St Petersburg is the only place to be for the festive season as it turns into an amazing European Christmas fairy tale. Finding a place to stay is easy too as Corinthia Hotel St Petersburg, is centrally located on Nevsky Prospect- the city’s main thoroughfare.

Luxury and comfort are the hallmarks of Corinthia’s rooms and suites inside two majestic 19th-century buildings. Corinthia St Petersburg is a 21st-century grand hotel located in the heart of the city, created with a passion for craftsmanship and an understanding of authentic, world-class service. Corinthia St Petersburg was acquired by Corinthia Hotels back, in 2002 and underwent a huge renovation and expansion in 2009. It is one of the Corinthia Hotels’ collection of five-star hotels founded by the Pisani family of Malta.

The opulent interior includes the elegant Imperial Restaurant, with an amazing view to historical Nevsky Prospect, where a sumptuous and festive Christmas lunch was served, which was an experience within itself. Choosing dishes such as Local smoked fish platter, salmon and sturgeon served with blini’s and dill Smetana, as well as the flavoursome baby spinach soup with seared pike perch and sour cream. However, for the main course the Slow braised beef cheek served with truffle oil potato purée, roasted celery and crispy buckwheat was exceptional, which was topped off with Russian cheesecake with cinnamon and drunk cherries. The Imperial Restaurant is universally recognised as one of St Petersburg’s finest establishments, known for its unique dining experience that brings Russian flair and flavour, and Christmas day was no exception, it was spectacular in every way!

The hotel also boasts an opulent interior showcasing art and modern luxury. The refined hospitality, and superior service are at the core of this hotel, which is the only St Petersburg hotel with a Memorial Museum at its heart, making it incredibly unique. St Petersburg is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, where the mystery of culture and history meets the poetry of art. The city’s historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and St Petersburg is often referred to as the “Gorod-Muzei”- the city is a museum in itself. St Petersburg is also known worldwide as the birthplace of the Russian ballet, however we set out to discover the Art and treasures of the gem that is the Hermitage Museum. The Hermitage Museum or Russian Museum, both offer unique collections of art and are located within the Tzar’s former palaces. The Hermitage Museum, housed in the Winter Palace, presents European art from ancient times till present with one of the best collections in the world. The Russian museum will introduce you to icons such as Kandinsky, Leonardo da Vinci and Rembrandt, with the best and largest collection of paintings.

Nevsky, St. Petersburg

The collection of the State Hermitage includes over three-million works of art and world culture artefacts. It comprises of paintings, graphic works, sculptures, works of applied art, archaeological artefacts and numismatic objects. The Hermitage is thought to have been founded in 1764, when Empress Catherine the Great acquired an impressive collection of works from the Berlin merchant Johann Ernst Gotzkowsky. The museum celebrates the anniversary of its founding, each year on 7th of December, St. Catherine’s Day.

The Hermitage Museum complex includes several buildings housing different artefacts and exhibitions, respectively. The branches include; the General Staff Building, the Winter Palace of Peter the Great, the Menshikov Palace, and the Museum of the Imperial Porcelain Factory. However, the Hermitage has presence globally, with the opening of the Hermitage Amsterdam, as well as Ermitage Italia, Ferrara, The Guggenheim Hermitage Museum in Las Vegas, Hermitage Barcelona and Hermitage-Kazan Exhibition Center. However, Hermitage has former dependencies in Las Vegas and London.

State Hermitage Museum

The Hermitage provides culture, history and astonishing art, which matches St Petersburg’s mystical aura. The Corinthia Hotel, furthers the experience with a magical winter story, creating a luxury fairy-tale allure at Christmas time.

A Russian Winter at Corinthia Hotel, St. Petersburg.