Crowne Plaza St. Petersburg – Ligovsky

The 2011 Crowne Plaza St. Petersburg - Ligovsky is situated in a grand, nine-story building with an elegant exterior that includes such details as faux columns, multi-story arched windows, and a green roof with dormer windows and a skylight. The lobby is small but luxurious, with marble floors and a neutral color palette of beige, tan, and gray accented with bright pink pops of color -- a nod to the Crowne Plaza chain's signature color. Modern, square button-tufted couches and gray micro-suede armchairs are clustered into sitting areas, inviting guests to linger. Details -- green tinted windows, inset ceilings with mirror accents, and golden birds that accent wood columns -- make the difference here. The hotel attracts a wide spectrum of guests, including business travelers and tourists, especially couples, but families check in here, too.

The Crowne Plaza is about a 10-minute walk to Nevsky Prospect, St. Petersburg's main street. It's directly across the street from a large shopping center, and there are several public transportation links, and restaurants and shops are in easy walking distance. The hotel is a five-minute walk to the city's main train station, Moskovsky vokzal. Popular attractions are a bit of a hike on foot, but they're reachable in about 20 minutes to a half hour via public transportation. It's about 75 minutes to Pulkovo International Airport via public transportation, or about a 40-minute drive -- the hotel can help arrange pickups and drop offs.

• 15 minutes to Kazansky Cathedral via public transportation
• 20 minutes to State Hermitage Museum via public transportation
• 20 minutes to Russian Museum via public transportation
• 20 minutes to Saint Isacc's Cathedral via public transportation
• 20 minutes to Savior on the Spilled Blood Church via public transportation
• 22 minutes to Mariinsky Theater via public transportation
• 30 minutes to Summer Garden via public transportation
• 35 minutes to Peter and Paul Fortress via public transportation

The 195 rooms and suites at the Crowne Plaza St. Petersburg are stylish and contemporary, though somewhat generic, with a subdued color palette and modern amenities. In Standard Rooms, for example, brown-and-beige wall-to-wall carpeting meets neutral walls, while white bedding is accented by deep-brown throws. Wardrobes are dark-brown wood with golden floral accents, a motif repeated above the beds and in the bathrooms. Upholstered dome chairs next to the beds add a touch of luxury. Guests have noted some wear-and-tear on the furniture, but overall, rooms are clean and well-maintained. Glass windows with blinds separate the sleeping areas from the bathrooms, which are fully tiled in beige and include showers; some rooms have shower/tub combos. Upgraded rooms can be more luxurious with modern chandelier lighting, molded wall detailing, and separate living areas.

Rooms are air-conditioned and include desks and chairs, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and wardrobes with storage space, ironing amenities, and safes. Rooms also include mini-fridges, free bottled water, and coffeemakers. Bathrooms come with toiletries, robes, and hairdryers. 

Crowne Plaza St. Petersburg - Ligovsky has solid amenities covering all the expected features. Olivetto is the hotel's restaurant, which serves pretty good European and Russian cuisine for lunch and dinner, as well as a daily breakfast buffet. The breakfast buffet is extensive, with standard fare like fruit, juice, breads, and extras such as sparkling wine and made-to-order omelets, but it isn't included in all room rates. The small but stylish lobby bar is open from morning until late, and also serves snacks and desserts. Room service is available during limited hours.

The hotel also has a small but well-equipped 24-hour gym, with a range of cardio equipment and weight-lifting machines, free weights and jump ropes. There's also five meeting and event rooms, an alcove with a computer and printer for guests' use, and free Wi-Fi throughout the property. An ATM is located near the elevator, and gifts are for sale in the lobby.

 A concierge can help book restaurants or cars, and the hotel offers dry-cleaning and laundry service. There's an on-site car park, but parking comes with a fee, and the required passport reservation services also come with a fee.