Located in a historic 19th century palace, the entrance to which is guarded by two marble lions, Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace Saint-Petersburg reflects the symbols of the Russian Empire that are still alive today and radiate an aura of grandeur as they did hundreds of years ago.
Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace is located in the heart of the historical district “Admiralteisky” next to St. Isaac’s Cathedral and within walking distance of Nevsky Prospect, the Hermitage and the famous Mariinsky Theater.
Lobanov’s Heritage
The famous House with Lions is an architectural monument, the former residence of Prince Lobanov-Rostovsky, built in 1817-1820 by the French architect Auguste de Montferrand in the classicism style. The lions, created by the Italian sculptor Paolo Triskorni and immortalized in Alexander Pushkin’s poem The Bronze Horseman, emphasize the grandeur and aristocracy of the prince’s mansion.
In 2013, after the reconstruction of the building, one of the world most famous and majestic luxury hotel chains Four Seasons opened their property in St. Petersburg, which was named Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St. Petersburg.
Built in the high classicism style, Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St. Petersburg impresses with its luxurious interiors and decoration.
The central lobby attracts with its noble white columns that blend with the imperial yellow walls, vaulted gilded ceilings and a wide granite staircase that leads to the second floor, where the Presidential Suite is located.
Objects of art decorate the hotel, further emphasizing its luxury and grandeur: paintings by modern artists, glass installations, vases, candelabra, crystal chandeliers, sculptures. And, of course, delightful flower arrangements that scent throughout the hotel.
The hotel’s multilingual staff, led by General Manager Richard Raab, strike the perfect balance between unrivaled professionalism and friendliness.
An individual approach to each guest, taking into account personal wishes and preferences, is carried out flawlessly.
In the Photo: General Manager Richard Raab
“I believe it is possible to build the most beautiful hotel in the world, but people are always needed to help creating the reality we dream of, when we embark on a new journey. Only the work of a united team of professionals forms the memories of the adventure that we carry through the years”, — says Richard Raab, who has been in this position since the opening of the hotel.
Aristocratic Accommodation
All rooms are furnished in accordance with their original 19th century style: ivory wardrobes, warm walnut doors with gilded details, delicate furniture ornaments, high ceilings.
The rooms are decorated in blue and yellow tones, while the suites are decorated in turquoise gold with brown and beige tones.
Rooms with terraces offer great views of the city’s main attractions.
The neoclassical Palace Suite with an emphasis on art is one of the hotel’s most prestigious rooms. From its windows you can admire the most beautiful views.
The guest is greeted with an exquisite compliment from the hotel — a magnificent bouquet of fresh flowers, a chocolate sculpture of the Lion (the symbol of Lion Palace), various sweets and a bottle of champagne.
Thanks to the spacious living room with a cozy sofa, armchairs, TV and a dining area for 8 people, you can comfortably accommodate the whole family or relax with friends. The room has its own kitchen with all the necessary equipment: a Nespresso coffee machine, an electric kettle, a microwave oven, a refrigerator with a minibar, tableware.
The bedroom has a king size bed, small work area, TV, miniature makeup table, dressing room.
The bright bathroom with a window and marble walls has a bathtub and separate rain shower, as well as accessories — bathrobe, slippers, a hairdryer, a set of bath towels and toiletries from the famous French brand Hermès.
Gourmet Escape
On the ground floor of the hotel, guests are greeted by TEA LOUNGE — decorated all year round with fresh flowers and greenery and illuminated with natural light all day long through a glass roof.
Here you can sit down with friends for lunch or dinner, and in the morning enjoy sumptuous breakfasts that offer an abundance of fruits, vegetables, bread, pastries, meat and cheese delicacies, main à la carte dishes. Smoothies, fresh juices, tea, coffee, and glass of sparkling wine will be a good addition to your morning meal.
In the Photo: Executive Chef Kato Toshikazu
New hotel’s brand chef Kato Toshikazu, who is responsible for the gastronomic concepts of all Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St. Petersburg restaurants, is very careful with product selection and menu design.
Chef Kato has over 20 years of experience in Four Seasons chain, leading restaurants in Tokio, Mumbai, Abu-Dabi, Dubai and legendary Nobu restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel Doha. Chef Kato is one of the few specialists who has permission to cook Takifugu fish.
“My uncle, who was the owner of a family restaurant in Tokyo, pledged a passion for culinary since childhood. I learned a lot by helping him and following the work of professionals, — says Kato. — The main element of my approach to cuisine is respect for the guest and his tastes. And, of course, the ingredients — the ability to correctly select and combine the flavor characteristics of the products. Each guest should get the pleasure he visits the restaurant for”.
Royal Breakfast
When it’s more comfortable to have breakfast in a secluded and unhurried atmosphere, the room-service will help to set the morning table in the most exquisite way.
And by all means, you should pamper yourself with the “royal meal” — enjoining the pure taste and delicate texture of one of the most valuable delicacies in the world — Sturgeon caviar, which will be served with a traditional garnish.
Benedict with salmon, as well as Russian pancakes perfectly match caviar set.
Adherents of a healthy lifestyle will love Chia pudding with exotic fruits, Açaí bowl, Salmon with quinoa, Toast with avocado, Fresh berries & fruits.
PERCORSO
In the evening, the PERCORSO restaurant (from Italian word “journey”), located in the end of a long corridor in the right wing of the hotel, invites you on a culinary voyage across Italy.
The restaurant consists of three rooms, each of which has its own unique style and its own purpose.
The first hall is the Lounge. Here guests are greeted and offered an aperitif or something refreshing before embarking on the main part of their dinner.
Lounge also has a bar, where experienced mixologists will prepare any cocktail, taking into account all the preferences of the guest.
The next hall is the Living Room, made in light turquoise colors, with a magnificent view of St. Isaac’s Cathedral.
The most popular hall is the Amber Room, which attracts with its golden-orange aura. Particular attention is drawn to a large, spreading over almost the entire ceiling, incredibly beautiful chandelier made of amber crystal.
The restaurant has two banquet rooms, which are served for special events or celebrations.
PERCORSO serves authentic Italian cuisine in a contemporary setting.
Along with À la carte menu, you will be offered a five-course tasting menu accompanied by wines excellently selected by the restaurant’s sommelier Evgeny Sinichenko.
In 2021, PERCORSO received the “two glasses” award for the second time in a row from the Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards. The restaurant has one of the richest wine cellars in the city (over 500 items), so visitors can always count on Evgeny to choose the best wine for their dish.
Set menu starts with TONNO — yellowfin tuna tartare with artichokes and pistachios.
For Tuna sommelier offers premium Spanish sparkling wine Ars Collecta Gran Reserva Blanc de Blancs 2015.
The traditional and beloved by gourmands all over the world VITELLO TONNATO has an unusual presentation, thereby focusing on veal, tenderness and taste of which is set off by tuna & anchovy sauce.
In pair with this dish — Italian white dry wine Gavi dei Gavi La Scolca, 2018.
The next course is RAVIOLI DI RICOTTA & SPINACI — served with cherry tomatoes and basil. For Ravioli Evgeny selected white wine from Italy Tenuta Guado al Tasso Vermentino Bolgheri 2020 by Villa Antinori.
For main course, two dishes to choose from: BRANZINO — sea bass fillet, deep fried prawns, broccoli, zucchini, sabayon sauce;
Accompanied by dry white wine Castello della Sala Cervaro Della Sala 2018, Antinori Umbria.
Or the meat version MANZO Al CARCIOPI — marble beef filet, artichoke, parsley, sauce “jus”. The delicate taste of meat is especially well set off by another great wine by Antinori family Guado al Tasso Bolgheri Superior 2015.
For dessert, one of the most popular Italian sweet delights in author’s version —signature PERCORSO TIRAMISU served in a coffee cup.
In pair with Tiramisu sommelier recommends aromatic dessert wine Ben Rye Passito di Pantelleria 2015.
If the portion of tiramisu seemed miniature, then it is quite possible to afford a couple of desserts from the main menu — Millefeuille Peach or Strawberry-Lime Tartlet.
In 2021, PERCORSO was recognized as the best gourmet restaurant by the “Forchette” label — two forks by Top Italian Restaurants produced by Gambero Rosso.
XANDER
Besides PERCORSO, guests are welcome to spend one of their hotel evenings sitting and chilling in front of a double-sided fireplace in an unusual library-style setting of XANDER bar named after Emperor Alexander I.
The subdued light creates a mysterious atmosphere conducive to relaxing and enjoying the drinks created by the talented team headed by the Chief mixologist Taras Zavalnyuk.
Inspired by the changeable weather and the monumental beauty of the Northern capital, they collected all the variety of flavors, aromas and colors and mixed them into vibrant cocktails, each of which embodies its own season.
The cocktail card is very unusual — it’s made in a form of cube, on the edges of which cocktails are clearly depicted.
Rotating the sides of the cube in the indicated arrows, you will plunge into a journey through St. Petersburg, which always knows how to surprise.
Bridges Martini — Beluga Noble Vodka, Lychee, Lime, Rose
Koryushka — Beluga Noble Vodka, Elderflower, Honey, Lime, Cucumber, Coconut Oil
To Bee Or Not To Bee — Olmeca Altos Tequila, Bee Wax, Raspberry, Beluga Hunting Berry, Grapefruit, Honey
Golden Leaves — Roku Gin, Bergamot, Peach, Prosecco
Complicated Negroni — 5 types of Gin, 6 kinds of Vermouth, 5 different Bitter, Cherry Tree Wood Chip
Blossom Spritz — Hendrick’s Gin, Magnolia, Maraschino, Elderflower, Prosecco
Huckleberry Pie — Sailor Jerry Rum, Sesame, Huckleberry, 5 Types of Pepper, Ginger
N’ice cream — Aged Rum, Peanut Butter, Coffee, Amaro, Almond Milk
SPA & WELLNESS
For keeping mental and physical balance, Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St. Petersburg invites guests to visit the four-level temple of relaxation — the LUCEO SPA, located in the middle of the triangular courtyard of the historic palace with lions, which is the hotel’s greatest asset. The spa complex has received numerous awards for its excellence.
All materials used in the interior are natural: wood, stone, minerals.
The spa complex offers a relaxation pool with a glass roof, a Finnish sauna, a Russian steam room (with birch branches), eight treatment rooms and a manicure studio.
The spa is particularly proud of the restructuring Black Caviar facial treatment, developed exclusively for the Four Seasons by Swiss brand Dr. Burgener and voted Best Spa Treatment of 2017. This ultra-modern treatment gives the skin a noble, radiant appearance thanks to the use of black caviar, natural grape seed extract and grains of pure gold.
After the procedure, it is pleasant to sit in the lobby over a cup of tea or a specially prepared Matcha.
For sports enthusiasts, the Fitness center is open 24 hours a day, with TechnoGym cardiovascular equipment and personal trainers available upon request.
The Lobanov-Rostovsky House, now the Four Seasons Lion Palace St. Petersburg, is a federal monument in the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St. Petersburg
Adress: 1 Voznesensky prospekt, 190031 ST. St-Petersburg, Russian Federation
Instagram: @fsstpetersburg
Editor-in-chief: Patricia Kolari
Text Writer: Marina Timoshevskaya
Technical Director: Evgeny Fedorov
Photos: EATWEEK GUIDE
