St. Petersburg, Russia – Reported by Elite Traveler, the private jet lifestyle magazine
W Hotels Worldwide, the hotel category buster and industry innovator, marks its entry into Russia with the opening of the highly-anticipated W St. Petersburg. Owned by Real Estate Development Ltd., W St. Petersburg provides an integrated contemporary lifestyle experience through it 137 stylish guest rooms, a signature restaurant miX, bar and rooftop lounge by three Michelin star chef Alain Ducasse, and a signature spa. Designed by Milan-based Antonio Citterio and Patricia Viel Partners who were inspired by the architectural ancestry of the city and jewel-tones of the famous Fabergé Egg, W St. Petersburg reveals surprising elements layer-by-layer throughout the hotel.
“We are excited to bring W to St. Petersburg, a major European cultural as well as an international hot spot especially during the White Night Festival. It is another milestone of W’s global expansion in 2011 after the opening of W London, W Taipei and W Retreat and Spa Bali-Seminyak this year,” said Eva Ziegler, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide and Le Méridien. “With W’s passion for design, fashion and music, W St. Petersburg will set the stage for fabulous and will ensure that the White Nights never end.”
The forward looking interior design of the hotel by Antonio Citterio and Patricia Viel Partners focused on color, light, texture and comfort to bring the vibrancy and glamour of the city’s iconic architecture and brilliant colors inside the hotel. Inspired by the Fabergé Egg, W St. Petersburg opens up in layers revealing itself as one steps inside. Surrounded by historical landmarks, its cutting edge design approach sets itself apart from the historic and baroque style of the city.
Located in the heart of the “Venice of the North”, W St. Petersburg is expected to bring additional vibrancy to a city that has for centuries hosted the social elite and aristocracy. The hotel’s location is just steps from the city’s landmarks like the magical St. Isaac Cathedral, the Winter Palace, which houses the famed Hermitage Museum, and the wide Neva River giving St. Petersburg its charm.
“We are delighted to partner with Real Estate Development Ltd. as we launch the W brand in Russia”, said Roeland Vos, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa and Middle East. “The opening of the new W St. Petersburg is an iconic addition to the W brand’s impressive global portfolio and underlines our commitment to grow this brand in key markets around the world. This hotel is the perfect addition to our W portfolio in the Europe, Africa and Middle East region after openings in Istanbul, Doha, Barcelona and most recently, London.”
“Our vision was to create a hotel which would set a new lifestyle standard for St. Petersburg. Selecting Starwood and its innovative W Hotels brand for this development was an easy decision and we relate the success of the hotel to its fantastic team. We are very positive about W St. Petersburg becoming a must-see for both locals as well as visitors to Russia’s Northern Capital,” says Vladimir Tulaev, the hotel investor, co-owner of Real Estate Development Ltd.
W St. Petersburg will provide a contemporary lifestyle experience with a complete service offer. Of the hotel’s 137 rooms, there are 10 suites and one Extreme WOW Suite (W’s take on the traditional Presidential Suite), all featuring custom-made furnishings with witty accents unique to St. Petersburg. The hotel will also feature miX, a signature restaurant, bar and rooftop lounge by Alain Ducasse, a signature spa with indoor pool, and a fully-powered SWEAT® Fitness Center with Technogym exercise equipment. Guests will also be treated to the W brand’s iconic Whatever/Whenever service, providing guests with whatever they want (from a pair of running shoes to private jet service), whenever they want it.