Moscow: What to see, where to stay

One of the world's most opulent cities, Moscow is the short break for lovers of grand architecture, world-class art and luxurious living. With 2017 marking 100 years since the Bolshevik Revolution, which saw the overthrowing of the Tsars and the world's first Communist state, as well as the FIFA Confederations Cup taking place, now is the time to visit as the world watches Russia's vibrant capital city.

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Magnificent Moscow is home to extraordinary attractions such as iconic St Basil's Cathedral, the lavish GUM State Department Store and the renowned Bolshoi Theatre. While it's a superb city to splurge, there are many purse-friendly places for visitors too, including Lenin's Mausoleum, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour and Red Square. Riding the metro system is another must-do, where you can marvel at the ornate stations while enjoying one of the best cheap things to do in Moscow.

Stay in a stylish hotel

Whatever time of year you're visiting the enchanting city (summers are hot and lively, December is the perfect month to experience a real Russian winter), Swissôtel Krasnye Holmy Moscow allows you to experience the very best of the captivating metropolis from a fantastic location and sophisticated base. The 34-storey hotel is sleek, modern and offers the most terrific views of Moscow. The five-star hotel's luxurious rooms feature huge bathrooms with walk-in showers and large soaking tubs, the latest in-room technology, spacious seating areas to relax with a magazine and enormous beds you can sink into after a busy day of sightseeing. The bars and restaurants are as glamorous as you'd expect to find in this city, with excellent dining in restaurant Acapella, which serves up contemporary Russian cuisine from head chef Ivan Tishkin, and creative drinks in the trendy City Space Bar.

Visit the heart of the city

A tour of Moscow's Kremlin takes you to the home of Russia's parliament where all the most historical and political events have taken place since the 13th century. Within this outstanding UNESCO World Heritage Site's famous red walls, you'll find the remarkable Palace of the Facets, the significant Cathedral Square and its three cathedrals, along with the largest cannon in the world and the heaviest bell known to exist. Within the Kremlin's walls lies the Armoury Chamber, one of the greatest museums in Russia, displaying spectacular crowns, carriages and Fabergé eggs, with all the finery you could imagine from Russia's tsars.

The incredible museum's highlights include the Imperial Crown of Russia, the ivory throne of Ivan the Terrible and Monomakh's Cap. Directly east of the Kremlin is Red Square, the inspiring square where you'll find many of Russia's distinctive landmarks, including the gigantic cake-like St Basil's Cathedral, Lenin's Mausoleum and the striking State Historical Museum. On one side of the square sits the G.U.M Shopping Mall. Whether you're a lover or hater of shopping, it's well worth venturing inside this beautiful building to marvel at the magnificent steel framework and glass roof that resembles London's Victorian railway stations.

Take a walk

There's no better way to spend a Sunday morning in Moscow than with a splendid stroll from Swissôtel Krasnye Holmy Moscow to the iconic Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. This romantic one-hour stroll takes you along the Moskva River, passing one of the Stalinist Seven Sisters skyscrapers and the Kotelnicheskaya Embankment Building, and taking in the Red Square and the Kremlin by the water. Once you pass the city's most famous sites, you'll walk under the Bolshoy Kamennyy Bridge before spotting the stunning Patriarshy Bridge. The pedestrian bridge is a lovely location for couples and is considered the most picturesque bridge in Moscow, taking pedestrians to the doors of the striking gold and white Cathedral of Christ the Saviour.

Party with the Muscovites

You won't find a better place for rubbing shoulders with beautiful people and experiencing a thoroughly glamorous night out in Moscow than at Soho Rooms, the glitziest nightclub in town which attracts the rich and famous. The club features four rooms containing luxurious features: think high ceilings, Swarovski crystal chandeliers and velour Chesterfields. The Disco Room is the place to be seen and dance the night away. If people-watching over a top-notch meal is more your thing, the club's restaurant is the place to dine: an evening spent in The Dining Room affords great views of the Moscow River, fabulous music and deliciously exotic cuisine, from dim sum to black cod in miso.

Drink in the views

For 360-degree views of Moscow, creative cocktails that are tailored to your taste buds and a sleek space to spend the evening, Swissôtel's City Space Bar is a luxurious bar loved by hotel guests and Muscovites alike. One of the highest panoramic bars in the city, it is located on the 34th floor of the hotel and appears like a flying saucer on top of a skyscraper. Once you arrive via the high-speed lift you'll be greeted by the impressive bar, where more than 200 cocktails are created by some of Russia's best bartenders. While all the classics are served, you can ask the bartenders to surprise you with their own creations or choose from the signature list, with favourites including the Swiss Basil and the Transsiberian Express. And after a few too many cocktails, nothing beats slipping straight back to your hotel room and into bed...

Book it: Swiss Business Executive Rooms start from £120 per night.