St. Petersburg Feature

During the Bolshevik Revolution many of the city center's lavish mansions where appropriated from their owners and divided into communal apartments. Though some residents still live in these apartments, many have moved to private residences in the suburbs. This created an opportunity to dent St. Petersburg's chronic lack of hotels, and entrepreneurs transformed the former mansions-turned-apartments into "mini-hotels."

Much nicer in this reincarnation, these small guesthouses offer an intimate, reasonably priced alternative to the city's major hotels.

¢-$ Central Inn is in a prime location next to St. Isaac's Cathedral and has a small gym and a sauna. 2 ul. Yakubovicha, Apt 14, St. Petersburg. 812/571-4516. www.central-inn.ru. 14 rooms.

Comfort Hotel. This mini-hotel, on the second and third floors of a 19th-century building, is close to the Admiralty, St. Isaac's Cathedral, the Hermitage, and plenty of good restaurants nearby. Pros: very convenient and central location to the major sights. Cons: a bit overpriced for what it is; rather small rooms; the street it's on can be noisy; rooms have only showers, not bathtubs. 25 ul. Bolshaya Morskaya, , Admiralteisky, St. Petersburg, 190000. 812/570-6700. www.comfort-hotel.ru. 18 rooms. In-room: a/c, Wi-Fi. In-hotel: parking. Breakfast.

Herzen House. This mini-hotel shares the same building (and great location) as the Comfort Hotel. The rooms vary in size according to the historical architectural features of the structure, and some are rather small. If there are two of you, it's better to ask for a room with two beds—those with just one bed can make for very close quarters. There are a variety of coffee shops, restaurants and bars around. At Herzen House's own cafeteria, guests get breakfast, and can also get free coffee, tea, and pastry around the clock; there's also a communal refrigerator available for use. Pros: central location; handy amenities. Cons: beds and rooms run small. 25 ul. Bolshaya Morskaya, Admiralteisky, St. Petersburg, 190000. 812/571-5098. www.herzenhotel.spb.ru. 20 rooms. In-room: a/c, Wi-Fi. In-hotel: children's programs, parking. Breakfast.

Nevsky Inn 1. It's a steep climb to the fourth floor of this mini-hotel (there's no elevator), but it is friendly, and it has a quiet, central location that makes it just a two-minute walk to the Hermitage and close to most other attractions. There is also a communal kitchen where you can cook your meals. Pros: central location; relatively inexpensive; kitchen available for use. Cons: no phone in rooms; no elevator. 2 Kirpichny per., Apt. 19, code 19B, City Center, St. Petersburg, 191186. 812/315-8836 or 812/972-6873. www.nevskyinn.com. 7 rooms. In-room: a/c, Wi-Fi. Breakfast.

$ Nevsky Inn 2 has relatively large rooms with sofas and air-conditioning. However, the windows face a noisy street and the kitchen is very small. 9 ul. Malaya Morskaya, Apt 3, St. Petersburg. 812/312-2686. www.nevskyinn.ru. 4 rooms.

$ Old Vienna, with its stylish art nouveau interior, sauna, and DVD players in the rooms is a step above most mini-hotels. It's a bit hard to find, though, on the third floor of the building. 13 ul. Malaya Morskaya, entrance on Gorokhovaya ul., St. Petersburg. 812/312-9339. www.vena.old-spb.ru. 14 rooms.

Rachmaninov Yard. Furnished with antique furniture handpicked by the owners, this elegant hotel has views of Kazan Cathedral and busy Nevsky prospekt. There is a bohemian feel to this place, which has a piano in the lounge and its own art gallery, which organizes photography displays and documentary screenings. Guests are welcome to try their hand at drawing in a small art studio that operates during the winter. It's in a lively area with plenty of cafés, pubs, and restaurants. Pros: tasteful antique furnishings; art gallery on-site; excellent location. Cons: smallish rooms; no restaurant. 5 Kazanskaya ul., Admiralteisky, St. Petersburg, 191186. 812/571-7618. www.hotelrachmaninov.com. 25 rooms. In-room: a/c, Wi-Fi. Breakfast.

Residence by the Admiralty. Popular with Russians, this mini-hotel is oriented toward businesspeople. The rooms are comfortable, with chunky leather sofas, excellent beds, and spacious bathrooms with large bathtubs and fine toiletries. Major sights, including the Herminage and St. Isaac's, are within walking distance, and the dining scene in the area is bustling. A delicious hot breakfast is included. Pros: luxurious furnishings; large bathrooms with big modern tubs. Cons: no restaurant; a long walk to the nearest metro. 8 Gorokhovaya ul., Admiralteisky, St. Petersburg, 190000. 812/312-7377. www.residencehotels.ru. 4 rooms. In-room: a/c, Wi-Fi. Breakfast.