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 St Petersburg Hotels
Stunning St Petersburg makes an ideal destination for a three to four day trip in either romantic, snow-white winter or warm, blue-skied summer. Start at that elegant treasure house, the State Hermitage Museum (put aside several hours; you could easily spend a day there and only skate the surface of its extraordinarily rich collections) and then meander along the canals in a city that has been nicknamed the Venice of the North. Enjoy cultural offerings such as theatre and ballet, and if you hit the city's upscale bars, dress up: St Petersburg's inhabitants like their labels, and we're not talking H&M. Inspiring hotels are still a relatively new phenomenon, but there are now eight addresses that we are happy to recommend: we'll tell you more when they arrive. The hotels are listed by price category, and their order bears no reflection on our preference.
 Reviews by Tobi Cohen |
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| Luxury: Grande dame hotel favoured by A listers |
| Location: St Isaac Square |
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| The city's grande dame hotel is a must for anyone who wants to hark back to the past. Opened in 1912, it has played host to most visiting celebrities (everyone from Sylvester Stallone to Bill Clinton) though now that it's a Rocco Forte property, it has an international feel, especially in the elegantly modern bedrooms; those with views of St Isaac's cathedral are the best. |
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| Luxury: Newly revamped five star on the city's main drag |
| Location: Nevsky Prospect |
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| Located right on the main drag, Nevsky Prospect, this newly-renovated five-star hotel is classically Russian in feel but also the city's most modern offering, attracting the local new-money crowd. Attention to detail is thorough here; if you are up for some exercise a jogger's map is available, and if you reserve a room with a piano, you can arrange for a musician to be playing it as you arrive. |
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| Luxury: Fine rooms with character at the Astoria's four-star sister |
| Location: St Isaac Square |
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| The Astoria's four-star sister hotel also has character and also stands across from St Isaac's Cathedral, but is slightly cheaper. Designed by Olga Polizzi, the classic-contemporary rooms are decked out in the same reds, creams and polished floorboards as its grander neighbour, though they are smaller. Afternoon tea in the hotel's bar is popular, as is the Italian restaurant, Borsalino, which has a local reputation and is always busy. |
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| Mid Price: Restored Romanov style hotel, with antiques but a contemporary finish |
| Location: Moika Embankment |
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| We love this renovated 19th-century hotel filled with antiques, but with a modern finish. Executed in Romanov style, the rather large hotel (there are 174 rooms and 23 suites) stands on the lovely Moika Embankment, and looks out over Palace Square and the Hermitage Museum. There's a Turkish steam bath on the ninth floor and the hotel is a handy two-minute walk from Nevsky Prospect. |
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| Mid Price: Family-owned guesthouse in a stylishly converted mansion |
| Location: Kryukov canal, a 20 minute walk from Nevsky Prospect |
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| This delightful, privately owned guesthouse, created from a converted mansion, is as boutique as St Petersburg hotels get. Off the beaten track but not nearly too far out to dismiss, each of the 16 rooms is inspired by a different city. The Japanese spa is heavenly and the modern Russian food worth sampling. The owners also have a second hotel for business guests. |
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| Mid Price: Stylish yet friendly mini-hotel with big bedrooms |
| Location: Close to St Isaac cathedral |
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| St Petersburg’s best-kept secret. Close to the Hermitage and St Isaac’s Cathedral, Casa Leto is an intimate, chic mini-hotel with unusually large rooms. Owned by an Anglo- Russian couple, it has received glowing reviews. The very reasonable room rates include breakfast, phone calls and internet connection. The hotel also provides competitively priced packages, tours, transfers and a full travel support service. Local hotels don’t get more charming than this. |
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| Inexpensive: Warm and welcoming hotel with a 19th-century feel |
| Location: across from Kazan cathedral, close to Nevsky Prospect |
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| Service doesn't get friendlier than at this small, 19-room hotel, packed with 19th-century character and delightful antiques. An art gallery that changes monthly adds to its charm. If you sleep lightly, avoid the atmospheric rooms on the street and if you love classical music, book the "lux-room" where Rachmaninov lived for two years. Ask at reception about a helicopter tour. |
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| Inexpensive: Simple but attractive with good value prices and a great location |
| Location: Moika Embankment |
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| Budget travellers will be relieved to find this attractive hotel in an 18th century house that once belonged to a friend of Pushkin's and overlooks the lovely Moika. Just off Nevsky Prospect and near the Palace Square and Hermitage Museum, it employs English-speaking staff who are extremely helpful. Rooms are simple but modern and the hotel uses the restaurant next door as part of its service. |
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