The uniformed, multilingual reception staff have perfected the tricky balance of consummate professionalism and informal friendliness, while the concierge is trained to Les Clefs d’Or-level expertise. Everything from airport and train transfers in a BMW or limousine to theatre, concert and restaurant bookings, and even private access to major landmarks, are dealt with immaculately.

Of the facilities, the award-winning four-level Luceo spa, built into one of the courtyards, is the biggest draw. Made from natural textiles like wood, stone and minerals, it offers a glass-roofed relaxation pool, dry sauna and Russian steam room (with birch branches), eight treatment rooms and a nail studio. There’s also a 24-hour fitness centre with TechnoGym cardio equipment, free weights and personal trainers available upon request.

The 183 rooms and suites have been fitted out to reflect their original 19th-century stylings – think custom-built ivory-hued wardrobes, warm hazel doors with gilt features, and high ceilings. Décor is a mix of blues and yellows in the rooms and turquoise-gold with brown shades for the suites.

The marble-walled bathrooms come with tubs and separate walk-in rainforest showers plus amenities by Roja Dove, while in-room amenities include 42-inch plasma screen television with MP3 stations and DVD players, safes and minibars. The Terrace Rooms on the fifth floor have private terraces with heated floors, and the immense Lobanov Presidential Suite, located directly above the main entrance is furnished with a kitchenette, a soak bath carved out of a marble monolith and floral fresco on the walls.

The hotel’s two restaurants, designed by SPIN from Japan, are among the coolest dining spaces in the city. Sintoho (Singapore, Tokyo, Hong Kong) serves Asian cuisine like wasabi fried prawns, roasted Peking duck with pancakes and Osaka tarabagani roll with king crab, and has a separate sushi bar and semi-private dining room with a teppanyaki table.

Percorso, just along the corridor, serves Italian classics like vitello tonnato, spaghetti di gragnano and pan-fried seabass, and has a glamorous bar and lounge area plus private dining room; both places have views onto the street if you bag the right tables.

On the same floor, the Xander Bar offers a library-esque atmosphere (with double-sided fireplace) and artisan cocktails and wines, and the central Tea Lounge – naturally lit during the day by a glass roof – is a bright, airy space serving open-faced sandwiches and Russian dishes through the day. The sumptuous breakfast comes with cereals and grains, eggs and warm dishes like Asian rice, plus abundant fresh breads and fruits.   

Double rooms from 15,000 Russian Rubles (£193) in low season; and from 50,000 Russian Rubles (£642) in high. Breakfast not included, costs 2,888 Russian Rubles (£37). Basic Wi-Fi is free and premium costs 900 Russian Rubles (£23) per day.

The hotel has two rooms equipped for disabled guests, and all areas of the hotel are wheelchair-accessible.

The hotel has amenities and menus for children in all outlets, a dedicated section at breakfast and a kids’ room with babysitter at weekends.