vintage clothes and Soviet memorabilia.
• Tsvetnoy Central Market: Concept store meets café; locals browse and linger.
• Depo Food Hall: Gourmet paradise; smells of smoked salmon and Georgian spices.
• Kuznetsky Most boutiques: Small but elegant; think understated Moscow chic.
• Izmailovsky Market stalls: For handmade toys and samovars at negotiable prices.

Famous Restaurants in Moscow

• White Rabbit: 360° skyline views, modern Russian cuisine.
• Dr. Zhivago: Classic Soviet comfort food served with pomp.
• Café Pushkin: Candle-lit interiors echoing 19th-century nobility.
• O2 Lounge: Rooftop sushi with Red Square beneath.
• Mari Vanna: Feels like dining in an eccentric aunt’s living room.
• Beluga: Caviar bar at Hotel National; a splurge worth the memory.
• Uilliam’s: Fresh local produce, buzzy expat crowd.
• LavkaLavka: Farm-to-table with Moscow countryside ingredients.
• Strelka Bar: Hip riverside hangout with live DJ nights.
• Khachapuri I Vino: Georgian comfort food, fast service, loud laughter.
• Voronezh: Steakhouse with multiple floors and moods.
• Tkemali: Hidden gem near Taganka for lamb shashlik.
• Syndicate Steakhouse: Bold décor, confident staff, and great whiskey list.
• Coffeemania: Reliable chain for coffee and fresh syrniki pancakes.

Popular Hotels in Moscow

Here’s where Moscow quietly reveals its dual nature; old-world grandeur and sleek modernism.

1. Hotel Metropol Moscow: Art Nouveau legend facing the Bolshoi; lobby harps music in evenings.
2. The Ritz-Carlton Moscow: Grand rooftop bar, impeccable service, near Red Square.
3. Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow: Warmly minimal, close to the theatre district.
4. Hotel Baltschug Kempinski: River views straight onto the Kremlin — slightly formal but worth it.
5. St. Regis Nikolskaya: Old bank turned luxury stay with polished marble corridors.
6. National Hotel Moscow: Historic, regal, and yes, the elevator doors creak — charmingly so.
7. Azimut Smolenskaya Hotel: Modern high-rise with breakfast views of Cathedral Christ the Saviour.
8. Marriott Grand Hotel: Reliable chain comfort on Tverskaya.
9. Radisson Collection Hotel (Ukraine): Stalin-era “Seven Sisters” tower, dramatic lobby.
10. Vega Izmailovo Hotel: Functional, well-run, great if attending fairs at VDNKh.
11. StandArt Design Hotel: Quirky décor, hip crowd.
12. Holiday Inn Lesnaya: Good balance of comfort and cost for business stays.
13. PentaHotel Moscow Arbat: Social lounge concept, popular with younger travelers.
14. ibis Moscow Centre: Dependable, cheap hotels in Moscow option without surprises.

Popular Resorts in Moscow

Moscow doesn’t do “resort” in the beachy sense, but suburban estates around its forest belt offer leisure retreats

• Barvikha Hotel & Spa: Luxe escape favored by visiting CEOs.
• Swissôtel Krasnye Holmy: Tall, polished, with spa views over the river bend.
• Imperial Park Hotel & Spa: Pine forest retreat 25 km from the city.
• Moskovskiye Zori Resort: Lakefront rooms, affordable midweek rates.
• Les Art Resort: All-inclusive with indoor pools; families love it.
• Foresta Tropicana Hotel: Quieter, friendly, excellent breakfast pastries.
• Pokrovka Apart Hotel: Good hybrid between resort and long-stay base.
• Petrovo-Dalneye Sanatorium: Soviet-era rehab turned spa; nostalgic charm.
• M’Istra’L Hotel & Spa: European-style resort by Istra Reservoir.
• Serebryany Bor Club House: Close to the city but feels rural.
• DoubleTree by Hilton Vnukovo: Practical resort-like stay near airport.
• Novahoff Resort: Big for corporate offsites; nice heated pool.

Where to Stay in Moscow

Choosing where to stay shapes the experience more than any guidebook admits. For first-timers, the Tverskaya–Red Square belt hits the sweet spot between walkability and nightlife. For quiet elegance, Patriarch’s Ponds offers leafy calm and boutique hotels in Moscow with old-building charm.

Those seeking convenience should check hotels in Moscow near airport zones like Sheremetyevo or Domodedovo for quick layovers. If you crave the buzz, Kitay-Gorod keeps you within walking distance of bars and late-night dumpling spots.

Business travelers lean toward Presnensky District, where the new skyscrapers stand; slightly sterile, but taxis reach everywhere fast. Families often pick Arbat for comfort, cafés, and safety.

Places to Stay in Moscow near Popular Attractions

• Near Red Square: Metropol, National Hotel, St. Regis.
• Near Bolshoi Theatre: Ararat Park Hyatt, StandArt.
• Near Gorky Park: Azimut Smolenskaya, Radisson Collection.
• Near VDNKh: Vega Izmailovo, Holiday Inn Sokolniki.
• Near Moscow River: Kempinski Baltschug, Swissôtel Krasnye Holmy.

Booking through akbartravels.com often helps locate these clusters with clearer district mapping, the filters there match local neighborhoods, not just pinpoints on Google.

Budget Hotels in Moscow

Cheap hotels in Moscow aren’t rare; you just need timing and a good filter. The cheapest hotel in Moscow tends to appear 30–35 days before travel, as mid-tier chains release unsold inventory.

• Hotel Matreshka: Steps from Bolshoi, rooms small but central.
• Izmailovo Gamma: Reliable, older fittings, but great service.
• ibis Dynamo: Clean, quick check-in, near metro.
• CityComfort Hotel Kitay-Gorod: Walkable to sights, cozy lobby.
• Artel Hotel: Budget with personality; murals on each wall.
• Vremena Goda: Affordable boutique near Arbat

akbartravels.com lists dynamic discounts on 2 star hotel Moscow stays if booked midweek. Rates drop about 15% when occupancy dips below 70%.

Moscow Hotels by Star Rating 

• 5 Star Hotels in Moscow: Ritz-Carlton, Metropol, Ararat Park Hyatt, St. Regis, Baltschug Kempinski.
• 4 Star: Azimut Smolenskaya, Radisson Blu Belorusskaya, Holiday Inn Lesnaya.
• 3 Star: ibis Moscow Centre, Vega Izmailovo, Vremena Goda.
• 2 Star Hotel Moscow picks: Matreshka, Artel.

For comparing facilities versus value, akbartravels.com gives transparent Moscow hotel price comparison data without requiring login.

Best Hotels in Moscow based on Location

• Central Luxury: Ritz-Carlton or Metropol.
• Business Zone: Swissôtel Krasnye Holmy.
• Creative Area: StandArt Hotel near Pushkin Square.
• Rail Access: Holiday Inn Lesnaya near Belorussky.
• Airport Stay: DoubleTree by Hilton Vnukovo (best-rated among hotels in Moscow near airport).
• Nature Access: M’Istra’L Hotel & Spa.

Book at least 6 weeks prior. Moscow hotels fill fast during June–July wedding season when local banquets block half the suites.

Family-Friendly Hotels in Moscow

Families prefer functional comfort over flash. Consider:

• Marriott Grand Hotel: Interconnected rooms, central yet quiet.
• Azimut Smolenskaya: Spacious breakfast area, high floors safe for kids.
• Swissôtel Krasnye Holmy: Indoor pool and weekend kids’ brunches.
• Vega Izmailovo: Adjacent park and kids’ playroom.
• Foresta Tropicana Resort: Country air, pony rides, warm staff.

Small tip: pack slippers. Moscow hotels don’t always provide extras unless requested; front desks respond faster in person than by phone.

Moscow Hotels Tariff

The range is wide: from around ₹3,500 per night at basic lodgings to ₹38,000+ for a Moscow 5 star hotel suite with Kremlin views. Weekday rates are lower except during conferences.

Local rule: prices jump about 20% for Friday–Sunday stays around Red Square due to domestic tourists. Winter discounts are real; luxury hotels in Moscow often cut spa packages by 30%.

A quick look at akbartravels.com before confirming helps spot quiet rate dips, it tracks Moscow hotel price variations by hour.

Moscow Travel Tips

1. Book Flights Early for Better Deals: Moscow flight tickets can vary in price. To secure the best fares, it’s advisable to book cheap flights to Moscow well in advance, ideally 6–8 weeks before departure when airlines release unsold inventory at midrange tariffs.
2. Avoid Last-Minute Hotel Bookings: Hotels in Moscow rarely drop prices on the same day; occupancy tracking is algorithmic. Booking 30–45 days ahead ensures up to 20% savings on mid-tier stays and more choice in room types.
3. Use the Troika Card for Transit: A single card covers metro, bus, and tram rides. It costs about 60 rubles and saves time fumbling at kiosks. Rechargeable anywhere with the yellow “Пополнить” machines.
4. Mind Airport Transfers: Official taxis (Yandex Go, Citymobil) charge around 1,500–2,500 rubles from Sheremetyevo to the city center. Avoid cash-only drivers hovering near exits; half are unlicensed and may overcharge.
5. Carry a Copy of Your Visa and Passport: Police checks, while polite, happen randomly in metro areas. A photocopy works; digital scans sometimes don’t. Hotel receptions will make copies at no charge.
6. Check the Exchange Booth Rates Inside Malls: Those at GUM or TSUM have tighter spreads (0.5–1 ruble difference per dollar). Kiosk exchangers near metro stations tend to advertise fake rates that change when you hand over cash.
7. Buy Bottled Water in 5-Liter Packs: Tap water’s treated but mineral-heavy, locals prefer bottled. Supermarkets like Perekrestok sell 5L bottles cheaper than hotel minibars (about 80 rubles).
8. Beware of Hotel Check-in Times: Standard check-in starts at 2:00 p.m., but if arriving from early flights, pre-book early check-in or rest in airport lounges. Hotels in Moscow near airport zones usually charge half-day rates for morning arrivals.
9. Learn Simple Cyrillic Metro Names: Metro signage is bilingual, yet pronunciations differ. Knowing letters like “П” (P) or “В” (V) helps you spot your stop faster, especially when trains are crowded.
10. Respect Museum Security Routines: Bags go through scanners almost everywhere, even at small galleries. Don’t panic, it’s normal. Leave large backpacks at hotel cloakrooms to skip longer queues.
11. Choose Cafés Attached to Bookstores: Cafés like Respublika or Dom Knigi serve great espresso and free Wi-Fi, quieter than mainstream chains. Locals linger for hours without rush, especially near Tverskaya.
12. Tipping Is Appreciated but Modest: Around 5–10% in restaurants is perfect. Porters or housekeepers appreciate 100–200 rubles. Slip it discreetly in the thank-you note or envelope, locals value subtlety.
13. Beware of Overheating Indoors in Winter: Central heating works too well. Dress in layers, not heavy sweaters. Even 2 star hotel Moscow rooms stay toasty; opening a window briefly at night helps balance the warmth.
14. Skip Peak Tourist Hours at Red Square: Visit before 9:00 a.m. for empty photos or after 10:00 p.m. when lights are on and crowds vanish. Street cleaners might still be at work, they don’t mind you taking pictures.
15. Use Akbar Travels for Smarter Bundles: When booking flights and hotels together, akbartravels.com sometimes lists Moscow hotel price comparison results alongside discounted airfare; a combo few global sites manage correctly for Russia.

You can easily apply for your Russia visa online through Akbar Travels, saving time on embassy visits and getting guided support for document submission.