Luxury Loft near Fontanka River, St. Petersburg: Sleeps 4!
Luxury Loft near Fontanka River: My St. Petersburg Saga (or, Was It Really Luxurious?)
Okay, alright, buckle up. I just got back from this "Luxury Loft near Fontanka River" in St. Petersburg, Russia, and, well, let's just say my expectations and reality did a little dance. I'm still shaking the cobwebs off, and that Russian vodka isn't helping. So, let's dive in, shall we? This is going to be less of a perfectly polished travel brochure and more of a rambling peek inside my brain after a week in the cold, beautiful, and sometimes utterly baffling city.
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First Impressions (and a Few False Starts):
The idea of the loft was gorgeous on paper. Fontanka River, high ceilings, sleeps four – perfect for a slightly ambitious solo explorer like myself. I’d booked it hoping for a dash of luxury after a long day of trudging through the Hermitage. Getting there, however, was a bit of a comedy of errors.
Accessibility (or, The Great Staircase of Doom):
Now, the website claimed to be accessible. But let me tell you, when they use the word "accessible," they apparently mean "there's an elevator somewhere." The entrance? Stairs. Glorious, imposing Russian stairs. Luggage? Forget about it. My poor suitcase looked like a beached whale by the time I got inside. Once past that initial hurdle, the elevator worked (thankfully), which was a massive relief because my knees were ready to stage a revolt. So, accessibility? It’s… complicated. Be prepared. Maybe call ahead to confirm the elevator’s current mood.
(Side note: This is a recurring theme in St. Petersburg. Accessibility is a work in progress. Keep that in mind if you have any mobility issues.)
Cleanliness and Safety (My Germaphobe Heart Had a Moment):
Okay, points for trying. They definitely took the whole COVID thing seriously. Anti-viral cleaning products? CHECK. Daily disinfection? CHECK. Room sanitization between stays? CHECK. There were hand sanitizers strategically placed like little germ-fighting soldiers all over the place. I appreciated the effort, even if it felt a little… sterile at times. And, hey, the hotel has a doctor/nurse on call! (Good, because my perpetually clumsy self probably needed them at least once a day). I even saw a first aid kit which, let’s be honest, is a comfort blanket to me.
The Room Itself (A Mixed Bag of Delights and Quirks):
The loft was impressive, once I’d wrestled my suitcase through the door. Air conditioning? CHECK. Blackout curtains? A GODSEND. The extra-long bed was a dream after a day of sightseeing. The free Wi-Fi was… well, it worked most of the time. And the complimentary tea in the room was a nice touch, though I couldn’t figure out how the hell to work the coffee machine the first morning. I will admit I was slightly mortified, but eventually, I figured it out, thank heaven!
The view from the window was what I expected. And the bathtub! Oh, the bathtub. After all the walking, it was bliss. I should have taken more baths.
However…
- The soundproofing wasn't perfect. I could still hear the faint rumble of traffic from the street. It wasn't awful, but if you're a light sleeper, bring earplugs.
- The desk situation was… basic. It was functional, but not exactly inspiring for writing that novel I've been promising myself I'll write.
- The internet access – wireless worked better than the internet access – LAN. I mean, who even uses that anymore?
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (Fueling the Siberian Wanderer):
Breakfast! This is where things get REALLY interesting. They offer, and I quote, "Asian breakfast," "Western breakfast," "Breakfast [buffet]," and "Breakfast service." I opted for the "Western Breakfast," expecting fluffy pancakes and a veritable mountain of bacon. What I got was… well, it was a continental breakfast. Think cold cuts, hard-boiled eggs, and some questionable pastries. The coffee shop in the lobby saved the day, providing me with the caffeine that I needed. Also, the bottle of water put in the fridge was a nice touch, and I did appreciate the complimentary tea.
Things to Do (and Ways to Zone Out):
This loft had a fitness center! And a spa/sauna! I attempted to use the fitness center once. It was… adequate. The equipment was modern, but the room felt a little… sterile. The pool with view was actually VERY nice.
And let me tell you, that massage was worth its weight in… rubles. Pure bliss. They even had a sauna and a steamroom! It was the highlight of the whole stay.
Services and Conveniences (The Good, the Bad, and the Bureaucratic):
There was a concierge, which was helpful – eventually. The first time I tried to ask for directions, the person I had to speak to did not speak English. After five minutes of frantic pointing and gesturing, someone who spoke some questionable English appeared. Once you get past the language barrier, they were helpful. The daily housekeeping was efficient, and the laundry service, whilst a bit pricey, came in handy. Cash withdrawal facilities were a blessing, as I had to go through that weird process of money conversion between euros and rubles.
For the Kids (Probably Fine, But I Didn’t Have Any):
They have a babysitting service and kids meal options. This is probably fine. I don't have kids, so I didn't test it.
Getting Around (The Taxi Tango):
The airport transfer was smooth and reliable. I used the taxi service a few times. Be prepared for some… interesting driving styles in St. Petersburg. Definitely buckle up and pray!
The Verdict (My Final Ramblings):
Look, this "Luxury Loft" had its moments. The room itself was spacious and comfortable. The spa and sauna were amazing. The location was pretty good. However, the inconsistencies with accessibility, the slightly underwhelming breakfast, and the initial linguistic hurdles with the concierge prevent it from earning a full five stars.
Would I recommend it? Yes, but with caveats. Don't expect absolute perfection. Be prepared to navigate some bureaucratic bumps. And maybe pack your own bacon.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Definitely worth a stay if you are looking for a solid, well-located place in St. Petersburg that provides a lovely spa experience.
Osaka's Hidden Gem: Ebisu's Shirakabanoyado w/ Dining Table (Max 6 Guests)!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's perfectly polished itinerary. We're hitting St. Petersburg, Russia, staying in some swanky "Loft апартаменты до 4 чел. рядом с Фонтанкой" – fancy words for "cool apartment near the Fontanka River, sleeps four". This is gonna be a rollercoaster, folks, a real, messy, human-y rollercoaster.
Day 1: Arrival & The "Wow, My Luggage Is Missing!" Blues
- Morning (Maybe) / Afternoon (More Likely): Fly into Pulkovo Airport (LED). Ugh, airports. The sterile air, the screaming babies, the endless security lines. Side rant: How is it possible to lose my bag? Like, I'm the one who packed it! I have opinions about what goes in there!
- The Meltdown: Spent an hour at the lost luggage desk, speaking broken English. Met a Russian woman with a cigarette permanently glued to her lip who seemed utterly unconcerned. My inner drama queen was screaming.
- Afternoon: Finally found a very charming driver who did the "Russian speed through city traffic" thing. Scared me half to death, but we made it to the apartment. Found it! (Thankfully!) It was ridiculously gorgeous – exposed brick, huge windows, all that jazz. Instantly felt a smidge better.
- Evening: Attempted to find food. Everything looked SO different in Cyrillic. Ended up in a random bakery and just pointed at things. Ate a cheese pastry that was…okay. Then, tried to find a grocery store. Learned the hard way that Google Translate is a liar sometimes. Ended up with a bottle of something that might have been sparkling water, but probably wasn't. The missing luggage feeling still loomed.
- Night: Collapsed onto that plush sofa, mainlining the free Wifi, and silently cursing British Airways. My first impression of St. Petersburg? Beautiful, chaotic, and I'm probably going to need a stiff drink.
Day 2: Palaces & Prosecco (or the lack thereof)
- Morning: Forced myself out of bed. (Jet lag is a beast.) Decided to tackle the Hermitage Museum. This place is HUGE. Like, "could spend a week in one room" huge. I got overwhelmed pretty quickly. The art was stunning, but the crowds were…intense. Found myself whispering, "Excuse me, sorry, please, I'm just trying to see the Mona Lisa!" (Spoiler: The real one is behind a bunch of people.)
- Afternoon: Wandered through the Winter Palace part of the Hermitage. The opulence! The gold! The feeling of being a peasant in a very fancy, very old, home. Did some mental calculations on how much it would cost to live like a Tsarina. (Spoiler: A lot.)
- Evening: Found a cute little restaurant near the apartment. Tried to order some Prosecco. The waiter looked at me blankly. He was like, "Prosecco? What's that, my dear?" Okay, maybe my Russian skills were lacking. Ended up with a lovely glass of local red. Ate some delicious pelmeni (Russian dumplings). Starting to feel a little less lost, a little less luggage-less.
- Night: Felt the need to call my credit card about the missing luggage. The customer service person didn't seem to remotely care. The bad mood from the missing luggage and the lack of Prosecco got to me.
Day 3: Canals, Churches & A Moment of Zen (Maybe)
- Morning: Boat tour on the canals. St. Petersburg from the water? Gorgeous. The city is built on islands, and the canals wind everywhere. Got some great photos. It felt like stepping into a postcard.
- Afternoon: Visited the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood. HOLY MOLY. The colors, the mosaics, the sheer extravagance! It's a visual explosion. I was completely blown away. I just stood there, mouth agape, for a solid ten minutes. Thinking about how long it took to build it, how much detail each of the little pieces have, I was overwhelmed at the craftsmanship and detail. A powerful, moving experience.
- Evening: Wanted to find a more local experience to eat, but struggled to find anything non-English speaking. The lack of a local experience became apparent, but it was my fault. I needed to grow a pair and ask someone!
- Night: Had some real time on the apartment sofa again. Went to bed early. It was a long day, mentally.
Day 4: Pushkin & The Pushy Tourist
- Morning: Day-trip to Pushkin (formerly Tsarskoye Selo), the town with Catherine Palace. The palace itself is even more over-the-top than the Winter Palace. More gold, more marble, more everything! The Amber Room (a reconstruction of the original, which was lost during WWII) was dazzling. Found myself thinking how the Royals lived back then, in this ridiculous luxury.
- Afternoon: Got a taxi back to the apartment.
- Evening: Finally had enough guts to speak some Russian. Ended up at some place to eat. Food was decent, but nothing fantastic.
- Night: One more night in the apartment. Then off.
Day 5: Departure & the "Will My Bag Ever Arrive?" Saga
- Morning: Final stroll through the streets. Feeling surprisingly sad to leave. St. Petersburg has grown on me. Even with the missing luggage.
- Afternoon: Taxi to the airport. More airport chaos. More sighs. More hoping my bag miraculously appears.
- Night: Long flight home. Praying for the best.
Quirky Observations & Emotional Reactions:
- The Russians: Beautiful, but can be a bit…reserved. Lots of stoic faces. But when they smile, it's like the sun comes out.
- The Food: Definitely a meat-and-potatoes kind of place. I miss vegetables!
- The City: A total contradiction. Grand, elegant, but also crumbling in places. A captivating, messy beauty. I felt a mix of awe and frustration the whole time.
- The Luggage: Still MIA. British Airways better have a damn good explanation.
Imperfections & Rambles:
- Okay, my Russian is terrible. Like, really terrible. I relied on hand gestures and Google Translate way too much.
- I got lost…a lot. Walked in circles. Went the wrong way on public transport. It was an adventure.
- I definitely overspent on a few souvenirs. Worth it? Maybe not. But at least I made it home safe.
- I will never forget the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood.
Final Thoughts:
St. Petersburg is a city that challenges you, delights you, and frustrates you all at once. It's raw, it's beautiful, and it's definitely not for the faint of heart. Would I go back? Absolutely. As soon as I get my damn luggage back.
Shanghai's Ji Hotel: Xietu Dong Rd Luxury You NEED to See!
Okay, spill the beans! Is this "Luxury Loft" actually *luxury*? I'm picturing gold-plated faucets and... pigeons.
Alright, alright, let's be real. "Luxury" in St. Petersburg on the Fontanka? It’s not *quite* a private jet, but it's darn close to feeling like you've stumbled into a secret society's hideout, but like... a cool one. Think exposed brick, HUGE windows overlooking the water (yes, actual *water*!), and enough space to swing a cat... or, you know, unpack your suitcase without needing to play Tetris. No gold-plated anything, thankfully – gives off a slightly gauche vibe, doesn't it? The pigeons? They're more of an occasional, pleasant nuisance. You'll hear them cooing, maybe see them peck at something on the window ledge… you can almost smell them, but they're not *inside* the loft. Mostly. (Ahem). It’s more like chic-industrial-meets-St-Petersburg-cool. Think sleek, comfortable couches, high ceilings that swallow your anxieties, and a general feeling of "Wow, I actually *live* here, even if it's just for a week.”
Capacity: Sleeps 4. But is it a comfortable four? Can we actually move around without bumping into each other like clumsy penguins?
Okay, let's address the elephant in the room: "Sleeps 4" can often mean "crams 4." NOT HERE. Seriously, the loft is like a Tardis. Somehow, it *feels* bigger than it should. The two bedrooms are actual, proper bedrooms. Not little closets with beds crammed in. Let me tell you a story: We stayed there with another couple. My partner's a champion snorer and my friend... well, let's just say she has a *unique* sleep schedule. And we all SURVIVED. That, my friends, is a testament to both the soundproofing of the walls AND the overall space. You *can* actually get dressed without tripping over someone's suitcase. Plus, the living room is giant, perfect for late-night chats fuelled by questionable vodka (more on that later...). So yes, comfortable four? Absolutely. Comfortable even if you're stuck with someone's obnoxious snoring? Mostly. Bring earplugs, just in case.
Fontanka River view – does it live up to the hype? Is it just a blurry, distant river thing?
The Fontanka view... oh, it's the reason I almost cried when we had to leave. Okay, maybe not *almost* cried, but I definitely felt a pang of existential sadness. It's not just a "distant river thing." Think picture postcard views. You’re right on the water. You can lean out the window (carefully!) and practically feel the spray. Every morning, you wake up to sunrise blazing across the river. It's beautiful at any time. We drank our coffee overlooking the water every morning. At night? The lights reflecting on the water… a total mood. Romantic, even. (Shh, don’t tell my partner I said that!). One night, we opened the windows and listened to a street musician playing a melancholic tune. It was pure magic. My only complaint? I wish there was a tiny balcony to sit out on. That’s it, a little balcony. That’s my big complaint. Otherwise? Perfection.
Is the location good? I want to be close to the action, but not right in the middle of a tourist stampede.
The location? Goldilocks-approved. Not too far, not too close. It's in a really great, central area, honestly. You’re walking distance to everything you *actually* want to see. Think State Hermitage Museum (get there early, trust me), St. Isaac's Cathedral (magnificent, especially at sunset), and, of course, all the canals and bridges that make St. Petersburg, well, St. Petersburg. BUT (and this is the important part) you're not *smack dab* in the middle of the tourist hordes. You get a little bit of peace and quiet. You still have access to great restaurants and shops. One tip? Find a local *pelmeni* place near the loft. Some of the best dumplings you'll ever eat. It’s this perfect balance of "I'm in the heart of it" and "I can escape the madness when I want." Trust me, you’ll want to escape the madness sometimes. Tourist crowds are brutal.
Amenities – what's actually included? Is there a coffee maker that works, or are we stuck drinking instant?
Okay, let's talk amenities. The good news: yes, there's a coffee maker and it actually works. Praise be! It's not a fancy espresso machine, but it gets the job done. There is also a washing machine, which, after a week of exploring, you will *thank* the heavens for. They had decent internet – which is always a must. And there was a hairdryer, which, as a woman with particularly unruly hair, always makes my life a thousand times easier. The kitchen has the basics. Really. You know, oven, stove, fridge. Enough to whip up a quick breakfast or heat up some leftovers if you’re feeling lazy. Oh, and a bottle opener. Praise be! And, most importantly: a comfortable couch you can crash on after a long day of sightseeing. The only real downside? No dishwasher. But hey, you're on vacation. Embrace the washing-up. It's character-building!
Any Tips for Staying There (Things I should know)?
Oh boy, do I have tips! First, *book ahead*. This place is popular, for good reason. Also, remember to bring your phone charger adapted. Electrical outlets in Russia can be different. Secondly, learn a few basic Russian phrases. Seriously, the locals will appreciate it. Even a simple "Здравствуйте" (Zdravstvuyte - Hello) can get you a smile. Third, Embrace the walking. St. Petersburg is a walking city. Pack comfy shoes because you WILL be putting in the miles. Fourth, the key system is a bit…old-school. Take care of the key. Really. And one more tip. If you're a light sleeper? Pack earplugs. Like I said before, the city can get noisy at night. Especially if you're near a bar. Okay, and one more, *really* important tip: Don't be afraid to get lost! St. Petersburg is a city of hidden gems. You might discover something amazing you wouldn't find otherwise, like the world's best *pirozhki* - a baked or fried pastry. Just... don't get *too* lost. Know where the loft is! Finally, enjoy it. This place is a treat.
Okay, but be completely honest: What's the *worst* part about this loft?
Alright, you asked for the truth, warts andHotel Whisperer
