I spent a night in the $18,000-a-night presidential suite at the Ritz-Carlton in Moscow that was referenced in the infamous Steele dossier. Here's what it was like.
- The $18,000-a-night Ritz-Carlton presidential suite in Moscow has hosted high-profile guests including Barack and Michelle Obama.
- The 2,443-square-foot suite has multiple rooms, a grand piano, a private sauna, a jetted soaking tub, a panic button, and an unbeatable view of the Kremlin.
- The suite garnered international attention after it was mentioned in the infamous Steele Dossier, an intelligence report that included unverified claims of an alleged night's stay in the suite by Donald Trump in 2013.
- On a recent trip to Russia in June, I spent a night in the opulent suite.
- While it was probably the most luxurious experience of my life, I wasn't impressed by the food.
- Editorial Note: Business Insider paid full price for a standard room at the Ritz-Carlton, and the reporter received an upgrade to the presidential suite at the time of check-in.
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
The Ritz-Carlton in Moscow sits on Tverskaya Street, a stone's throw from Red Square and the Kremlin.
While the Ritz-Carlton brand is known for its high standard of luxury, the Moscow location's $18,000-a-night presidential suite has been in the spotlight for its mention in the infamous Steele dossier, a private intelligence report authored by Christopher Steele, a former British intelligence officer.
The report includes unverified claims that President Donald Trump stayed in the Moscow Ritz-Carlton hotel in 2013 and watched hired prostitutes "perform a 'golden showers' (urination) show in front of him" with the goal of defiling the presidential suite bed where Barack and Michelle Obama had previously slept. The dossier indicated that Russian intelligence videotaped this encounter to use to blackmail Trump.
Buzzfeed News released the full report in January 2017, after Trump was elected president and before his inauguration.
The claims in the Steele Dossier are unverified and Trump has denied that such an event happened.
On a recent trip to Russia, I stayed in the ultra-luxurious, $18,000-a-night presidential suite. Here's what it was like.
On a recent trip to Russia, I spent a night in the the most expensive suite at the Ritz-Carlton in Moscow.
The Ritz-Carlton is in the center of Moscow, a stone's throw from Red Square and the Kremlin.
I used Russia's most popular ride sharing app, Yandex, to get to the hotel.
The porte cochere entrance was full of Mercedes and other luxury vehicles.
In the lobby, I was met with towering flower bouquets, elegant staircases, and gleaming marble surfaces.
At the check-in desk, I was told that I'd gotten an upgrade and I'd need to wait no more than five minutes while the room received a last-minute check. The concierge took my suitcase to have it brought up to the room.
I stepped into the elevator to head up to the suite, which was on the 11th floor, the highest floor before the rooftop restaurant and lounge.
I stepped onto the 11th floor. It was very quiet, and I didn't see any other guests around.
The hallway was carpeted in blue and gold and lined with glittering chandeliers.
At the end of the hallway was a shiny black door with gold detailing, and a brass plaque with my room number: 1101.
Upon stepping into the suite's entryway, one thing was clear: It was the largest and most luxurious hotel room I'd ever been in — and probably would ever stay in.
One of the doors leads to a small yet elegant bathroom.
To my left was a kitchen complete with stovetop, oven, microwave, Nespresso machine, electric kettle, and refrigerator.
The coffee station had several different types of espresso and decaf, Ritz-Carlton branded coffee cups, teas, and creamer.
Through the kitchen, I found a dining room with a large table and six chairs, although at least four more chairs could be comfortably added.
The office is outfitted with a fireplace, a stately wooden desk, and a heavy leather-and-wood desk chair.
I couldn't help but imagine Barack Obama sitting at this desk as president.
The hotel has an extensive room service menu.
One of the suite's rooms is dedicated entirely to a Ronisch grand piano.
The suite's spacious sitting room comes with its own fireplace ...
... and an unbeatable view of the Kremlin, the complex that serves as the official residence of President Vladimir Putin.
I headed down the hallway toward the master bedroom and bathroom.
The first door on the right is a dressing room larger than my bedroom in New York City.
The bedroom is lavishly decorated in gold tones.
On the other side of the room is another fireplace and a sitting area.
A flat-screen TV sits across from two comfortable armchairs.
The king-size bed features an elaborate golden headboard.
Next, I went to check out the suite's bathroom.
The standout feature in the bathroom is the jetted soaking tub sunken into a massive chunk of marble.
The bathroom includes a bidet with a telephone next to it, and another phone next to the bathtub.
And then there's the private sauna, which I didn't even know existed in hotel rooms.
The sauna is small, but three or four people could probably fit if they got cozy.
Just inside the door to the sauna is a large red button that you would think, looking at this picture, could not be missed.
Next to the tub was a plush bathrobe that I ended up wearing for the entirety of my time in the suite.
The toiletries provided were from the British luxury brand Asprey.
After I took a much-needed shower and put on the fluffy white bathrobe, it was time for food.
I got a Croque Monsieur with fries, a glass of Prosecco, and tiramisu for dessert. The person who brought up my dinner set up the cart in the sitting room so I could eat with a view of the Kremlin.
As night fell over Moscow, the views from the suite were incredible.
Sleeping in the bed felt like being wrapped in a fluffy cocoon.
While the tub was filling up, I made myself a double espresso.
I could've spent hours in that bathtub, but I eventually dragged myself out in time for room service round two. I ordered a relatively light breakfast of cereal, toast, fresh fruit, fresh-squeezed orange juice, and a cappuccino.
After breakfast, I spent a few minutes relaxing in the sauna.
After I had bathed, sauna-ed, and eaten breakfast, I went to go check out some other parts of the hotel, even though I was reluctant to leave my suite.
Next, I went up to check out the hotel's O2 Lounge, the rooftop restaurant, bar, and terrace.
I went out onto the terrace and sat down at a table, planning on getting a quick drink.
Below the lobby is the fitness and spa level of the hotel.
On the other side of the elevator bank from the fitness center is the Ritz-Carlton spa.
I went back up to the lobby area, where well-dressed men and women were lounging and drinking coffee or tea.
Just off the lobby is the Ritz-Carlton Lounge and Bar, where guests can enjoy drinks and "an Afternoon Tea ceremony with a Russian touch," according to the Ritz's website.
In addition to the O2 Lounge and the lounge and bar in the lobby, guests can eat at the outdoor Novikov Restaurant & Bar, which sits in front of the Ritz's main entrance.
Back in my room, I had about 15 minutes before I had to check out. I spent my remaining precious moments in the suite lounging in the greatest of all beds.
As I stepped out of the lobby, the doorman offered to call me a taxi, but I had already ordered a car through Yandex.
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