Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
218
218
something on the other side of the Neva
River from your hotel, you may be in for a
long wait or a detour to get back. See
chapter 3 for drawbridge schedules, and
chapter 11 for a description of the neigh-
borhoods listed below.
Rates listed here are rack rates, the high-
est official prices charged by hotels. Hotel
websites often offer discounts or package
deals, as do many traditional and online
travel agencies. Prices below are listed in
rubles (see the “Currency Confusion” box
on p. 96) and do
not
include breakfast or
18% VAT unless noted; most travel agen-
cies (online and traditional)
do
include VAT
in their quotes. For more hotel hints, see
“Tips on Accommodations” in chapter 3.
Few Russian hotels offer car rentals, but
most can arrange a car with a driver for a
few hours or for the duration of your stay
at a reasonable, sometimes negotiable
price. The hotel's “transport desk” offers
something between a taxi and a limo
service.
Suites in Russia (called
luxe
or
demi-
luxe
) nearly always have two rooms,
though size varies broadly. In older hotels
a double will usually mean two single
beds, while newer hotels offer the choice
of one double bed for two people, or two
single beds. Single rooms and single rates
are nearly always available, so be sure to
ask about them if you're traveling alone.
1
AROUND THE HERMITAGE
VERY EXPENSIVE
Astoria
An example of Art Nouveau at its apex, the five-star Astoria offers 21st-
century decadence in a pre-revolutionary setting, overlooking St. Isaac's Cathedral with the
Neva River in the background. It's a personal favorite for multiple reasons. It's St. Petersburg's
only hotel in its class to have preserved its historic design and ambience, though new man-
agement has modernized furnishings to create spacious, sleek rooms and generous bath-
rooms. The Astoria and adjacent
Angleterre
(see below) opened in 1912 on the site of a
19th-century English/Russian hotel venture. They were appropriated by the Soviets, and the
Astoria was later used as a field hospital during the Nazi blockade of Leningrad in World
War II, before it made it back into private hands in the 1990s. A favorite of well-to-do tour-
ists and executives alike, the Astoria underwent its latest renovation in 2002. Designers
retained the crystal chandeliers and tapestries but relegated the antique chairs to the corri-
dors. It was one of the first St. Petersburg hotels with a pool, heated and indoors for year-
round enjoyment. Unfortunately, the mirrored, Art Nouveau Winter Garden is open only
for special events—peek inside and imagine the balls held here a century ago. Harpists play
in the lobby bar at teatime, at the base of the marble staircase, and a jazz pianist takes over
in the evening. The Astoria is an excellent stop for tea even if you're not staying overnight.
39 Ulitsa Bolshaya Morskaya.
&
812/494-5757.
Fax 812/494-5059. www.thehotelastoria.com. 213 units.
From 14,000 rubles double; from 20,000 suite. AE, DC, MC, V. Metro: Nevsky Prospekt.
Amenities:
2 res-
taurants; bar and lounge; concierge; executive-level rooms; health club; Jacuzzi; pool; room service;
sauna; smoke-free rooms; spa; free Wi-Fi in lobby.
In room:
A/C, TV w/satellite, fridge, hair dryer, Internet
(500 rubles/hr.), minibar.
12
EXPENSIVE
Angleterre
Initially a wing of the Astoria, the four-star Angleterre shares a designer
and a kitchen with its “sister hotel,” though they're now under separate management. See
the above review for details on the building's history. Today the Angleterre is a slightly
