Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow is a five-star hotel at Balchug Street 1, on the south bank of the Moskva River, directly across from the Kremlin, Red Square and St. Basil’s Cathedral. Its facade dates to 1898, but the hotel opened in 1992 after a complete reconstruction, according to hotel guides, on the site of the former Hotel Bucharest.
The hotel has 227 rooms, including 36 suites, according to its own site, many with views of the Kremlin. It stands in Zamoskvorechye, a quieter district than the center across the river. Rates and rules change, so check the hotel’s own site, baltschughotel.ru.
Quick Facts
| Russian name | Отель «Балчуг Кемпински Москва» |
|---|---|
| Address | Balchug Street 1, Moscow 115035 OpenStreetMap · Google Maps |
| District | Zamoskvorechye |
| Metro | Novokuznetskaya (Zamoskvoretskaya Line (Line 2, green), A hotel listing gives about a 9-minute walk to a metro station without naming it; Novokuznetskaya, Tretyakovskaya and Polyanka are the stations in the area, and the nearest one and the exit were not verified) |
| Opening hours | Check-in from 14:00 and check-out until 12:00, according to a hotel trade listing; the restaurants and the spa keep their own hours, which were not verified.
(as of October 2026 – check the official site) |
| Best time to visit | The hotel works all year. The terraces and the bridge are at their best in warm months, and the embankment is busiest at weekends and on public holidays; crowd patterns inside the hotel were not verified. |
| Recommended duration | At least one night |
| Website | baltschughotel.ru/en |
| Last updated | October 7, 2026 |
Why Visit Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow?
The reasons are concrete. The Baltschug stands on the embankment opposite the Kremlin, so rooms and suites on the river side look across the Moskva River to the Kremlin walls, Red Square and the domes of St. Basil’s Cathedral, according to the hotel and guides.
The hotel’s site lists 227 rooms including 36 suites, Designer and Panoramic Suites with the best views, and dining with views of the river and the Kremlin. Zaryadye Park and Red Square are within walking distance across the bridge, and the hotel stands in the quiet Zamoskvorechye district. It is a hotel with a historic facade and modern interiors. Rates vary, so check the official site.
Highlights of Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow
The facade of 1898
The exterior walls date to 1898, in the reign of Nicholas II, according to a hotel history page, and are the only remnants of the original building, which a guide credits to the architect Alexander Ivanov. A guide describes a traditional, pale baroque exterior. Look at the facade from the embankment or the bridge.
Tip: Look at the facade from the Bolshoy Moskvoretsky Bridge for the best view.
Kremlin views across the river
Guides say that many rooms have views of the Kremlin, St. Basil's Cathedral and Red Square across the Moskva River, and the hotel's site lists Designer and Panoramic Suites with the best views. The view depends on the room and floor. Ask when you book.
Tip: Ask for a river-side room on a high floor.
Designer and panoramic suites
The hotel's site lists 36 suites, including Designer Suites and Panoramic Suites, and a trade page says the Kremlin Suite was renovated with interiors by the Czech studio CADE, with brocades and stucco moldings and views of the Kremlin. Details may have changed. Ask the hotel about the current suites.
Tip: Ask about the Kremlin Suite if the view is the priority.
Dining with a view
The hotel's site mentions a summer menu with panoramic views of the Moskva River and the Kremlin by Chef Andrey Kagokin, with Pan-Asian influences and Russian classics. Older guides name a restaurant on the upper floors and a Vienna cafe off the lobby. The current venues were not verified.
Tip: Check which restaurants and terraces are open in your season.
A 30-year history
The hotel celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2022, according to its own news page, which dates its opening to 1992, after the reconstruction of the older building. A guide says it was the only Moscow hotel in The Leading Hotels of the World group from 1995, which may have changed. Check the current status.
Tip: Ask the hotel about its history at check-in.
Zamoskvorechye and Zaryadye Park
The hotel stands in the relatively quiet Zamoskvorechye district, and a Google listing says Zaryadye Park and the Kremlin are a short walk away across the river. The Tretyakov Gallery is also within walking distance. The walking times were not verified.
Tip: Cross the bridge on foot for the classic photo of the Kremlin.
Atmosphere
The Baltschug is a classic European grand hotel behind a pale baroque facade, with traditional interiors in rich red fabrics and wood, according to guides, and a lobby that is busy with business meetings. It stands on the embankment, with the full panorama of the Kremlin across the water.
Guests are business and leisure travelers who want the view. The river side is calm in the evening, and the bridge and the embankment are busy with walkers by day. The crowd varies by season, and no details were verified.
History of Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow
The building at Balchug Street 1 dates to 1898, in the reign of Tsar Nicholas II, according to a hotel history page, which says the exterior walls are the only remnants of the original building. A guide credits the architect Alexander Ivanov with the design of the building erected in 1898.
The hotel stands on the site of the former Hotel Bucharest, according to the same page. After a complete renovation and reconstruction it opened as the Baltschug Kempinski in 1992, according to guides, and in 1995 it joined The Leading Hotels of the World group, according to an older guide. The view from its windows, across the Moskva River bridge to the Kremlin and St. Basil’s Cathedral, became one of the best known in the capital.
The hotel celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2022, according to its own news page, and a trade page gives 2012 as the year of the last renovation. The hotel’s site lists 227 rooms, while older guides give 230 or 232.
The hotel’s management arrangements since 2022 and the details of later renovations were not confirmed in the sources read, so this section is short.
Booking and Check-In at Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow
Book through the hotel’s own site, baltschughotel.ru, where the current rates, room types and rules are shown. A trade listing gives check-in from 14:00 and check-out until 12:00, though it is undated. Because brand and booking arrangements of hotels in Russia changed after 2022, do not assume that chain websites, points or loyalty benefits apply, and check that you are booking with the hotel. Cancellation terms, deposits and breakfast depend on the rate.
- Foreign guests: hotels in Russia usually handle the registration of foreign guests, but rules change and depend on nationality, so ask the hotel and read the Moscow Vibes registration guide; as of October 2026 this was not verified with the hotel.
- Payment: foreign Visa and Mastercard cards are reported not to work in Russia, and the sanctions rules of your own country may restrict some Russian payment services and bookings, so check this yourself and ask the hotel how it takes payment.
Check all rates and rules on the official site.
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How to Get to Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow
The hotel is at Balchug Street 1, on the south bank of the Moskva River. A Google listing gives about a 9-minute walk to a metro station without naming it, and the stations in the area are Novokuznetskaya, Tretyakovskaya and Polyanka on the south side and Kitay-Gorod across the river; the nearest one and the exit were not verified. The Kremlin and Red Square are across the Bolshoy Moskvoretsky Bridge.
- Metro: Novokuznetskaya or Polyanka, then walk to Balchug Street; check the exit on the station plan.
- Taxi and airports: the taxi apps guide and the airport transfer guides of this site explain the options.
Accessibility
No accessibility information was found. A trade listing says the building has eight floors, so lifts are likely, but ask the hotel about accessible rooms, steps and the spa when you book.
Food Nearby
The hotel has its own restaurants. Metropol Restaurant, SAVVA and Cafe Pushkin have their own articles on this site, and the streets across the river have cafes such as Cofix and Surf Coffee. Check hours before you go.
What to Bring
Smart casual clothes suit the public areas. Bring rubles in cash for small purchases, since foreign cards are reported not to work.
Photography Rules
No photography rules were found. Ask the staff before you photograph the lobby, the restaurants or other guests, and avoid flash.
Family Suitability
The hotel is large and central, with spacious rooms and suites, so it can work for families who want a base near the sights. Child policies, cots and stroller access were not found, so ask the hotel when you book.
Moscow Vibes Tips
- Ask for a river-side room, since the Kremlin view is the reason to stay here.
- The metro is a walk of about nine minutes, so use a taxi in bad weather.
- Walk across the Bolshoy Moskvoretsky Bridge in the evening for the Kremlin view.
- The hotel's management arrangements changed after 2022, so book only through its own site.
- Check-in is from 14:00, so ask about luggage storage if you arrive earlier; the luggage guide of this site explains options.
- Zaryadye Park is a short walk away, so combine a stay with a visit to the park.
What to Do Within Walking Distance of Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow
These places are an easy walk from Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow and help you plan your days:
Within walking distance
Floating Bridge Moscow – about 300 m away (~5 min walk) · typical visit: About 30 minutes on the bridge, 1.5 to 2 hours with the parkMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Zaryadye Park Moscowabout 400 m away (~6 min walk) · typical visit: 1–2 hours; 3 hours with the pavilionsMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Zaryadye Concert Hall Moscowabout 450 m away (~8 min walk) · typical visit: About 2.5 to 3 hours for a concertMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
St. Basil’s Cathedral Moscowabout 500 m away (~8 min walk) · typical visit: 45–90 minutes insideMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Explore Nearby Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow
Metro stations near Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow
Polyanka Metro Stationabout 1.2 km away (~20 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Kitay-Gorod Metro Stationabout 900 m away (~15 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Restaurants and cafes near Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow
Bjornabout 300 m away (~5 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Stolovaya 57about 800 m away (~13 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Masa Madreabout 1000 m away (~16 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Varenichnaya No. 1about 1000 m away (~16 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Nightlife near Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow
Esse Jazz Clubabout 800 m away (~13 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Hotels near Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow
Four Seasons Hotel Moscowabout 1.1 km away (~18 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Hotel Metropol Moscowabout 1.2 km away (~19 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
The St. Regis Moscow Nikolskayaabout 1.2 km away (~19 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Events and traditions near Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow
Non/fiction Book Fair in Moscowabout 600 m away (~10 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Spasskaya Tower Military Music Festivalabout 700 m away (~12 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Related guides
- Zaryadye Park Moscow: Floating Bridge, Ice Cave and Free Entry
Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Red Square Moscow: What to See and Which Sights Cost ExtraMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Moscow Kremlin: Cathedrals, Armoury Chamber and TicketsMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Tretyakov Gallery Moscow: Tickets, Hours and What to SeeMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Zamoskvorechye: Pyatnitskaya Street, Ordynka and Old ChurchesMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Browse more: More in Zamoskvorechye · All Hotels · All Luxury Hotels
FAQ: Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow
Where is Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow?
At Balchug Street 1, on the south bank of the Moskva River opposite the Kremlin.
When was it built?
The facade dates to 1898 and the hotel opened in 1992 after a reconstruction.
Does it have Kremlin views?
Yes, many rooms do; ask for a river-side room.
How many rooms does it have?
227, including 36 suites, according to its own site.
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in from 14:00 and check-out until 12:00, according to a trade listing.
Can I walk to Red Square?
Yes, across the bridge; a few minutes to about 15 minutes, depending on the source.
Which district is it in?
Zamoskvorechye, on the south side of the river.
Can I pay with a foreign card?
Foreign cards are reported not to work in Russia; ask the hotel how it takes payment.
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Last updated: October 7, 2026.
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