Alexander House

The Alexander House hotel is an independent hotel name after its owner, Alexander Zhukov. The 19th-century building was originally used as a residence for a wealthy merchant and features a three-story white facade with decorative lintels, wood doors and shutters, and a cross gable roof. The restored interior offers a stylish vibe that takes advantage of materials like natural wood and maintains the charm and homeyness of a sophisticated personal residence. The lounge, library, and restaurant are all standout spaces with wooden floors, wood-beam ceilings, beautiful decorative rugs, and shelves full of books and antiques. But a few missteps, like a lipstick-red leather couch, detract a bit from the regal air. Hallways are wide and feature little sitting areas. Some parts of the premises take advantage of exposed brick walls, while stairways are decorated with reproductions of classic paintings. There is no elevator, but staff will assist with luggage. This hotel is geared toward leisure travelers who are satisfied trading a central location for more intimate and personal accommodations.

The Alexander House is located on a quiet, residential street overlooking the Kryukov Canal, slightly removed from the city's main tourist areas. The Mariinsky Theatre is about a 10-minute walk from the hotel. The nearest subway stop is about a 20-minute walk, but there are bus and tram stops just around the corner, about a five-minute walk away. Most top tourist sites, like the Hermitage Museum, the Winter Palace, the Russian Museum, the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, and Nevsky Prospect (St. Petersburg's main street) can be reached in 10 to 15 minutes by car or 30 minutes via public transportation. Pulkovo International Airport is about a 20-minute drive. The hotel has free parking and can arrange for car service or airport or ferry terminal transfers. 

The Alexander House has 20 rooms, each named for and inspired by a different international city. Rooms are charming and stylish, with a homey feel and varying color palettes that range from vibrant, multi-hued spaces like the Delhi Room, to the more neutral tones of the St. Petersburg Room. The Nairobi Room, for example, has a canopy bed with a bright duvet and a patchwork tiled shower, while the London Room has a wood floor, wood-beam ceiling, and exposed brick walls. 

Standard rooms may measure as little as 160 square feet, but include additional bathroom space that can be almost half the size of the room. Deluxe Rooms add sitting areas and measure over 250 square feet and also include additional space in roomy bathrooms. The hotel also has an apartment with a fully equipped kitchen. All rooms are air-conditioned and include desks, wardrobes, safes, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and free Wi-Fi, but no coffee/tea facilities. Bathrooms are roomy and equipped with showers, hairdryers, toiletries, plus some have bidets.

The hotel has a stylish casual restaurant with a bar and 24-hour food service. Food is good overall, but the extensive free breakfast buffet is the real standout. Room service is available 24-hours. The hotel also has a beautiful lounge and library, which are homey enough to feel more like rooms in a personal residence than in a hotel. There's also a small but charming courtyard garden with a pergola and a wood terrace with sitting areas.

The hotel has a concierge, 24-hour front desk, and English-speaking staff who can assist with tours, transport, recommendations, tickets and reservations, and airport transfers. The hotel can arrange for childcare or laundry and dry cleaning service. There is a computer and printer in the lobby for guest use, plus Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. On-site parking is available for free as well.