Explore Richter, a 5-star design hotel and creative space in a former Moscow mansion | The Escapist

Where?

Moscow, Russia

What?

Richter Hotel, only a 10-minute walk away from the Tretyakov Gallery, brings 19th-century opulence into the hipster 21st century. This former aristocratic mansion is a self-contained experience: it houses a design hotel, a restaurant serving imaginative vegetarian food, and a contemporary gallery showcasing art from the region.

Each piece of furniture and artwork in the hotel was designed specifically for Richter by local artists, which means that every one of the seven bedrooms has a different aesthetic. Relax in a self-standing design bathtub, and make sure you spend time lounging in the organic linen bathrobes which feature a medieval lion — Richter’s logo – designed in collaboration with Moscow-based streetwear brand Outlaw. The restaurant on the ground floor is the brainchild of vegetarian-cuisine enthusiast, Ivan Dubkov. Continue the evening at the hotel’s own Barcelona-inspired vermoutheria, and attend an exclusive film premiere, an art exhibition opening, or a wine tasting organised by the hotel’s in-house curators. Richter is a five-star hotel, but it’s also an immersive journey into Moscow’s gastronomic and contemporary arts world.

What not to miss during your stay:

— Lose yourself in the nearby State Tretyakov Gallery, a must-see in the Russian capital housing the world’s largest collection of Russian fine art. On your way out, drop by the souvenir shop and buy one of the painting-inspired fragrances that the gallery launched in collaboration with American perfume company Demeter Library of Fragrance.

— Catch a bargain at Sevastopolskaya Market, an unusual bazaar spread across nine floors of a Soviet-era hotel, each shop located in a separate hotel room with old lifts cruising up and down the concrete shafts carrying shoppers. Whether you’re after huge mineral stones, quirky party outfits, or bizarre kitchen utensils, the assortment of the market will not disappoint you.

— Unwind at Leveldva, a bohemian-chic flat now functioning as dance and live music bar. The space, reminiscent of a grand apartment, is divided into three zones: a dance floor, topped by an opulent golden lamp; a cocktail area with a wooden bar; and a corner for relaxing by a fireplace.