We are eagerly anticipating the upcoming Four Seasons Lion Palace St. Petersburg, which is scheduled to open in late 2012 or early 2013. (Keep an eye on LuxuryTravelAdvisor.com for the opening date once it's announced!)
Built from a restored 19th-century palace, the new hotel will hold on to some historic elements, including the main stairway, vestibule and entry hall, which have been redesigned to evoke the original 1820 fashion.
But there’s plenty that’s new as well, including a whole fifth floor and rooftop terraces that look out over the city’s cathedral. (Tip: When booking, be sure to ask your clients what they want to see. To the north, they can see the Alexandrovksy Garden and the Admiralty building. Looking south, they’ll see St. Isaac’s Cathedral, St. Isaac’s Square and the statue of Czar Nicholas I.)
We hear the hotel’s two signature restaurants will be notable as well. The Italian restaurant, Percorso, has four distinct rooms, including a bar, a lounge and a private dining room for 12. The kitchen is open, and the wine cellar is expected to be memorable. Sintoho, the Asian restaurant, focuses on Japanese flavors with northern Asian influence. Seating options include a sushi bar and a semi-private dining room featuring a teppanyaki table.
The Xander bar has a double-sided fireplace, which pairs nicely with the classic and modern Zakuskis, or a selection of champagne by the glass. Cool touch: One of the palace’s original courtyards has become a glass-roofed winter garden—home to the Tea Lounge, where guests can have breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and light supper (think caviar and blinis). There is also an indoor garden with year-round trees and flowers.
And spa fanatics will want to spend some time in the four-story Spa, located within a triangular courtyard of the original palace. The six treatment rooms include a deluxe couple’s suite with private lounge. Manicures and pedicures are also available.
