W St Petersburg, Russia [Master Thread]
Dec 13, 2012, 1:11 pm
#46
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New York, NY
Programs: FSPP, Virtuoso, Belmond Bellini Club, STARS, Hyatt Privé, Peninsula PenClub, etc.
Posts: 112
Note Cash & Points Not Available Mid-May through September
While I was writing up my hotel review of the W St. Petersburg I noticed on the SPG calendar that Cash & Points rates are *not* available mid-May through end of September, at least for 2013. So do take this into account if you were planning to stay during the White Nights or even late summer/early autumn.
Jul 2, 2013, 4:37 pm
#48
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Jul 2, 2013, 11:24 pm
#49
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: London, UK
Programs: Not much these days: BA Silver, Bonvoy Lifetime Gold, HH Gold
Posts: 1,326
Yes they do. Recently returned from a 4-day stay there and the Green Choice was offered. No door tags but you could call down to WW before 2am te night before and decline housekeeping for the 500pt credit.
Jul 3, 2013, 7:22 am
#50
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: DL Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold, SPG Platinum
Posts: 56
Sep 26, 2013, 3:37 am
#51
Join Date: May 2001
Location: New York, New York
Posts: 1,602
We returned to this property for 5 nights prior to heading out to Moscow, and then stayed one additional night on return trip from Moscow to Helsinki. Our trip last year to this property convinced us that we needed to return to the W, and we did. We continued to have excellent service beginning with emails from the W Insider beginning a week or so before our arrival, and when we arrived, some of the back office people came out to greet us, as they told us we were one of the first travelers that returned to this property on trips that were purely vacation. Needless to say, we were treated to Junior Suites on both of our stays, as well as basket of fruit and a bottle sparkling wine. One of the rooms was the same one we had previously and my wife was continually wowed by the room and the staff.
The hotel continues to do well-when we were there, we were told that the occupancy was 100% for the month, and only one day were there rooms (2) available. The Four Seasons has had a soft opening across the street with slightly more than half of the rooms open, and I suspect that many staying at this property will come to the W to enjoy the Alain Duccase inspired menu. We were told that the lobby restaurant facilities have been redesigned and that construction will begin shortly to improve this facility as it does not have the warmth that other parts of the hotel has.
Taxi service is superior here, as it is difficult frequently to find a taxi at some remote locations such as museums. This time we took a local taxi from Finlandia Station to the hotel and paid 800 rubles as well as on the return when we used one of the many MB taxis that park in front of the hotel.
Like hotels in Russia, the W tends to be expensive, and there are many reviews describing its well deserved excellence.
We have now been to St. Petersburg and the W for 12 nights in two years and believe that we have not seen all that we would have liked to see. We talked about again returning perhaps in a few years to follow the progress of this hotel, its fine staff, and the tourist sites of the town. We took advantage of the SPG program and used points for our stays at this superb hotel.
Even with our previous experience, obtaining a visa remains a hassle even though we live in NYC and the Russian Visa office is nearby our loft. Like about 95% of those seeking Visas and doing it ourselves, we needed a second visit so that our applications were up to the required specifications of the Russian office. Others like UXB have noted this difficulty here on FT. Yes, we continue to believe that the easiest way to travel to St. Petersburg is by the Allegro fast train with speeds up to 230 KM/hr between Helsinki and St. Petersburg. The Sapsan betweeen St. Petersburg and Moscow is a bit faster with speeds up to 250 KM/hr.
The hotel continues to do well-when we were there, we were told that the occupancy was 100% for the month, and only one day were there rooms (2) available. The Four Seasons has had a soft opening across the street with slightly more than half of the rooms open, and I suspect that many staying at this property will come to the W to enjoy the Alain Duccase inspired menu. We were told that the lobby restaurant facilities have been redesigned and that construction will begin shortly to improve this facility as it does not have the warmth that other parts of the hotel has.
Taxi service is superior here, as it is difficult frequently to find a taxi at some remote locations such as museums. This time we took a local taxi from Finlandia Station to the hotel and paid 800 rubles as well as on the return when we used one of the many MB taxis that park in front of the hotel.
Like hotels in Russia, the W tends to be expensive, and there are many reviews describing its well deserved excellence.
We have now been to St. Petersburg and the W for 12 nights in two years and believe that we have not seen all that we would have liked to see. We talked about again returning perhaps in a few years to follow the progress of this hotel, its fine staff, and the tourist sites of the town. We took advantage of the SPG program and used points for our stays at this superb hotel.
Even with our previous experience, obtaining a visa remains a hassle even though we live in NYC and the Russian Visa office is nearby our loft. Like about 95% of those seeking Visas and doing it ourselves, we needed a second visit so that our applications were up to the required specifications of the Russian office. Others like UXB have noted this difficulty here on FT. Yes, we continue to believe that the easiest way to travel to St. Petersburg is by the Allegro fast train with speeds up to 230 KM/hr between Helsinki and St. Petersburg. The Sapsan betweeen St. Petersburg and Moscow is a bit faster with speeds up to 250 KM/hr.
Nov 5, 2013, 8:11 am
#53
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: DL Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold, SPG Platinum
Posts: 56
On my last visit continental breakfast was free as a platinum and it was nice enough alone. I generally prefer a cold breakfast so it worked out fine
Jul 31, 2014, 9:22 pm
#54
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 471
Wonderful hotel
I stayed at the hotel for (4) nights in July. I have no status with Starwood and used Points and Cash to book a standard King ( Wonderful ) room. I really liked the hotel, its location and especially the service.
On arrival, a plate of sweets and a hand-written welcoming note from the staff was waiting for me. The room was tastefully decorated, modern and comfortable. A robe, slippers and a great coffee-making equipment were part of the amenities. After just one day, the staff was greeting me by my first name. Every request I had was taken care of in just a few minutes after my call.
When the TV in my room “malfunctioned”, the technician arrived 5 minutes after I called the front desk. After (30) minutes of messing with cables the TV was working again but not “perfectly well” as defined by the technician. (3) hours later, a bottle of wine and a basket of fruit was delivered to my room, along with a hand-written apologies for the inconvenience. Nice!
The location of the hotel is great and I spent hours walking around the area, including an evening stroll to Mariinsky ( formerly Kirov ) Theater.
Overall, I had a wonderful stay, thanks to the hotel staff that went above and beyond to make me feel like part of the family.
On arrival, a plate of sweets and a hand-written welcoming note from the staff was waiting for me. The room was tastefully decorated, modern and comfortable. A robe, slippers and a great coffee-making equipment were part of the amenities. After just one day, the staff was greeting me by my first name. Every request I had was taken care of in just a few minutes after my call.
When the TV in my room “malfunctioned”, the technician arrived 5 minutes after I called the front desk. After (30) minutes of messing with cables the TV was working again but not “perfectly well” as defined by the technician. (3) hours later, a bottle of wine and a basket of fruit was delivered to my room, along with a hand-written apologies for the inconvenience. Nice!
The location of the hotel is great and I spent hours walking around the area, including an evening stroll to Mariinsky ( formerly Kirov ) Theater.
Overall, I had a wonderful stay, thanks to the hotel staff that went above and beyond to make me feel like part of the family.
Aug 1, 2014, 11:47 am
#55
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, AC Elite, Airmiles Gold, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
Posts: 785
One of best stays ever
Had a fantastic stay in June for 5 (of course
nights) .
Both Plat families (us and friends) were upgraded to W Suites each -- very nice for 2 adults and 2 smaller kids.
Plat recognition is very high -- though breakfast was called "continental", it had a half dozen of hot options (for all 4 as a Plat amenity), fruites, candies for kids and a bottle of nice Italian wine for papa and mama.
Breakfast was good. Especially cava style sparkling wine to start your morning on a high note
Location is perfect -- quiter street next to the Hermitage, Admiralty, Nevsky Prospect and St Isaac's Cathedral.
Just steps from the river -- whoever wants to go to Peterhof by a hydrofoil boat may find peers just in front of the Admiralty ($20 each way).
Overall, immaculate service from bellhops, restaraunt people, waiters and especially, from W Insider Daria and manager Marina.^
Quickly raised to the top order in my 80+ SPG props world wide. Hope to come back next summer -- left so many musems behind
nights) . Both Plat families (us and friends) were upgraded to W Suites each -- very nice for 2 adults and 2 smaller kids.
Plat recognition is very high -- though breakfast was called "continental", it had a half dozen of hot options (for all 4 as a Plat amenity), fruites, candies for kids and a bottle of nice Italian wine for papa and mama.
Breakfast was good. Especially cava style sparkling wine to start your morning on a high note
Location is perfect -- quiter street next to the Hermitage, Admiralty, Nevsky Prospect and St Isaac's Cathedral.
Just steps from the river -- whoever wants to go to Peterhof by a hydrofoil boat may find peers just in front of the Admiralty ($20 each way).
Overall, immaculate service from bellhops, restaraunt people, waiters and especially, from W Insider Daria and manager Marina.^
Quickly raised to the top order in my 80+ SPG props world wide. Hope to come back next summer -- left so many musems behind
Aug 1, 2014, 1:32 pm
#56
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,172
Very cool - have a trip planned there for 4 nights next May. Happy to get C+P as the cash rates were like $700/night.
Oct 17, 2015, 8:50 am
#58
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Rio de Janeiro, BRAZIL
Programs: AA 4MM EXP; Starwood Lifetime Plt
Posts: 2,498
Nov 27, 2015, 7:31 am
#59
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: UA 1K, Delta PM, AA EXP, Marriott AMB, IHG Gold
Posts: 448
Had a great 2 week stay here. Excellent platinum treatment and engagement from the W insiders. Great location and easy walk to everywhere. Was upgraded to a fantastic suite, which was really nice. Great breakfast food and spa (although very nice gym and swimming pool are on the small side). Only complain is slight inconsistency of housekeeping.
Dec 27, 2015, 7:09 am
#60
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 82