Mercure Arbat Moscow

For the Arbat Moscow hotel, the Mercure chain adapted a building with historic status. While the facade of the original structure remains, a lot of new architecture has been added as part of an impressive retrofitting project. Inside, Belgian designer Isabelle Jacquard decorated the lobby with a style that combines elements of classic French design, such as Louis XIV chairs and wide-striped wallpaper, with modern elements like a mirror-surfaced reception desk and marble-framed elevators. The resulting combination, which also extends into the lobby bar and restaurant, is trendy without being flashy. Though it's a cozy hotel with romantic decor, the property mostly draws business travelers. 

At one point, the Arbat district was the physical and cultural center of Moscow. Today, Mercure Arbat Moscow's neighborhood is still an excellent starting point for tourists and business people. Red Square is about 12 minutes away from the hotel by car and 15 minutes by subway. The Smolenskaya metro station is just a one-minute walk from the hotel, giving access to other points in the city. The Kremlin is five minutes by car and 18 by metro. For business people, the Expocentre is about 10 to 15 minutes away by car. Arbat Street, which is filled with artsy shops and gave the district its name, is a 10-minute walk away. Arriving at the hotel from the Domodedovo Moscow Airport will take about an hour by car and 75 minutes by metro. 

Like much of the Mercure Arbat Moscow, the hotel's 109 guest rooms mix traditional French style with modern updates. Motifs like beige and cream stripes and flocked brocade appear on the walls and bedding. The smaller rooms each have a desk, sitting chair, armoire, and cozy bed. Suites extend the seating area with more chairs and sofas or have lounging areas in separate rooms, depending on the layout. All of them have air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, coffee/tea-making facilities, mini-fridges, safes, and free bottled water (tap water isn't the best for drinking). The larger rooms also replace electric kettles with Nespresso-style machines, and Privilege Rooms include free minibars. The bathrooms are decorated in soothing pastel colors and have modern vessel sinks, hairdryers, and free designer toiletries. Rainfall showerheads in walk-in showers are standard. Some Privilege Rooms include roomy shower/tub combos.

The Mercure Arbat Moscow manages to stuff quite a few on-site features into its historic building, and all continue the property's high-style look. The fitness center includes a handful of cardio and weight-lifting machines, some free weights, and a sauna. Massages are also available. The on-site restaurant, La Promenade, serves a combination of French and Russian cuisine, including a buffet breakfast for a fee. The bar is open 24 hours. The on-site meeting space is a boardroom, sufficient for VIP discussions for up to 12 people. The business center is petite, limited to a single workstation computer, but printing and faxing services are available, and the room itself is just as stylish as the rest of the hotel, with signature striped walls and Louis XIV chairs. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout.