Russia’s first ever five-star hotel, Belmond Grand Hotel Europe, has unveiled six new suites including the largest presidential suite in St Petersburg and five Avant-Garde Suites inspired by 20th-century Russian artists. Created from 19 first-floor rooms in response to a growing demand for suite accommodation, the new suites offer space and luxury at the heart of the city with 24-hour butler service.
A St Petersburg icon centrally positioned on Nevsky Prospekt, Belmond Grand Hotel Europe will celebrate its 140th anniversary next year. Complementing the historic hotel’s neo-baroque décor and stained-glass windows, the contemporary new suites were created by Tihany Design, a high-end hospitality specialist whose other projects have included the recently opened Oro restaurant at sister property Belmond Hotel Cipriani in Venice.
Sprawling over 3,770 sq.ft., the Presidential Suite is accessed through a grand lobby with dramatic domed gold-leaf ceiling and offers views of Nevsky Prospekt and Mikhailovskaya Ulitsa. The grand suite features two bedrooms with king-size beds, two marble bathrooms and a hammam sauna. The suite has its own exclusive fitness center with treadmill and cycling machine, a game room and a combined study and library with secret bookcase door leading to the bedroom.
Guests in the Presidential Suite can enjoy privately cooked meals in the dining room, which seats up to eight people and is perfect for an exclusive dinner party, before enjoying a drink in the spacious living room’s own bar with spectacular views of the Nevsky Prospect. There is also a full kitchen and a music room with antique Carl Schroeder grand piano.
The creation of the Presidential and Avant-Garde Suites is the latest phase in a refurbishment plan at Belmond Grand Hotel Europe, which also saw the restoration of the hotel’s neo-baroque façade in 2013. The completed refurbishment will include a new pan-Asian culinary concept, AZIA, from restaurant designer Super Potato. The new suites complement the hotel’s 10 Historic Suites which were reopened in 2010 following restoration, each with a historic theme such as Pavarotti, Stravinsky, Faberge and Romanov.
Each booking of two nights or more made by December 1, 2014 for travel before the end of 2014 will receive the complimentary Belmond Bonus worth $500 of two tickets to the opera or ballet at the Mikhailovsky Theatre and one set-menu dinner for two in L’Europe or Caviar Bar and Restaurant. Terms and conditions apply. Subject to availability; black-out dates may apply.
Belmond Grand Hotel Europe, www.belmond.com. Use offer code BONUS when booking.