A restored tsarist palace, Taleon Imperial hotel is wonderfully grand and traditional. Right in the heart of St Petersburg, it's a few minutes' walk from main artery Nevsky Prospekt, as well as the Hermitage museum and Palace Square. Both hotel and private club, the place has a refined atmosphere - dress to impress for dinner.

The facilities

The Taleon Club restaurant serves Russian cuisine in a decadent dining room - for a culinary change of scene, head to the 6th-floor Victoria restaurant for a light lunch overlooking the city rooftops. The lobby bar is a lively place to meet for a drink, while connoisseurs can gather in the stain glass-windowed Walnut Lounge for fine cognac and cigars.

There are plenty of opportunities to indulge in some me-time, too. Massages and treatments are on offer at the Wellness Centre, which also has Russian and Turkish baths and a Finnish sauna. Keep active by using the small indoor pool and gym, or head to the beauty salon to leave with a whole new look.

The rooms

29 rooms and suites are fantastically grand - aspiring royals will be in four-poster bed and swag curtain heaven. Bathrooms are all sleek ceramic tiling and gold taps, and some have Jacuzzis. Rooms also have Wi-Fi.