Bagration Hotel Moscow: Unbelievable Luxury Awaits You!
Bagration Hotel Moscow: My Unexpected Dive into Unbelievable Luxury (and a Few Hiccups!)
Alright, buckle up folks, because I'm about to spill the tea (or maybe the fine Russian vodka, depending on the mood) on the Bagration Hotel in Moscow. They say "unbelievable luxury awaits," and let me tell you, they weren't kidding. Mostly.
First Impressions & Getting There (The Accessibility Angle)
I rolled up, literally, because I'm a wheelchair user. Accessibility is always top of my list. The good news? Getting in was mostly smooth. The hotel definitely aims to be wheelchair accessible. There's ramps, the lobby is spacious, and the elevator is definitely your friend. The air conditioning in public areas was a blessing, especially considering the Moscow heat.
Thing is, even with the best intentions, there's always a little something. Found myself needing to give the front desk a jingle. The doorman was helpful though and got me squared away in a jiffy.
Rooms: The Sanctum of Relaxation (and a Slightly Wobbly Bed)
Okay, the rooms. Let's just get this out of the way: they are spectacular. The non-smoking rooms are a godsend (seriously, good riddance to smoky hotel rooms!). The air conditioning worked like a dream, and the blackout curtains were the key to my inner sleeping beast. I'm talking extra-long bed, fluffy bathrobes, and a bathtub big enough to swim in. And the slippers, oh the slippers! They felt like walking on clouds. My room, however, had a slight wobble from the bed. Not a deal breaker, more hilarious on my part.
And get this: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! That's a win, especially because I'm addicted to streaming. Plus, there was Internet access [LAN] as well, if you're into that sort of thing. Also the desk in my room had a laptop workspace.
The Internet: Blessedly Consistent (Mostly)
Speaking of internet, the Wi-Fi [free] was generally reliable. I needed it for everything: video calls, ordering room service, and stalking my ex on Instagram (don't judge me!). The Internet services were good and the Internet (in case you didn't get it!) was a welcome staple. Dining, Drinking, & Snacking: A Culinary Adventure (and a Few Pricey Surprises)
Here's where things get interesting. The Bagration is serious about its food game. They boast restaurants, a bar, and even a coffee shop.
Let's start with breakfast. The breakfast [buffet] was a spread of epic proportions. A proper Asian breakfast that made me feel like I was on vacation. There was a salad in restaurant, the only thing that was lacking was the vegetarian restaurant.
There was also a Poolside bar, and a Happy hour, and I didn't have enough Russian Rubles to attend, which leads me to room service.
Room service [24-hour] is a blessing. Ordering at 3 AM after a long day of sightseeing. The bottle of water was a nice touch, especially after a long day of sightseeing.
Things To Do & Ways To Relax: Spa Day! (The Absolutely BEST Part)
Oh. My. Goodness. The spa. That, my friends, is where the Bagration truly shines. I'm not normally a spa person, but this was an experience. They have a swimming pool [outdoor] and one Swimming pool, along with a Pool with view, and a Gym/fitness center. But I was after the full experience.
I ventured in for the sauna, spa. I opted for the works: a Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, and a Massage. It was heavenly. The Spa/sauna area was impeccably clean, and the staff were incredibly professional and attentive.
The views from the Pool with view were stunning and made me want to have a cocktail and stay there for the rest of my trip.
Cleanliness & Safety: Feeling Secure, Feeling Good (Mostly)
Safety is paramount these days, and the Bagration gets it. The Staff trained in safety protocol was a welcome sign. And I liked seeing CCTV in common areas.
The physical distancing of at least 1 meter was observed, and there was hand sanitizer everywhere. The hotel seemed super committed to cleanliness.
Services & Conveniences: Making Life Easier (and a Few Missing Essentials)
The Bagration offers a ton of services. There's a concierge, currency exchange, dry cleaning, laundry service, a convenience store, and even a gift/souvenir shop.
They also have Meeting/banquet facilities, and did an amazing job with the audio-visual equipment for special events.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly Fun (or at Least, They Try)
The Bagration is family/child friendly, with babysitting service, and kids facilities.
Getting Around: Smooth Sailing (or, Well, Mostly Riding)
They have Airport transfer. It was a big win because a taxi driver drove me around the city. There is also Car park [free of charge] to make things easier.
The Imperfections: Bits and Bobs
Okay, honesty time. No place is perfect. The Bagration had a few minor hiccups. The exterior corridor was a bit of a walk from my room.
The Offer: My "OMG, Book This Now!" Plea
Look, here’s the deal. If you're looking for an experience, not just a hotel stay, then the Bagration Hotel Moscow is worth it. It's a bit of a splurge, sure, but the luxury, the spa, the incredible (and sometimes imperfect) service, make it a memory you won't forget.
Here's my pitch:
Bagration Hotel Moscow: Escape to Unparalleled Luxury!
Craving a getaway that's equal parts opulent, relaxing, and unforgettable? Then, the Bagration Hotel in Moscow is calling your name! Imagine waking up in a breath-takingly gorgeous room with all the amenities you could dream of with amazing views and all the comfort you could ask for. Indulge in a spa experience that will melt away your stress, feast on sensational cuisine, and enjoy the city's excitement without compromise. Enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience in Moscow!
Book your stay at the Bagration Hotel Moscow now and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Escape to Paradise: House Josipa, Your Dream Rakovica Retreat
Okay, strap in, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is me, navigating the beautiful, baffling, and occasionally infuriating chaos that is travel. We're starting at the godforsaken Bagration Hotel in Moscow. Buckle up, it's gonna be a wild ride.
MOSCOW MADNESS: A Travel Diary (Probably) – And the Bagration Hotel's Starring Role
Day 1: Arrival and the Existential Dread of the Bagration
- Morning (…ish): Arrive at Sheremetyevo International Airport. Jet lag is already a sentient being clinging to my eyeballs. The baggage claim carousel feels suspiciously like a slow-motion roulette wheel. Will my suitcase emerge victorious? (Spoiler alert: it did, but not without a dramatic near-miss with a very aggressive border collie…long story.)
- Transportation: Aerobus to the Belorusskaya metro station. The metro…oh, the metro. It's beautiful, efficient, and utterly terrifying in its scale. I swear I got lost for a solid fifteen minutes just trying to understand the Cyrillic alphabet. My brain practically short-circuited.
- Afternoon: Check into the Bagration Hotel. Okay, let's be honest, the exterior looks like a Soviet-era wedding cake. Which, in a way, is kind of charming? The lobby smells vaguely of stale cigarettes and…something floral? (Unidentified floral, but definitely something). The concierge is perpetually busy and gives you the distinct impression she'd rather be anywhere else. Mood.
- Room: The room itself…well, it's a room. King-size bed, questionably stained carpet, and a view of…a courtyard? A bleak, rather windswept courtyard. The bathroom tap spews water like a disgruntled dragon. I mentally file a complaint that I will probably forget about in five minutes.
- Emotional Reaction: Existential dread. The kind that whispers, "Did I pack enough socks? Did I accidentally book a room in a parallel dimension?" This is the beginning of my trip and I am already exhausted. I feel like I have spent the last 24 hours with my brain being scrambled like eggs.
Day 2: Red Square Rhapsody (and a Food Catastrophe)
- Morning: Attempt to conquer breakfast in the hotel. The buffet is a treasure trove of mystery meats and unidentifiable pastries. I opt for what appears to be a hard-boiled egg that tastes suspiciously like plastic. I also tried the coffee, and it seemed to have a life of its own. I'm beginning to think I should've packed my own supply.
- Activity 1: Finally, venture out to Red Square. And…wow. Just…wow. St. Basil's Cathedral is even more ridiculously gorgeous than the pictures. The sheer scale of the place is awe-inspiring. This is the Russia I came here to see. It did not disappoint. I took about 4000 photos, most of which are probably blurry.
- Activity 2: Wander through GUM department store. It's like a fancy, historic mall. Very posh, very expensive, very overwhelming. I did buy a postcard, which I'm now convinced is going to be lost forever.
- Lunch: Okay, this is where things go sideways. Found a cute little cafe (or at least, I thought it was cute). Ordered blini with…something. I didn't understand the menu, but the pictures looked promising. The blini arrived. They were…gummy. And the “something”? Stringy and grey. My face must have been a picture because the waiter just shrugged (didn't speak a word of English) and walked away. I ate one, and silently mourned my lunch choice.
- Afternoon: Recover from the blini trauma by wandering through the Alexander Garden near the Kremlin. It's lovely. The changing of the guard ceremony is…well, it's a ceremony. Very formal, very precise. I kept waiting for someone to break into a silly walk.
- Emotional Reaction: Initially, sheer awe. Followed by a creeping suspicion that I'm not culturally sophisticated enough for Russia. Then, profound sadness at the state of my lunch. Finally, a reluctant acceptance that a bit of travel misery is character building. Right?
Day 3: The Tretyakov and the Power of Art (and a Lost Metro Card)
- Morning: Trek to the Tretyakov Gallery. The art is incredible. The icons are mesmerizing. The sheer weight of history in those halls…it’s palpable. Stood in front of Repin's "Ivan the Terrible and His Son Ivan" and for a solid 20 minutes, I forgot to breathe. The emotional range of that painting is unreal. Really brought me down, made me feel I had no problems to complain about.
- Transportation Disaster (Again): Lost my metro card. Spent a solid hour fruitlessly searching my bag, my pockets, the bottom of my soul. Finally gave up and paid for another ride. The metro is beautiful, but it's also a black hole for small, plastic rectangles.
- Afternoon: Walked around the Arbat. It's a pedestrian street filled with…tourists. And buskers playing questionable covers of Western pop songs. I bought a matryoshka doll that I’m pretty sure is slightly lopsided, but whatever. It was a souvenir and it was something
- Evening: Dinner at a traditional restaurant (the food this time was much better). Had a hearty, delicious stew and a shot of something that burned all the way down. Afterwards, walked back to the hotel, feeling pleasantly tipsy and ridiculously happy.
- Emotional Reaction: The Tretyakov Gallery lifted my spirits. The metro card fiasco brought me back down. The dinner restored my faith in humanity, or at least, in Russian stews.
- Bagration Review (still going strong): Still exists. The tap is still leaking. The concierge is still in the same state of perpetual overwhelm. But after a long day, it’s my lukewarm, slightly questionable sanctuary.
Day 4: The Bunker and the Departure (and more existential dread)
Morning: Finally get to go underground to the Cold War Museum Bunker-42 on Taganka. Now, this place…this place was wild. I'm generally not claustrophobic, but the sheer scale of the bunker, the weight of the history, the realization that at one point it seemed like a good idea made my heart race. The tour was fascinating, and the technology was mind-blowing. This was a really cool experience, but a bit nerve-wracking.
Afternoon: Last-minute souvenir shopping. More postcards. More matryoshkas. I may have spent more money than I budgeted, but hey, I'm not here to be practical. I'm here to…well, I'm not entirely sure what I'm here to do. It's all a jumble of beautiful sights, baffling interactions, and a lingering suspicion that I'm constantly doing something wrong.
Evening: Back to the Bagration. That courtyard still looks bleak. The air still smells…off. The thought of the buffet makes my stomach churn.
Emotional Reaction: A strange mix of relief and sadness. Relief to be leaving the Bagration, and the country, but also a genuine sadness to be leaving a place that's challenged me and surprised me. Maybe I'll come back. Or, maybe, this is my perfect trip… imperfect in all the ways that count. All that matters is this place feels like what I did when I didn't know what I was doing, and I think, in the end, that's the point.
Departure: Taxi to Sheremetyevo. Goodbye, Moscow. Goodbye, Bagration. Goodbye, sanity?
Okay, spill the tea. Is the Bagration Hotel *actually* as ridiculously luxurious as it sounds? I'm talking real-world, not just some fancy brochure.
Alright, alright, so I went. And the short answer? Yeah. It's bordering on comical. I mean, picture this: I'm walking through the lobby, and there's this chandelier – *this thing* – hanging. Felt like I'd wandered into a Russian fairytale, you know? Gold leaf, marble everywhere. Seriously, my jaw was practically dragging on the floor.
Now, the brochure will tell you about the "bespoke amenities." The reality? My room? Massive. Like, seriously, a whole freaking apartment. I got lost on my way to the bathroom the first night. And the *bed!* I’m pretty sure it could’ve swallowed me whole. It was like sleeping on a cloud, a cloud stuffed with unicorn fluff or something equally ridiculous.
But here's the REALITY check. I also felt a bit…out of place at first. Like, 'Do I *belong* here?' kinda vibe. See, I tripped over the carpet the first time I tried to get to the bathroom. I am sure there's hidden cameras in the suite to document the fall too.
The spa? Is it actually relaxing, or just another over-the-top "experience"?
The spa... Okay, so the spa. Prepare yourself. It's less a spa, and more a full-blown Roman bath complex, with steam rooms, saunas, and a pool the size of a small lake. I swear, they could hold a regatta in that thing.
My massage? Heavenly. My masseuse, bless her heart, was utterly professional, and, let's be honest, knew exactly where all the knots were. I swear she could read my body language and figured out my stress levels before I even said anything. The whole experience? Utter bliss. The lighting was subdued, the aromatherapy was spot-on. I think I may have drifted off briefly. Possibly drooled. Don't judge me. The only thing that knocked my good mood? Getting out of the pool and being slapped in the face by a sudden Russian blizzard which I'd forgotten about.
Let's talk food. Is the Bagration's restaurant just for show, or is the cuisine actually worth the hype (and likely, the price tag)?
The restaurant… Okay, this is where things get really interesting. I went in with the expectation of being wowed, and to be honest, I was. But also, slightly intimidated. The servers were impeccable, the presentation was an art form, and the food? Exquisite. Seriously, melt-in-your-mouth goodness. I had the beef stroganoff – because, Russia! – and it was the best I've ever had.
Now, the price tag... yeah, it's not for the faint of heart. I won't lie, I winced when the bill came. But, you know, sometimes you gotta treat yourself, right? Was it worth it? In terms of the food, the atmosphere, and the memory? Absolutely. Would I eat there every night? Probably not. My bank account would stage a riot.
Did you have any, like, *real* problems? Anything the brochure totally glossed over? Spill the beans!
Okay, confession time. The only minor annoyance? The lack of English-speaking staff. The staff was polite, but I found myself pointing and miming a lot, especially when ordering room service. You know, "coffee? Yes? Strong coffee? Yes?" Thankfully, my experience was not as bad as most tourists; I had an interpreter with me.
Oh, and one other thing. The sheer level of luxury can be a little bit overwhelming. I felt a bit… underdressed in my jeans and t-shirt. I almost thought I was going to go through the roof when I saw the price tag for a pair of their robes (which I totally wanted to steal, by the way! Don't judge me.). Seriously, it's a "if you have to ask the price you can't afford it" kind of place.
Is it THAT romantic? Like, would it be a good place for a proposal? Or is it more "business trip" vibes?
Romantic? Oh, absolutely. The atmosphere, the lighting, the service… it's all designed to make you feel special. Candlelit dinners are the norm. The lobby has a live pianist playing romantic melodies. Imagine your beloved to walk into the suite only to find rose petals, a bottle of champagne, and a private balcony with views of the city ablaze.
The entire place screams “special occasion.” So yes, proposal-worthy? 100%. I mean, if my husband proposed to me there I would consider it a masterstroke of genius. You know, if you have the budget and want to make someone feel like royalty, it’s perfect. Then again, I do not know if my husband would want to be there, much less propose. He's a bit of a "camping in the wilderness" kind of guy.
Although, I would totally propose *to the hotel* if I could. I have never been so pampered.
How's the location? Easy to get around, or are you trapped in a gilded cage?
The location is actually pretty decent. You're in a good spot for exploring Moscow, close to some major attractions and easily accessible by taxi. It's definitely not isolated. Public transportation is also a possibility; you can get around via the Metro.
I did use taxis, however. Mostly because, let's be honest, after all the champagne and the spa treatments, walking felt like a monumental effort. And hey, if you're staying there, you're probably okay with cab fare, right? But for the price, perhaps I should have been more of a penny pincher.
Considering everything, is the Bagration worth the splurge? Be honest!
Okay, here's the bottom line. The Bagration Hotel is an experience. It's not just a place to sleep; it's a full-on immersion in opulence. It's ridiculously expensive, yes, but if you have the budget and you're looking for a truly special stay, then absolutely, *yes*.
It's a memory-maker. And hey, everyone deserves to feel like royalty at least once in their lives, right? Just maybe bring a friend to split the bill. And maybe a translator. But mostly, go. Seriously. Go and experience the ridiculousness. You'll love it. Unless, of course, you are the kind of person who finds a velvet rope and a gold-plated faucet oppressive. And if that's the case, you probably wouldn't be asking anyway.
