This hotel is located near to St Isaac's Cathedral, the Bronze Horseman, Admiralty and many more sights. We spent three nights here in February 2012 as part of a business trip. My previous experience of Renaisance was that it was better than a Courtyard but not as posh and expensive as a JW Marriott. I would say that this Renaissance is more akin to a Courtyard: the entrance, reception and lobby of the hotel are small, modern and not dissimilar to a Travel Lodge type place in the UK. Beyond the reception is a lounge area, and beyond that is the only restaurant in the hotel, where breakfast is served. It is definitely not five star - maybe three star.

Again, it is disappointing that internet is charged for in a business hotel, but this seems to be standard in Russia, regardless of whether you stay at a small independent hotel or a chain.

We ate dinner in the hotel, and the menu was very limited, but breakfast was good. You have to ask if you want porridge, which is included in the breakfast buffet price. Eating in the hotel is very pricey, and if you are drinking in the bar be very careful to note what you have as we were charged for an extra four drinks. When we queried this, they were very reluctant to admit a mistake.

The rooms are standard hotel rooms, our was on the sixth floor. The windows overlook the lobby rather than outside, and were quite dark and stuffy (couldn't find anyway of turning the heating down), but were comfortable enough.

As we were taking the midnight sleeper train, we asked for a late check-out. I have found that in most other marriott hotels, this is offered until 4pm free of charge (I am a silver card holder), but here it took a bit of negotiation to get an extension to 3pm.

On the whole, this is a tourist hotel that is sold as a business hotel. It suits tourists due to its proximity to all the beautiful sights, but it is underwhelming as a business hotel. Last time in St Petersburg I stayed at the Petro Palace hotel, which is on the next block, the other side of the cathedral. This was more reasonably priced for much the same in terms of quality and facilities.

It will take fifteen-twenty minutes to to the hotel from the Moskovsky Station due to the clogged up traffic along Nevsky Prospekt (it will take an hour to walk - without luggage), and a hotel car will cost 1300 roubles, compared to a regular taxi which will cost between 300-600 roubles.