Moscow & St. Petersburg - Eastern Europe - page 594

Prospekt. Amenities: Restaurant w/live jazz pianist every evening; small indoor pool; health club; spa; sauna;
concierge; tour desk; car-rental desk; limo; 24-hr. business center; salon; 24-hr. room service; laundry service; same-
day dry cleaning; nonsmoking rooms; executive rooms. In room: A/C, TV w/pay movies and satellite, dataport, mini-
bar, fridge, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron, safe.
Grand Hotel Europe This hotel has every right to call itself grand.
Grandeur seeps from its ceiling friezes to its carpeting. Originally opened in 1875, it
was completely rehauled for a 1991 reopening, and much of what seems prerevolu-
tionary is recent re-creation, from the baroque facade to the Art Nouveau interiors. Its
five floors surround a luscious winter garden and mezzanine cafe visible from inward-
facing rooms. Even if you don't stay here, spend a lazy morning or rainy afternoon
savoring tea from a silver samovar and listening to the harpist on the mezzanine. Guest
rooms are elegant and modern.
1 Mikhailovskaya Ulitsa. & 800/426-3135 or 812/329-6000. Fax [phone]. www.grandhoteleurope.com. 300
units. From $310 (£105) double; from $790 (£395) suite. Rates 20% higher May-July. $40 (£20) extra bed. AE, DC,
MC, V. Metro: Gostiny Dvor or Nevsky Prospekt. Amenities: 5 restaurants; 2 bars; health club; Jacuzzi; sauna;
concierge; tour desk; car-rental desk; limos; 24-hr. business center; shopping arcade; salon; 24-hr. room service; mas-
sage; babysitting; laundry service; same-day dry cleaning; nonsmoking rooms; executive rooms. In room: A/C, TV
w/satellite and pay movies, dataport, minibar, fridge, hair dryer, iron, safe.
MODERATE
Litorin One of many appealing, reasonably priced minihotels opening on
Vasilevsky Island, the Litorin stands out for its careful juxtaposition of modern art and
19th-century fireplaces. The hotel opened in 2003 and is still expanding. The staff pays
individual attention to guests and to detail, which makes up for some of the standard
hotel services it doesn't provide, such as laundry facilities. The bathrooms are large and
fully renovated. It's a long walk to the nearest metro, though compensation is the less-
frequented sights nearby, such as the cathedral on the embankment; the icebreaker
Krasin docked nearby; and the Mining Institute, one of Russia's first universities.
12 Liniya 27 (Vasilevsky Island). & /fax [phone]. www.litorin.ru. 12 units. $125-$140 (£63-£70) double. AE,
MC, V. Metro: Vasileostrovskaya. Amenities: Restaurant; sauna; tour desk; transport desk; business center; Wi-Fi;
room service. In room:A/C, TV w/satellite, dataport, safe.
Pulford Apartments This British-Russian company offers apartments all over
town, but its prime spots are along the lanes between Palace Square and Nevsky
Prospekt metro station. All apartments are renovated to Western standards, with fully
equipped kitchens and bathrooms, and from one to several bedrooms. Maid service
can be arranged as often as you like, as can any number of hotel-like services such as
extra towels, theater tickets, cellphone rental, and visa help.
Main office: 6 Moika Embankment. & 812/325-6277. Fax [phone]. www.pulford.com. From $130 (£65) dou-
ble for 1-bedroom apt. AE, DC, MC, V. Amenities: Tour arrangements and personal guides; transport services; laun-
dry service; dry cleaning; nonsmoking rooms; executive rooms. In room:A/C, TV w/satellite, dataport, kitchen, fridge,
coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron, safe.
INEXPENSIVE
Bed and Breakfast The only true bargain on Nevsky, this seven-room hostel
was once a communal apartment in an imposing Stalin-era building. Rooms in the
B&B range from a single with no window to a spacious triple with an expansive view.
Bathrooms are shared but have shower and tub and are well-maintained. A basic break-
fast is offered—or can be made yourself—in the common kitchen. A washing machine
is available. The hostel's chief drawbacks are the dank and foreboding stairwell and the
lack of an elevator to the third floor. Otherwise, this is an excellent, low-priced option.

Value