A Hedonist's guide to… is an exciting new series of guides that explore the finest restaurants, the most stylish hotels and the chicest bars in each of our six cities. Designed to be the quintessential 'little black book' A Hedonist's guide to… has all the best addresses in town. This is the ultimate weekend break guide helping you optimise your weekend away; all the restaurants, hotels, bars, cafés and clubs are photographed so you know what to expect before you go.
A Hedonist's Guide to Moscow
This fast paced, high spending metropolis is a city on the move, with new restaurants, clubs and bars opening constantly to capture the fickle attention of über-rich oligarchs. Acclaimed photo-journalist Harriet Warren seeks out the glitziest clubs, the most glamorous restaurants and the best vodka.
'Apart from Fabergé and fur - what else does Moscow have to offer?' I hear you ask
Moscow is a city on the move. For the hedonist, this translates into a fast-paced, exciting and dynamic metropolis, which now offers Western-style services, restaurants and amenities, with a ‘frontier’ mentality pervading the city’s atmosphere. Glamour and glitz are the vital ingredients for the modern young Muscovite. A society starved of luxuries for so long has now discovered excess, and expensive tastes need to be stated. Everything is about designer labels and luxury; everything is about ‘face control’ (you’ll get in if you’re beautiful). Bars, restaurants and nightclubs have sprung up to cater for these ‘New Russians’ and their foreign business counterparts.
How long should I stay for?
A long weekend in Moscow would certainly suffice - carefully chosen restaurants, bars and clubs mean you can enjoy a taste of the city's indulgent opulence. Spend a day exploring the backstreets of the Arbat, viewing galleries or walking in Gorky Park, drop into a café for a glühwein (mulled wine) or cold beer. In the evening take in a concert or a ballet (the classical performing arts are among the best and cheapest in the world), follow it up with a late gourmet dinner, and then move on to one of Moscow’s famous nightclubs and experience some of the city’s renowned nightlife until the early hours. If you are in need of recovery the next day, then do what any sensible Muscovite would do – go to the banya.
When should I go?
Is Moscow a winter or summer destination? Winter is perhaps more atmospheric, but with temperatures in the –20˚s, it can be very uncomfortable and if you are on foot the streets will be icy and slushy – not great for your Manolos! In winter, you will need your furs and vodka to keep warm, in summer just the vodka will suffice!
Where should I stay?
Hotels at the higher end of the market fall into two categories: luxury hotels and 'ex-Soviet' hotels - a fine example of an 'ex-Soviet' hotel is Hotel Budapest, which offers large rooms in a wonderful location. However, Moscow's luxury hotels offer some of the best dining in the city; the Royal Aurora Marriott and the Ararat Park Hyatt are exceptionally good. For an outstanding location with views of the Kremlin and Red Square, try the Baltschug Kempinski - arguably the best hotel on offer. However if the quirky boutique hotels are more suited to your taste, The Golden Apple is probably the most stylish hotel in the city. Booking it couldn't be easier, just click here!
What should I take?
* Moscow is one of the world’s most expensive cities
* A camera - Moscow's fascinating architecture reflects a tumultuous history
* A large suitcase for all the winter clothes you will probably buy
* Your own copy of Hg2 Moscow of course!
Now just book your flight and have a wonderful time!
'Apart from Fabergé and fur - what else does Moscow have to offer?' I hear you ask
Moscow is a city on the move. For the hedonist, this translates into a fast-paced, exciting and dynamic metropolis, which now offers Western-style services, restaurants and amenities, with a ‘frontier’ mentality pervading the city’s atmosphere. Glamour and glitz are the vital ingredients for the modern young Muscovite. A society starved of luxuries for so long has now discovered excess, and expensive tastes need to be stated. Everything is about designer labels and luxury; everything is about ‘face control’ (you’ll get in if you’re beautiful). Bars, restaurants and nightclubs have sprung up to cater for these ‘New Russians’ and their foreign business counterparts.
How long should I stay for?
A long weekend in Moscow would certainly suffice - carefully chosen restaurants, bars and clubs mean you can enjoy a taste of the city's indulgent opulence. Spend a day exploring the backstreets of the Arbat, viewing galleries or walking in Gorky Park, drop into a café for a glühwein (mulled wine) or cold beer. In the evening take in a concert or a ballet (the classical performing arts are among the best and cheapest in the world), follow it up with a late gourmet dinner, and then move on to one of Moscow’s famous nightclubs and experience some of the city’s renowned nightlife until the early hours. If you are in need of recovery the next day, then do what any sensible Muscovite would do – go to the banya.
When should I go?
Is Moscow a winter or summer destination? Winter is perhaps more atmospheric, but with temperatures in the –20˚s, it can be very uncomfortable and if you are on foot the streets will be icy and slushy – not great for your Manolos! In winter, you will need your furs and vodka to keep warm, in summer just the vodka will suffice!
Where should I stay?
Hotels at the higher end of the market fall into two categories: luxury hotels and 'ex-Soviet' hotels - a fine example of an 'ex-Soviet' hotel is Hotel Budapest, which offers large rooms in a wonderful location. However, Moscow's luxury hotels offer some of the best dining in the city; the Royal Aurora Marriott and the Ararat Park Hyatt are exceptionally good. For an outstanding location with views of the Kremlin and Red Square, try the Baltschug Kempinski - arguably the best hotel on offer. However if the quirky boutique hotels are more suited to your taste, The Golden Apple is probably the most stylish hotel in the city. Booking it couldn't be easier, just click here!
What should I take?
* Moscow is one of the world’s most expensive cities
* A camera - Moscow's fascinating architecture reflects a tumultuous history
* A large suitcase for all the winter clothes you will probably buy
* Your own copy of Hg2 Moscow of course!
Now just book your flight and have a wonderful time!
