Monitored by two marble lions at the entrance, the notorious Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St. Petersburg sits inside the walls of a 19th-century royal palace in the perfectly preserved imperial city of St. Petersburg. Celebrated comprehensively for its captivating history and ornate architecture, Russias cultural capital recently became an even more attractive destination for GCC travellers thanks to the introduction of a convenient new online eVisa process.

Launched at the beginning of October, the St. Petersburg eVisa portal empowers natives from Kuwait, Oman and Saudi Arabia to appreciate the advantages of fast and simple online visa applications. Explorers essentially complete the online form, upload a photograph, and can finish the whole procedure in just a few clicks. Applications can be made within 20 days of travelling, and up to four days before arrival. The visa is valid for stays of up to eight days in St Petersburg and the surrounding Leningrad Region.

Pondering the dispatch of the service, Felix Murillo, General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St. Petersburg remarked: The introduction of the eVisa portal offers a new level of convenience for international travellers, making it easier than ever for GCC citizens to arrange a trip to our wonderful city. Our Concierge team enjoys extraordinary featuring St. Petersburgs historical and cultural visitor attractions, and will be happy to arrange anything our guests may require to turn every trip into an unforgettable experience. We anticipate to welcoming visitors from the Middle East to our delightful Hotel to share cherished moments and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Relive an age of grandeur
The iconic Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St. Petersburg is situated in the upmarket Admiralteysky district, where the opulent stylings of imperial Russia are alive and well. Initially developed in the early 19th century for Prince Alexander Yakovlevich Lobanov-Rostovsky, the storied Hotel gives the ideal base for discerning travellers who wish to explore this magical city in style.

Since first opening its doors to guests in 2013, the property has claimed its place among Russias most sought-after addresses and offers a dream luxury accommodation experience across 183 stylish rooms, including 26 sumptuously decorated suites. With high ceilings, ornate details and terraces overlooking some of the citys most famous landmarks, each accommodation allows guests to experience a unique glimpse into the lives of Russian royalty.

Escape to an enchanting world of glamour
Perhaps the most stunning of the Hotels accommodations is the one-of-a-kind Lobanov Presidential Suite, where guests can gather by the living-room fireplace for a night of intimate conversation, host an al fresco dinner party on the expansive private terrace with stunning views of the Admiralty building and the surrounding park, or retreat to the grand master bedroom for a quiet and cosy evening. Adding to the air of opulence, the marble-clad master bathroom is decorated with 12 types of marble and includes a deep-soaking bath tub with a separate rain shower, a large vanity with two sinks and a built-in LCD-screen television with speakers.

The Hotels Noble floor, which encompasses the Presidential Suite and 12 other rooms and suites with direct access from the grand staircase, can be privatised for a more comfortable stay. Guests who are planning an extended family gathering can take advantage of the Hotels special offer and enjoy a complimentary fourth night for every three nights booked in a suite.

Savour a unique culinary journey
Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St. Petersburg invites guests to embark on a range of delightful culinary adventures across its three elegant restaurants. Diners can experience pan-asian fusion flavours at Sintoho, authentic Italian dishes at Percorso and modern Russian cuisine at The Tea Lounge.

Created by team of Executive Sous-Chef Denis Prokhorov, the menu at the Tea Lounge displays a deep understanding of the local culture. Guests will be immersed in Russian tradition, with opportunities to sample a range of traditional favourites such as Chicken Kiev, Kamchatka crab and premium Bryansk marbled beef. Catering to the needs of visitors from the Middle East, Halal meat is available on request. The Tea Lounge is also the venue for the Czar experience, where diners can sample the nutty flavours and creamy textures of seven different varieties of caviar, one of the most valuable foods in the world.

Meanwhile, guests who wish to visit an exquisite chocolate patisserie no longer need to travel to Paris. A tempting range of chocolate creations and delightful Asian desserts can now be enjoyed with a stunning view of Saint Isaac's Cathedral. Executive Pastry Chef Nicolas Lambert, formerly the Pastry Chef of the 2-Michelin starred Caprice restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, has crafted a delightful array of desserts that combine an abundance of chocolate with vivid local tastes such as chestnut, coconut with lychee and jasmine, and apple with blueberry.

Extraordinary Experiences in Russias cultural capital
The Hotels Concierge team takes incredible delight in displaying the magic of St. Petersburg, and can enable guests make the most of their stay by arranging anything from private access to iconic landmarks to an evening ride down the citys beguiling canals or unique dining experiences in historic settings. The exciting range of Extraordinary Experiences at Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St. Petersburg includes:

Private access to the State Hermitage: As a proud sponsor of the State Hermitage, Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St. Petersburg can arrange exclusive before and after-hours access to the main building, as well as opportunities to join private tours with the curators of its exhibitions.
Backstage tour of the Alexandrinsky Theatre: The legendary Alexandrinsky Theatre is one of the oldest national theatres in Russia and a cradle of the dramatic art. Guests are invited to watch the artists prepare for their upcoming performances, then step onto the stage behind the closed curtains and see the decorations up-close before sitting down to enjoy the show.
Ballet class at Mariinsky Theatre: Opened in 1860, the Mariinsky Theatre was known as late 19th-century Russias preeminent music venue and hosted the premieres of masterpieces from Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky and Rimsky-Korsakov. The Hotel can arrange exclusive access to its backstage area and rehearsal rooms, where a private ballet class with the theatres dancers can be enjoyed by guests.
High-end shopping excursions: St. Petersburg is home to few prized luxury shopping addresses featuring coveted designer brands, including DLT, Au Pont Rouge and Staronevsky Fashion district. The Hotels Concierge team will be glad to arrange a comfortable tour by hotel car for a private shopping session in any store, complete with delivery to the hotel.

These are only a few examples of the instances excursions and extraordinary experiences that anticipate guests at Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St. Petersburg. Visitors travelling to this incredible destination can exploit an assortment of advantageous associations that are available from Oman, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. This easy access, combined with the new eVisa portal, means that theres never been a better time to arrange a family holiday or weekend getaway in historic St. Petersburg.