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Accommodation guide: The Admiralty Island and St. Isaac's Square

For:

  • Exceptional architecture

Against:

  • High prices
  • Lack of local amenities
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Second only to the so-called "Golden Triangle" on the other side of Nevsky Prospekt in terms of popularity with tourists and concentration of sights and attractions, this area to the south-west of Palace Square is also home to several of St. Petersburg's best hotels, with six of the city's top five-star properties clustered close together round St. Isaac's Square, and many other less luxurious but equally highly rated accommodation options nearby.

Comprising the western part of the Admiralty Island between the Neva and Moyka Rivers, the area is essentially a series of formal public spaces – the Admiralty and Alexander Garden, St. Isaac's Square, and Senatskaya Ploshchad (Senate Square) – that flow one into the other, showcasing the grand neoclassical architecture of the early 19th century. Meanwhile, the Moyka River Embankment and Bolshaya Morskaya Ulitsa, the neighborhood's main thoroughfare, offer a more eclectic mix of architectural delights, ranging from rococo 18th century mansions to some very fine Art Nouveau commercial buildings from the early 20th century. Since the opening of Admiralteyskaya Metro Station in 2011, the only real disadvantage of this area has been largely rectified, although once you get west of Ploshchad Truda public transport options are still very limited. Closer to Nevsky Prospekt, meanwhile, the lack of grocery stores can be a problem if you're considering self-catering accommodation.

Recommended accommodation on the Admiralty Island:

34, Bolshaya Morskaya Ulitsa, St. Petersburg, 190000, RussiaShow on map 653 m
Nearest metro: Admiralteyskaya
Comprising only five guest rooms, Casa Leto is more bed and breakfast than hotel, but an exceptionally luxurious bed and breakfast with spacious and beautifully designed guest rooms and very high levels of service from the Italian owner and friendly, English-speaking staff. There is also a cozy communal lounge where free refreshments are served all day. Casa Leto is housed in a converted apartment (the hotel does not have a separate street entrance) a few steps from St. Isaac's Square.  
DELUXE
from
$63
per night
99, Naberezhnaya Reki Moyki, St. Petersburg, 190000, RussiaShow on map 1.10 km
Nearest metro: Admiralteyskaya
Excellent value is the main selling point of this modern design hotel located around 200 meters from St. Isaac's Square on the Moyka River Embankment. The eclectic, luridly colored interiors will not be to everyone's taste, and the level of facilities is not quite up to full international 5-star standards, but for comfortable and distinctive accommodation close to all St. Petersburg's top attractions the Domina Prestige is hard to fault.  
DELUXE
from
$113
per night
1, Voznesenskiy Prospekt, St. Petersburg, 190000, RussiaShow on map 639 m
Nearest metro: Admiralteyskaya
Opened in 2013 in a historic neoclassical mansion next to St. Isaac's Cathedral, the Four Seasons Lion Palace has set new highs for luxury in the St. Petersburg hotel market (not to mention cost). Spacious and sumptuously decorated rooms and suites, many with terraces and prime views of the cathedral and the Admiralty, are matched by exceptional facilities including a four-level Spa and fitness centre, contemporary fine dining, and impressive event space. »»»
LUXURY
from
$360
per night
53, Ulitsa Galernaya, St. Petersburg, 190000, RussiaShow on map 1.73 km
Nearest metro: Admiralteyskaya
Located on the English Embankment in a house where Alexander Pushkin lived during the first year of his marriage (hence the name), the Happy Pushkin is a 3-star hotel with a lot of character and an interesting location, offering 46 guest rooms decorated in a lavish traditional style. Entered from pretty Galernaya Ulitsa, the Happy Pushkin is very convenient for the Mariinsky Theatre (under ten minutes' walk away) and Vasilevskiy Island, but a long way from the metro. »»»
STANDARD
from
$48
per night
8, Admiralteyskiy Prospekt, St. Petersburg, 190000, RussiaShow on map 469 m
Nearest metro: Admiralteyskaya
Although there is nothing in the way of on-site facilities at this recently opened small hotel, the combination of exceptional location opposite the Admiralty building and only five minutes' walk from Palace Square and the Hermitage, as well as spacious, stylish and very comfortably fitted accommodation (including studios with self-catering facilities), make the Petr Hotel an appealing option. It helps that there are several good restaurants right next to the hotel. 
SUPERIOR
from
$63
per night
14, Malaya Morskaya Ulitsa, St. Petersburg, 190000, RussiaShow on map 537 m
Nearest metro: Admiralteyskaya
Boasting a superb location between St. Isaac's Square and Nevsky Prospekt, the Petro Palace is an exceptionally popular deluxe hotel that in a decade of operations has established a strong reputation for service and comfort, with a full range of superior business and leisure. Prices are resonable for the area, and the only disadvantage of the Petro Palace is that, when at full capacity in the tourist season, public areas can get very crowded, with some delays in service as a result. »»»
DELUXE
from
$102
per night
Very Good 5.00
3 reviews
39, Bolshaya Morskaya Ulitsa, St. Petersburg, 190000, RussiaShow on map 780 m
Nearest metro: Admiralteyskaya
While newer rivals continue to crop up nearby, the Astoria, opened in 1912 right opposite St. Isaac's Cathedral, still holds its own as one of St. Petersburg's very best luxury hotels, striking just the right between modern luxury and historic charm. Guest rooms have a homely, understated elegance, while facilities include traditional fine dining, a full Spa and fitness centre and extensive meeting venues shared with the neighboring Angleterre Hotel. »»»
LUXURY
from
$271
per night
Very Good 4.50
2 reviews
62/2, Naberezhnaya Reki Moyki, St. Petersburg, 190000, RussiaShow on map 2.04 km
Nearest metro: Admiralteyskaya
Universally praised as one of the best hostels not only in St. Petersburg but anywhere in Europe, Soul Kitchen is located in a converted communal apartment next to the Moyka River less than five minutes' walk from St. Isaac's Cathedral. The very friendly atmosphere and beautifully designed interiors, with exceptional attention to detail and guest comfort, justify the comparatively high rates for dorm beds, while private rooms are a worthy alternative to all but the most luxurious hotels.  
Hostel
SUPERIOR
from
$14
per night
6, Voznesenskiy Prospekt, St. Petersburg, 190000, RussiaShow on map 599 m
Nearest metro: Admiralteyskaya
Unlike its nearby rivals, the W St. Petersburg eschews historic stylings and traditional luxury for a more contemporary take on 5-star comfort and service. Modern rooms and suites boast exceptional technical amenities as well as sleek, vibrant interiors. The same style carries over into the W's leisure facilities, which include a small Spa and fitness centre, a highly rated restaurant and lounge bar with terrace overlooking St. Isaac's Cathedral. »»»
LUXURY
from
$200
per night