True Luxury at the Kempinski in the Heart of Saint-Petersburg

If Saint-Petersburg, Russia is not already on your short list of places to visit, it definitely needs to be. As many of you may know, it's my home town where I was born and raised. But this city have changed so much, since I moved to Los Angeles 18 years ago!

It has always been the cultural center of Russia, but Moscow was often ahead when it came to modernization and hipster lifestyle. I must say, in the last few years Saint-Petersburg has really flourished as an European foodie destination and a total hipster city. American dollar and Euro still go a long way here, which makes this destination even more desirable.

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We chose to stay at Kempinski Hotel Moika 22. This 5-star Hotel is located in the beautifully restored historic building in the heart of it all (pretty much a hand-reach-away from the Hermitage) and overlooking the Moika River. 

​When we arrived in our room (well, super spacious suite) I was giggly-smitten by all of the nautical décor and details: anchors, lighthouses, sailboats and compass roses. What else can a Nautical girl ask for?! Oh wait, how about a Juliet balcony overlooking the river?! Unfortunately, Kempinski has only 3 balconies (reserve your room early), so I guess we got very lucky...and it's such a cute place to have your morning coffee (in my case tea) and watch local captains show off their maneuvering skills making tight-90-degree turns under the bridges with single prop canal tour boats.

As part of Kempinski's extra-attentive-keep-them-spoiled service we were greeted by sweet treats from “Lady in Red” (which is Kempinski's version of a Concierge) offering us assistance with anything we might need. ​
​Breakfast at Kempinski is a separate-post-worthy in itself. I have heard from one of my well-travelled friends who stayed at Kempinski Moika 22 the year before that “THE Breakfast there is insane! One of the best breakfast I have ever had”...so I was definitely intrigued. To say that I was “not disappointed” is an understatement. What a treat! The breakfast buffet is just lavish and if that is not enough to satisfy your spoiled-cravings there is a whole a la carte menu (with some traditional Russian dishes including caviar) to steal your stomach's heart. And don't forget the champagne!

We did order room service a few times...guilty as charged! And it was fab, just as was the turn down service. Rain is kind of a norm in Saint-Petersburg (I know...why do you think I love LA so much:), so we did get a few days of that...so having umbrellas available everywhere (room and grand entrance) was quite nice. 

Speaking of spoiled, one of my personal favorites was the Spa and Bedding Collection Menu: free of charge I ordered a few different shower scrubs, oils and a bunch of pillows to try... absolutely superb!

There is an abundance of roof top restaurants in Saint-Petersburg nowadays (I wish I could say the same for the ever-sunny Southern California)...in the summer months there are so many breath-taking-bird's-eye-view-terrace spots all around downtown. And Kempinski Hotel is once again right in the mix. It's Roof-top restaurant called Bellevue Brasserie has two outdoor terraces with great music (my DJ husband was very pleased:) where you can have a drink or smoke a cigar while enjoying the views of the Winter palace, Neva River and many famous cathedral domes. The food is exquisite and well worth a visit.

Kempinski was a perfect base to come back to every night after exploring the busy city. We absolutely fell in love with it and have since recommended it to many of our friends. ​

As I stood on my Juliet balcony for one last time, I was thinking how fun it is to be a tourist in my home town and how proud I am of this beautiful city's progress. Till the next time Saint-Pit...can't wait to see you again Kempinski Hotel Moika 22...

V

This post is a collaboration with Kempinski Moika 22, all opinions are my own.