For a city that is known for its consumption of luxury goods, there is a limited offering of top luxury properties in Moscow. Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis and Kempinski each have outposts in the capital. Recently I spoke to Largay Travel’s Gail Rosenberg, a well regarded luxury
travel advisor with over 30 years experience, and in her opinion the two that stand out are the Four Seasons and Park Hyatt. Below are her recommendations.
Four Seasons Moscow
“There wasn’t one thing I didn’t like about Four Seasons Moscow. It looks at
St. Basil’s and the Kremlin and it’s steps from Red Square. You can walk to
shopping, and it truly is the best location of any of the top hotels,”
Rosenberg told me.
While the main focus of this newsletter is suites and
villas, Rosenberg adds, “Even the regular rooms are huge and fabulous.” There are seven suite types, and she
says, “The entry level suites are gorgeous. The way the building is situated,
you have good views from virtually every room or suite.” In total, there are 41 suites out of the 180 total keys.
Pozharsky Royal Suite
Top suite is the 3-bedroom Pozharsky Royal Suite at 5,597
sq. ft. on the seventh floor, which is designed for heads of state and VVIPs
with a security desk area in the foyer and a bedroom designed for security or a
traveling assistant.
There is over 3,000 sq. ft. of furnished terrace with views
of Red Square and the Kremlin, and inside you can host a formal dinner for up
to 10, and with occupancy of six it is also perfect if you are on a family
vacation.
Minin Presidential Suite
Also on the 7th floor is the 5,038 sq. ft., 3-bedroom Minin Presidential Suite with views of the Duma, Manezhaya Square,
Alexandrovsky Gardens and Bolshoi Theatre, and over 3,000 sq. ft. of terrace. You can also host sit-down dinners for up to 10 people, and there is a kitchen with separate entrance for service.
Grand Premier Suite
Next in the hierarchy of suites is the Grand Premier Suite,
a category which features suites on the 5th, 6th, 8th,
9th and 10th floors, featuring Red Square, St. Basil’s
and Kremlin views. This type varies from 1,700 sq. ft. to 2,304 sq. ft. Only one Grand Premier Suite has a
balcony, so you will want to request it if having a balcony is your thing.
Premier Suites
Premier Suites are on the 4th, 5th, 6th,
8th, 9th and 10th floors, are similar in size
to the Grand Premier, but feature views the Bolshoi, Alexandrovsky Gardens and
the Duma.
Rosenberg also likes the “clubby” Moskovsky jazz bar, plus
there is an indoor lap pool with glass roof, as well as full spa and 24/7
fitness center.
Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow
If you want a more modern take on Russian luxury, Largay’s Rosenberg
recommends the Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow.
Located on the opposite side of the Bolshoi Theatre from the Four
Seasons, there are several notable suites.
Winter Garden Suite With Terrace
The Winter Garden Suite With Terrace is 1,400 sq. ft., featuring contemporary design, two large living rooms, a separate work area, marble bath with deep tub and walk-in shower. Highlight is the spacious
private terrace with dining area with panoramic views of The Kremlin,
Bolshoi Theater and State Duma.
Penthouse Suite
The Penthouse suite was recently renovated under the guidance of Tony Chi making the 1,950 sq. ft. one of the city’s top picks. There is a pantry for guests who travel with personal chefs, and the upper floor can function independently with a private living and dining space as well as a full
service bar. After a long day, you can unwind in the marble circular jacuzzi tub with a full mirror television entertainment and views of the skyline.
In terms of dining, Rosenberg compliments Cafe Ararat for its Armenian culinary offerings and design.
2. Five Great U.S. Getaways
The Andrew Harper Hideaway Report was in the last decade the ‘must read’ to get unbiased insights into those less publicized gems that the big travel magazines didn’t always cover because they didn’t have ad budgets. Today, it has morphed into a multi-media enterprise, including travel agency. I still find Harper a very good reference, and something I always look at. Below are the top 5 picks from their top selections for best U.S. hideaways.
1. Auberge du Soleil, Rutherford, CA
Auberge du Soleil is a “cosmopolitan resort terraced into a hillside
overlooking Napa Valley vineyards,” says Harper, adding, “50 villa-style lodgings feature gas
fireplaces, oversize baths and picturesque verandas. Superb restaurant serves
Wine Country cuisine, a combination of California ingredients and Mediterranean
techniques and flavors.”
The top accommodations are the Champagne Maison and the Loire Maison, both at 1,800 sq. ft., both with outdoor tubs and showers. Each have fireplaces, however Loire also has a fitness studio.
Closest airport is Napa County Airport with a 5,930 ft. runway 24 miles to the south. Napa Jet Center is a full service FBO. Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa is about 40 miles from the hotel, and has a 6,000 ft. runway and two FBOs, Sonoma Jet Center and KaiserAir.
2. Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, CA
Post Ranch Inn is a “unique coastal resort set along a bluff
directly above the Pacific in Big Sur. Thirty-nine guest lodgings include Cliff
House (above), with a deck suspended over the cliffs; the circular Pacific Suites with
heated floors, woodturning fireplaces and private entrances; free-standing
Ocean Houses, recessed into a ridge; plus Coast Houses — all with views of the
ocean,” says Harper.
Monterey Regional Airport with a 7,175 ft. runway is about an hour north (35 miles), and is the closest GA airport, with two full-service FBOs, Monterey Jet Center and Del Monte Aviation.
3. Calistoga Ranch, CA
"A tranquil 157-acre resort of 50 cedar-clad
freestanding guest lodges in a wooded canyon at the northern edge of Napa
Valley,” Harper describes Calistoga Ranch as “lodge bedrooms and living rooms are connected by furnished decks; all
have fireplaces and outdoor rainfall showers. There is a pool/gym area, private
Cabernet vineyard, lakeview restaurant and spa.”
The top end are 2-Bedroom Lodges, and the Estate Lodge, each of which are 2,400 sq. ft. and sleep five, so nice for families, including full kitchens.
Like Auberge du Soleil, the best GA airports are Sonoma and Napa are the best entry points, and while Sonoma is a bit further you miss the Napa traffic. The closest airport is Angwin-Parrett Field, but with a runway length of only 3,217 ft.
4. The Inn at Little Washington, VA
Harper calls The Inn at Little Washington a “smartly appointed country inn and gourmet
sanctuary on the main street of Washington, a rural village in the foothills of
the Blue Ridge Mountains. Twenty-four guest rooms and suites contain antiques,
plush fabrics and marble baths. Celebrated restaurant offers a 14,000-bottle
wine cellar.”
Accommodations are in a series of houses and buildings, with the 3,600 sq. ft. Claiborne House features 2 king bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a living room, media room, dining room, office and full kitchen. The 2-bedroom Mayors House features two working fireplaces and the 1-bedroom Gamekeepers Cottage are the top offerings.
Front Royal-Warren County Airport is 25 miles with a 3,007 ft. runway. Culpepper Regional Airport is 33 miles away with a 5,000 ft. runway, while Warrenton-Fauquier Airport is about the same distance, also with a 5,000 ft. runway.
San Ysidro Ranch, Santa Barbara, CA
According to Andrew Harper, San Ysidro Ranch is “a sophisticated 500-acre cottage-style resort
in the leafy foothills of Montecito, just outside Santa Barbara. Landscaped
grounds contain 41 handsome lodgings in peaked-roof cottages. Dining venues
include the award-winning indoor/outdoor Storehouse restaurant and a bistro-bar.”
Accommodations are split into rooms, suites and cottages. There are 12 unique cottages, including the 2,500 sq. ft. Warner, named for owner Ty Warner (he also owns Rosewood Las Ventanas in Los Cabos and the Four Seasons Midtown in New York). The Kennedy Cottage is also notable as the place JFK spent his honeymoon.
Closest airport is Santa Barbara, 15 miles away with three FBOs, Signature Flight Support, Atlantic Aviation and MAG Aviation. Runway is 6,052 ft. long.
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DG Amazing Experiences
is by luxury expert Doug Gollan
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