In trying to find a private guide for St. Petersburg, I've been told that the summer palace at Peterhof is currently closed for renovations. I've checked the official website, and while they don't indicate that the palace is closed, they also don't indicate operating hours on specific days, either. And if the inside tours are unavailable, is it still worth arriving on the hydrofoil and touring the gardens and fountains? Thanks in advance.

Under "News" on the official site, they posted on 10 July 2010 that the Grand Palace is now open longer hours, until 7 p.m. most days. To me that implies the palace is open.
http://peterhofmuseum.ru/page.php?id=22

You will probably see the interiors of other Rastrelli designed palaces, including the Winter Palace/Hermitage and Catherine Palace all in the same High Baroque style so you would not be too disadvantaged if you did not have an inside visit. A better use of the time is the park/fountains and some of the smaller palaces in the estate.

if you are looking for a personal guide - please contact me=)

When my guide e-mailed me again, she indicated that Peterhof is indeed open; she had confused one of my requests. However, she is suggesting that we just tour the gardens with the fountains, because she doesn't want us to get "palaced out" since we are already seeing Yusupov, the Hermitage, and Tsarskoye Selo/Catherine Palace Pushkin. Do you think it's a mistake not to see any of the palaces at Peterhof? We don't currently have Pavlovsk as past of our itinerary; should we add that as well? (In St. Petersburg, we're also scheduled to see the Church on the Spilled Blood, Peter & Paul Fortress, and St. Isaac's, and then we'll be travelling on to Moscow for three days of sightseeing there.) Thoughts?

Just back from SPb and we did just the fountains & gardens at Peterhof. It was our last day and we had seen the other palaces you list above & I guess I must've been palaced-out because I didn't feel any urge at all to go inside at Peterhof. They are all magnificent but there is a similarity and especially if Peterhof is near the end of your visit I don't think you'll miss the indoor tour. The gardens and fountains are amazing and we spent several hours walking around.

As far as Pavlovsk - we visited the same day as the Catherine Palace (incredible!) and only did the outside. That was enjoyable. Not sure at all what we missed by not going inside but the gardens and trails were lovely to walk through.

When we did the Yusopov we were alone, not part of a tour, and not allowed to tour the basement where the Rasputin murder took place...I guess only groups or maybe individuals accompanied by a guide have access. If you have an interest in that make sure to mention it to your guide since it might not be included on a normal itinerary.

I agree with Leslie_s; I also saw all the sights you mention and did not feel I missed anything by not seeing the interior of Peterhof. It is a pity for it probably (= definitely) is spectacular and worth visiting, but as you will come to know, there really is such a thing as being all 'palaced-out' and the prospect of spending a couple of hours surrounded by extreme opulence and grandure and detail and .... gold everything day after day becomes daunting. Ideally everyone should spend more time in St.P and space out the palace visits every few days. There sure is enough to see and do to fill out the time.
I loved the Hermitage (several palaces over 2 mornings on my own), Yusopov was my favourite (probably because I saw it last - smaller, intimate and no crowds at all) and Catherines Palace completely breathtaking and totally OTT (3 hours there was enough for me, and was first on the list, luckily). I did all of this and more with a private guide, which I think is the way to go.

Enjoy.

We just returned a Baltic Cruise and were at Peterhof on August 1st. There was some work going on around the grounds near the ticket booth. But, it didn't look like major work.

If looking for a guide we had a very good experience with DenRus tours. We did not take the hydrofoil as our day included a stop at the Catherine Palace.

A couple of years ago, I took the hydrofoil out to Peterhof and then had to wait four hours for the return boat(many scheduled boats were cancelled). It was cold and windy and there was absolutely no place to wait except out in the wind and chill off the water. I think it ws the coldest I have ever been in my life. Luckily there was a little museum near the docks where they let me warm up periodically. Frankly, if you have seen a few wildly gilded palaces with period furniture, you could skip this one. There are others closer and more convenient than Peterhof.

I, too, skipped the inside of the palace at Peterhof - I am not a fan of baroque, and St. P is resolutely baroque! I did, however, enjoy the boat rides and a visit to more modest Mon Plaisir, Peter the Great's retreat.

Peterhof is working now.
And from 17 september -till 18 september there will be the greatest festival of fountains,you can see the luminance,laser,pyrotechnic installation after sunset!
It will be amazing! The tickets will cost 500rub per adult.
Everybody have to be at this exiting festive!!
So there is no problem to come to Saint-Petersburg and to see the great fountain.=)