Visiting Russia for the 2018 World cup? From the grandest of (actual real) palaces to the temple of modern cool, these Moscow and St Petersburg hotels will be your homes from home for the duration of the tournament.
FOUR SEASONS MOSCOW
Just steps from Red Square and the Kremlin, Four Seasons Moscow has been built to recreate the Old World spirit of its previous 1930s incarnation, Hotel Moskva. This grandness continues in the Four Seasons Suite, with its fully marble bathroom and walk-in closet, which overlooks Alexandrovsky Gardens and Manezhnava Square.
Guests will enjoy a wide range of dining options, including Quadrum, which serves contemporary Italian cuisine, and Bystro, with its modern Russian dishes and local specialities. It’s a must for spa-goers; high-luxe treatments include green caviar facials and 24 carat gold scrubs, with a beautiful sunlit glass-enclosed lap pool to relax by afterwards.
THE RITZ-CARLTON MOSCOW
Few properties in Moscow offer views as extensive as the Ritz-Carlton – and they’re best taken in from its rooftop bar and terrace, O2 Lounge, where visitors can sip cocktails overlooking Red Square and the Kremlin.
The hotel’s 11th floor is home to the Ritz-Carlton Club Level with dedicated concierge staff, where guests can choose from a range of suites with huge windows and stunning views – some feature amenities such as grand pianos and open fires.
STANDART MOSCOW
A member of the Design Hotels network of independent properties, The StandArt and its 105 individually decorated ‘retro-futuristic’ rooms and suites offer a boutique experience to guests. Its state-of-art gym features Technogym equipment, and the spa boasts four treatment suites, a Turkish bath, sauna and pool.
Helmed by two-Michelin star chef Angel Pascual, the Sever-Yug (North-South) restaurant presents a menu that blends Spanish cuisine with local flavours, while at front-of-house a Clefs d’Or concierge is ready to answer each and every request from guests, regardless of scale or improbability.
FOUR SEASONS HOTEL LION PALACE ST PETERSBURG
Set in a lavishly restored 19th century royal palace, Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St Petersburg is a must for visitors seeking full Russian splendour. Suites are classically furnished and enjoy views over nearby historic landmarks such as the Admiralty or St Isaac’s Cathedral; the Lobanov Suite even features a fireplace and huge terrace for entertaining.
Restaurants include Sintoho, which serves contemporary Asian flavours, and Percorso, for Italian cuisine in an optional provate dining space. The four-level Luceo Spa has been built into the original triangular courtyard of the palace and offers treatments using Hungarian thermal waters, Russian amber and gold extracts.
LOTTE ST PETERSBURG
Newly established in a 19th century mansion in St Isaac’s Square, the Lotte Hotel St Petersburg blends classic and modern to put comfort at the forefront for guests. For example, the Superior Suite has skylight windows, Bulgari Spa products in the bathroom, integrated Bang & Olufsen sound systems and digital control panels for lights, curtains and temperature.
Guests can enjoy contemporary Japanese cuisine at MEGUmi or relax on the hotel’s rooftop bar overlooking St Isaac’s Cathedral. The Mandara Spa, with sumptuous pool and two saunas, offers Balinese treatment rituals. The central location perfect for local sightseeing in-between matches – it’s close to major landmarks such as the Hermitage museum and Mariinsky theatre.
