The legendary Hotel Baltschug Kempinski has one of the best locations in Moscow with magnificent views of the Kremlin, Red Square and St. Basil’s Cathedral.
In addition to the premier location, this grand 230-room hotel features exceptional service for the luxury traveler in Moscow. The Hotel Baltschug Kempinski opened in 1992 after extensive renovation and reconstruction, although the façade dates to 1898. The result is a visually appealing elegant hotel offering a luxurious home away from home.
Edward F. Nesta and I stayed at the Hotel Baltschug Kempinski in November 2006, and were impressed with the hotel’s attention to the smallest detail beginning with sending a chauffeured BMW 730Li limousine to the airport to whisk us away in comfort for the 45-minute ride from the Sheremetyevo Airport to the hotel.
We arrived at the hotel late in the evening, and after our Express check-in, our Butler, Vladimir, formally dressed in tuxedo and white tie, escorted us to the Kremlin Suite. When I entered the living room located off the suite foyer, I could not tear my eyes away from the magical views of Moscow from the windows! From the three windows, I could see the Kremlin, Red Square, the Moskva River, and the colorful onion domes of St. Basil’s Cathedral. Vladimir waited patiently as I feasted my eyes on the remarkable views, before I finally was able to focus my attention on him and tour the rest of the gorgeous suite.
Night Time Views From The Kremlin Suite
The Kremlin Suite is a well-appointed 78-square meter 2-room suite. The spacious round living room features two separate sitting areas, as well as a working area with a desk placed in front of a window perfect for using the Wi-Fi Internet access. Of course, with the spectacular views, it was often difficult to keep my mind on business. In one sitting area, a red sofa and two red club chairs flanked a square wood coffee table graced with a large bouquet of white roses, a champagne bucket with a chilled bottle of Russian sparkling wine, and a metal stand held a tempting assortment of exotic fruit including my favorite gooseberries. In another area of the living room, two round red chairs flanked a glass and wood oval coffee table. An armoire held a well-equipped mini-bar and a Phillips CD/DVD player, and there was a Philips plasma television on the wall. A recessed ceiling, gold sconces, antique Moscow prints, picture frame molding on the walls, patterned red carpeting, and red, blue, green, and gold, striped ceiling to floor window treatments completed the ambience of the living room.
The bedroom of the suite featured a king bed decorated with a bedspread with red, blue, green, gold stripes, with matching ceiling to floor window treatments on the two large windows overlooking the Moskva river and the Kremlin. Bedside tables held brass lamps with cream-colored shades, a telephone and an alarm clock, and in the corner of the room, there was a round red chair placed near a round wood table with a brass lamp and a cordless telephone, a trouser press, and a Philips plasma television on the wall. The ample closets held luxurious robes, slippers, an umbrella, and a large safe.
The black, grey, and white marble bathroom featured heated towel bars, a lighted vanity/shaving mirror, scale, and a hairdryer. Extra attention to detail prevailed with a single long-stem red rose in a vase, a chrome bath tray laden with Moulton Brown and Kempinski amenities, and on the ledge of the combination tub/shower, an assortment of bath salts and bath oil in honey pots.
I loved returning to "our" suite each evening and gazing out the living room windows at the nighttime view of Moscow. One evening after dinner at the Restaurant Baltschug, the snow had accumulated on the window ledge, and I thought that it would be great fun to create a miniature snowman. I opened the window and set about the task of making my snowman complete with blue eyes and wood arms using the Kempinksi matchsticks. I named my snowman "Mischka from Moscow" and set him on the ledge where he had a view of Red Square and St. Basil’s Cathedral.
The Hotel Baltschug Kempinski has three restaurants: Restaurant Baltschug for fine dining, Café Kranzler for light dining and homemade cakes and pastries, and Restaurant Shogun for Japanese cuisine. Although we did not have the opportunity to experience the Restaurant Shogun, we had a light lunch and a pleasant casual dinner at Café Kranzler, and a gastronomic dinner at the Restaurant Baltschug, where I convinced Executive Chef Rainer Sigg to share a few of his Recipes with Luxury Experience Magazine.
Breakfasts at the hotel are decidedly decadent with offerings of blini accompanied with sour cream and piled with salmon caviar, omelets topped with shrimp, three, five, and seven minute eggs, as well as eggs made to order, assorted homemade breads, rolls, pastries, fruit, cereal, meats, cheeses, fish, and much more.
In addition to the restaurants, the hotel has two bars: the Lobby Lounge and the Baltschug Bar. The Lobby Lounge is the hub of the hotel featuring live piano music in the afternoon, and was the perfect place for us to sip a coffee, tea, or cocktail with new friends. In the evening, the Baltschug Bar comes alive with piano music and appealing cocktails, and on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, the hotel features live jazz nights.
We used the well-equipped Business Center, and the convenient Raiffeisen Bank located in the hotel to exchange foreign currency. There are luxury boutique shops where you can spend your winnings from the hotel’s casino, the Ambassador Casino. We did try our hand at the roulette tables, and I must admit that it was an exciting night.
The hotel offers guests the ultimate in luxury sightseeing from a chauffeured BMW 730Li limousine complete with private guide, which guests may reserve with the Concierge. We truly enjoyed seeing the highlights of Moscow with our professional driver and guide as we learned about this interesting capital city.
After a day spent seeing the sights, we greatly appreciated having classic massages at the hotel’s full-service Kanebo International Beauty Center. Fitness aficionados will appreciate the hotel’s 500-square meter wellness area with indoor pool, Jacuzzi, and Fitness Center.
Whether you are planning your first trip to Moscow, or are a regular visitor, the Hotel Baltschug Kempinski strives to create a memorable experience for each of their guests. We had an unforgettable time in Moscow, and when it was time to return to the airport, we returned in style in the BMW 730Li limousine.
Hotel Baltschug Kempinski
Ul. Baltschug, 1
115035 Moscow, Russian Federation
Telephone: +7 (495) 287 2000
Fax: +7 (495) 287 2002
Toll Free: +1 800 426 3135 (North America/Canada)
Email: hbkm.Moscow@kempinski.com
www.Kempinski-Moscow.com
Read other articles on the Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow and Russia in the Destinations, Hotels and Resorts, Restaurants, Chefs’ Recipes, and Spas sections.
© February 2007. Luxury Experience. www.LuxuryExperience.com All rights reserved.
