Hotel Astoria

St. Petersburg’s history is entwined with that of the Hotel Astoria, one of the city’s oldest and most elegant places to stay. It’s particularly famous for its stunning art nouveau design and starry list of former guests; Hitler planned to host a victory party in its gilded restaurant, while Lenin, Isadora Duncan and Madonna have all stayed in its luxurious suites.

The hotel’s location on St. Isaac’s Square means you’re ideally placed for exploring key attractions including the Hermitage, Mariinsky Theatre and Nevsky Prospekt, with easy access to the suburban summer palaces.  Hotel staff – clad in red and white uniforms that match the decor – are a fantastic resource for local tips, reservations and recommendations.

A great choice for those in search of old-fashioned glamour, from the black and white prints in Lichfield’s Bar to the glittering chandeliers of the Astoria restaurant, this is very much a champagne and caviar kind of place.