Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
104
in nighttime raids during Stalin's purges of the 1930s. Today its guests are young travelers
or businesspeople from ex-Soviet republics eager for a piece of Moscow's wealth. The
hotel offers almost no services of its own, but exchange booths, taxis, restaurants, and
bars abound just outside its doors.
10 Tverskaya St. & 495/629-0848. Fax 495/692-1221. 40 units. 2,700 rubles double with shared bath-
room; 4,000 rubles double with bathroom; 7,300 rubles apartment-style room. No credit cards. Metro:
Pushkinskaya or Teatralnaya. Amenities: Concierge, sometimes English-speaking.
3 PETROVKA & THE UKRAINIAN QUARTER
EXPENSIVE
Akvarel This modern aquamarine building is so well hidden from the street that
it feels remote, yet it's just around the corner from Moscow's top theaters and designer
boutiques. The zone surrounding Akvarel was refashioned in the 1990s into a largely
pedestrian district with all new buildings that vaguely echo the pastel facades of 18th-
century Moscow. The hotel, built in 2003, is purely 21st century in style, with a small
lobby cafe perfect for perusing Moscow's English-language press over breakfast. It attracts
business groups and tourists, and offers deep discounts through online travel agencies.
Reflecting the hotel's name ( akvarel means “pastel” in Russian), rooms are decked in pale
blue, green, or peach and feel light and open (though few are truly spacious). Breakfast
and VAT are included in the rates quoted below.
12 Stoleshnikov Proyezd, building 3. & /fax 495/502-9430. www.hotelakvarel.ru. 33 units. $340 double;
from $360 suite (rates pegged to U.S. dollar). AE, DC, MC, V. Metro: Teatralnaya, Kuznetsky Most, or Luby-
anka. Amenities: Restaurant; concierge; room service; smoke-free rooms. In room: A/C, TV w/satellite,
fridge, hair dryer, minibar, Wi-Fi 610 rubles/day.
Budapest A sturdy stone example of the imposing scale and solidity of Stalin-
era architecture, the Budapest is slightly farther from the main streets but abuts several
intriguing lanes most tourists never see. St. Peter Monastery up the hill is well worth a
visit after your morning tea and bliny. The building was erected in 1876 as an apartment
building, and became a hotel at the turn of the 20th century. It was named after Hun-
gary's capital in the days of Socialist bloc solidarity, and has been renovating for the past
few years. In a neighborhood of federal and city government buildings, the Budapest still
attracts official delegations as well as a lively tourist clientele. Rooms are discounted 20%
Friday through Monday. The doormen are listless but the rest of the staff are eager to
help. Fresh renovations added a pool, health club, and salon.
2/18 Petrovskiye Linii. & 495/925-3050. Fax 495/621-5290. www.hotel-budapest.ru. 116 units. From
5,400 rubles double; from 6,500 rubles suite. AE, DC, MC, V. Metro: Teatralnaya or Kuznetsky Most. Ameni-
ties: Cafe; bar; concierge; room service, Internet in business center 280 rubles/hr. In room: A/C, TV w/
satellite, fridge, hair dryer, minibar.
5
Golden Apple This is the contrast of today's Moscow epitomized: A shamelessly
modern boutique hotel designed in bold strokes and shades, tucked inside a 19th century
building that once reportedly housed playwright Anton Chekhov. Despite its almost
aggressive style and high official prices, the Golden Apple is fun and accessible. (Online
discounts run as much as 80%.) Don't be scared off by the enormous apple in the
lobby or the rooms' black curtains, good for blocking out the way-too-early midsummer
 
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