National becomes Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ Luxury Collection first property in Russia

The National Hotel has joined Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.’s Luxury Collection chain, thus becoming the first and only representative of the company’s internationally famed collection of luxury properties in Russia, according to company sources. The National Hotel combines historical ambience with up-to-date convenience, exceptional service and genuine Russian hospitality, making it a default option for world leaders. The Luxury Collection has chosen the National for its outstanding features that perfectly fit the company’s values, the hotel management said.

The Luxury Collection is a group of unique hotels and resorts offering exceptional service to an elite clientele. From legendary palaces and remote retreats to timeless modern classics, these remarkable hotels and resorts enable the most discerning traveler to collect a world of unique, authentic and enriching experiences indigenous to each destination that capture the sense of both luxury and place. They are distinguished by magnificent decor, spectacular settings and impeccable service. 

Built in 1903 by renowned Russian architect Alexander Ivanov, National has witnessed all Russia’s crucial historical moments, having being involved in almost all the significant events that have taken place since its foundation. The hotel has a unique architecture and its interiors are full of objects d’art and antiques, which made the Hotel a national monument. The hotel has hosted world leaders and celebrities from all around the world, including U.S. President Barack Obama when he visited Russia as a U.S. senator as a part of the U.S. government delegation that watched Russia dismantle its mobile missile launch facility in August 2005, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, King of Spain Juan Carlos I, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and ex-French President Jacque Chirac who called the National his home in Moscow.

For over a century The National hotel has been popular for its luxury, cuisine and service. The hotel has unique location just off the Red Square in the very heart of historical, cultural and business center of Moscow. The hotel’s 150 guest rooms and 56 suites are richly decorated with antique Russian objects d’art. The National combines historical ambience with up-to-date convenience, exceptional service and genuine Russian hospitality. 

It took a year for the National to complete rooms renovation to measure up to The Luxury Collection standards. The works have been executed in accordance with the latest hospitality trends: spacious rooms, the up-to-date technical decisions, increased areas of bathing and wardrobe rooms, etc. During the renovation the number of rooms was reduced from 216 to 206 as a result of linking single rooms within spacious Studio rooms, some of which offer a breathtaking panoramic view of the Moscow Kremlin on the Red Square.

All the rooms except historical Suites have been furnished with exclusive Italian furniture. The furniture design fits the Hotel’s historical interiors, reproducing elegant ambience of the nineteenth century. All rooms were equipped with plasma TV and DVD players. The National’s historical Suites were replenished with new antique items from the Hotel's storehouse. All the vases and statues, lamps and sconces, mirrors, pictures and even piano have museum value and were not previously used in the hotel.

Soon after the rebranding, the National Hotel intends to redesign its Alexandrovsky Bar and to provide a haut cuisine at its famous Moskovsky Restaurant. Afterwards, the National plans to expand its underground space to include a Spa facility and car parking. The Health Club on the seventh level will be converted to two Presidential Suites, each up to 150sqm. All the renovation works are slated for completion in 2012.