Domina St. Petersburg

From the street, the Domina Prestige’s suave peach-toned town house exterior makes this look every bit the comfortable yet conservative, slightly staid hotel, which is why its extravagant, youthful interiors are especially striking. Bright Crayola colors and abstract shapes make this place feel like an edgy contemporary design museum on steroids -- many will love the originality, but it’s easy to see why it’s too bold and in-your-face for some. A replica of Michelangelo’s crouching boy sculpture from St. Petersburg’s Hermitage museum sits at the center of the busy and bright, spacious lobby, beneath a large dome skylight. There’s daybed-style seating in various bright shades, matching ceiling and wall panels, and mirrored walls, and even the front desk is designed to look like a painting, bordered by an ornate golden frame. The restaurant, bar and hallways all feature similar decor that’s brimming with personality. Guests are typically young or young-at-heart couples on a sightseeing getaway.

In a peaceful location just across a narrow street from the Moika River, the Domina Prestige St. Petersburg is within walking distance of many of the city’s main sights, and numerous restaurants. A number of subway stations are also reachable on foot; the nearest is Admiralteyskaya.

• Five-minute walk to St. Isaac’s Square and Cathedral
• 12-minute walk to Admiralteyskaya subway station
• 12 minute walk to the Mariinsky Theater
• 15-minute walk to Palace Square
• Five-minute drive to New Holland Island (18 minutes by public transportation)
• Eight-minute drive to Vitebsk railway station (25 minutes by public transportation)
• Seven-minute drive to the Church of the Savior on the Spilled Blood (15 minutes by public transportation)
• Eight-minute drive to the State Hermitage Museum (13 minutes by public transportation)
• Eight-minute drive to Nevsky Prospect (14 minutes by public transportation)
• Eight-minute drive to the Peter and Paul Fortress (32 minutes by public transportation)
• 12-minute drive to Avtovokzal city bus station (36 minutes by public transportation)
• 21-minute drive to Pulkovo St. Petersburg International Airport

Domina Prestige St. Petersburg's 109 rooms feature bright, bold decor, which some travelers might find too over-the-top. Each room has a distinct color theme, with walls, ceilings, bed throws, lounge chairs, and cushions all coordinated in punchy shades of either purple and mauve, lime-green and yellow, or turquoise and brown. Beds rest against dark-wood accent walls with large built-in mirrors. All rooms have floral carpeting, most extravagantly in loud pink but elsewhere in calmer off-white tones. The daring color choices are balanced by ornately carved, dark-wood furniture, including large desks and cabinets.

Small windows in entry-level Mansard Rooms can’t be opened, while Superior Moika View Rooms add partitioned dressing spaces, plus balconies that open onto river views. Duplex suite-style Lifestyle Rooms have heaps of space between the downstairs bedrooms and, at the top of dark-wood steps, slightly bare living spaces. Two-bedroom Luxe Suites swap out dark wood for blond, and separate living rooms have cream sofas, coffee tables, dining tables to seat four, and extra desks. These rooms have larger windows, plus two bathrooms and a separate toilet -- and, most impressive of all -- small private saunas.

Bathrooms are decent across the board. Some continue the same color themes, albeit a bit more subtly, while others have more calming gray tones. There’s off-white wall paneling alongside shower/tub combos that feature rainfall showerheads, separate bidets, and sinks set into contemporary vanities.

Standard amenities include flat-screen smart TVs, phones, free Wi-Fi, safes, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and well-stocked minibars, including beers, wines and spirits. There are also robes, slippers, and free miniature designer toiletries; Lifestyle Rooms and suites add coffeemakers, too.

The Domina Prestige has a wide range of features, though there’s no pool. The small basement-level gym has a full selection of cardio and weight-lifting machines and free weights, along with dry and steam saunas, and a spa. A daily buffet breakfast offers lots of variety, but it's not included in standard rates and can get crowded. The restaurant Arcobaleno (meaning “rainbow,” which is apt given the vibrant color scheme) serves modern Russian and Mediterranean fusion dishes. Intimate Bar Nove has a good range of wines and concocts innovative cocktails, and the 24/7 room service menu is excellent. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, and a 24-hour business center provides a full range of services. Two on-site meeting rooms can accommodate up to 64 guests. On-street parking is available just outside the hotel.