Pre-Hilton, the Leningradskaya was the city's first hotel. The newly renovated, 273-room palatial hotel is a winning marriage of heritage and modern elegance. Rooms, as one might expect, are of an exceptional standard and have all the elegant trimmings. Soft furnishings and understated glamour abound. Highlights include majestic skyline views, a six-story long brass chandelier (listed in the Guinness Book of World Records) and a stately lobby. The huge marble pillared ballroom doubles as a conference hall, while the second smaller hall houses the Janus restaurant.