Rossi Hotel St. Petersburg

Standard Room

Standard Room

Junior Suite

Presidential Suite

Even at first glance, the hotel Rossi exudes an aura of magic. It has been a hotel since before the revolution, capturing within its historic stone walls the life of generations of travelers, explorers, and guests. But don’t let its lengthy history dissuade you; the Rossi comes equipped with all the amenities you’d expect from a modern hotel, plus a few extras that make this place feel like a luxurious resort. Pristine marble bathrooms with heated floors to warm those cold Russian mornings; dynamic flat screen televisions to help you get the full view of Russia’s best shows; plush beds that will whisk you into a restful night’s sleep; and WiFi throughout the entire hotel to keep you in touch with your loved ones back home.

This perfectly balanced historic-yet-modern ambience more than makes up for the Rossi’s location, a 15-minute walk from St. Petersburg’s most famous attractions. The closest attraction, though, is just outside its doorstep, down a beautiful colonnade that in and of itself will take your breath away – the Alexandrinsky Theater, a glittering hub of opera and ballet, calls itself the Rossi’s neighbor. If you stay at the Rossi you are destined to spend more than a few evenings being lulled away by the gentle, swaying melodies of Russia’s finest musicians and performers.

One of the Rossi’s most fascinating historic tidbits dates back to the turn of the 19th century. Bolshevik leaders such as Lenin and Stalin claimed one of the Rossi’s rooms, installing a hidden safe in what is now the Presidential Suite and using their secret office to decide the fate of the Moscow rebellion in 1905. Their decision here eventually led to the Bolshevik Revolution, which forced the Rossi to surrender much of its beautiful décor during reconstruction as a communal house. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, a group of ambitious investors restored the durable old building to its former glory.

The renovation of the Rossi brought about the delicious Restaurant Violete. Its gourmet cuisine, wide array of delightfully fruity wines, and authentic Italian design somehow enhance the surrounding Russian air. The weekends provide free wine with a mouth-watering brunch, a selection of specialty meals from the Violete’s more than skilled chef. This restaurant attracts a great deal of local beau mond, ensuring both the quality and experience of the Violete. If the locals like it, you can rest assured that it will be worth your time and money.

The mornings bring about a buffet breakfast equal to the Violete’s dinner in taste, value, and atmosphere. Relax with a cup of spicy coffee while you browse their selection of morning newspapers, or enjoy the view of the Griboedov Canal. The Rossi’s Violete creates the most picturesque start to your day of exploration in St. Petersburg.

The most popular nationality of guests at the Rossi is Italians, whose influence is balanced perfectly with the old Russian style of the building. Despite the abundance of Italians, all of the rooms are non-smoking except the Restaurant Violete. The 2011 plans for the hotel include a cigar room for guests, a fully-equipped fitness center, and a resort-style spa.

When we discover fantastic hotels in Russia, we can’t help but get excited! The Hotel Rossi in St. Petersburg is one of our most comfortable, beautiful, and all-around excellent discoveries to date. For the 2011 travel season, it will be our preferred boutique hotel for all of our small group and individual tours. We can assure you that your stay will leave you as eager to return as we are!