Baltiets Hotel, Saint Petersburg

Advantages: Big collection of (international) arts
Disadvantages: Simply too big to cover in one day

...The place to visit once in Saint Petersburg! Even when you're not that much interested in arts or history, it's the place to be an feel the atmoshpere of the old Russian times. Exhibitions change from time to time and can be checked at www.hermitagemuseum.org Make sure you get a map when entering, otherwise you will get lost. Give this visit an early start when you want to get the most out of it or make a selection before. The exhibitions give an impression of the life of the old tsars, their power and wealth. The history of Saint Petersburg, his people, etc. The biggest part of the collection is arts collected by the tsars. For example, more then 50% of the work of the famous Dutch painters is shown in The Hermitage. Tickets can be purchased online to avoid the sometimes long lines for the counters. The Hermitage is open from Tuesday... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Central location, brand new, excellent facilities
Disadvantages: Breakfasts could be more inspiring, concierge service had its failings

...The Petro Palace is a new 4* hotel in St Petersburg, Russia. Opened in 2005, the hotel occupies a renovated historic Staal's building located in the centre of the city. It has a total of 193 rooms, a combination of single, double and twins rooms and suites. We discovered the Petro Palace on recommendation from our travel agent and stayed for 4 nights mid May 06. Location The Petro Palace hotel is located halfway along Malaya Morskaya Ulitsa which runs off the main thoroughfare Nevsky Prospect. An excellent local landmark is the beautiful Admiralty building which is just over the road and the hotel is also a stone's throw from St Isaac's Cathedral and the Astoria Hotel. The nearest metro station is Nevsky Prospect, although this is a good 20 minute walk away, but buses run right past the hotel. Location wise, the Petro Palace earns... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: relatively inexpensive
Disadvantages: old, horrible service

...I stayed in the Hotel Izmailovo Beta twice – in 2001 and a few months ago in April 2003. And I’d like to share my more recent experience. My husband and I were going to fly to Moscow and stay overnight before taking a train to Saint-Petersburg. So we thought we’d stay in the Hotel Izmailovo Beta (http://www.beta.msk.ru)– we both had stayed there before – and I started the Internet bookings. That wasn’t much of a problem in itself as I was born in Russia and speak fluent Russian, so I found a company which is located in the hotel and does all their internet bookings through their website. The company is called PALMERON (http://hotelbeta.narod.ru). A double lux room was booked for us and all seemed to be going well until I got the instructions telling me on arrival to go to that company’s office on the 7th floor of the hotel, pay there... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful