Situated on the Neva River delta, St. Petersburg was founded in 1703 by Peter the Great as his "window on the West." The city, which was ravaged and besieged during World War II, has since been rebuilt and retains its pre-war splendor. Numerous hotels, including the popular Finnish Sokos chain, dot the landscape, while the waters of the Baltic flow through this "city on 101 islands."
Though located further inland than its two Sokos sister hotels, the Hotel Olympic Garden enjoys a spot in the Moskovsky Prospekt, St. Petersburg's historic district. This 348-room hotel is within two miles of St. Isaac's Cathedral, the State Hermitage Museum and the Church of Our Savior on the Spilled Blood. Standard rooms include typical amenities like showers and flat-screen TVs, while superior rooms and suites offer additional conveniences such as an electric kettle, bathrobe and slippers. The on-site Fransmanni restaurant serves Provencal-style meals for lunch and dinner. The Lobby Bar--open 24 hours--offers coffee and cocktails.
Hotel Olympic Garden
Bataisky pereulok, 3A, 190013
St. Petersburg, Russia
011-7-812-335-2270
sokoshotels.fi
Nestled in the heart of the city on Vasily Island, this 319-room hotel has an ideal central location. The Hotel Palace Bridge bills itself as "an entirely new style spa hotel" and boasts a Russian bath, hydro-massage pool, an aqua zone and a Turkish hammam, or bath. There are six eating establishments on-site, including Restaurant Sevilla, where tapas is served under dramatic black chandeliers, and The Cellar, a pub and bowling rink. The Hotel Palace Bridge is just a mile from the Winter Palace, the main building of the Hermitage Museum and former residence of Catherine the Great, and the Peter and Paul Fortress and Cathedral.
Hotel Palace Bridge
V.O. Birzhevoi pereulok 2--4
(Vasily Island) 199004
St. Petersburg, Russia
011-7-812-335-2200
sokoshotels.fi
Also on Vasily Island, this 255-room, boutique-style hotel has a Russian tea room, saunas and a library. The Brasserie Repin serves French- and Russian-inspired dishes, while the Irish Pub 8th Line offers beers and stouts in a casual setting. Table games and cocktails can be found at the Lobby Bar. The Hotel Vasilievsky offers standard and superior rooms, suites and combi rooms. The must-see Imperial Estate of Peterhof, one of St. Petersburg's most popular sites, is 20 miles from this hotel and includes Monplaisir Palace, the Empress Elizabeth's Grand Palace and Nicholas I's Cottage Palace.
Hotel Vasilievsky
V.O. 8 Liniya 11-13, 190034
St. Petersburg, Russia
011-7-812-335-2290
sokoshotels.fi
