Where to Stay in St. Petersburg - Moscow and St. Petersburg - page 226

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Oktyabrskaya Right across from Moskovsky Train Station and on Nevsky's bus-
tling Insurrection Square (Ploshchad Vosstaniya), the Oktyabrskaya is another example
of Soviet expansiveness, but in a 19th-century style. The hotel went from prestigious to
seedy and is on its way back up to being a reliable, midrange option. One wing is being
renovated at a time, and rooms are qualified as either standard (meaning cramped and
creaky) or upgraded (meaning fumigated, polished, and generally pleasant). The laby-
rinth of corridors is perplexing at first, so don't hesitate to ask for help. Units vary in size
with no apparent logic, but all are comfortable. Service is sometimes begrudging—some
old Soviet ways die hard—but it's forthcoming if you're persistent.
10 Ligovsky Prospekt. & 812/578-1515. Fax [phone]. www.oktober-hotel.spb.ru. 484 units. From
3,700 rubles double; 10,000 rubles suite; extra bed 2,000 rubles. AE, MC, V. Metro: Mayakovskaya or
Ploshchad Vosstaniya. Amenities: Cafes on each floor; concierge; room service; smoke-free rooms; Wi-Fi
(100 rubles/day in lobby). In room: A/C, TV w/satellite, fridge.
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. The company also
has a dozen apartments scattered around the city center that rent by the night for very
reasonable rates. Rooms in the Bed and Breakfast range from a single with no window to
a spacious triple with an expansive view. They are cheerfully decorated in IKEA-style
furniture. Bathrooms are shared but have shower and tub and are well-maintained. A
basic breakfast is offered—or can be made yourself—in the common kitchen. A washing
machine is available. Guests range from European students to American seniors, who are
generally happy to share advice and St. Petersburg experiences. Three friendly women
take turns being in charge, though their English-language proficiency varies. 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.
74 Nevsky Prospekt. & 812/325-6536. Fax [phone]. www.bednbreakfast.sp.ru. 17 units at Nevsky
location, but other locations around town. 50-70 euros double. No credit cards. Metro: Mayakovskaya.
Amenities: Common kitchen w/fridge; hair dryer; tour and transport assistance.
Moskva A standard on the tour-group circuit since its appearance in the 1970s, the
Moskva's most salient feature is its size. With 700 rooms (and scores more under renova-
tion) rounding its semicircular facade overlooking the Neva River, the Moskva was made
to accommodate Soviet-size congresses and conventions—and now its boosters say it's
ideal for hosting “productive, solid business meetings.” Today's guests include North
American and European tour groups (especially Finns), groups from former Soviet
republics, and a few contingents of Chinese businesspeople. At the bottom end of
Nevsky Prospekt, the hotel is a few minutes on foot from dozens of restaurants and is on
top of a metro station. The redesigned lobby glistens during the day but starts to feel
seedy late at night. Renovation is taking place one floor at a time, and the older rooms
are sometimes refused to Western visitors. Whether that's out of embarrassment at their
sorry state or from a desire to make more money from the more expensive units, you're
actually being done a favor—the upgraded rooms are well worth the higher rate with
their proper plumbing, comfortable toilet seats, and double beds. The corridors are big
enough to house a football field, reflecting Soviet disregard for property value. While the
hotel is not charming or elegant, it's reasonably priced.
2 Alexander Nevsky Sq. (Ploshchad Alexandra Nevskogo). & 812/333-2444. Fax [phone]. www.
hotel-moscow.ru. 700 units. From 4,100 rubles double; 5,600 rubles suite. AE, MC, V. Metro: Ploshchad

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