Where to Stay in Saint Petersburg

Copyright (c) 2010 Oleg Shkaruta

Saint Petersburg is called Northern Capital of Russia. Its amazing culture, architecture, museums and theatres attract thousands and thousands of visitors every year. In addition, it is one of the largest business centres in Russia, which hosts many financial events and offers great opportunities for business people in different niches. As the result of the growing demand for tourist accommodation, hospitality industry has flourished. Nowadays you can easily choose accommodation type according to your budget, purpose of visit and number of people.

There are a great number of hotels in the city. Depending on your budget and preferences, you can choose between luxury five-star hotels, moderately priced or budget hostels. Average hotel rates in Saint Petersburg are higher than those in Europe. But affordable prices may also be found. You can opt to lodge in the cultural and business centre of the city along Nevsky Prospect or in a quite area such as Vasilievsky Island. Some hotels are located in beautiful old historical buildings, while others are modern purpose-built hotels.

Business hotels. If you visit the Northern Capital for a business purpose, business oriented hotels can successfully accommodate your needs. Receiving more and more business guests, such famous hotels as Grand Hotel Emerald and Kempinski Hotel Moika 22, tailor their services and facilities to meet special requirements of their customers. Business hotels in Saint Petersburg of course have well equipped conference rooms, business centers and Wi-Fi internet connection.

Private apartments. A private apartment can be a great alternative to a hotel room especially if you travel with your family. There are plenty of stylish apartments for rent with all necessary things like kitchen equipment, TV and other amenities. Space, comfort and privacy are the main advantages of renting a private apartment. However, the prices are usually lower than those in hotels are. Another positive point is flexible arrival and departure time, while checking into a hotel before 2 p.m. and checking out later than 12 noon without any extra payment might be very difficult. The only thing you need to avoid is renting private apartments from individuals. It is safer to book an apartment in advance through a trusted agency on a contract basis.

Apart-hotels. Apart-hotels, combination of private apartments and hotels, are separate buildings with apartments, specially prepared for rent. Such apartments are fully furnished with self-catering facilities. Lack of usual hotel services is completely compensated by cosiness, privacy and reasonable price. However, some apart-hotels offer house cleaner service on demand and with additional charge. Apart-hotels are suitable solution for families with kids and for a long stay.

Mini-Hotels. There are many small hotels all around the historical centre of Saint Petersburg. Thanks to compact sizes they are able to provide personal attention to their guests than large hotels. The range of services in mini-hotels varies from Bed & Breakfast to usual five-star hotel standard. Some of them offer studios with self-catering kitchens, others - common hotel rooms, which consist of bedrooms and bathrooms.

Hostels. Hostels are the best choice for budget travellers. Cheap, clean and comfortable, hostel rooms are ideal solution for students or individual visitors. They can be shared or private. Many of hostels in Saint Petersburg are owned or managed by westerners, who know how to meet requirements of European and U.S. travellers.

Whichever accommodation type you choose, make sure it is in a good location, close to the city centre and with easy transportation access. If you are planning to visit Saint Petersburg in high season, such as White Nights, it is better to book a suite or an apartment in advance.

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