| By :
Oleg Shkaruta
Copyright (c) 2010 Oleg Shkaruta Hospitality industry is highly developed in St Petersburg. You can easily find there any type of lodging you need from luxury apartments to modest studios. If it is the first time for you to visit the northern capital of Russia, you might find useful the following advices on choosing a lodging and making reservation through the internet. Being prepared beforehand, your stay in St Petersburg will be more pleasant and enjoyable. Tip1. Check reservation and payment terms. Nowadays it is very common to book accommodation through the internet. Many websites offer apartments in St Petersburg for rent and at the first sight all of them look similar. But sometimes the details are crucial, so, it is important to check the terms of service they offer. Trusted agencies always work on contract basis. Dealing with an online agency without a contract means that you will not have any guarantee for your booking. Always ask about conditions of money refund. Usually the company provides moneyback in case they fail with their service or if you check out before the date of leaving mentioned in the contract. Payment methods and terms also vary. Most of agencies require one night prepayment and settlement of the entire amount upon check in. Tip 2. Check apartment's photos and details online. The websites which offer accommodation for rent usually provide a complete description and photos for each flat, studio or villa. Sometimes you can find even virtual tours showing every residence in details. The larger an apartment is, the more photos should be provided. Make sure you can see every corner and are satisfied with the furniture and household equipment. Check whether an additional sleeping place for guests can be arranged. Note that the space may look different on photos; therefore you need to ask about rooms' measurement. Tip 3. Find out apartment's location. Location is the most important aspect while renting an apartment in St Petersburg. All cultural and business life takes place in the historical centre of the city, which is not very large. It includes Nevsky Prospect, Vasilevsky Island and Petrogradskaya Storona. If you plan any business or cultural activities, make sure the lodging you choose is located near the places you want to visit and within walking distance from main streets and metro stations. Roads in St Petersburg, like in any other major city, suffer from traffic jams. Apart of that, drawbridges across the Neva are drawn at night for navigation purposes. That is why it is not possible to move between different areas of the city which are separated by the river, as the drawbridges are raised between 1:30 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. Tip 4. Clear up safety issues. Every tourist in St Petersburg should follow some basic safety rules. Make sure you lock the door at night and when going out. Pay attention to the door quality. People there usually use iron doors covered by wooden panels. As most of buildings in the centre of St Petersburg lack concierge service, it is safer when entrance doors and yards are lockable. Tip 5. Ask for free and paid additional services. Self-catering apartments are provided with minimum services like cleaning and linen changing. However, some agencies offer additional assistance, which may be very beneficial especially for foreigners. Upon reservation, ask about the list of services provided for free and with extra charge. They may include airport transfer, tickets booking and excursions arrangement. If you don't speak Russian it is more convenient to deal with one agency, which can take care of all you may need during your vacation. Not every traveler can take into account all peculiarities of a new destination from the first time. The above mentioned advices will help you to book an ideal accommodation according to your requirements and to know what to expect during your trip.
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