For over a year now, we’ve been keeping an eye on the restoration of the 19th century Lobanov-Rostovsky Palace as it’s transformed into Four Seasons’ first hotel in Russia. Situated two blocks away from the Winter Palace and Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, the landmark building is guarded by the two stone lions mentioned in Alexander Pushkin’s 1833 poem, The Bronze Horseman. (Hence the hotel name.)
Now the hotly anticipated property has postponed its opening, reports Andrew Harper’s blog, until Spring 2013. What’s on tap? 177 guest rooms, including 26 suites; two “see-and-be-seen” restaurants; a glass-roofed winter garden; and a four-storey spa housed in an original courtyard. Stay tuned to www.luxurytraveladvisor.com for more details as the Four Seasons Lion Palace St. Petersburg (www.fourseasons.com/stpetersburg) preps its debut.