Maidens in Moscow: an unusual check-in and breakfast from a menu

I stayed at Maidens on Zubovskaya Square for one night, from 22 to 23 September 2026. I came away with a fairly clear thought: I want to return. Next time, though, I would choose a larger room.

The hotel made an impression from check-in onwards. I was invited to sit on a soft couch, I could control the curtains from bed, and breakfast was ordered from a menu. All of this made the stay feel unusual and enjoyable. I did have a few reservations, too.

Booking and the walk to the hotel

I booked a Premium King with a courtyard view through Yandex Travel, with breakfast for one guest. I paid 15,522 roubles for one night. The advertised size of this room category is 24 square metres.

I walked to the hotel. If I remember correctly, I started from Sportivnaya metro station: the walk took about half an hour and was very pleasant.

The hotel itself was easy to find. It stands beside a main road, and I had no trouble finding the entrance.

Checking in on a soft couch

When I walked in, a member of staff greeted me on the left and invited me to sit on a soft couch. This style of reception was unfamiliar to me. I sat down and handed over my passport, and he began checking me in while telling me about the hotel.

I asked about the spa. He explained that there was no sauna or hammam. The lack of a spa was one of my reservations about the stay.

He then told me that the included breakfast was served on the ground floor and explained that the room had smart controls. With my key card in hand, I headed for the lifts.

The lift, the fifth floor and a colourful corridor

I found the lifts easily. The lift itself was clean and well maintained, as was the landing on my floor. I particularly liked the corridor: blue walls, colourful geometric details and a patterned floor made it feel very different from a neutral hotel hallway.

Even on the way to my room, I had the sense of being in an expensive, modern hotel. There was plenty to look at, but the design did not make it difficult to find my way. Outside room 528, there were raised numerals and an electronic panel.

A beautiful room that I wished were larger

When I opened the door, there were no unpleasant smells. The bed was neatly made, the linen looked clean, and I immediately liked the room's design. The colourful details, unusual chairs and lighting around the headboard continued the impression made by the corridor.

The living area did feel small, though. There was a bed, a television, armchairs and small tables, but I did not see the separate work area I would normally expect. For me, the room's size was the main limitation of this category.

The wardrobe, by contrast, was large and spacious. Inside were hangers, a bathrobe, slippers and a safe, with extra amenities in a drawer. There was also a separate place for a suitcase beside the walkway.

A kettle, capsule coffee machine, cups and minibar were arranged on a separate counter. It was quite different from the usual writing desk I am used to finding in a hotel room.

The window was another distinctive feature. Its lower edge was higher than I would have liked. When I lay down, it gave me a strange feeling, a little like being in a basement. That was simply the impression created by the window's position: the room itself was on the fifth floor. Beyond the glass were the roofs of neighbouring buildings and the city at night.

Curtains I actually used

The smart controls proved to be a useful part of the room. There were controls by the entrance and on both sides of the bed, allowing me to change the lighting and open or close the electric curtains.

I especially liked the curtains. Whenever I wanted the room a little darker or lighter, I could adjust them straight from bed. For me, this was one of the most successful features of the room.

A spacious shower room and a heated floor

Compared with the compact bedroom, the bathroom felt enormous. It had a shower behind a glass partition, a large round illuminated mirror and a generous area around the basin. The pale, stone-patterned finish looked beautiful, and I liked the quality of the fit-out.

The shower was comfortable to use: the pressure was good, there was hot water, and nothing leaked. The heated floor was another detail I remember. After looking around the room, I took a shower and was pleased with both the shower itself and its fittings.

There were Lalique toiletries in the shower. I liked the quality of the shampoo and shower gel, and additional amenity kits were neatly arranged beside the basin. In the morning, I used the hotel's razor, which was good quality too.

A quiet night, with one quirk of the door

After my shower, I went to bed and fell asleep quickly. Overall, the night went well: my room was away from the busier areas, and I barely heard other guests.

Occasionally, though, people walked along the corridor and shut other doors with a bang, causing my own door to rattle. I wondered whether airflow or a change in pressure was responsible, but I do not know the actual cause.

It was unpleasant, although it did not noticeably affect my rest. I slept well, so I would not make this the main criticism of the stay.

Breakfast from a menu: tasty, but a few more smiles would help

In the morning, I showered again, shaved and went down to the ground floor. Breakfast came in a format that was unusual for me: instead of a buffet, there was a menu to order from. Breakfast was included in my rate, and I did not have to pay extra for the dishes I ordered.

I first sat at the bar counter. When a table became available, I moved over. The dishes were brought out as they were ready.

I ordered porridge, blini with red caviar, several desserts and tea. The food was tasty, and I got a little carried away with the quantity: I could not finish some of the desserts. I really liked being able to put together a breakfast from different dishes.

The room itself was interesting too: large windows, a counter, an open kitchen and aquariums gave it a very different feel from a typical buffet breakfast room.

What I missed in the service was a few more smiles. The staff seemed rather glum and simply got on with their work. My orders arrived, but I would have appreciated a little more warmth. The food left a good impression; the interaction felt cooler.

I would return, but choose a larger room

I remember Maidens as a good-quality hotel with an interesting design and a location that worked well for me. I liked the check-in, the shower room, the curtain and lighting controls, and, in the morning, the breakfast format.

I would consider it for a city trip if you enjoy unusual interiors and ordering breakfast from a menu. When choosing a category, it is worth looking carefully at the room size and layout. If a spacious bedroom, a proper work desk, or time in a sauna and hammam matter to you, my reservations will be particularly relevant.

For the price I paid and what I received, the stay felt like reasonable value. I would definitely return. The main change for my next visit is already clear: look at a higher category and choose a room with more space.