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The W St. Petersburg is Rather Pretty But Rather Expensive Too

A few weeks ago, The W St. Petersburg in Russia finally opened and thanks to a very friendly tipster, we've got an inside look at some of the public spaces and a guest room.

Given that W Hotels have missed the mark a few times in the last couple of years as far as design (W Boston, W London), we're quite relieved to see that this W is just downright pretty. We particularly love the cozy warmth of the Living Room and the kailedoscope lights that hang from the ceiling in the guestroom. But the TV stand is a little funky and there may be a bit of an anti-view.

But how is it actually spending the night here? Our tipster reports back:

The hotel is fantastic! Design is cool, stuff are very professional (which are not typical for the new hotels especially in Russia). Everything is opened now (Bliss, Restaurant, Bar). The roof top terrace (the best part of the hotel with unforgettable view will be opened in June). Unfortunately there is no W party mood now but I hope they will change it soon. The worst thing is the price - from 600 USD for wonderful room.

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W St. Petersburg Will 'Open' in March But You Can't Stay There Until April

Where: 6 Voznesensky Prospec, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation, 190000

We've been spending too much time worrying about the opening of W London we nearly forgot about The W St. Petersburg. But thanks to our handy Master List of Worldwide Openings for 2011, we were reminded to see how this property was doing.

The good news? The opening date is still set for March 1. And you can even make reservations. The bad news is rooms don't really open until April 1.

We found rooms from April 1-3 for 8100 Rubles a night which is about $268. Not bad! Sadly, internet is still 750 rubles for 24 hours which works out to be $25 a day.

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W St. Petersburg Nyet Happening Until March

Where: 6 Voznesensky Prospec, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation, 190000

While we track down the elusive W scent, there's one place you won't be smelling anytime soon--The W St. Petersburg, W's first location in Russia and in Eastern Europe.

Set to initially open on September 1, a commenter alerted us to a new opening date on the hotel's website--March 1, 2011. Now, how do you say "Bummer" in Russian?

Nevertheless, when the hotel opens in March it promises "spectacular views of St. Issac’s Cathedral" and a happening bar scene where "mingling and cocktails are the new social glasnost." (Note: fortunately the phrase "communist cool" is not found anywhere on the site.) You can also expect a terrace bar, a spa and a WET pool on-site.

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What You Most Definitely Don't Want to Find at Your Hotel

Where: 501 5th Ave Ne [map], St. Petersburg, FL, United States, 33701

This is pretty. What two boys did to the hotel pool is not.

Not too long ago, we listed 10 grossest things we've found during our hotel adventures but we think the folks staying at the five-star Renaissance Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, Fla. have something that can top the list.

According to this local news report, two boys scaled a security fence and did the unmentionable in the hotel's pool. (Hint: it involves #2.) The report is vom-inducing and not worth repeating here but it is as every bit gross as you would think. Seriously, we're not sure monkeys at the zoo would do this sort of thing. Spaulding would definitely not be safe here.

Fortunately, the two kids were arrested and have been charged with commercial burglary. The hotel also went out of its way to refund guests for their stays as they were not able to use the pool while it was drained and sterilized. We can only pray this sort of thing never happens to you.

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Russian Hotels for Ballers: The Grand Hotel Europe

Where: Nevsky Prospekt, Mikhailovskaya Ulitsa 1/7, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation

Our Super Secret Hotel Maven network extends far and wide and thanks to another SSHM, we have a mini-guide to Russia's luxe hotels--perfect for ballers, high-rollers and Russian mobsters. It's a mini-guide because it's really only a few hotels in St. Petersburg and Moscow. Up next: The Grand Hotel Europe. Enjoy.

Now on to my favorite hotel in St. Petersburg, Grand Hotel Europe. I actually didn't want to like this place, because well, it's an Orient Express property. And frankly, when I think of Orient Express, I think of Ben-Gay stank old ladies. The hotel is thankfully in a bustling part of St. Petersburg.

Before I made my way over to this area, known as Nevsky Prospekt, I thought that all of St. Petersburg was sitting at home, scared to come out... but no! People shop here! They go on walks! They go out to eat! Before I even saw the building itself, just seeing the neighborhood of this hotel had me at hello, but those hellos just kept coming.

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Russian Hotels for Ballers: St. Petersburg Continued

Our Super Secret Hotel Maven network extends far and wide and thanks to another SSHM, we have a mini-guide to Russia's luxe hotels--perfect for ballers, high-rollers and Russian mobsters. It's a mini-guide because it's really only a few hotels in St. Petersburg and Moscow. Up next: The Eliseev Palace and Hotel Angleterre. Enjoy.

Eliseev Palace

St. Petersburg is a lovely city, I guess. The architecture is delightfully institutional. The snow, I mean slush, is a wonderful hue of mocha. And nothing says warm and fuzzy like Russia, right?

When it comes to the sites, St. Petersburg is all history--lots of palaces and museums and pretty things. Pretty things get boring, though, so this hotel freak decided to give in to addiction and give the sites the finger. Instead, I opted to tour the city's most famous hotels, and I am so glad I did because I can share my notes with you!

I already gave you a rundown of the spot I was calling home, Hotel Astoria, which was fine enough, but I felt I owed it to America to find something a hair better.

Though Four Seasons has promised a hotel coming to St. Petersburg (perhaps opening on the same cold day in hell, I mean Russia, that the "two" Moscow locations will open), we've got to work with what there is for now, and what there is has been there for a long, freakin' time.

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Russian Hotels for Ballers: Rocco Forte Hotel Astoria

Where: 39 Bolshaya Morskaya Street, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation, 19000000

Our Super Secret Hotel Maven network extends far and wide and thanks to another SSHM, we have a mini-guide to Russia's luxe hotels--perfect for ballers, high-rollers and Russian mobsters. It's a mini-guide because it's really only a few hotels in St. Petersburg and Moscow. Up first: The Hotel Astoria. Enjoy.

It's not easy to travel to Russia if you're a picky Angeleno with the sniffles. Recently, though, I did the difficult and braved the subzero temperatures. I saw the two main cities, St. Petersburg and Moscow, and explored the cultural treasures of each. More importantly, though, I made stops at each of the city's key hotels for tours of the facilities and rooms, and have smuggled my reports back to familiar soil.

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Starwood Challenges Hilton's World Domination Plans

Not content to let Hilton have all the world-dominating fun, Starwood plans to open a W Hotel in St. Petersburg, Russia by summer of 2008. Looks like the motto is ever-eastward, now that the chain's two Middle East outposts are underway. What should we expect from the first Russian W?

The W St. Petersburg is centrally located south of the Neva River in the historic centre of St. Petersburg, with many of the city's cathedrals, museums and palaces accessible by foot. The hotel will be located on Voznesensky Prospect, between St. Isaac's Square and the Admiralty, just a stone's throw from the lavish Winter Palace which houses the world famous Hermitage Museum. From their rooms, hotel guests will enjoy spectacular views of the landmark gold-domed St. Isaac's Cathedral.

Current plans call for the hotel to have about 135 rooms and the W's 24-hour concierge service. Maybe that concierge could point us to some free in-room WiFi?

Related Stories:
· W Hotels Heads to Middle East...Again [HotelChatter]
· Starwood plans mid-2008 Opening...  [Business Wire]

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Be Seen at St. Petersburg's Grandest Hotel

Where: Mikhailovskaya Ulitsa 1/7, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation

If you want to be seen in St. Petersburg, Russia, you've got to be on Nevsky Prospekt, the promenading main street where all the pretty young things strut their stuff. And the best place to stay or even just to buy a drink and sit on the street is the Grand Hotel Europe, proudly in the middle of this famous stretch.

Even the name tells you it's the place to be: this is not the Grand Hotel St. Petersburg, or even Russia, but the Grand Hotel EUROPE. On top of this, they've just renovated AND have their own chocolate factory.

Okay, whether it really is the best place to stay or not is debatable, as a lot of guests think it relies on its historical charm rather than providing a modern, satisfactory service. Others think that caviar for breakfast, accompanied by harp music, is the way to experience Russia's prettiest city. Whatever your opinion, there have been plenty of impressive footsteps before you, since a whole gamut of fame ranging from Tchaikovsky through Elton John to Bill Clinton have rested their heads here.

Personally, we think indulging in a snack or a creamy cocktail on the deck out the front is the best way to experience Nevsky Prospekt and spend a relaxing afternoon people-watching. You'll be in good company, even if the staff try to hurry you along.

If you have stayed at the Grand Hotel Europe and have pictures, send them our way as we detest posting photos from hotel web sites like the one above.

Related Stories:
· Grand Hotel Europe reviews [TripAdvisor]
· St Petersburg Tips Part II [HotelChatter]

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Good Rate :: The Pier Hotel

Where: 253 2nd Avenue North [map], St. Petersburg, fl, United States, 33701

[Ed. Note: Welcome to our Good Rate/Bad Rate feature where we look at hotel prices in the same city and decide which is better worth your hard-earned benjamins. The rates we found were valid on September 5, 2006 and are subject to change.]

Now that American kids are all back in school, the Florida beaches are emptying out. This is a fine time to enjoy the warm surf of St. Petersburg and score a deal on a hotel room.

Outside of Miami, it's getting harder these days to find a bit of "old Florida," but The Pier Hotel in St. Petersburg delivers. The hotel was built in 1921 and has that gilded age vibe that's been met with a wrecking ball in most areas. They give you an exterior that looks like it definitely wasn't thrown up in two weeks and an interior full of craftsmen touches. The claw foot tubs remain in the baths, but the place was renovated in 2001, with wi-fi now in place even. Being from an age when isolation wasn't a selling point, it's easy to walk to restaurants and attractions.

Best of all, the rates are a steal this time of year, especially if you shop around. For the 3-night weekend of 9/15 to 9/19, we found a rate of $71-$84 per night at Travelocity for a double, or $84-$97 for a deluxe king. (Spring for the latter if you want a bath that's not sized for 1920s demands.)

These rates come with plenty of extras too: free breakfast, a nightly cocktail hour, parking, local calls, and Internet access. Feel like a baron (or baroness) without emptying out the vault.

Related Stories:
· Pier Hotel Reviews [TripAdvisor]

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Visit Russia: Stay Somewhere With a Soul

Where: 4 Artilleriyskaya Street, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation, 191104

Either faceless business hotels, or refurbished Stalin-era, Russia doesn't have the rep for boutique charm.  But then we heard about the Arbat Nord Hotel in St. Petersburg.

Recent reviewers rave about the comfy beds, and the breakfast buffet which is a big deal since apparently Russia is not known for continental breakfasts.

By no means a luxury hotel, the Arbat Nord is a good in-between choice. The 33-room hotel was renovated in 2003, and is located within walking distance from Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral, Summer Garden, Russian Arts Museum all St. P "Must Sees"). You can even ask the staff how to get places (they speak both Russian and English). They will probably tell you it's a 20-minute walk to the city center, and 10 minute walk to the metro. But you can always have them call you a cab.

Related Stories:
·  Arbat Nord Hotel guest reviews [Trip Advisor]
·  Goodbye Stalin, Hello Savoy [HotelChatter]

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St. Petersburg, Part II

This time, the round up of St. Petersburg, Russia comes from National Geographic Traveler.

Like Daily Candy's previous write up of where to stay, NG also includes Hotel Astoria, "the most stylish and smoothly run hotel in town."

But they also list the Grand Hotel Europe whose "facade and art nouveau interiors have been restored to their original elements."

Located across the way from the Philharmonic, guests are often some of the performers. Rooms start at $350, and that's a bargain.

Another grand hotel, the Grand Hotel Emerald, is a little more affordable with rooms starting at $250 and includes a complimentary breakfast buffet.

The Eliseev Palace wins the award for luxe and grandeur. The hotel has 29 rooms and suites and all of them have modern amenities and then some. Like the hydro-massage baths and butler service. Rooms from $460.

Coming this summer is Moika 22 from Kempinski hotels. It's described as a "neoclassical palace" with 197 rooms near the State Hermitage Museum (the art museum that houses more than 3 million works.) But it's also gonna be pricey with rooms starting at $410.