St, Petersburg International Hostal

we stayed in this hostal for 5 days in june 2008. the hostal is fine, it's about 15 minute walk to the large shopping street Nevsky Prospekt. sometimes the showers didn't give hot water. the breakfast is all right, and there is a guy that manages the breakfast. at first he is somewhat un-gentle with people and stuff, however if you give him your best smile he defrosts a little and then he's all right.

if you are unlucky you will be sleeping on the 4th floor. not very relaxed with much luggage... the hostal is in a quiet street, and has the XXXX-bar 10 feet away. always a good party spot nearby.
some small food shops are in the neighborhood. we didn't use the kitchen, and i don't think that people are encouraged to use it. the breakfast room is closed at 10 AM sharp, so you don't have a room to eat in, except the dorm.

at the reception there are some computers for internet. sometimes they are slow.

PS: important: don't forget to study the cyryllic alphabet before you go to Russia, and also take it with you! they are not keen on western writing at all. especially when travelling in subway, you will need to use that alphabet to translate. also, hardly anyone speaks english. look for young people with i-pods in their ears, with them you have more chance of relatively easy communication. be prepared! ;)