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World
Level Perfection - Society
May - 2009 |
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7 Stars
& 6 Stripes
Overall - 'Hotel & Service' |
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The
Ultimate Award:
Seven Stars and
Stripes® |
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| Having arrived in St. Petersburg, Russia via plane and
by train we swear by our unique way of ‘crossing the Narva by foot’.
We had traveled by town car from Tallinn, Estonia to the border of Northwest
Russia, with the Grand Hotel Europe in St. Petersburg as our next destination
and crossed the Narva River, which connects Estonia with Russia over an old
stone bridge. Medieval fortresses on both sides of the riverbanks are guarding
us as we rolled our golden Rimowas over the bridge to Russia. As we opened the
door to the immigration house a few friendly lady guards welcomed us. The
inquiry after our passports seemed to be just a required, short formality.
Russia is open for business and welcomes tourists from all over with open
arms. |
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| At the old gate, a Grand Hotel Europe courtesy van was
expecting us and we were greeted once again with smiles. “Welcome to
Russia” we toasted, after we had taken our seats, with a glass of
nicely
chilled Dom Pérignon 2000 (CLICK HERE for a closer look)
instead of the traditional Russian vodka. A picnic basket full of delicacies
with popping-fresh, chilled Russian caviar, fresh fruit and other international
and traditional delicacies turned our two hour ride into a leisurely late lunch
and time flew by. If you can choose between hopping cities by plane or train or
hop borders by foot the way we experienced it, you've got to book this unusual
road trip. |
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| Our
arrival at the Grand Hotel Europe (CLICK HERE for a closer look) was
as spectacular as our first impression of this hotel’s stunning
architecture. The massive, expertly
restored
façade (CLICK HERE for a closer look) alone is a visual
treat! It is hard to imagine that this landmark hotel was an orphanage in 1917
during the Bolshevik Revolution and then a hospital during the siege of
Leningrad from 1941-1944; - today protected and under preservation as
historical monument it has a one of a kind location. |
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| Founded in 1703, the city is
the cultural center of Russia and ranks high on the list of the most beautiful
cities in the world. The Grand Hotel Europe is located in the heart of it all,
within easy walking distance of many major attractions such as the
Arts
Square, dominated by a monument to Russia's national poet, Alexander
Pushkin. The square is at the center of a 19th century architectural ensemble
including the Russian Museum, which boasts the largest collection of Russian
art in the world. The Grand Hotel Europe features an abundance of high-priced
private art collections in its own ensemble. This hotel is surrounded by some
of the world's greatest cultural icons, including the palatial Russian Museum
and the alluring
Mariinsky
Theatre (CLICK HERE for a closer look). We had the good fortune and
pleasure of spending a magical afternoon at the GHE’s
private
lounge, witnessing in sheer delight the caprice eloquence of dancing
expressions that fascinated the Romanovs and St. Petersburg’s ‘High
Society’ already then as it does today. |
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| Grand
Hotel Europe - View |
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| “301 sumptuously appointed Rooms and Suites -
complete with all the 21st century conveniences - convey an elegance unseen
since the days of the Tsars, when Dostoevsky and Strauss were frequent
visitors.” it says in the hotel brochure, and we entirely agree, these
‘home away from home’ accommodations were designed for people who
appreciate the ultimate in style and comfort. The private butler service has
been greatly perfected and while the lady butler unpacked my luggage carefully
I explored a laptop placed on the secretary ready to log on - and also
GHE’s embossed signature collection. |
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| Grand Hotel
Europe - Suite |
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| The lady butler had hung my personalized bathrobe
(personalized for frequent visitors) and wardrobe up in the spacious closet and
placed my belongings in the appropriate drawers. The bedroom plasma TV was
discretely hidden in the wall at the end of the bed that was dressed with a
comforter set of my preference. It is unfortunately common that in economically
challenging times hotel managements often sacrifice service for budget
restraints. This is not the case at the Grand Hotel Europe, rather the
opposite. General Manager Thomas Noll is in the process of renovating a fleet
of suites from top to bottom. |
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| Grand
Hotel Europe |
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“I
am back in the U.S.S.R.! You don’t know how lucky you are, boy! I am back
in the U.S.S.R.!”
~ (Lennon / McCartney) |
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| Sir Paul McCartney was
guest of the Grand Hotel Europe ’04. Other guests include: Tchaikovsky,
Dostoyevsky, and former US President Bill Clinton when he was in office, just
to mention a few. |
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| Who would have thought that during the time of our
visit we would be invited to a private Russian wine tasting that would run over
eight hours? Vodka tasting, yes, we had visited the Vodka History Museum and
already got acquainted with centuries of Russian vodka history. There is an
exhibition where one can see the first Russian distillation unit, by means of
which burning wine was produced in the 15thcentury. But back to our Russian
wine tasting, this one was the most elite wine tasting experience we ever
attended
(CLICK
HERE to see the certificate), unsurpassed so far, it went on for eight
hours tasting eight flights and since it was by private invitation we may
report only that it included a magnum bottle of Margaux from 1900, Chateau
d'Yquem 1869 and a Heidsieck Monopole form 1907
(CLICK
HERE for a closer look). |
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| Some of these
particular
bottles were salvaged from a ship that was sank by a German U-boat during
World War One and laid 80 meter below sea level for decades. The wines that
were presented that night were collector’s wines, some eccentric, but most
were a connoisseur’s delight. Since it was a wine tasting, we feel
inclined to play the sommelier’s advocate. The sommelier gave an
outstanding performance, while the food (presented by an external chef) did not
always rise to / or complement these top wines. |
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| The Grand Hotel Europe offers
five restaurants, two cafés and an amazing bar. Delicious, authentic
Russian, French, Italian as well as Asian style dining is available. We
especially recommend the ‘Sunday Brunch’ with live Jazz, a culinary
journey that should not be missed. The over the top spread offers extraordinary
food, taste sensations of the region's cooking and invites you to an
unparalleled culinary journey through Russia and the world. As St.
Petersburg’s High Society seemed to be delighted, so will you. We are
happy to announce that we invite the GHE’s new Executive Chef Alexey
Kostichkin to join the list of distinctive Seven Star Cuisine™ chefs and
applaud the L'Europe’s Restaurant team for a fine Seven Star Dining
Experience -
may we invite you… |
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| Grand
Hotel Europe - L'Europe Restaurant |
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| The official Seven Stars and Stripes Award
presentation and celebration at the Grand Hotel Europe St. Petersburg was
partially sponsored by BMW. Russia’s High Society recognizes
Mr.
Christian Kremer, President of BMW Group Russia, not only for his good
looks and excellent taste, but also his business skills and fabulous
connections. The
all-new
BMW 7 Series (CLICK HERE for a closer look) stood still at the
official Seven Star Award™ presentation, by the main entrance of the GHE
and in the presence of a deserving team.
Ms.
Irina Khlopova and her staff created once again a truly memorable award
event, allowing the national and local press and guests to witness the
presentation of the world’s highest hospitality accolade. |
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“Visionary Thomas Noll and his team have set a standard in St.
Petersburg.
It is unfortunately common that in economically challenging
times
hotel managements often sacrifice service for budget restraints.
This is not the case at the Grand Hotel Europe, rather the opposite.”
~ TB |
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by
Thorsten & Edmund Buehrmann
Editor: Ingrid
Lemme
Editor-in-Chief: John Lomitola |
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| © 2009 ~ Seven Stars and Stripes, Inc. |
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