What’s it like? One of two huge converted Park Inn properties in St Petersburg, the other being the Park Inn Pribaltiyskaya (click here for the review) with a third, new-build Park Inn due to open on the city’s famous Nevsky Prospekt in early 2010. The Pulkovskaya property is the slightly smaller of the two existing hotels, at “only” 840 rooms, and was rebranded as a Park Inn in 2006. The public areas have been given a makeover with the standard colourful Park Inn branding, and 188 of the rooms have also been renovated. Rezidor is in discussions with the owner of the property regarding the renovation of the remaining rooms.
Where is it? Overlooking Ploshchad Pobedy (Victory Square), around 5km from Pulkovo International airport, and 11km from the city centre. The hotel provides a free shuttle service to the city centre (departing every two hours at 1000, 1200, 1400, 1800 and 2000), and Moskovskaya metro station is within walking distance of the property, with direct access to the station on Nevsky Prospekt.
Room facilities The renovated rooms are spread across the Standard and Business Friendly categories, so it’s worth requesting one of these when making a reservation. These rooms are simply decorated, with dark blue being the predominant hue and splashes of other colours from framed prints on the walls.
Facilities in all rooms include air conditioning, TVs with satellite channels, workdesks, wifi internet access (charged at 200 rubles for one hour or 600 rubles for 24 hours), empty fridges, and modern bathrooms with bright red mosaic tiling and combined bath/showers. Rooms at the front of the hotel have the best view, looking out on to Victory Square.
Restaurants and bars The signature eatery, Paulaner, is an atmospheric Bavarian restaurant and brewery that is a must for visitors to the hotel. The décor is a mixture of wooden flooring and furniture, red and blue drapes on the ceilings, and the brass of the brewing tanks and piping that are positioned within the restaurant itself. As the name would suggest there are several types of the Paulaner brand of beer on offer, alongside traditional German and Russian food, and live music in the evenings. The restaurant was hugely popular when we visited, and it’s not surprising that a sister version will appear in the forthcoming Park Inn on Nevsky Prospekt.
Other options include Japanese restaurant Hagakure, an all-day diner with a log fireplace and serving “hearty food and icy Vodka”, and a lobby bar serving snacks including Beluga caviar pizza.
Business and meeting facilities There are 21 recently renovated meeting rooms across two wings, plus the Congress Hall, which can accommodate up to 500 delegates theatre-style. The hotel’s restaurants can also be hired for events, including Paulaner, which can seat up to 550 people for a banquet. There is also a VIP area – the Paulaner Banquet Hall – which can seat up to 100 people. All meeting rooms feature natural daylight, air conditioning and wifi internet access, and there is a business centre with internet access, printing and photocopying facilities.
Leisure facilities There is an outsourced leisure facility within the hotel that includes an indoor swimming pool, fitness centre, Finnish and Turkish saunas, and spa treatment rooms. Guests in suites and Business Friendly rooms have free access to these facilities, while all guests have free access to a separate hotel sauna.
Verdict Extensive facilities and a great signature restaurant, the Park Inn Pulkovskaya would be a good choice for large groups or those looking to be close to the city’s airport.
Fact file
How many rooms? There are 840 rooms, of which 713 are Standard, 100 are Business Friendly and 27 are suites.
Price Internet rates for a midweek stay in November started from 3,950 rubles.
Contact Park Inn Pulkovskaya hotel, 1 Pobedy Square, St Petersburg; tel +7 812 740 3900; parkinn.com
Mark Caswell
