Despite the rain and after an absence of 4 months I have rekindled my love affair with St Petersburg, I toured the new Four Seasons hotel which is due
to open in October and which will, undoubtedly, establish itself as the city’s finest.
Housed in the former Lobanov-Rostovsky palace looking over St Isaac’s cathedral, no expense has been spared to recreate the interior of a 19th century palace. It is still a building site but will have three restaurants, spa and gym and a magnificent ballroom.
Another notable edition to the city is the reopening of the Eleseyev shop at 56 Nevsky. Originally opened in 1902 by the Eleseyev brothers, it quickly established itself as the Fortnum and Mason of the city. Today in private hands the interior has been beautifully restored and surpasses the Harrods’s food halls in its decor.
Take tea under a palm tree in the centre listening to a quartet play from the balcony while cheeses, confectionary, wines and teas are sold by an array of good looking staff. Downstairs is a small restaurant serving a wide range of food at reasonable prices. Of historical interest is that this room was where all the food was stored for what were considered key personnel during the siege of Leningrad in WWII.
For more information about visiting St Petersburg and discovering all it has to offer, please contact our Russia specialists, or take a look at our journey ideas for further inspiration for a holiday to Russia.
