|
|
|
|
|
Vip Tours | 1 | 2
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
World
Level Perfection - Society
April - 2008 |
|
7 Stars
& 6 Stripes
Overall - 'Hotel & Service' |
|
 |
|
The
Ultimate Award:
Seven Stars and
Stripes® |
|
|
|
| We had traveled by town car from the Hotel Villa
Ammende in Pärnu, Estonia to the border of Northwest Russia, with the
Grand Hotel Europe in St. Petersburg as our next travel destination. We had
experienced two hours of a pleasant and interesting ride through Estonia's
countryside and arrived at the border crossing on the Narva River on an early
spring afternoon. Here we received our luggage, thanked our driver and walked
across a relatively large stone bridge that connects the tiny country Estonia
with the big country of Russia by land. The entire scenario could have been
easily a well-rehearsed part in a colorful movie, when we rolled our golden
Rimowas over the slightly tilted, high bridge across the blue water Narva. A
medieval fortress on both sides of the riverbanks guarded the border bridge. As
we opened the door to the Russian side of the immigration house, we were asked
for our passports and quickly thereafter we were welcomed by the Grand Hotel
Europe's host
Ms.
Xenia Bobrikova and driver
Alexander
Kruglovand. |
|
| At the courtesy bus (a
Mercedes Benz Viano Traveliner, both sides had automatic sliding doors) we were
greeted with an exquisite glass of iced Russian vodka and offered a couple of
delicious canapés, while our driver stowed away our luggage. “Welcome
to Russia” we all toasted in English, with a chockfull glass of this
traditional Russian drink. A great start for our visit, indeed. The ride turned
out, without a doubt, to be a fine adventure as we hit quite a few potholes
although this seemed to have rather little impact on us happy travelers and we
chatted away the time. |
|
|
|
|
| After a fun hour drive through the Russian countryside
we came to stop at the
ruins
of an amazing old castle and to our surprise a picnic basket emerged, full
of delicacies and a perfectly chilled bottle of Vintage Dom Pérignon,
1999. The food was delicious and selected by a true gourmet, Executive Chef
Dominic Ferchaud. From
lobster
tails to caviar to fresh fruit, served in true GHE style. Miss Xenia, who
had truly surprised us with this wonderful late lunch 'onboard' the
'Traveliner', was the perfect host. The doors of the van stood wide open and
allowed the unusually mild air to flow. We were able to get real close to these
amazing ruins, created by the proud people of this fascinating country dating
back to 1240. This was not only interesting but also educating. If you can
choose between hopping cities by plane or hop borders by car, the way we
experienced it, you've got to take pleasure in this road trip. |
|
 |
|
| Arrival -
Grand Hotel Europe |
|
|
We arrived at the entrance of
one of the three official Seven Stars™ award hotels of the world, a
historical, cultural and culinary landmark hotel! The Grand Hotel Europe in St.
Petersburg has played a major role in the life of St. Petersburg's high society
for over 130 years. It's hard to imagine but the Grand Hotel Europe was an
orphanage in 1917 during the Bolshevik Revolution and a hospital during the
siege of Leningrad from 1941-1944. Today this Seven Star hotel is a national
and cultural gem of a landmark and under preservation as a historical monument.
Imagine George Bernard Shaw dining with Maxim Gorky and Tchaikovsky
honeymooning here with his new bride? Or how about a little more modern? The
celebrated and world-renowned heavy metal band
The
Scorpions gave a sold out concert in St Petersburg during our visit and
resided at the Grand Hotel Europe. - The hotel stunning façade and
architecture is priceless and the arrival ceremony a well rehearsed concerto.
Not only discriminating Russian travelers are charmed by the world-class
service, the GHE has what it takes to impress the world elite. |
|
|
| It is ideally placed on Nevsky Prospekt, St
Petersburg's highest priced shopping avenue. Besides, this hotel is surrounded
by some of the world's greatest cultural gems, including the palatial Russian
Museum and the dazzling Mussorgsky Theatre. Founded in 1703, the city is the
cultural center of Russia and one of the most beautiful cities of the world.
And the Grand Hotel Europe is located in the heart of it all, within easy
walking distance of many major attractions such as the Arts Square, dominated
by a monument to Russia's national poet, Alexander Pushkin. Recently renovated,
the square is at the center of a 19th century architectural ensemble including
the Russian Museum, which boasts the largest collection of Russian art in the
world. The Grand Hotel Europe features an abundance of high-priced private art
collections in its own ensemble. |
|
 |
|
| Grand Hotel
Europe - Suite |
|
|
| Our suites on the executive level turned out to be a
spacious, tasteful, luxurious retreat with personal butler service. I was
surprised to find a personalized laptop on the secretary with my welcome
message on the screen, allowing me to enter at any time. Under the secretary
was a small humidor allowing six nice bottles of wine to rest comfortably, in
the right position, until they would be awaken for that right moment. Instead I
reached for the caviar spoon, ignoring the Russian Blinis and trimmings, not to
spoil the taste of the mouthwatering Beluga. I truly enjoyed the taste and
texture of the succulent, tiny caviar pearls, while sipping on a well-chilled
glass of Dom Perignon 1999. The butler had hung my personalized bathrobe
(personalized for frequent visitors) already in the spacious closet and then
had unpacked carefully my suitcases and placed my wardrobe into the appropriate
drawers. I found it quite tasteful that the plasma TV was discretely hidden at
the end of the bed that was dressed with the finest and most enticing sheets
and pillows the weavers of the world are creating these days. The TV was easily
released from its trunk, by just the touch of a button and the furnishings of
course had great taste and style. The Grand Hotel offers five restaurants, two
cafés and a fabulous bar of which all must one experience during ones
stay. Delicious, authentic Russian, French, Italian and even Asian dining is
served. We suggest the
L'Europe Restaurant and Caviar Bar Restaurant for true Seven Star Style™ dining - May we invite you… |
|
|
|
|
| The Seven Stars and Stripes Academy created the Seven
Stars and Stripes Award and the handout ceremony to recognize the global
leaders in hospitality and acknowledge the contributions of their teams. The
Grand Hotel Europe and its award winning team reached for the ultimate
recognition and received for the fist time all Seven Stars.
GM
Thomas Noll and his international team continues to take this multi
million-dollar business into innovative new directions. Highly motivated
Executive Assistant Manager Rene Zimmer is supporting Thomas Noll and the
corporate vision.
Ms.
Irina Khlopova and her staff created an important award event allowing to
share the moments of dedication and celebration with invited guests and the
national press. |
|
“This team has transformed the Grand Hotel Europe from a five
star into a tru Seven Star hotel.
The drive to operate with excellence and
motivation is a proven success story.
They didn’t reinvent the wheel,
they have been redefining goals and ‘the plan’ –
both short
term and long term to create the Seven Star vision.” ~ TB |
|
|
|
|
by
Thorsten & Edmund Buehrmann
Editor: Ingrid
Lemme
Editor-in-Chief: Barry Kay |
|
| © 2008 ~ Seven Stars and Stripes, Inc. |
|
|
Vip Tours | 1 | 2
Back to Top
|
|
|
 |
|
