Corinthia Hotel St. Petersburg

In 2009, a grand reopening of the Corinthia Hotel St. Petersburg—the former Corinthia Nevskij Palace Hotel—revealed a world of chic modernity behind the restored nineteenth-century facade. The hotel faces the city’s main thoroughfare, Nevsky Prospect, with an inward focus on twenty-first-century style and innovation but also a reverence for its place in St. Petersburg history. The new reception areas, for instance, retain the atmosphere of the original—through sleek black marble floors, multistory columns, and a lavish staircase—yet add contemporary touches—such as atrium ceilings—to welcome guests with a warmer, more relaxed take on opulence.

The 2009 makeover also resulted in a whole new wing for corporate travelers. Dubbed the Executive Club, it ranks as the largest five-star hotel space for gatherings in town. In addition to a grand ballroom for up to 1,000 delegates, a suite of eight conference rooms, an executive lounge, and a presidential suite overlooking Nevsky Prospect, it contributes 107 executive guest rooms and suites to the total room count of 388.

The events team includes 24-hour personal assistants as well as experts in translation, technology, logistics, and catering. To counter the rigors of guests’ demanding conference and sightseeing schedules, the hotel provides a bar, lounge, and two exquisite restaurants; a state-of-the-art health club with gym, sauna, massage, and spa treatments; and a museum dedicated to 250 years of Russian ballet.