Kyliebaby3

Has anyone stayed at this boutique hotel who can offer an opinion? It is rated #1 on Trip Advisor, so surely there are people out there who have a high opinion of it. I'm hoping some people here can shed some light on whether or not it's a good choice. The price seems quite good, and they even have a buy 3 nights and only pay for 2 promotion, which is appealing. Here is a link to their website: http://www.rossihotels.com/. Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Some other hotel contenders that are much more expensive include the Corinthia, Kempinski, or Grand Hotel Europe. This just seems like such a cute little place, and the price would leave us more money for vodka...or the Hermitage, I mean

Thanks!

Odin

I haven't stayed there but know the street and would stay there as it's convenient to Nevsky Prospect and walking distance to the main sites.

Kyliebaby3

Thanks Odin! Precisely what I was hoping someone would tell me, as we've never been to St. Petersburg before and aren't familiar with the area.

am_expat

Don't be too trusting of the rating on user reviewed sites. It is obvious that many of the rave reviews are posted by the owners themselves for most smaller places. How would one explain the ranking of say the "Comfort Hotel", a no-service mini-hotel quite removed from the main streets ranking higher than the 2009 winner of the hotel industry's "World's Best Hotel" award; Grand Hotel Europe?
Same with the restaurants and tour companies, the rankings make no sense. The 3rd highest rated restaurant in a real restaurant city is a small Mexican cafe with less than 9 tables and frequently no patrons?
From my experience, getting back to your question, is the Rossi Hotel has been a private hotel for several years and recently come onto the public market. The independent restaurant downstairs is a popular hang out for a well heeled crowd who again are looking for a club house more than dining experience. The number of 12 cylinder cars parked out front, and number of body guards looking over them indicates that it is not a general fine dining restaurant. That body-guard thing is a now seldom seen throwback to the bad old days in the early 1990s so probably the hotel is mostly a hangout for Muscovites. I've never met anyone who says they stayed there, there are much more elegant hotels and better situated but it is right on Lomonosova Square and borders the Fontanka River. So it is in a quiet location. It might be a nice alternative to the larger hotels in the region.

Kyliebaby3

Thank you again! You seem to be a wealth of knowledge. We are going to stay at the Corinthian after talking about it more. They gave us a better deal overall, so that's what we've settled on.

I am just getting started on my research for St. Petersburg, but if you have any not-to-miss restaurants, I would love your suggestions. Neither my boyfriend or myself have been to Russia before, so we're literally starting our planning from ground zero. We love all types of cuisine, and knowing him, he will want to get dressed up and have at least one fancy meal there with a certain degree of authenticity. One of his favorite restaurants in NYC is the Russian Tea Room, which I've heard has closed again unfortunately.

Again, any recs are appreciated. Thanks!

Odin

It's good advice from am_expat and you'll probably be happier with the location of the Corinthia Palace on Nevsky Prospect. Although things change in Russia so quickly I still think the best hotel is the Grand Hotel Europe, if you don't get to stay be sure to visit and have a drink or meal. One of their restaurants has a stained glass window and is very elegant indeed.

There used to be a casual restaurant in the hotel, Sadkos which was quite good without breaking the bank but it seems to have moved location, reviews are still good (if you can believe them). The cuisine is Russian.

Kyliebaby3

Thanks so much! Do either of you know of any cooking classes in St. Petersburg? They would have to be taught in English, as I don't understand a lick of Russian past "na zdrowie." Anyway, just curious. Thanks!