(Photo courtesy of Four Seasons.)
Large hotel brands are entering new territory with the launch of their first properties in countries ranging from Russia to Azerbaijan.
This month, the Four Seasons opened it first property in Russia—Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St. Petersburg, set in a 19th century palace.
The hotel, located next to St. Isaac’s Cathedral in the heart of the city, features 151 guestrooms and 26 suites. If your client is looking for city views, recommend a fifth floor Terrace room with a heated floor terrace and marble bathroom with a separate rain shower. Once the home of the best palace apartments, the first floor suites feature high ceilings, while the Lobanov Presidential Suite on the first floor features a large, furnished terrace, a living area with a sofa bed and deep-soaking tub.
Later in the year, the hotel will open a 4-level spa complex featuring the Luceo Spa with eight treatment rooms, a salon, a 24-hour fitness center and a glass-topped, year-round pool.
Rates start at $450 per night. For more information, visit fourseasons.com/stpetersburg.
(Photo courtesy of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.)
Another brand expanding into a country for the first time is Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, which opened Fairmont Baku, Flame Towers in June in Azerbaijan on the Absheron Peninsula, located south of Russia.
Located in the capital city Baku, the hotel is set in the tallest building in Azerbaijan featuring 36 floors with 318 guestrooms, suites and apartments in total (140 rooms and suites are open so far), all offering views of Baku, the old Inner City or the Caspian Sea. The 1- and 2-bedroom suites are located on the higher levels, which also offers access to the Fairmont Gold Lounge.
The hotel also offers a Spa by ESPA with seven treatment rooms; an outdoor rooftop pool with hot tub and bar; French bistro, Le Bistro; and soon-to-come Alov steakhouse.
Introductory rates start at $322 per night dbl. For more information, call (800) 441-1414 or visit fairmont.com/baku.
Meanwhile, The Oberoi Group opened the first Oberoi property in the United Arab Emirates, The Oberoi, Dubai.
The 252-room property opened in June at The Oberoi Centre overlooking the Burj Khalifa, also known as the tallest building in the world. The rooms, ranging from deluxe rooms to presidential suites, also capitalize on this view with floor-to-ceiling windows.
The hotel will offer the only 24-hour spa in Dubai, featuring seven treatment rooms, as well as a couples’ spa room with a terrace pool. Guests can also choose from a variety of dining options including the Indian restaurant Ananta; world cuisine at Nine7One; and Pan-Asian Umami, which features two Teppanyaki counters and a sushi bar.
Rates start at $871 per night for a Premier room. For more information, visit oberoihotels.com/oberoi_dubai.
