Rossiya 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

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Advantages: Centrally located, outstanding views towards the Kremlin and Red Square
Disadvantages: Facilities may not cut the mustard for business travellers

...St Basil's Cathedral and the Kremlin in front of you in glorious sunlight was an amazing feeling - just as the view as I drew the curtains at night was also incredible. If you want to save the money, then stay elsewhere in the hotel and sneak to a Kremlin view from a stairwell - there are enough good vantage points in the hotel. After having endured a less than comfortable bed in St Petersburg, it was a welcome surprise to see that the Rossiya has abandoned the blankets and sheets bedding in favour of duvets and with a variety of hardness of pillows - which is not always the case in Russian 3* hotels. The double bed was of Queen size proportions (200cm wide) and I enjoyed easily the best night's sleep in my entire trip to Russia. From its fittings - relatively up to date, I was surprised that it was not a four star hotel, but can... Read review

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Advantages: A wonderful, beautiful city with a rich history
Disadvantages: None

...buildings, St Petersburg has emerged remarkably unscathed. The city has remained as elegant and stylish as originally intended and its beauty rivals, and possibly exceeds, that of any European city. Getting Around Thanks to the superb location of our hotel (see previous review for more details) we needed very little help in getting around the city. Our whole time in St Petersburg we only got the bus once when we arrived, down Nevsky Prospect. Our tried and tested point at the map technique saw us on the correct bus and it was, again, very cheap at 15 roubles (28p). St Petersburg does have a metro system connecting the northern and southern suburbs with the centre of town via all the different mainline stations. However the centre of the city is relatively compact and, as it is so beautiful, walking is by far the best way to get around... Read review

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