Winter Luxury Escapes in Moscow
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Lotte
TSUM
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VDNH
Moscow Kremlin
The Carlton
Metropol
GUM
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Four Seasons
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Winter in Russia is a unique adventure worth going on at least once in your life. Many tourists specifically plan their trips to Moscow in December and February - at this time of year the capital is brightly decorated with fairy-light constructions and Christmas trees, additional illuminations are also turned on in the main streets, and New Year fayres with aromatic hot drinks and sweets unfold in the squares. Everything around is covered in snow, sparkling and glittering, making every possible shot from the Moscow streets look like a magical fairy tale scene. In Moscow you can find exclusive winter entertainment, combining it with the comfort and luxury of a capital city vacation.
Streets with a magical atmosphere
Moscow is located in a temperate continental climate zone, so winters here are more comfortable than in harsh Siberia, where temperatures can drop to -50°C, or in the northern capital of St. Petersburg, where, in winter, the penetrating wind from the bay and the Neva River is a frequent phenomenon. Crisp Russian frosts can also occur in Moscow, but winter there is mostly moderate, with fabulous snowfalls. Regardless of the vagaries of the weather, the city begins to be decorated as early as November, and winter holidays here last until the end of January. The New Year mood passes seamlessly into the Christmas mood, and then begins the celebration of Shrovetide, so the festive atmosphere remains in the capital all winter.
Despite the fact that in winter it gets light late and dark early, city services do their best to create a festive mood for residents and guests. Thousands of light installations on the city streets sparkle in the sunshine. The main symbols of the holiday in Moscow are New Year fir trees with colourful baubles and garlands, which are put up in all the districts of the capital. The main Christmas tree of Russia, with the most lavish decorations, is always placed on Sobornaya Square, near the Uspensky Cathedral. You can find Christmas trees next to most metro station entrances, and on Red Square there is traditionally a children"s carousel with fairy-lights and garlands.
Light multimedia tunnels are installed in pedestrian zones in the city centre, and graceful garlands of petals, “crystal” pendants, gold and silver ornaments, are hung over the shorter pedestrian streets. Huge New Year baubles are ‘scattered’ near the Bolshoi Theatre, and elegant openwork light arches draw queues of those wishing to take a spectacular photo. Luminous alleys of ‘trees’, new year socks decorations and carriages, and also magical castles fill the streets, embankments, parks and alleyways of Moscow.
The famous TSUM, a premium shopping destination in the heart of the city, turns into a giant gift box with a huge scarlet ribbon. Another popular store in the centre of Moscow - GUM (Main Department Store) - traditionally arranges an authentic Russian fayre of fairy-tale box houses inside its shopping rows. Next to boutiques and branches of world brands, you can buy traditional souvenirs, Christmas tree baubles, Orenburg scarves, mittens and other warm gifts from winter Russia. In winter time, literally every step in the centre of Moscow leads to gasps of admiration and makes you take out your phone again and again to capture yet more enchanting scenes. To see all the most impressive decorations of winter Moscow, lodge in the city center during your trip.
Luxury and cosiness in the middle of a snowy winter - where to stay in Moscow"s winter fairytale
The Carlton, Moscow
The epitome of luxury in the centre of Moscow, with all the traditions of Russian hospitality. In wintertime, the hotel"s premium spa becomes a special gem, where you can warm up after a walk in the cold or start the day after a leisurely breakfast on the terrace overlooking the Kremlin. The Carlton is renowned for its reverent attitude to relaxation: visitors take note of the delicate linens, touch-sensitive control of lights and curtains, excellent soundproofing, careful preparation of beds and late check-out.
Four Seasons
If you want to literally live inside the New Year, this is the choice for you. You can admire the winter beauty of Moscow right from the hotel- the suites have balconies and panoramic windows offering magnificent views of the decorated historical centre. The updated version of the legendary Moscow Hotel in a contemporary design was created as an exceptionally premium one- the rooms here start from the deluxe category. Its elevated status is confirmed by designer interiors, expensive equipment, and personalised equipment in its spas and restaurants. Concierge service - a special service of the hotel - will help you to plan your own programme and make your trip to Moscow truly exclusive.
Metropol
The legendary Metropol looks like a piece of art in its own right, in sumptuously decorated winter Moscow. The historic Art Nouveau building has maintained its tradition of hospitality since 1905. Some rooms have retained their original design, antique furniture, vintage chandeliers and original paintings by Russian artists, while some rooms have been restored in the Art Deco style. Bernard Shaw, Marlene Dietrich, John Steinbeck, Diana Vishneva, Pierre Cardin, Sharon Stone, Elton John and other world celebrities have stayed in the historic rooms. The proximity to the Bolshoi Theater and Red Square will make your stay here as comfortable as possible. Shopping, walking, art - everything is literally within walking distance.
Ararat Park Hyatt
A morning cup of coffee with a view of the Kremlin or the Bolshoi Theater is an atmospheric accompaniment to a luxurious stay in a five-star hotel with modern, stylish suites. In winter, guests will appreciate its heated floors, views of the cosy courtyard or snow-covered Moscow itself. Absolutely everything has been thought of for an unforgettable holiday - from magnificent bathrooms in Italian marble to smart room control systems and premium coffee machines.
Lotte Hotel Moscow
This luxurious five-star hotel at the intersection of Novy Arbat and the Garden Ring is famous for its spacious suites. Its advantageous location allowed the architects to create a combination of refined elegant interiors with views of the business centre and Moscow City. The top floor houses the pride of the hotel - the Royal Suite, with an area of 490 square metres. In winter time, Mandara Spa, one of the best spa centres in the capital inspired by Asian landscapes, becomes a special luxury. The thermal complex here includes a Jacuzzi, silk bath, Turkish bath, sauna, and a relaxation room.
Baltschug Kempinski
This hotel offers an impressive collection of ‘Designer’ and ‘Panoramic’ suites with beautiful views of Moscow. The elegant and spacious suites have everything you need for a premium holiday , while the Baltschug Grill and Kranzler restaurants attract not only guests but also the Moscow public. In winter, be sure to complement your walks through snowy Moscow with a warm evening in the cosy bar with a fireplace in the hotel lobby.
From classical art to a sauna holiday: Moscow"s main winter entertainments
In winter, the city can offer its guests unique entertainment, available only in the colder months. But some of them are completely unrelated to the weather.
For example, it is in the winter months that Moscow theatres open their season of the most famous New Year story - “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King”. The legendary Bolshoi Theater includes the famous ballet in its repertoire for just a few weeks, so the performance becomes a true winter exclusive.
Winter skating is a traditional form of Moscow entertainment. With the onset of cold weather, skating rinks appear (like magic) in every district of the capital. The largest skating rink, with an area of more than 20 thousand square metres, will be opened at VDNH. During the whole winter season, guests will be able to do morning exercise, night skating, attend thematic parties, go-karting competitions, sessions of laser tag, bowling and hockey games, plus shows starring famous figure skaters. Gorky Park, one of Muscovites" favourite leisure spots, will be turned into a huge city skating rink. Large spaces for skating, appealing ice paths, spectacular light tunnels - everything will be according to Moscow park traditions. You can eat and warm up without taking off your skates, as the rink has kiosks, cafes and restaurants on the ice, a zone with a real fire, heated benches and photo zones.
Yet it is not actually obligatory to be able to skate - for beginners, there are free stands in the shape of penguins and helicopters. In November, under the Kremlin stars on Red Square, the winter season starts on the ice of the GUM skating rink. Everything here is like in films about Christmas holidays- the music, the central Christmas tree, the fair, the decorations and illuminations, the fairy-tale heroes and artists on the ice. After skating here, you can go shopping in GUM or the neighbouring shopping centre ‘Okhotny Ryad’. In the Hermitage Garden, two areas for winter fun will be filled at once. The natural ice rink promises to become one of the most romantic places in winter Moscow. Ice paths will run past sculptures, shrubs in snow and an historical fountain.
The Moscow Estates festival will feature open-air balls and winter musical evenings in historic mansions, where you can experience the spirit of noble traditions and family life of past eras. The winter atmosphere is complemented by the Moscow Tea Party, which will take place on Tverskaya Square. Visitors will be able not only to taste Moscow"s speciality tea, but also enjoy dancing, tastings and warm conversations around the samovar. These events combine ancient traditions and modern pleasures, making winter Moscow truly magical.
With the onset of winter, almost every Moscow park turns into a snowy kingdom with ice rinks, slides and other winter entertainment. Moscow residents and tourists go tubing, feed birds, make snowmen, warm themselves with hot tea and enjoy winter to the maximum.
For a truly complete experience, of course, you should try a real Russian banya - a traditional Russian steam bath. The winter is the best time for it!
Going to a banya is a traditional Russian pastime, and Moscow has a huge choice of sauna complexes . For example, SiberiaMoscow - a traditional Siberian wood-fired sauna and indoor bath club in the centre of Moscow (Obraztsova 31), or immersive bath complex ‘Knyazhe”, inspired by the spirit of old Russia (Shmitovsky proezd 27c1). The bathhouse was traditionally a place where travellers and guests were welcomed, and Russians carefully preserve these customs - every guest in the bathhouse is received as a highly respected individual. This approach is retained even in public baths - for example, in the legendary “Sanduns” on Neglinnaya Street, 14 (where all the noble public of the capital during the XIX century, including the poet Alexander Pushkin, used to come for a steam) or in the complex “Firebirds” in the restored historical buildings of the XIX century (Nizhnyaya Maslovka, 15).
Don"t miss the opportunity to enjoy the magical Russian winter in the capital of Russia. Moscow offers a huge range of winter entertainment - from seasonal cultural programmes to unique winter events. A trip to snowy Moscow will be a memorable adventure for the most discerning travellers.