Intelligent Travel: Checking In: The Ritz-Carlton Moscow

Not quite a year old, the Ritz-Carlton, Moscow, is all the buzz in a city that just recently confirmed that it's the world's most expensive city. With views of Red Square, the 334-room hotel features over-the-top amenities, including a vodka sommelier who oversees 400 varieties of the drink, the glass-domed O2 Lounge where you can dip into a caviar sushi roll, and a nightlife butler who helps guests navigate Moscow's trendy club scene. Associate editor Susan O'Keefe recently checked in with Oliver Eller, general manager of the Ritz-Carlton, Moscow, and asked him how to make the most of a an overnight stay or day-visit to his opulent hotel and city.

Tell us about some of the features that make the Moscow Ritz-Carlton unique. How does it speak to the destination? Caviar at turndown?

Our large guest rooms measure from 452 sq. feet and feature high-tech amenities such as flat screen TV’s and finger touch panels for controlling lights and curtains. The Jeroboam restaurant is run by Three-Michelin Star Chef Heinz Winkler. Recently, the restaurant has been recognized by Time Out Moscow magazine as Moscow’s best restaurant in 2007. And the panoramic views from the 12th floor O2 terrace lounge over the city center are breathtaking.

When I step out of your hotel, what will I see within a mile's walk? Any personal favorite shops, restaurants, or must-see attractions?

[We have a] great location adjacent to Red Square and the Kremlin, on the famous Tverskaya Street, Moscow’s main avenue. [And there's] Saint Basil’s Cathedral, Christ the Savior Cathedral, Pushkin Museum for Arts, Bolshoi Theater, famous luxury shopping malls GUM and TSUM, the largest exhibition hall Manege, the Russian Historical Museum, Armory etc. I personally like the Kamergersky street. It is a pedestrian zone with many small restaurants and cafés. In summer it is the best place to sit on the terrace, enjoy the beautiful summer weather and watch Muscovites strolling by.

What should someone not leave Moscow without doing? Seeing? Or buying?

Never miss the Bolshoi Theater. To obtain a feeling of old Moscow, I would recommend to go for a stroll in historical areas such as Patriarshi Ponds, Kitai Gorod, and Arbat. A good purchase would be General’s fur hat at the cost of some $150 USD, which can be bought in one of the numerous shops in the Arbat area.

If I'm not staying at your hotel, are there things I can do (such as spa? or tea?) or places within the property to dine that allow one to experience the hotel without sleeping there?

We offer many services to guests that don’t sleep in our hotel. As a matter of fact, our goal is be to a social center for the Moscow community, a place to be. For instance, you can: have breakfast in our all-day dining restaurant Caviarterra, enjoy the views, music by DJ, and variety of cocktails on the terrace of the O2 Lounge, swim in the pool lit by Swarovski lights, and, enjoy some treatments in our spa by ESPA, have a fine dining business lunch in Jeroboam for only $120 USD, enjoy afternoon high tea in the Lobby Lounge, taste great wines in the wine room Petrus, which offers over 800 kinds of different wines from all over the world, or have a Russian-style dinner in Caviarterra, accompanied by Russian live traditional music.

So what spa treatment do people rave about at your hotel?

Our guests like the program “Escape From the City." It lasts nearly three hours and includes Salt and Oil Scrub, De-Stressor Massage, and Intensive Facial. It's a calming, soothing journey designed specifically to achieve a state of ultimate relaxation and tranquility.

We've heard rates for the Ritz can run about $1,000 per night. Are there any times during the year that rates come down and you'd recommend travelers check in for a good room rate or package?

For the year 2008 the special dates are the following: January 1-10; March 6-10; May 1-10; August 1-20.

Moscow is quickly becoming one of the most expensive cities in the world, can you share one or two experiences visitors could have there that won't break the bank?

It is true that Moscow is rather expensive for newcomers. However, those who have lived in Moscow for a while are aware of some ways to avoid breaking the bank. For instance, using the metro is very inexpensive, fast and effective, since the traffic jams in Moscow during weekdays are a serious challenge. Learning to read signs in Russian in the metro is less challenging, believe me.

When you vacation in Russia, where do you prefer to get away from it all?

In the Moscow region there are many small towns with beautiful churches, monasteries, and lots of ancient architecture. The nature—forests, rivers and lakes—is beautiful as well and really makes you completely forget Moscow and its hectic life for awhile. My favorite towns are Suzdal, Sergiev Posad, and Yaroslavl, all within 60 to 20 miles from Moscow.

Photos: The Ritz Carlton Moscow

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