The Metropol Hotel is a real architectural decoration of the capital. Its history has been directly related to the annals of Moscow for more than one hundred and ten years. And Teatralnaya Square today is simply inconceivable without this beautiful building.
Today the Metropol hotel is located on the site of the former hotel, which used to be used by the popular baths. At the end of the 19th century, the hotel was sold by the former owner S. I. Mamontov, who was going to rebuild it into a modern hotel complex for those times, corresponding to the high cultural level of Moscow. The reconstruction plan was focused on the architectural project of V. Valkot. However, Mamontov was soon convicted of embezzlement, and the old construction complex passed into new hands, followed by adjustments to the Walcot project.
The grand opening of the Metropol Hotel took place in 1905. At the beginning of the last century, it corresponded to the "luxury" class, and guests could join such achievements of civilization as refrigerators and telephones. An important design idea of the hotel was that all the rooms in it were spacious enough and decorated in each case in a unique style. And when the cinema opened here, there was simply no limit to the delight of visitors.
In the first years of Soviet power, the Metropol was used as the Second House of Soviets, and in 1930 it again began to work for its intended purpose.
Architecture and rooms
Moscow "Metropol" perfectly copes with the function of a representative object of the historical center of the capital and the cultural heritage of Russia. Having absorbed the elements of the Art Nouveau architectural style fashionable at the beginning of the last century, for many years it has attracted the eyes of Muscovites and guests of the capital. After all, its exterior and interior design, made by Vasnetsov and Korovin, fully correspond to the concept of “valuable architectural ensemble”, as Mamontov wanted in his time.
The special pride of the Metropol is represented by majolica panels, among which Vrubel's work Princess Dreams, which was later transferred to the Tretyakov Gallery, also stood out.
Of course, one of the main advantages of the Metropol Hotel is its location. Address: Teatralny proezd, house 2, is the hallmark of not only Teatralnaya square, but also the entire historical part of the capital. After all, walking distance to the Kremlin and Red Square cannot be left without the proper attention of guests.
Currently, Metropol offers its visitors six options for comfortable accommodation, which include the following room categories:
- "standard" - room area - 25 sq. m;
- "superior" - room area - 30 sq. m;
- "junior suite" - room area - 45 sq. m;
- "executive suite" - room area - from 56 sq. m;
- "grand suite" - room area - from 85 sq. m;
- "presidential suite" - room area - 92, 2 sq. m.
All apartments have their own unique interior decor, including antique furniture, chandeliers and other furnishings in a classic style.
Halls of the complex and famous guests
It was not only the fashionable style and technological perfection of the era of its creation that made the Metropol Hotel one of the sights of Moscow. In this splendor of the decoration, numerous halls deserve special words of gratitude. There are nineteen of them in total. Large and small - they are designed for events of a wide variety of topics.
According to the employees of the hotel complex themselves, they are not confused by the number of people at the event (from several dozen to several hundred visitors), nor by the format of the service (presentations, banquets, meetings, forums, etc.).
An important component of the popularity of the Metropol Hotel is its gallery of celebrities who made a choice in its favor when visiting Moscow. The list of VIPs includes Alexander Kuprin, Sergei Prokofiev, Mao Zedong, Marlene Dietrich, Pierre Cardin, Michael, Jackson, Enrique and Julio Iglesias, Placido Domingo and many others.
In 1991, the Metropol was again subjected to a serious restoration, as a result of which it shone in its original form. And a special commission awarded him "five stars".
Meals and additional services
The breakfast food system at the Metropol Hotel implies a unique format that always surprises guests who visit this amazing place for the first time. An extraordinary atmosphere of coziness and comfort is created here, which is due to the elegant serving, a wide range of dishes and, of course, the sounds of the harp. For gourmets, the hotel offers an excellent menu in the Savva restaurant, where the famous chef A. Shmakov works as a chef. Moreover, visiting this restaurant is possible not only for hotel guests.
You can also spend a festive evening on a grand scale in the hotel bar. And for those who prefer comfort and privacy in the room, a fast food delivery service is provided.
Additional hotel services include the following leisure activities:
- free Wi-Fi;
- Fitness Centre;
- laundry and dry cleaning;
- sauna;
- pool;
- parking;
- a convenient service for people with disabilities.
Metropol regularly holds various promotions and provides its customers with seasonal discounts on many services. I would especially like to highlight the cooperation of the hotel with the Bolshoi Theater, because of which its guests can get into the main vale of Melpomene in the country without any difficulty. And the popularity of Russian ballet in the world is always at the highest level.
Visitor reviews
Summarizing the huge number of positive reviews of Muscovites and guests of the capital about the Metropol Hotel, the following points can be highlighted:
- an exceptional location in the center of the capital;
- exterior and interior of the hotel;
- in the area of the hotel there are a lot of shops with different price categories;
- a unique atmosphere during breakfast, lunch and dinner; special words of gratitude deserve "the sounds of the harp" and "caviar for breakfast";
- a high level of service, which allows Moscow residents to rent halls for thematic events.
However, not only positive reviews characterize the activities of the legendary capital institution.
Among the negative comments, one can single out criticism of the following characteristics:
- transport problem related to traffic jams and parking;
- cool rooms in winter and lack of "warm floors" in the bathrooms;
- the need for renovation (the hotel was last renovated in the 80s);
- the high cost of rooms does not always correspond to the declared level of comfort.
It is noteworthy that the Metropol hotel in the entire history of its amazing existence was able to survive the tsarist regime, and the revolution, and the era of Soviet totalitarianism, including the difficult war years. And the proximity to Red Square, the Bolshoi and Maly theaters, as well as to many historical and cultural values of the capital cannot leave anyone indifferent. And the hotel itself is a real architectural monument of our country, having visited it, it will never be possible to forget such a significant event.
And the criticism that refers to the urgent renovation of the Metropol Hotel should be adequately correlated with the fact that this architectural and historical monument of our country should be restored in a special way, taking into account the entire expensive and high-tech complex of upcoming cultural heritage preservation measures.
