Hotel Dostoevsky in St. Petersburg
A Review of the Central, English-Friendly 3-Star Hotel in Russia
The 3-star Hotel Dostoevsky offers a safe, relatively comfortable place for English speakers in St. Petersburg, Russia, but do travelers get their money's worth?
First-time travelers to Russia who don't speak the language but are watching their roubles may consider the well-known Hotel Dostoevsky for its central location, mid-budget price, and experience in dealing with English-speaking clientele. The hotel claims to offer other perks as well, but unfortunately doesn't always follow through.
Nevsky Prospekt, Shopping Mall, Metro and Taxis
Hotel Dostoevsky is located at Vladimirsky pr 19, about 2 minute's walk from the bustling Nevsky Prospekt. It's a fabulous location, with a shopping mall -- full of cafés, chic boutiques, and a grocery store -- attached to the back of the hotel. As well, the Vladimirskaya Metro station is about 20 feet from the hotel's front door.
The hotel staff routinely order taxis for hotel guests, and the drivers will escort their passengers onto the destination premises and sort any rough patches before abandoning their charges -- a stress-free perk, especially for guests who are feeling overwhelmed by the culture and/or the language.
Bedspreads, Internet, Breakfast and Other Disappointments
Hotel bedspreads, anywhere in the world, often give the impression they've been around awhile, and all too frequently, they seem not to have been washed nearly enough. The Hotel Dostoevsky's bedspreads, dingy and worn, are exemplary in this case. However, once peeled back, they reveal sparkling white, crisp sheets and thin duvet -- a welcome surprise.
As advertised, Internet access is available in guest rooms (bring or borrow a cable), however guests must pay for this access on top of their regular room rate. This may not be adequately explained in the booking process, so when booking, beware. Service is roughly 245 roubles (about $10 CDN) per hour and the connection is not very reliable.
Breakfast, served in a very warm restaurant on the 5th floor of the hotel, is in the form of a buffet with hot and cold dishes, fruits, yogurt, coffee and tea. The atmosphere can get quite steamy and loud, and during the morning rush, there can be long waits for favorites like coffee and bleni (pancakes) to be replenished by the staff. It is recommended that guests leave plenty of time for breakfast at the hotel, or else break their fasts elsewhere.
Hallways and Heat
Earplugs are recommended, as room walls are thin and voices and laughter from the hotel hallways carry right into the guest rooms. While there is a thermostat control in each room, there is no air conditioning and rooms facing the inside atrium of the mall do not have windows that open; consequently, they can get quite warm and stuffy.
Cash and Staff
There is a cash machine in the hotel lobby and another at the bottom of the back stairs at the mall entrance. Both are great places to stock one's wallet, as there is no need to worry about pickpockets watching.
The staff is a delight. Some speak English better than others, but all exhibit the calm, detached manner that seems to run in the blood of all Petersburg locals. The concierge is ultimately patient with detailed requests, and the reception staff do their best to ensure guests have all the information they need.
The hotel does not charge an extra fee for VISA support and are very prompt at delivering a VISA invitation upon booking (within 24 hours). This alone can be a deciding factor for the first-timer planning a trip to St. Petersburg, for once the VISA application is taken care of, attention may be spent focusing on the fun details of the trip, like which room of the Winter Palace to explore first.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
