Founded in 1703 as a “window on the West” by Emperor Peter the Great, the city of St. Petersburg has been through its share of highs and lows over the past 300 years. Once the capital of the Russian Empire, the city has withstood two World Wars and a long period of socialist rule under the reign of Vladimir Lenin and Joseph Stalin, when it was known as Leningrad. It was not until a vote in 1991 that St. Petersburg took back its original name, and Boris Yeltsin won Russia’s first presidential election.

The city of St. Petersburg, referred to as the “Venice of the North” by the French writer Théophile Gautier, is actually a chain of more than 30 islands along the shores of the Neva river. Located at the heart of the city, adjacent to Russia’s most famous street, Nevsky Prospekt, is the Grand Hotel Europe, a piece of St. Petersburg’s history that dates back to 1824. In the 1830s, Italian architect Carlo Rossi combined three properties with a simple, elegant façade. A hotel opened in a part of the building, and trading offices occupied the remainder. In 1872, a joint stock company was formed to turn the entire building into a luxury hotel, and in 1875, it opened as the Grand Hotel Europe. During the First World War and Bolshevik Revolution, the hotel was used as an orphanage, and later, during the 900-day siege of Leningrad, became a 1,300-bed hospital. In 1989, the hotel was closed for a complete reconstruction, and in 1991, the Grand Hotel Europe re-opened with grand splendor. Since 2005, the hotel has undergone further reconstruction and refinement. The first five-star hotel in the country features Rossi’s original neo-classical façade and Art Nouveau interiors that date back to the early 1900s, and has hosted world leaders, dignitaries, and movie, television and sports stars.

The hotel’s 301 guest rooms include 10 historic suites, which completed renovation in May. Each suite features a unique theme and design aesthetic as interpreted by French designer Michael Jouannet. A stay in No. 107, The Dostoevsky Suite, inspired by the Russian writer, was a real treat. The corner room features deep hues to capture the tone of Dostoevsky’s writing, and overlooks the intersection of Italianskaya and Mikhailovskaya streets. In-room appointments in the spacious suite include a wet bar and seating area with a desk.

The Grand Hotel Europe maintains five unique restaurants, two cafes and a bar. The Europe Restaurant is St. Petersburg’s premier fine dining destination, with exquisite stained glass windows and turn-of-the-century décor. Under the guidance of Chef Anatoly Ivanov, The Europe’s menu is constantly evolving, and the spectacular Sunday jazz brunch is not to be missed. Friday nights feature a truly memorable ballet performance to the music of the great Peter Tchaikovsky. Another culinary highlight is the Caviar Bar & Restaurant. Specializing in traditional Russian cuisine, the Caviar Bar has a dedicated vodka sommelier, making it the perfect destination for a light snack of caviar and blini with crisp, cold vodka. The Lobby Bar, located by the hotel’s main entrance, is a popular destination among locals as well as hotel guests, and features a humidor and live music every evening.

A number of specialty boutiques and shops are located in the hotel’s Mezzanine and Lobby Arcade areas. The Mercury Shop sells Swiss watches by Patek Phillipe and Franck Muller, Chopard and Mikimoto jewelry, and authentic Faberge and Tiffany. Stop by the Renaissance Gallery for a souvenir of your trip–it carries a great selection of hand-painted silk scarves, art, porcelain and hand-cut amber. The hotel also has a health club with a sauna and plunge pool for post-workout relaxation, plus a full-service hair salon, tanning and massage rooms.

Once ready to venture out into the city, have the hotel concierge arrange your transportation in one of the property’s 7 Series BMW’s. Or enjoy an afternoon cruising the Neva river on the Katarina, the Grand Hotel Europe’s new luxury speedboat. Exotic wood panels and plush upholstery will have you cruising in style, complete with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails by the hotel’s executive chef. A variety of route options are available to guests, including an evening excursion to watch the opening of the bridges along the Neva (side note, be sure to back at your hotel by 2 a.m. every night, when the bridges go up, or you’ll find yourself stuck!).

The jaw-droppingly enormous Hermitage Museum occupies six buildings along the embankment of the Neva River and holds more than 3 million pieces of art, rivaling the Louvre for the title of world’s largest art museum. St. Petersburg is also home to some of the world’s most exquisite churches and cathedrals. The gilded onion domes of The Church of Christ’s Resurrection (also called Our Savior of the Blood) are visible from the Grand Hotel Europe. The church was built on the spot where Emperor Alexander II was assassinated in 1881, and served as storage for potatoes under Stalin’s reign. It now hosts a shrine to Alexander II. Be sure to spend some time visiting the city’s parks and gardens, many of which hold historical and architectural significance. The beautiful Mikhailovsky park was recently restored to its traditional glory, complete with beautiful paths, bridges and bronze sculptures. In the summer, classical and jazz concerts are held here. No trip to St. Petersburg is complete without a trip to one of its world-famous theaters. We caught an appearance of “Swan Lake” at the Alexandrinsky, which has been the national theater of Russia for two and a half centuries.

The exquisite Peterhof is located about 20 miles from St. Petersburg, and served as the official summer residence of the Russian emperors. Originally commissioned by Peter the Great, it was embellished upon by his granddaughter, Empress Elizabeth, and later by Catherine the Great and Nicholas I. The property boasts 144 fountains, the highlight of which is the golden “Grand Cascade.”

St. Petersburg is a fascinating study in contrast. The remnants of communist rule exist alongside some of the world’s most opulent and luxurious palaces, buildings and museums. The posh boutiques of Nevsky Prospekt are filled with well-heeled Russian women in furs and stilettos, and access to the performing and fine arts, world-class cuisine, and the city’s rich tradition define the good life in St. Petersburg. There is no better place to call home when visiting Russia’s most culturally rich city than The Grand Hotel Europe, where a perfect merger of history, luxury and service await.