You can’t be the location, smack-dab in the middle of Nevsky Prospekt, and you’re only a 10-minute walk from the Hermitage and virtually all of the major sights in town.

The breakfast buffet costs $24 per person, but I’m not complaining, because it is among the best I’ve ever seen (boiled eggs, scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, potatoes, baked beans, cereals, fruits, a fresh juice squeezer, yogurts, salmon, meats and cheeses… and on and on and on)!

Located on Nevsky prospekt corner with Vladimirsky prospekt, Hotel Radisson is a 5-star luxury hotel that caters mostly for high-class tourists and businessmen. A taxi from the airport to the hotel takes less than 30 minutes. The nearest metro station is Mayakovskaya located about 400 metres east of the hotel. Bus 1 and Bus 22 both ply along Nevsky prospekt with a stop right in front of Hotel Radisson's main entrance.

This 164-room hotel occupies a neoclassical building which was renovated in 2001 after being taken over by the Radisson chain. No expense was spared in restoring the building, which was opened with much fanfare in July 2001. Even before getting inside, you are greeted by the friendly porter who carries your luggage to the lobby. Elegant and magnificent, this extravagant lobby houses the reception on the left and the top-class café-bar Cannelle on the right. The helpful receptionists speak perfect English. Hand in your passport and visa for registration purposes; they will be returned to your room in a couple of hours.

The rooms of most luxury hotels in Russia are categorised as lux, half-lux, classical standard, classical improved and business-class. Radisson's classical standard rooms are the cheapest at US$300 while the lux go for US$450. There are also a couple of royal suites each costing US$1,500. These prices will be much cheaper if you book ahead through an agent in your country. Whichever room you choose however, you can be sure that it comes with luxury furniture and furnishings and all modern amenities. Minibar, satellite television with American and European channels, telephone with automatic wake-up call and air-conditioning are available in all rooms. The top-class clean bathrooms are equipped with both bath and shower. Hot water with automatic temperature control, body soap, shampoo, shower caps and clean towels are available daily.

On the ground floor, besides the lobby and the Cannelle café-bar, there is a state-of-the-art glass-roofed lounge where you can relax and read a paper from the range of English, German and American papers available. On one side of the lounge, an exchange office opens around the clock while the other side is entirely occupied by the huge Barbazan restaurant. Offering a vast menu of traditional Russian and Mediterranean cuisine, this restaurant is one of the best in St. Petersburg. Intimate, romantic and with live music daily, this is the place to be if you want to enjoy an exquisite evening of top-class dining. The included breakfast served in the Barbazan restaurant between 8am and 11am is a veritable experience of exquisite buffet food, hot dishes and culinary delights. Choose from fresh fruit, salmon fillets, hot salmon steak, caviar, hot meat dishes, plain salads, cheese salads, biscuits, cakes, apple pies and more, much more.

Hotel Radisson's excellent location, intimate atmosphere and efficient service are equally appealing. Add to these the exquisite Barbazan restaurant and the cosy café-bar Cannelle and you will understand why in just 3 years, Radisson St.Petersburg has succeeded in gaining a reputation for excellence.