Safmar Grand Moscow: a review of my stay

At Safmar Grand Moscow, you want to look up: a glass dome spans the spacious lobby, and lifts move behind transparent doors. Below are sofas, a lobby bar and plenty of open space. The glass dome became one of the hotel’s most memorable details.

But a hotel’s impression also takes shape behind the room door: whether you sleep comfortably, hear your neighbours, find everything working in the bathroom, and enjoy the morning. I stayed for one night, visited the spa, had breakfast and paid attention to these details. My overall impression was pleasant, although I had concerns about the bathroom’s condition.

The first few minutes: a smile at reception and a glass lift

I was not held up at the entrance, and there was no security screening when I arrived. Reception was on the right, so I did not have to search for it. The receptionist greeted me with a smile and checked me in quickly. She immediately explained where breakfast was served and where to find the spa and gym on the basement level. According to her, the gym was open until 11:00 pm.

This is the kind of check-in I like: everything you need is explained straight away, and within a few minutes you can go and relax.

The lobby looks well maintained and spacious. The glass dome gives it a distinctive character, and the transparent lifts add movement: while waiting for your lift, you can watch other guests passing by. The two lifts I used arrived quickly. My impression of the floor was good too: a tidy corridor, pleasant finishes and a convenient entrance to the room.

The deluxe room: a classic interior and space to relax

The room had wooden furniture, a patterned sofa and armchair, pictures and lamps with shades. The photographs give a clear sense of the style to expect. I liked the setting: the room felt lived-in and inviting, somewhere to unwind.

The deluxe room felt spacious. As well as a large bed, it had a separate corner with a sofa, armchair and coffee table. This area is clearly visible in the room photographs.

The room was clean on arrival. The bedding was neat, and the bed felt comfortable from the start; that impression remained after sleeping in it.

Among the practical touches, I especially appreciated the iron and ironing board in the wardrobe. If you need to tidy up your clothes, everything is already to hand. Another useful find was a separate hairdryer, which I prefer to a wall-mounted one.

The minibar was stocked with drinks and snacks. All were charged separately, with price lists on the table. Free bottled water was available too, placed in the bathroom.

Windows facing the neighbouring facade: attractive, but the curtains were useful

My room looked out onto the building opposite. That description would not usually promise much, but here the facade was attractive and lit up in the evening. Having it nearby did not bother me. Before bed, though, I drew the curtains: with other windows opposite, it felt cosier that way.

The closed windows muted street noise well. Loud cars and motorcycles could still be heard, so the soundproofing was not absolute. Sounds from the corridor also reached the room, which I noticed when I first checked in.

The night itself, however, was very quiet. Nobody made noise inside the building, and occasional sounds from the street did not disturb the overall sense of calm. For a hotel on Tverskaya Street, this was one of the most pleasant impressions of the trip. It does depend on your neighbours and the position of the room: in my case, things worked out well.

The bathroom: what I would like to see improved

The bathroom looked more modest than the bedroom. I had no concerns about cleanliness, but the finishes did not quite meet my expectations of a five-star hotel. Here, the interior made a less convincing impression.

A more significant problem appeared once I switched on the shower: the water drained very slowly and was still in the bath in the morning. I was able to shower, but a properly working drain is a basic convenience. If two people were sharing the room and the second needed to shower immediately afterwards, the problem would have been more noticeable.

There were also too few hooks for hanging things. Against the backdrop of the beautiful lobby, these details might seem small, but in everyday use they affect comfort.

The spa: in the evening, I would choose the jacuzzi

The spa improved my impression again. In the men’s changing room were two saunas, a conventional one and another with a salt wall. Beyond them was the pool and jacuzzi area.

I liked the jacuzzi most: hot water, a working hydromassage system and comfortable seating. It was a pleasant place to linger and relax.

The pool seemed fairly large, but the water felt cool to me. That is a matter of personal preference: it might suit guests who enjoy a more invigorating swim. That evening, I felt more comfortable in the jacuzzi.

Breakfast: a lively morning in a large hotel

I arrived for breakfast at 10:30 am, and the room was still lively. By my estimate, about a third of the tables were free. There were plenty of people, but it did not feel as though there was nowhere to sit.

The buffet seemed varied. The photograph shows only part of the selection: cheeses, sliced meats, vegetables and fruit. I cannot give a detailed account of individual dishes from this breakfast, but my overall impression of the selection and atmosphere was good.

The international atmosphere stayed with me: many guests were from abroad. At one point, I even felt as though I were somewhere in Dubai. The pleasant interior and lively dining room made breakfast a fitting end to this overnight stay.

My impressions of the stay

Above all, I liked Safmar Grand Moscow as a place to spend the evening comfortably and get a good night’s sleep. A room that felt spacious, a good bed, cleanliness, a friendly check-in and the spa combined into a pleasant experience. The lobby beneath the glass dome added a beautiful memory of the hotel.