This property has been in the same aristocratic family for years, and its first generation apparently knew the great poet Alexander Pushkin. It's a charming place to stay if you're seeking an alternative to the big luxury chains. It's quaint, well-decorated, and on the trendy Moika Embankment, a short walk from the Hermitage, Nevsky Prospekt, St. Isaac's Cathedral, and other central sites. Rooms are small but tasteful, with elegant furniture in muted color schemes. The service is attentive and friendly, too. The complimentary breakfast comes with a big selection of breads, pastries, fruit, vegetables, cheese and cured fish and meat; the hotel restaurant is also good and not too expensive.