Our Super Secret Hotel Maven network extends far and wide and thanks to another SSHM, we have a mini-guide to Russia's luxe hotels--perfect for ballers, high-rollers and Russian mobsters. It's a mini-guide because it's really only a few hotels in St. Petersburg and Moscow. Up first: The Hotel Astoria. Enjoy.

It's not easy to travel to Russia if you're a picky Angeleno with the sniffles. Recently, though, I did the difficult and braved the subzero temperatures. I saw the two main cities, St. Petersburg and Moscow, and explored the cultural treasures of each. More importantly, though, I made stops at each of the city's key hotels for tours of the facilities and rooms, and have smuggled my reports back to familiar soil.

Arriving at the Hotel Astoria

It's nearly impossible to get a favorable and affordable route for air travel to St. Petersburg from Los Angeles. So after sniffling at 40,000 feet for about 30 hours solid through 3 connections, I arrived in St. Petersburg.

I was greeted by a most unpleasant driver who couldn't seem to understand why someone might need to pee after a long flight. After much anticipation, we pulled up to a construction site in a quaint area of town adjacent to St. Isaac's Cathedral. This construction site, popularly known as "Hotel Astoria," would soon be called home for a few days.

Check-In

I feel like I read that Hotel Astoria underwent refurbishment recently, and was surprised at the state of the entry way (they were literally building an overhang out of plywood, and I found myself fearful that a person or piece of heavy machinery would fall on me when I walked in). I walked up to check-in, and had no difficulty with the process. The woman at the desk insisted that a representative from the hotel escort me to my room to give me a tour.

Room Reaction

We arrived at the room, and I have to tell you--there are some interesting features. First off, it is imperative that one has his key card in order to turn the lights on in the room. You have to place it in a little plastic cradle. I was surprised by this.

The escort from the hotel started showing me around the space, and was quick to point out the bidet and toilet, noting that it's "great for couples." This statement confused me, as I was traveling alone... not to mention it seemed strange that a bidet would somehow enhance a hotel experience specifically for couples.

My mind started to ask questions like, "Under what circumstances?" and "What sort of couples are we talking about?" I made presumptuous conclusions like, "These Russians must be kinky!"

top of any list—not just for its historic Art Nouveau elegance, but for the simple fact that its Western management (courtesy of Rocco Forte) takes some of the edge off the slightly disarming and disorienting experience that is present-day Russia.

The location is splendid, at the heart of the city, in St. Isaac’s Square, next to the cathedral and close to the Hermitage, the state-run art museum. As for the hotel itself, it’s a striking beauty, decorated in the original 1912 style, all the more impressive considering that it’s almost entirely a reconstruction; the original building was largely torn down during the 1990s renovation that connected the Astoria to its slightly plainer sister, the Angleterre.

New General Managers Appointed At Rocco Forte’s Hotel Astoria And Angleterre Hotel

Rocco Forte’s Hotel Astoria has named Alexander Pichel as General Manager. Alexander joins The Rocco Forte Collection after many years with Hyatt International, most recently holding the position of General Manager at the Hyatt Regency Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan; he has also worked in Hyatt hotels in Dubai, Germany, Argentina, London and France. Alexander will start at Rocco Forte’s Hotel Astoria on 23 October.

Rocco Forte’s Hotel Astoria in St Petersburg and its sister property the Angleterre Hotel have launched the world’s first loyalty scheme for young guests.