Russo Balt Hotel Moscow

Discovered by accident this ridiculously charming and totally hidden courtyard just off of one of the main avenues in Moscow. Turned out it’s part of a boutique 5-Star hotel Russo-Balt (yeah the name could be more inspired). I didn’t even know Moscow HAD 5-Star boutique hotels! We’ve got your Hyatt and The Ritz and the Four Seasons of course, plus the landmark National and Metropol - luxury in Moscow tends to go big. Anyway, I’m almost disappointed that I live in Moscow and have no excuse to spend a couple of nights there, because it seems so totally old-school European and looks so cute! And adjacent to it is a restaurant whose gorgeous art nouveau facade - with gilt mosaics and elaborate floral wrought iron details - I’ve passed by dozens of times yet never ventured to explore beyond those walls