Moscow news
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07-Mar-2008
Indulging at Hotel Baltschug Kempinski
History
This January, Moscow's very first 5-star hotel - Hotel Baltschug Kempinski - celebrated its 15th year anniversary. While Gianni van Daalen, Managing Director of Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow called 15 years "an age of early youth," the building itself goes back much further in time.
Out of a stone house that used to rent out rooms to merchants trading along the banks of the Moscow River centuries ago, the building reappeared several times and with various uses, ranging from an apartment complex, several hotels and even a dormitory for the People's Commissariat of Foreign Affairs. The most fashionable architect of the time from St. Petersburg, Alexander Ivanov, finished redesigning the façade in 1898, transforming the appearance of the tenement house into the more prestigious construction seen today. In its current form, which for years underwent renovation to emerge as the Baltschug Kempinski, one could say the hotel embodies the new Russia herself. Last year alone, it opened its doors to numerous classical as well as contemporary musicians, from "the voice of Russia," opera singer Dmitry Khvorostovsky to hard-rock princess Avril Lavigne. From the political sphere, guests included Mikhail Gorbachev, Gerhard Schroeder, several ambassadors and the Queen of Thailand.
The Moscow News toured the hotel this week to discover why some of the world's most prominent business, political and cultural personalities make the Baltschug their home away from home in Moscow.
Location
The hotel lies on the bank of the river, offering a breathtaking view from several rooms over Red Square, the Kremlin and St. Basil's Cathedral. It is within a five minute walk from the nearest metro station (Novokuznetskaya) and within one stop, guests can reach a plethora of shops, restaurants, cafes and bars. Only a few coffee shops lie within walking distance, placing visitors on an expensive island, reliant on hotel boutique shops and restaurants. If there is one ambiguously negative observation that could be made about this hotel, it is that it prohibits the lazy from simultaneously being broke. Target clientele - those with cash to spare - will have no qualms being stranded on the island or either catching a cab (or a hotel limousine driver) or simply taking advantage of the lavish facilities in-house.
Rooms and Prices
Hotel Baltschug Kempinski has 197 rooms and 33 suites and are equipped with all the amenities one would expect from a hotel of its class, with the added perk of a complimentary over-night shoeshine service. Here moderation is no virtue. Room prices begin at 768 euros per night. The most affordable suite will set guests back over 1,000 euros per night, and the most expensive costs over 11,000 euros.
As a tip to potential guests looking for luxury and a good deal, Helen Gorbunova, Communications Manager at the Baltschug Kempinski Moscow said that weekends are the best time to come: "Moscow is a business center and during the week we are very busy, so prices are a bit higher." Businessmen and women, she explained, most often book superior rooms, while higher executives indulge in a suite. She also confirmed that some travel agents, who buy large volumes of rooms and then sell them off to tourists, may be able to offer travelers a slightly better bargain for a room at the Baltschug Kempinski rather than booking directly through the hotel.
For anyone not spending company money, it would be difficult to justify spending over 700 euros on a room. Regardless of the sturdy furniture and comfortable, well-lit space in an exquisite hotel, it is impossible to imagine a room of equal quality costing so much in capitals of Europe or the U.S. Clearly these prices have been driven up by the scarcity of accommodations in the city.
According to Gorbunova, rooms in the suite category are the highest in demand, so much so that the hotel group has signed agreements for the construction of a second 5-star hotel across from the KGB building.
In addition to CEOs, other prominent figures from show-business or politics frequent the rooms at the highest end. The most expensive room - but by no means abnormally extravagant in its decor - is the three-room "Princess" suite, offered at well over 11,000 euros per night. Rather than plush, over-the-top furnishing, the suite is filled with light and its cozy interior decoration evocative of classical England - and for good reason. It takes its name from Princess Michael of Kent, its designer, who planned and arranged the room. When the couple is not in town, other guests may rent the room.
Not only the Princess suite, but many other rooms as well, enjoy a unique design - an aspect which distinguishes the Baltschug Kempinski from the competition. A few years ago, the hotel originally hired different designers to present a model room with their ideas for renovation. In the end, however, they decided not to apply one design to all suites or rooms, but to allow for different designs in different rooms.
Swedish company Living Design renovated one of the executive suites into a sleek room in combination with light hues and dark polished wood. Sir David Linley, a nephew of Queen Elizabeth II and esteemed London designer, decorated the Linley suite and outfitted the living room and bedroom with individually prepared hardwood furniture and classical cream and navy décor. An elegantly transparent wall between the bedroom and bathroom (which is lined with grand Italian marble) presents an absolute highlight of the suite, allowing the silhouette of the bathroom chandelier to be visible in both rooms with a slightly different effect.
Dinning
The Baltschug Restaurant boasts the "best breakfasts in town," which are served buffet-style, and offers a business lunch as well - all with a view over the Kremlin - for approximately 45 euros. Dinner is served in the restaurant as well. Guests choose one of each from the 10 entrees, main courses and desserts for around 75 euros.
Every day except Sunday, the Baltschug Restaurant organizes "High Tea Time," where guests can listen to live piano music and enjoy one of three tea choices on the afternoon menu. Prices range from classic tea time options, including scones with clotted cream, jam, and tea or coffee for around 36 euros to the Russian tea time, consisting of caviar and vodka in addition to blini and beluga for a whopping 81 euros!
Both the large, open lobby café and the Hotel's Café Kranzler, which is modeled after the famous West Berlin café and located on the ground floor, serve as a meeting point for business people who congregate in the hotel simply for a coffee break. Guests may relax here and enjoy coffee, tea or dessert for much more affordable prices than in the restaurant. Desserts range from 6 to 16 euros, which, considering the pleasant atmosphere, quality menu and great service, are competitive prices for Moscow cafes.
Facilities
Facilities at Hotel Baltschug Kempinski include a business center, library, health club, laundry and dry cleaning, conference facilities, and the only Kanebo Beauty Center in Moscow. The beauty center provides full services from specialists, including an exclusive facial using the exclusive line from Kanebo International, Sensai "Premier." A ninety-minute intensive treatment costs over 370 euros. Staff report that significantly more men than women utilize beauty center services such as manicures, pedicures, massages and facials.
Other Services
Staff at the Baltschug have a knack for unparalleled service. From the concierge to the wardrobe, they manage to combine attentiveness and friendliness in a very natural manner. For those requiring extra attention, butler services can be provided.
Excellent child care services and extra gifts guarantee demonstrate the hotel's determination to treat ever guest like a VIP, regardless of age. Even child-sized bathrobes and slippers for children aged 2-12, special children's toiletries in the bathroom, bed-time milk and cookies in combination with the evening turn down service and a Baltschug teddy bear are available.
Recommendations
Hotel Baltschug Kempinski recommends itself to those looking for luxury and particularly friendly service, and who have money to spend on their indulgences. For business executives, politicians and show business types, the hotel proves especially good for bringing along the family.
By C. Anne Shupe
The Moscow News