Grand Hotel Europe Compeltes Third Phase of Refurbishment

• 
  SAVE
• 
  SHARE
• 
  TEXT SIZE
• 
  PRINT
• 
  COMMENT
• 
  PDF

. October 14, 2008

JULY 1, 2008. The Grand Hotel Europe in St. Petersburg, Russia has recently completed the third phase of its refurbishment process, at a cost of $5.6 million. Twelve one-bedroom suites have been completely renovated and are now known as the "Belle Chambre" Suites. The Mezzanine Caf'e was also renovated with new style and design.

The new "Belle Chambre" Suites combine classicism with modernization and technology. Each suite, approximately 765 square feet, offers the utmost in privacy - a rare find in bustling St. Petersburg. Wireless high-speed internet access, 32" flatscreen televisions and hypoallergenic mattresses are some amenities added to keep up with demands of today's traveler. Antique marble fireplaces, soft comfortable furnishings, lush silk fabrics and Roman style bathtubs like those built for Catherine the Great maintain the grand style of the hotel. French designer Michel Jouannet, who has previously worked on Hotel Cipriani and Copacabana Palace, also incorporated traditional Russian d'ecor featuring double windows with heavy brass fittings, samovar lamps, historical Russian prints, and richly colored fabrics.

The redesigned Mezzanine Caf'e, located in the heart of the hotel, now features a glass roof allowing in natural light to illuminate the caf'e, unique during the White Nights period in summer. New decorative elements, including a sandstone fireplace depicting a classical motif and marble, were added. The original transparent glass balustrades were restored and new Sheppard wicker furniture was imported from Belgium. The Caf'e's bar has also been completely redecorated and is now covered with black granite, imported from Italy.

Grand Hotel Europe's refurbishments began in 2005, 130 years after the hotel first opened, to modernize the hotel while preserving its classic and historic 19th and 20th century interiors. The three stages of refurbishment have brought a fresh new look to the interiors of 82 Classic Standard Rooms, 115 Classic Superior Rooms and 11 Classic Suites. Renovations have also taken place in public spaces including the main entrance where the pavement is now heated to keep the entrance free of snow and ice. The Caviar Bar restaurant has become even more luxurious with decorative crystal elements and opulent furniture with brass ornamentation.

The next step in the refurbishment process is to restore the hotel's Historic floor (Belle Etage) of the famed Krysha Ballroom, which was previously a famed restaurant transformed into a function room. The hotel's rich history will be kept in mind during all phases of renovations. Restoration work is due to be fully completed by 2010.