Hotel Astoria
This hotel enjoys a stellar reputation, thanks to an illustrious roster of guests comprised of celebrities and politicians near and far. Allures include a spectacular view of the St Isaac’s Cathedral, a fabulous restaurant serving Russian classics, plus a good-quality spa.
Location
9 / 10
Located right across the street from the magnificent St Isaac’s Cathedral. The hotel is a 10-minute walk from the many cultural and commercial offerings of Nevsky Prospekt, 15 minutes from the stately Hermitage, and a 20-minute stroll from Arts Square and the Church of The Savior on Spilled Blood. The closest metro station, Admiralteyskaya, is a 10-minute walk away.
Style and Character
9 / 10
The hotel, originally built in 1912, has seen its fair share of history and hosted many luminaries, including Placido Domingo, Winston Churchill, H.G. Wells and Terry Pratchett. The interiors, by Rocco Forte design stalwart Olga Polizzi, favour a contemporary but not overdone red and cream colour scheme that runs throughout the generous public areas and some of the rooms. The hotel is punctuated with fashion, art and photography, designer furnishings and luxurious materials such as marble, leather and mahogany.
Service and Facilities
8 / 10
Service is subtle but exemplary, with staff clad in dapper red-and-white uniforms appearing just when you need them. Services offered by the reception and concierge include laundry and dry cleaning, theatre and restaurant ticket bookings, and individually guided special tours.
Facilities include a good-quality spa on the seventh floor; a range of treatments by Carita are offered on the ground floor. There’s also a steam room, sauna and up-to-date fitness centre. There is no pool, but guests are given access to the pool at the adjacent Angleterre Hotel.
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Laundry
- Room service
- Sauna
- Spa
- Wi-Fi
- Fitness centre
- Steam room/hammam
Rooms
9 / 10
The rooms are stylish and highly comfortable, decorated in bright red-and-white, blue-and-white or green-and-white palettes. Facilities include large televisions, minibars and safes, as well as iPod docking stations and coffee machines. Suites feature generous sitting areas with armchairs and coffee tables, plus great views of the St Isaac’s Cathedral.
Beds are large and relaxing, with elegant art prints depicting the Mariinsky Ballet. The luxurious black-and-white marble bathrooms come with Salvatore Ferragamo toiletries, fluffy robes and slippers.
Food and Drink
9 / 10
The ground-floor Astoria Restaurant, replete with large chandeliers and theatrical art prints on the walls, has been one of the city’s most consistent high-end restaurants for over a century. The menu, spanning Russian classics and French and international dishes, isn’t extensive but everything is made to perfection. Signature dishes include an Olivier salad with Kamchatka crab, Siberian Pelmeni and a delicious beef stroganoff. The wine list stretches to Italy and France, but also carries bottles from Russia and the Crimea.
A bar on the other side of reception is named after royal photographer Patrick Lichfield. It features some of his black-and-white prints and a fine selection of beers, wines and cocktails. Both have occasional live music. Breakfast, served in the main restaurant, is a refined spread of mueslis and fruits, cheeses and chopped vegetables, and a few special à la carte options including eggs Benedict, champagne and caviar.
Value for Money
8 / 10
Double room from RUB 17,700 (£204) in low season; and from RUB 30,000 (£344) in high. Breakfast included. Free Wi-Fi.
Access for guests with disabilities?
There is one adapted room plus an accessbile public bathroom.
Family-Friendly?
The Families R Forte programme offers a variety of activities, menus and bedroom setups for all ages. Children receive a personalised passport, welcome treats and a cuddly toy.
Bolshaya Morskaya Street 39, St Petersburg 190000, Russia.00 7 812 494 5757roccofortehotels.com
