Hotel National, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Moscow

Opened in 1903 and housed in a seven-story Belle Epoque-era building, the Hotel National is steeped in history. It was the home of the very first Soviet government in 1918, and Vladimir Lenin lived in one of the suites for a short time. It has since played host to world leaders like Jacques Chirac, Lech Walesa, and Bill Clinton, and entertainers like Ray Charles, Jack Nicholson, and Sean Penn. The hotel has been modified over the years, but still retains much of its historic charm, with grand ceilings and marble staircases, red velvet curtains, chandeliers, silk-upholstered furniture, gilt-framed mirrors and paintings, and original Russian art and antiques from the Czars and pre-1917 Revolution nobility. Guests gather in the breakfast room with its great views of the nearby Kremlin, and in the elegant cocktail lounge with atrium ceiling. The Hotel National draws well-heeled couples, who appreciate its historic and romantic feel. Business types make use of the meeting rooms and tourists like the prime location a short walk from The Kremlin, Red Square, and St. Basil's Cathedral.

The Hotel National is situated in the heart of central Moscow on Manege Square, looking straight across the square at The Kremlin, about a five-minute walk away. The hotel is across the street from the Okhotnyy Ryad metro station. It's a five-minute walk to reach the center of Red Square and Lenin's Mausoleum. Performing arts lovers are within a six-minute stroll of both the Bolshoi Theatre and Moscow Art Theatre. The State Historical Museum and famous GUM department store are both about a five-minute walk away. It's a 10-minute walk to the iconic colorful domes of St. Basil's Cathedral, while Dormition Cathedral is a 15-minute stroll. The Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts is just over 10 minutes away by metro, and it takes 30 minutes to reach Gorky Park by a combination of walking and metro. Billed as the tallest freestanding structure in Europe, Ostankino Television Tower is about a 20-minute drive from the hotel. Guests coming from Domodedovo International Airport will drive about 50 minutes to reach the Hotel National, and Sheremetyevo Airport is around 35 minutes away by taxi. Both airports can be reached in an hour by metro.

Rooms and suites at the Hotel National reflect the hotel's late-19th- and early-20th-century origins, with high ceilings, finely upholstered wood furniture, heavy curtains, and parquet wood floors. Many rooms have elements like gilded lamps, glass chandeliers, Italian furnishings, and authentic Russian antiques and landscape paintings. The color palette varies, with some rooms having a rich gold-and-burgundy look and others done up in jewel tones like ruby red, deep sapphire blue, emerald green, and amethyst. Rooms are clean and quiet, despite the hotel's city center location. They also get good natural light, and many have full views of The Kremlin. Rooms start at 270 square feet (25 square meters), which may feel a bit small to some guests, but they are average by Moscow standards (and much larger than those found in many European capitals). The plush beds feature thick mattresses and cotton sheets, and rooms all come with turndown service. Each room also has a flat-screen TV with English and satellite channels, and free basic Wi-Fi. Stocked minibars and free bottled water are included, but some rooms must request coffee- and tea-making facilities. Safes are provided. Studio Rooms and Suites have living areas with sofas, and some suites have upright pianos and second TVs. Some bathrooms may feel a little compact, but most are spacious. All come with marble walls and floors, heated flooring, bathrobes, slippers, modern hairdryers, weight scales, and premium bath products. Some have hot tubs and separate bathtubs and/or showers, a high-end Elemis toiletries are provided. Rooms at the Hotel National are all non-smoking.

The Hotel National has a good array of leisure facilities, especially for a historic city center hotel. An indoor pool is on-site, situated in a space with two fish-filled aquariums and large windows that let in lots of natural light and views of the surrounding historic buildings. At only 484 square feet (45 square meters), the pool is a little small for a real lap swim. There's also has a hot tub, sauna, solarium (use for a fee), massage armchair, massages (for a fee), and beauty salon (treatments for a fee). The fitness center has a decent range of modern cardio and weight machines plus free weights. Thankfully, the space gets lots of natural light.The hotel serves an a la carte and buffet breakfast with a wide range of hot and cold Russian and American items -- the Kremlin views are a nice perk. A business breakfast is available in the bar, and guests can also get a boxed breakfast to go. In any case, breakfast is not included in standard room rates. The Restaurant Piazza Rossa serves innovative italian cuisine, prepared by a Michelin-starred chef. The elegant 24-hour bar and lounge serves classic cocktails, traditional international cuisine, and house-made desserts from the on-site pastry shop. Room service is available around the clock. The Hotel National also has a business center, 13 meeting rooms with space for up to 200 guests, and can accommodate conferences with its audiovisual equipment. Basic Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and upgrades are available for a fee. Concierge service, baggage assistance, and adjacent public parking are available, though the latter comes at a fee.