Arealinn Hotel

Stayed 3 nights here, the hotel was very comfortable and staff very friendly and helpful. First impressions as you walk into the hotel are good, with a couple of sofas and a nice breakfast area which is also "La Casa" Italian restaurant - with a wood fired pizza oven! Although as Russia was in the middle of a heat wave it did make it a little warm. (The prices in the restaurant are reasonable, so it's worth eating here if you arrive late in the day - there is also a very good Georgian restaurant by the hotel too). My room had a double bed which was effectively 2 singles together, so there was a hard section in the middle, it was also difficult to walk round the sides of the bed. However, it didn't disturb me and the bed was very comfortable, although the matress might have been too firm for some people. There wasn't any air-conditioning, but you could open a window and a fan was provided. In fact the extras provided in the bedroom (tea bags, flask for hot or cold water - there was a water cooler in a lounge area near the room) and a range of shower gels, soaps, and dental stuff in the bathroom was very good. There isn't a lift, it didn't both me but if you are travelling with a large amount of luggage you might need some help. Location: The 22 bus (stop in the next block) takes you right into the main area of the city - you can walk there in about 35 mins if you don't stop to take photos! Navskar Metro station (on the red line) is a 10min walk away - very easy to switch lines to get to Admiralty or other stations in the main tourist part of the city (very cheap and easy to get a token). A taxi from St. Izacs cathedral cost about 200 rubles (price seemed to vary! ) Overall a very good place to stay, not too far away from the main attractions.