Top 5 boutique hotels in Russia

For world-class museums, rich imperial beauty and stunning historic architecture, Russia is your destination of choice. Read how to make the most out of your extravagant journey.

1. Moscow, Golden Apple 5*

http://www.goldenapple.ru/en

Price : Starts at $100 per night

Facilities : Restaurant; bar; concierge; health club; Jacuzzi; sauna; spa; room service

Moscow´s first boutique hotel, Golden Apple is one of city's premier destinations for daring design and five-star comfort. It is very well placed right in the historical centre, about 15 minutes walk from Red Square and the Kremlin: it´s getting easy to explore Moscow from the Golden Apple, with most of the city's major attractions within comfortable walking distance of the hotel.

The hotel's 8-storey historical building from the late 19th century that once reportedly housed playwright Anton Chekhov, contains 92 rooms, decorated in a minimalist, modern style – subdued whites and greys punctuated by contrasting coloured drapes and funky light fixtures. Angular oak furnishings, Philippe Starck bath fixtures and apple-themed carpets complete this stylish experience.

Individual climate control, bathroom floor heating, personally coded room safes, premium cable and satellite TV channels, multiple phone lines and Wi-Fi throughout the building are a standard. A trendy Lobby Bar is a perfect place to meet and socialize and is frequented by well-off Russians and foreigners, it's a good place to start for a night on the town.

2. Moscow, Savoy, 5*

http://eng.savoy.ru/

Price : Starts at $ 230 per night

Facilities : Restaurant, bar/lounge, café, concierge; indoor pool, sauna, fitness; free private parking; treatment rooms, hair salon, beauty services; room service

The elegant Savoy Hotel with impressive history and stunning design provides 62 luxorious rooms, decorated in a classic style with modern splashes. It is located close to Bolshoi Theatre, Red Square and Kremlin and GUM Department Store.

The Savoy Hotel was opened in 1913. Previous guests of the hotel include Russian poet Serguey Yesenin, actress Isadora Duncan and Antoine de Saint Exupery. After a complete redesign made by Leonardo Tagnoni, who previously restored Palazzo Barberini and Borghese Gallery in Rome, Savoy became the first Russian hotel in a prestigious league of “Small Luxury Hotels of the World”.

Air conditioning, minibars, complimentary newspapers, hypo-allergenic bedding, satellite television, free Wi Fi and bathroom phones are a standard.

3. St. Petersburg, Golden Garden 5*

http://www.goldengarden.ru/en/

Price : Starts at $150 per night

Facilities : 2 Restaurants, special diet menus (on request); bar; concierge; room service, meeting/banquet facilities; business centre, babysitting/child services; beauty complex, hairdresser, free private parking

A small Golden Garden Boutique Hotel is situated in a historical part of the city, with easy access to all sightseeing locations via bus, subway or walking (only a 2-minute walk from Nevsky Prospekt, a city’s majestic avenue.

The Golden Garden has 17 comfortable rooms and six luxurious suites featuring stylish, well-appointed interiors in an eclectic period style combined with a full range of hi-tech amenities. Guests can enjoy shopping at the onsite boutiques and first-class dinner at F.M. Dostoevsky Restaurant (Russian specialties) or at Bella Leone (Italian cuisine).

4. Sochi, Grand Hotel&Spa Rodina (Motherland) 5*

http://grandhotelrodina.ru/

Price : Starts at $550 per night

Facilities : Restaurant, Bar, Garden, Terrace, BBQ facilities, Outdoor pool (seasonal), Private beach area, Tennis court, Fitness centre, Fishing, Solarium, Spa and wellness centre, Massage, Billiards, Table tennis, Windsurfing, Hot tub, Library, Hiking, Turkish/steam bath, Horse riding, Snorkeling, Indoor pool (all year), Bikes available (free), Ski pass vendor

The Grand Hotel & Spa Rodina is the most popular resort in Sochi on the Russian Riviera. The central building is designed in the best traditions of Stalin’s neo-classicism is very cozily located in the heart of the magnificent subtropical garden covering an area of 15 hectares. This luxurious combination of modern functionality and refined Attic style of architecture and design provides 40 exquisite designers rooms.

By day, the hotel restaurant goes by the name Moskva, serving light and elegant cuisine to match the décor. But, at night, it becomes Black Magnolia. The décor and the menu changes to reflect its standing as one of the hottest venues in Sochi. “Cho-Co-Te” and Lounge Bar “LILI” are the best place for a light meal and easy companionship. “Black Sea Beach Club” is located on the pebble beach, which is supposed to be one of Sochi’s best.

The most hi-tech SPA complex with a total area of more than 4 000 square meters is one of the biggest SPAs in Europe. While for active and dynamic holiday-makers the hotel offers well-equipped basketball and volley ball courts, two tennis courts with a special coating and lighting facilities, as well as an open air swimming pool and an indoor heated swimming pool.

5. Abrau Durso, Hotel Imperial&Champagne SPA 4*

http://u-ozera.ru/hotel/o_gostinice/ (in russian)

Price : Starts at $100

Facilities : Restaurant; bar; grounds, Sun Deck, Outdoor Pool (Seasonal); Private Beach Area, Fitness Center, Fishing, Spa, Playground, Bicycle Rental; free parking

The first Russian Wine Hotel provided by Russian Wine and Champagne company Abrau Durso is located 100 metres from Lake Abrau and 6 km from the Black Sea’s pebbled beaches.

The elegant Imperial & Champagne SPA offers 40 individually decorated rooms with stone walls, chandeliers, patterned wallpaper and claw-foot bath tabs. Combining a luxurious setting with premium facilities, the Hotel Imperial & Champagne SPA offers a private beach and a gym. Hotel guests can enjoy fishing and boating, or relax on the sunny poolside terrace. It features expansive countryside and beach views.

A buffet breakfast is provided in the hotel’s bright dining room with an open fireplace. European cuisine is served at the cosy Terrasse Di Lago restaurant just 500 metres away.

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