Staying at the Renaissance in St Pete?
 

Little tip that I did not know before going to St Pete. If you are staying at the Renaissance, you are allowed to use a separate entrance to the Hemitage, usually reserved for groups. There is even a special booth where you show your key and bypass the line. As a hotel, the Renaissance is just OK--esp for $700 a night. BUT the partnership with the Hermitage is nice. Also, it is a GREAT location.

Yes it is in an excellent location. I had noticed the Hermitage thing but when I was there previously (in the winter) there was no need to go to a special booth to avoid lines.

I agree that the hotel is basically just ok....and if you paid 700/night then its less than that. Hopefully your rate included breakfast :)

Luckily we were on Marriott points. Russia is outrageously expensive these days, even more so in light of the economic crisis. The location is great, but not sure that I would spend that much on the Ren.