In 1817, Prince Alexander Yakovlevich Lobanov-Rostovsky decided to build himself a residence that would reflect his status, creating a monumental neoclassical palace in the old center of St. Petersburg. Before long, the palace became too much for the prince, and it was sold to the Ministry of War of the Russian Empire. In 2012, after renovations overseen by the Four Seasons hotel group, during which the imperial style was painstakingly restored in all its splendor, the building reopened as the ‘Lion Palace Hotel.’ Named for the two Medici-style lion sculptures at the entrance, it quickly became one of Europe’s most luxurious hotels.
The grandeur reveals itself as soon as you enter the lobby. Enormous chandeliers hang from ceilings decorated with gold ornamentation; two impressive staircases stand side by side, alongside ornate corridors, gilded floor lamps and an abundance of marble and gold. The same colors and materials appear in the rooms and suites, complemented by imperial furniture and huge windows overlooking the garden, the onion domes of the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, or the nearby Griboyedov Canal.
In the lounge, you can taste Russia’s finest caviar with vodka and champagne. The rooftop restaurant offers Russian cuisine with a French influence, while the wine cellar awaits connoisseurs. If you want a taste of the beautiful city, the hotel offers packages for several nights that include traveling through the streets in a royal carriage and visits to the main attractions, including a guided tour of the Hermitage Museum.
Lion Palace — official website
The verdict: Back to the days of the tsars.
Archive article, originally published in Cigar on April 21, 2021. Descriptions and services reflect the original publication.
