The Best Hotels to Book in Minsk, Belarus

This four-star hotel in the centre of Minsk brims with old-world charm. Swathes of velvet curtains frame big, old windows, and each room, from singles to doubles and family rooms, radiates a sense of 1900s opulence. Upgrade to a lavish suite and really spread out. As a guest, you’ll have access to the breakfast buffet, a 24-hour restaurant serving Belarusian staples and a sauna in which to unwind at the end of a busy day.

Just a 10-minute walk from the main train station, Hotel Minsk is an icon in the Belarusian capital. Rooms are a medley of deluxe hotel rooms, three-bedroom apartments and a lavish VIP suite. Both restaurants are decked out in early-20th-century style, with a grand piano providing the backing track at Seventh Heaven. A breakfast buffet is available every morning.

Beijing Hotel Minsk is a little slice of East Asian opulence on the other side of the Urals. It’s set in lush gardens and surrounded on three sides by rivers, so it feels like a tranquil escape from the city. Chinese and Western architecture blends together in this sprawling five-star complex, where you’ll find an indoor swimming pool and a kids room. Choose between Chinese and European cuisine come dinner time, and settle into contemporary yet lavish rooms.

If you’re looking for an indulgent place to unwind in Minsk, President Hotel is the one for you. Standard rooms are incredibly spacious, with the traditional opulence typical of long-established Belarusian hotels. Think gilded mirrors in bathrooms, marble-topped counters at the vanity unit and huge beds illuminated by brass light fixtures. This place is for spa breaks, too, with a long swimming pool under a glass dome and treatments on offer in the Turkish hammam.

Willing Hotel sits in the creative centre of Minsk, where vibrant murals decorate the walls, and trendy nightclubs, bars, cafes and art spaces fill the streets. It’s in a distinctly industrial red-brick building, modern and trendy. Standard rooms are a simple medley of greys and whites with a jazzy carpet, but the studios and suites have geometric-patterned walls and arty design features. Thoughtful touches, from the on-site bike rentals to the spa offering massages and holistic treatments, let you know this is a forward-thinking hotel.

Hotel Europe has stood on the same site, in some form, for centuries. In the mid-19th century, luxury travellers to Minsk would stay here; after it was destroyed during World War II, the old facade of the building was reconstructed into a five-star hotel in 2007. A 1920s-style art deco bar sits at the bottom of a towering atrium, as foliage trails from balconies above. There’s an on-site restaurant serving gourmet French and European cuisine, and the luxurious spa has an indoor pool and bubbling hot tub.

Gilded golden balconies, a crystal chandelier spanning four floors of the atrium and a pillow menu in every room – you know that “luxury” is the watchword at Buta Boutique Hotel. Velvet curtains adorn the windows in the standard rooms, and lavish suites have gold, marble and satin touches. In Buta Restaurant, gourmet dishes are displayed with artistic finesse. There’s also a wellness area with a swimming pool, a hydro-massage and loungers.

This small, modern hotel exudes charm, starting with the moody, industrial-chic cafe and bar where a continental breakfast is served every morning. Room choices here are simple; there are only 15 spread out across the building. Deluxe doubles are perfect for couples, with plenty of storage space and spacious ensuites. Twin rooms are just as comfortable, with cheerful geometric patterns adorning the walls.

Contemporary rooms, some with balconies, come with floor-to-ceiling windows with river or city views, are flooded with natural light and have everything you need for a comfortable stay in Minsk. A grand lobby greets you on arrival, with twisting architecture and glittering chandeliers. Perch up at the sleek lobby bar for a cocktail, or head to the Barrel Bar for some light tapas. More substantial dinners are on offer at Fonello Restaurant, which serves fine-dining meals in the evening and a lavish breakfast spread every morning. Finally, don’t forget to indulge in a spa session.