Moscow news
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12-Mar-2008
Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow
Historical settings and modern conveniencecs in the center of Moscow.
Location
Within a 5-minute walk from metro stations Lubyanka, Kuznetskiy Most and Teatralnaya or 10 minutes from Okhotny Ryad, the Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow offers an ideal location for business guests with little free time, but great aspirations to gather an impression of the city. Some of the most famous sites are concentrated around the hotel, including the Bolshoi Theater adjacent and the Kremlin, Red Square, GUM and the State History Museum a few steps further. The main entrance to the building opens up to a side street (Neglinnaya) off of Teatralnaya, which at least mildly muffles the roar of traffic from the main road.
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Ultramodern Design upon Foundations of History
Ararat welcomes guests with an eloquent entrance. The black marble floor reflects muted light from every direction; the waved glass roof over the eleven-story atrium utilizes natural sunlight, while additional lights create an elegant setting in the evening. Hotel staff loiter attentively and make a very sleek impression in their attractive black, black and green or black and grey uniforms.
Despite modern technologies and materials used for its construction, the hotel façade and, to some degree its interior, display regard for the historical district which surrounds it. The building resembles an ancient Armenian edifice, while handcrafted stone columns line the exterior, lobby and Ararat restaurant.
Rooms and Prices
Two hundred and sixty rooms, including 21 suites, can be found at Ararat Park Hyatt Hotel. Rooms start around 755 Euros per night for a Park King (35 m²). As business people comprise the largest guest contingent, all rooms have complimentary, unlimited access to internet so that the guest does not have to go to the lobby in order to work on his own computer. Of course, wireless internet is also available outside of the rooms, but comfortable, room-based internet connection gives the Ararat an edge over many of its competitors, many of whom do not provide only in their business centers adn lobbies. This rooom based service serves those who need to work on confidential material during their stay. A business center or lobby access may be useful for emergencies, but quick and private internet use in a 5-star, business-oriented hotel should be a must. Laptops are also available to borrow, free of charge. Rooms also have the guest's choice of fruit or chocolate, a safe and Blaise Mautin toiletries.
Beginning in the Park Suite category (around 1,240 Euro per night), guests are welcomed with a bottle of wine and a fruit basket. These two-room suites are spacious (75 m²), elegant and offer a separate toilet and bathroom with shower. Although these rooms are quite impressive, the real luxury begins with the two-room (120 m²) Winter Garden Suites, which present a panoramic view over central areas of Moscow and provide both natural light and exclusivity for guests. These suites are ideal for intimate meetings, with important partners or clients, but would also be very appropriate for an anniversary weekend, should guests be willing to invest 2, 640 Euros per night.
Two-floor apartments can also be found at the hotel. The 180 m² Ambassador Suite runs at around 3,318 Euros per night and includes a large living room area downstairs with a table for 10, a kitchen and guest bathroom. Upstairs a work area, bedroom and bathroom lie separate from the rest of the apartment. This suite is ideal for lengthy, private work meetings and is simply, but tastefully decorated with a residential ambience.
Diplomatic and Presidential Suites, the most exclusive apartments, span over 3 main rooms and 140 m² and 180 m², respectively. Both feature a premium open bar, study with complimentary wireless Internet access, French custom-made furniture and a tri-color Italian marble bath. With so much luxury, it is no wonder that Madonna chose the Presidential Suite during her recent stay in the capital! The adjoining room may be opened to accommodate accompanying security personnel, which they explained is quite common for the guests who book this suite. Price tags for Diplomatic and Presidential Suites amount to approximately 6,500 Euros and 8,850 Euros respectively.
Dining
Inspired by Café Ararat, a legendary Armenian eatery and meeting point for famous Muskovites in the 1960s and 1970s, one of the hotel's restaurants revived this central Asian motif when the hotel opened 5 years ago. The new Café Ararat serves authentic Armenian specialties and has many of its ingredients delivered directly from Armenia. Traditional dishes include summer dolma (meat stuffed into aubergines, pepper and tomatoes) and Gavar kufte, made from minced meat spiced with onions, rolled into balls, boiled in water and served in slices with butter. A meal at the new Café Ararat typically costs 33 Euros before drinks. The hotel also houses the Restaurant Park with European cuisine.
The Conservatory Lounge and Bar of the Ararat are located on the 10th floor and promise guests an unparalleled view of the Kremlin and Bolshoi Theater - especially in the months of May-September when the hotel opens the terrace. From the menu to the design, its exclusivity has earned the Conservatory a place in Architectural Digest's "Best Bars in the World". The average bill here (at lunchtime!) will set you back around 50 Euros.
Facilities
A definite advantage over the competition, Ararat makes available a large fitness studio 24 hours a day, complete with plenty top-of-the line equipment, so that guests do not have to wait to work out. With typical attention to detail, each machine is prepared with a clean towel and bottle of Evian. During most hours of the day, a personal trainer is on site to assist. However, even for that 2am workout, guests can take advantage of a digitalized training program, which displays on a touch screen how to properly use each item in the fitness center!
The Quantum Health Club is another highlight of the Ararat Park Hyatt Hotel. It offers three saunas, a solarium, unique spa and massage treatments, a juice bar and even a VIP private lounge with a separate Russian bath treatment. Guests generally rent the room for several hours, for 137 Euros per hour. Guests may receive the Russian traditional bath treatment, which lasts around one hour, only in this room at a cost of approximately 225 Euros. An indoor pool is set in a quiet, soothing atmosphere, with a modern-designed fountain that creates the sound of a small waterfall in the corner of the pool. The pool area also houses a Jacuzzi.
In an almost unnoticed corner of the 9th floor of the hotel, guests may visit a Gregorian temple, which forms part of the hotel. The 11th floor houses a small, comfortable library with an outlook onto Moscow.
Recommended for Professional service, exclusivity and eloquence make the Ararat Park Hyatt Hotel an excellent choice for wealthy business people-particularly foreigners seeking international standards, politicians or anyone else who can afford it. With prices as breathtaking as the quality of the hotel, however, even a weekend at the Ararat is beyond the of reach of an upper-middle income client, for even a special occasion.
By C. Anne Shupe
The Moscow News