W Hotels Debuts in Russia

W Hotels Worldwide (New York) marks its entry into Russia with the opening of the highly-anticipated W St. Petersburg. Owned by Real Estate Development Ltd., W St. Petersburg provides 137 stylish guest rooms, a signature restaurant miX, bar and rooftop lounge by three Michelin star chef Alain Ducasse, and a signature spa.

Milan-based Antonio Citterio and Patricia Viel Partners, which designed the hotel, took inspiration from the architectural ancestry of the city and jewel-tones of the famous Fabergé Egg.

“We are excited to bring W to St. Petersburg, a major European cultural as well as an international hot spot, especially during the White Night Festival,” says said Eva Ziegler, global brand leader, W Hotels Worldwide and Le Méridien.

The Russian location joins recent hotel additions in 2011 of W London, W Taipei and W Retreat and Spa Bali-Seminyak.

The hotel’s location is near several of the city’s landmarks, including St. Isaac Cathedral, the Winter Palace, which houses the famed Hermitage Museum, and the Neva River.

W Hotels, which includes 41 hotels and retreats, is operated by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. (White Plains, N.Y.)