Taleon Imperial Hotel

Set overlooking the Moyka River, the Taleon Imperial Hotel is a luxury property that features a stunning pink exterior, white columns, and lions guarding the entrance. This 18th-century palace acted as the Eliseev family home until 1918. The hotel comprises three different buildings, and some elevators don't go to all floors, making it difficult to navigate. Still, the hotel creates a stunning first impression with pink-painted walls and red carpeting that run up the winding staircase in the foyer, leading to portraits and murals on the second and third floors. A striking chandelier hangs above the front desk, and the top floor of the glass-roofed atrium has a huge Atlas statue. The clientele here is mostly tourists, as the sights are easy to reach on foot. Celebrities who have stayed here, including John Travolta, have their headshots on display in a common area. Everyone from Napoleon’s mistress, Marguerite Georges, to Ivan Turgenev and Mikhail Saltykov have walked through the hotel's grand halls.

The hotel sits on Nevsky Prospect, St. Petersburg’s main boulevard lined with many shopping and dining options and tons of sightseeing opportunities. The Taleon Imperial Hotel overlooks the Moyka River, which offers cruises. It's a minute walk to Stroganov Palace and five minutes' walk to Palace Square. Just a few minutes beyond the Square are the Hermitage Museum and Winter Palace. Within a 15-minute walk are the Russian Museum, Arts Square, and Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood. The subway is a four-minute walk away, and it's about a 30-minute ride to the Peter and Paul Fortress. Pulkovo Airport is one hour and 35 minutes by train or a 25- to 40-minute drive depending on traffic.

Inspired by the hotel’s 18th-century architecture, the 120 rooms have classic Baroque-style decor. Gilded bedside lamps, leather-tufted headboards, and antique wooden furniture come together in an elegant fashion. High ceilings with crown molding and candelabra-style chandeliers, rich tapestries, and parquet floors complete the luxurious vibe. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, minibars, and safes, while luxe amenities include pillow menus, turndown service, and 24-hour room service. Note that there are no coffee- or tea-making facilities.  

Lovely marble bathrooms have bathtubs and separate rainfall showers, heated floors, and bidets; some rooms have whirlpool tubs. Hairdryers, bathrobes and slippers, and hotel-brand toiletries are also provided. Suites have living rooms and many have fireplaces. The two-bedroom Emperor Suite is the largest accommodation and features a dining room, a study, a walk-in closet, and two marble bathrooms. Rooms either overlook the Moyka River, Nevsky Prospect, Bolshaya Morskaya street, or atrium, and some have balconies. 

Fitting with the opulence of the property, the Taleon Imperial Hotel has a stunning indoor pool with two levels of deck space for lounge chairs and a terrace overlooking the city. The large spa offers a Finnish sauna and an infrared cabin, various massages in bright treatment rooms, beauty services, and a salt room. A second-floor bathhouse has a Turkish hammam and another indoor pool. Children under 16 are not allowed in the spa, though children ages 12 to 16 can use the salt room when with an adult. There's also a large gym that's well-equipped with cardio and strength-training machines, and free weights. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.

The Taleon Restaurant serves traditional Russian and international fare, plus a kids' menu, in what was once the former owner' study. The sixth-floor Victoria Restaurant has a terrace that overlooks St. Petersburg and offers a menu of Russian cuisine. The Atlantes Lobby Bar features stunningly carved Atlas columns and serves everything from White Russians to coffee. The swanky Griboedov Gastro Bar is available for cocktails and traditional Georgian cuisine. Atrium Cafe has light meals, pastries, and breakfast service. There are multiple event spaces, including the stunning Baccarat Ballroom, which overlooks the river, features a white marble fireplace, and hosted poets from the famed House of Arts in the 1920s.