Stay with my wife for 5 days in St Petersburg at Hotel Vera. Staff was very friendly and helpful, with directions, making reservations and all of our other requests. The rooms were clean, and although a little small, we're great for what we needed them for.

Our laundry was done for a reasonable price (although not folded very well - but that is a real first world problem I admit), drinks for 3 for 2 during happy hour and breakfast was included. This is a great place to stay at a great price.

The Hotel Vera is right on the trolley bus route making the journey to all the major sights a breeze. The rooms are small but comfortable, and all have fridges. With so much to see and do in St Petersburg there is no need to spend too much time in the room anyway. The food is inexpensive and high quality, they even have happy hour with 2 for 1 drinks including cocktails. The staff are friendly, knowledgeable and speak excellent English. They went out of their way to help us find an obscure shop we would never have been able to find on our own. A bargain for such a big city. Would definately stay there again if we were to return to St Petersburg.

I chose this hotel based on tripadvisor reviews and it was a great choice. For this price range it's very good. I arrived at 9am and they immediately checked me in without any extra charge. My room was upgraded after it turned out that TV in my room had some problems. The customer service was very impressive. The girls in the reception (especially Alina) were very polite and helpful. The hotel is in a good location, 3 stops from the main avenue (Nevskiy prospekt). The bus stop is in just 2 mins from the hotel. The breakfast was OK, not much choice. Wi-fi was free but slow in the rooms. Overall, I highly recommend this hotel. You will love St Petersburg!!!

If you read my review of Vera Hotel from 2010 (below), you already know that I love this hotel. If you did not, I recommend you do as I described it in great detail and don't want to repeat myself.

It is de facto my "home away from home" in St. Petersburg. In September, it was my 3rd stay in this hotel in the past two years and I am about to book a 4th one. There is no doubt in my mind that this hotel represents the best value and (by far) the best service in St. Petersburg and I am looking forward to staying in Hotel Vera this December....

General notes and changes from the last year.

Since 2010, the hotel went through an important renovation adding a somewhat spacious and fancy lobby with a bar and moved their "breakfast cafe" from the 7th floor to a larger basement room right underneath the above mentioned front lobby. I have not visit the front lobby bar, but from the looks - it serves coffee and beer and (I assume) food from the main cafe. I have seen some people having a drink in the front lobby / bar and enjoying free wifi on their laptops at all hours of the day. I really liked the new lobby, especially the ramp for rolling your suitcase in, instead of dragging it up the 2nd floor like in the old "temporary" set up. There is a "Tripadvisor.uk excellence award sticker" on the front door - rightfully deserved if you ask me.

More on Food

I have opined on St. Petersburg's dining in my previous post, but I have to note that there is a general 24-hour store directly across the street where you can purchase cigarettes, chocolates, food, bottled beverages and alcohol (alas under new Russian rules only until 11PM -23.00). There is also already mentioned Spanish restaurant across the street (did not try but was told "very decent") and a slew of all kinds of restaurants down the Nekrasova street (including a somewhat mysterious "Uzbek-Sushi" establishment). The hotel's main cafe is usually empty - but don't be deceived - the food is home made and insanely delicious! If you are too tired after 6-hour tour of the Hermitage - do not hesitate to eat in the Vera's cafe. There are also hot / cold water coolers on some (all?) floors. Included breakfast is still as good and fresh as I remembered it with a notable addition of "hot" options - I believe of scrambled eggs and hot dogs (Dogs sound weird, but ever so popular among Russian guests). The TV in the breakfast room which was last year permanently turned to some Russian talk show was now showing English language news.

Other notable places to eat (not mentioned in the previous review): awesome "Eastern" vegetarian cafe "Botanika" on Pestelya street - 30 min walk from the hotel (great food and tea, free wifi), oh so bohemian Cafe Art Lebedev - frequented by local artists and designers (ul. Zukovskogo 2 - 10 min walk from hotel - great "homie" breakfast, good place to meet with people). CoffeeHouse chain (Starbucks like chain) everywhere - overpriced but decent coffee and sweets.

Hotel Vera Service

Yes, employees of Vera bring new meaning into the world "service" it is more like "SERVICE" - all people who work at the hotel are super friendly, helpful, and aim to please. I was checking out at 3AM-3:00 to catch a 7AM flight and upon checkout a desk girl gave me a package explaining that she (!) put together a "takeout" breakfast for me since I will be leaving so early (which upon inspection included a bottle of water, banana, yogurt and a ham-and-cheese sandwich). WOW! Even the security guards, who in other Russian hotels go out their way to see straight through you like you don't exist, are especially friendly and know your face by the second day. What can I say? The hotel is exceptionally well ran.

Rooms

All the pictures you see on TripAdvisor are of "standard rooms" - if yoxu are willing to pay a bit more, choose a "Classic room" - they are waaaaaay nicer! I always stay in a classic room on the second floor - it is super clean and wifi reception (a must for me) is good enough for Skyping home. I have mentioned to the owner that a Classic room should have an in-room safe and a year later found one in my room. Thank you Vera, very handy to keep my passport and cash-money.

Location

Some reviewers complain that the hotel is "way away from everything" - it is just not true. It is located about 15 minute brisk walk from the main drag Nevsky prospect, Moscow railway station and a Metro station. It is about 20 minute walk from Liteinii prospect, 30 min walk from "Antique center of St. Pb" Pestelya street (don't forget to visit Botanika cafe) and Letnii Garden and 45 minute walk to the Hermitage. I like to walk, but hate crowds so this location is perfect for me - anywhere near Nevsky prospect prices of hotel rooms double and triple and the numbers of people both locals and tourists are go by a factor of 50... And of course, there is public transportation for walking impaired right next to the hotel and a taxi ride to practically anywhere in the center is about $15-20.

Bottom line
I wish all hotels I stay in were this nice, comfortable and had this level of service. And for the price I doubt you will find anything close to Hotel Vera in any of the major European cities. With the money you save, I recommend you explore St. Petersburg's amazing culinary scene.