Archaic accommodation (youth hostel) (St. Petersburg International Hostel)

Member Name: moongod

Product:	St. Petersburg International Hostel
Date:	11/04/01 (68 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Reliable, can speak English

Disadvantages: Not that cheap (for Russia), very basic

Archaic Accommodation

Take a turning off the main promenade that leads down the Hermitage.
Instantly, it is eerily quiet. Past a deserted park and down a couple more deserted street. Knock on a metal sheet door…a CCTV camera blinks down at you.

No, not a scene from the latest Tarantino, but the ONLY youth hostel in St Petersburg. Inside, things are infinitely more cheery, although the receptionist barks at you that you must be back by 12, or you are locked out for the night. However, she is able to say this in English! The staff are not particularly helpful, but they are of a higher standard than most staff encountered in Russia!

The accommodation is old school with few facilities and a basic communal dining hall. The dorms are single sex on wooden beds without lockers. It has the feeling of being on a school trip, except you don’t know anyone that you are travelling with. Toilet facilities were poor with no toilet paper (usual story!) I didn't try the showers which left quite a lot to be desired.

It’s good if you want to meet other travellers, but I would advise a stay in one of the cheap hotels dotted around the city which guarantees you an ensuite bathroom and a quiet place to sleep for little more money. However, you do need to go on recommendation for these, so I can recommend the youth hostel for a basic minimum standard place to sleep - after all, the city's so great, you won't be spending much time there.

DON'T risk the 'babushkas' that approach you at the train station, however tired you might be after the 8 hour train journey!

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