Antares: Unveiling St. Petersburg's Hidden Nevsky Prospect Gem!
Antares: Unveiling St. Petersburg's Hidden Nevsky Prospect Gem!
Antares: More Than Just a Hotel – It's a St. Petersburg State of Mind (with a Few Hiccups!)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea on Antares, the so-called "hidden gem" nestled on Nevsky Prospect in St. Petersburg. Forget those airbrushed travel brochures; I'm here to give you the REAL deal, warts and all. And trust me, there are some interesting warts.
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Let's Get Real: The Unfiltered Antares Experience
First impressions? WOW. Nevsky Prospect at night is magical. Antares, thankfully, doesn’t disappoint on the exterior - a sleek, modern facade that promised something special. The entrance, however… a bit underwhelming. Felt like walking into a slightly fancy airport lounge, not a grand hotel. But hey, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right?
Access & Accessibility: A Mixed Bag
Accessibility: I'm happy to report that navigating this place in a wheelchair is feasible. Wheelchair accessible: I'd give it a solid 4 out of 5 stars. The elevators worked (a HUGE win!), and the public areas were mostly easy to maneuver. Elevator
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges The hotel's restaurant and lounge is accessible. Facilities for disabled guests The Hotel offers facilities for disabled guests.
The biggest issue? The sheer VASTNESS of the place. You could walk for what felt like miles to get to your room (more on those later…).
Rooms: A Tale of Two Worlds (and Questionable Interior Design)
Available in all rooms: Let's run down the features of the rooms, It includes Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens. My room was… interesting. The "luxury" was definitely there, but it felt like someone threw every fancy hotel feature possible into a blender and hit "liquify." First, the bed. HUGE! Like, could-sleep-a-family-of-four-comfortably huge. The extra long bed was a plus. Blackout curtains were a lifesaver after a long day of sightseeing. But the decor? Let's just say there were more mirrors than I've ever seen in one place. Mirrors everywhere! The mirror, felt like living in a funhouse, which was fun, but, weird. The desk was nice, and the Internet access – wireless and Internet access – LAN worked flawlessly. Free Wi-Fi = major points. I even got a complimentary tea bag, a nice touch.
**The *Private bathroom* was nice and spacious, the separate shower/bathtub were appreciated, and the bathroom phone was a nice touch. The bathrobes were fluffy, and the slippers were perfect for padding around in.
Cleanliness & Safety: Feeling Secure… Mostly
Cleanliness and safety: The hotel staff seems to prioritize hygiene and safety. Anti-viral cleaning products seem to be used. Breakfast takeaway service is available. Cashless payment service is available. Daily disinfection in common areas is in place. First aid kit is available. Hand sanitizer is readily available. They use Hot water linen and laundry washing systems. They have Hygiene certification. Individually-wrapped food options are available. Physical distancing of at least 1 meter is observed. Professional-grade sanitizing services are used. Rooms sanitized between stays. They have a Safe dining setup. Sanitized kitchen and tableware items are in place. Shared stationery removed. Staff trained in safety protocol. They have Sterilizing equipment.
I actually relaxed a bit knowing the people working there are prepared.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: A Feast for the Senses (and Maybe the Stomach)
Dining, drinking, and snacking: The food options are plentiful and of a high standard. There's a restaurant, a bar, and a coffee shop.
A la carte in restaurant is available. Alternative meal arrangement is available. Asian breakfast is available. Asian cuisine in restaurant is available. There is a Bar available. I got a Bottle of water. Breakfast [buffet] is available. Breakfast service is available. Buffet in restaurant is available. There is Coffee/tea in restaurant. The hotel has a Coffee shop. Desserts in restaurant are available. There is Happy hour. International cuisine in restaurant is available. There is a Poolside bar. There are multiple Restaurants. Room service [24-hour] is available. Salad in restaurant is available. Snack bar is available. Soup in restaurant is available. Vegetarian restaurant is available. Western breakfast is available. Western cuisine in restaurant is available.
The breakfast buffet was the kind of place where you can eat until you feel sick. A lavish spread of everything you could imagine. The Asian cuisine in restaurant offerings were impressive. I had the ramen and it was divine.
The poolside bar was another winner. Sipping a cocktail while watching people swim… bliss. The room service [24-hour] was a lifesaver after a long day of sightseeing.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Where Antares Shines
Things to do, ways to relax: There are plenty of opportunities to relax and have fun at the hotel. Body scrub is available. Body wrap is available. There is a Fitness center. Foot bath is available. Gym/fitness is available. Massage is available. There is a Pool with view. There is a Sauna. Spa is available. Spa/sauna is available. Steamroom is available. There is a Swimming pool. There is a Swimming pool [outdoor].
Now, the good stuff. The pool? UNBELIEVABLE. Pool with view - a massive, indoor pool with a jaw-dropping view of the city. I literally spent hours just floating around, staring at the skyline. Absolutely magical! The Fitness center was well-equipped. The Spa? A heavenly escape. The Sauna and Steamroom were perfect for unwinding. I heard the Massage was excellent, but my wallet wept in protest. Maybe next time!
Services & Conveniences: The Little Things Matter (or Don't)
Services and conveniences: the hotel offers a range of services to make your stay more comfortable. They have Air conditioning in public area. They provide Audio-visual equipment for special events. They have Business facilities. There is a Cash withdrawal service. They have a Concierge. There is Contactless check-in/out. There is a Convenience store. There is a Currency exchange service. They offer Daily housekeeping. There is a Doorman. They have Dry cleaning. They have an Elevator. They have Essential condiments. They have Facilities for disabled guests. There is Food delivery. They have a Gift/souvenir shop. They have an Indoor venue for special events. They will provide you with an Invoice if needed. They provide Ironing service.
Pelham House Resort: Dennis Port's BEST-KEPT Secret? (MA)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the swirling, vodka-soaked heart of St. Petersburg. And we’re doing it from the Antares hotel on Nevsky Prospect, which, let’s be honest, sounds a bit like a space mission, doesn't it? Don't expect smooth sailing, because this is my trip diary, and I'm basically a walking disaster.
Day 1: Arrival, Anxiety, and Architectural Overload
- 10:00 AM (ish): Landed at Pulkovo Airport. The flight was fine… until the moment I realized I’d left my noise-canceling headphones in Heathrow. Panic. Pure, unadulterated panic. How am I going to survive the screaming children/loud talkers/general airplane cacophony on the train?! (Spoiler alert: I didn't. I ended up listening to a woman’s phone conversation about her cat's digestive issues. Fascinating, yet unsettling.)
- 11:30 AM: Taxi to Antares. The driver, a man whose face could curdle milk, clearly thought I was an idiot for not knowing Russian. He grunted, pointed, and eventually grumbled something that loosely translated to "pay up, tourist.” I just smiled, gave him the exact change, and prayed he wouldn’t key the car. The hotel itself? Nice enough. Tiny room, but hey, it’s centrally located. And the view from the window is… buildings. Lots and lots of buildings. Beautiful buildings, mind you. They're like architectural eye candy, but after the flight, my eyes are still processing the idea of buildings.
- 1:00 PM: Wandered onto Nevsky Prospect. Oh. My. God. The scale! The grandeur! It's like a movie set that's been running for centuries. Took about a million photos of the Kazan Cathedral. Then, promptly lost my scarf somewhere in the crowd of tourists. (Note to self: Invest in a brightly colored, easily-identifiable scarf.)
- 2:00 PM: Lunch at a café that, according to the guidebooks, was "charming." More like "cramped." Ordered something that looked vaguely like a chicken sandwich. Turns out it was… interesting. Let's just say, Russian cuisine is a journey. A journey I might not be entirely equipped to handle.
- 3:00 PM: Walked into a church. The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood. My jaw hit the floor. Seriously. It felt like walking into a Faberge egg. Literally. The stained glass was gorgeous. I was just, staring at it, not even noticing the groups around me.
- 4:00 PM: Back to the hotel for a power nap. This travel thing is exhausting! Woke up slightly disoriented, convinced I'd slept for a week.
- 6:00 PM: Stumbled out for dinner. Found a place with slightly less aggressive waitstaff and tried something called Pelmeni. Surprisingly good! And the vodka? Smooth as silk. Or, you know, whatever a silk-like vodka is. (I had one. Maybe two. Don't judge.)
- 8:00 PM: Wandered back to the hotel, feeling slightly woozy but mostly overwhelmed with the sheer, staggering beauty of this city. Honestly, I could get used to this. (Famous last words.)
Day 2: Canals, Catherine, and Cognitive Dissonance
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast. The hotel breakfast was… adequate. The coffee, however, was an abomination. Seriously, how can they mess up coffee this badly? (Mini-rant complete.)
- 10:00 AM: Canal tour. Magical! Seriously, floating along the canals, seeing the palaces and bridges from a different perspective? Sigh. But the boat was full of selfie-stick wielding maniacs who kept bumping into me. And then there was the pre-recorded tour guide who seemed like he was narrating from the bottom of the Mariana Trench. So much for serenity.
- 12:00 PM: Catherine Palace. Versailles, eat your heart out. This place is gaudy, over-the-top, and absolutely breathtaking. I took a photo with the Amber Room. It was dazzling.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch at a rather ordinary place. Another chicken. Food is a challenge.
- 2:00 PM: Walked through the gardens of the palace. I could have stayed all day because that was relaxing.
- 4:00 PM: Back to the hotel.
- 6:00 PM: Tried a ballet. The Mariinsky Theater. I had a breakdown beforehand, because I have some issues. The ballerinas were graceful and amazing, the costumes were stunning, but I was in the bathroom with a nosebleed, before the show while also crying. Don't ask. The show was a blur of tears and beauty. I don’t think I moved for three hours. I only got out of my seat to use the bathroom again because I was nervous for the entire show.
- 9:00 PM: Late night snack from a local shop. Found some chocolate. Ate the entire bar in about five minutes. A small victory.
Day 3: Remorse, Recovery, and the Hermitage (Attempted)
- 8:00 AM: Wake up feeling like a truck ran over me (the vodka, you see). Regret. So. Much. Regret. Spent the first hour wallowing in self-pity and nursing a headache. The bright Russian sun wasn't helping.
- 9:00 AM: Managed to drag myself out of bed. Breakfast. Tried coffee. Learned from my mistake.
- 10:00 AM: The Hermitage. Arrived. Queues. They stretched around the block. I looked. I gulped. I turned around. Apparently, my cultural endurance has a limit. (Perhaps I should have planned a whole day.)
- 11:00 AM: Decided to take a stroll. Found a small park. People-watched, and sat in silence.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch. Another one. It's a recurring theme.
- 2:00 PM: Visited a local store, found a scarf, and then proceeded to lose it.
- 3:00 PM: Bought the same scarf. Twice.
- 4:00 PM: Lay down in my room.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner.
- 8:00 PM: Sleep.
Day 4: The Long Road Home
- 10:00 AM: Final breakfast. Tried to force down what I thought was a Russian donut. It was not.
- 12:00 PM: Taxi to the airport. Said goodbye to Nevsky Prospect.
- 1:00 PM: Flight.
- 2:00 PM: Landed.
- 7:00 PM: Back home.
Final thoughts? St. Petersburg is a city of extremes. Of beauty, of chaos, of vodka-induced mishaps. I’m exhausted, slightly broke, and my brain feels like it's been run through a blender. But would I go back? Absolutely. Just… maybe with a better itinerary, more scarves, and a stronger tolerance for Russian coffee. And possibly a therapist. But hey…that's the beauty of travel, right?
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Antares: So, You Wanna Know About This Hidden Gem? (Brace Yourself)
1. Okay, spill. What *is* Antares, exactly? Is it some secret society or what?
Haha, no secret society (as far as *I* know, anyway. Maybe the bartender's in on something...). Antares is this… *thing*, tucked away on Nevsky Prospect. Think of it as a cozy little haven. It's essentially a café/bar/restaurant, all rolled into one. Seriously, it’s like they crammed a whole universe into a single building. Tiny, but mighty. And, well, *hidden*. You could walk past it a hundred times and miss it. Which, honestly, is part of its charm. It feels less like you stumbled upon a business, and more like you unearthed a secret. A very boozy, possibly dessert-filled secret.
2. How hidden are we talking? I have the navigational skills of a goldfish.
Okay, look, finding Antares is a quest. A tiny quest, but a quest nonetheless! It's *on* Nevsky, that's the good news. The tricky part is the entrance. It's… well, it’s not screaming "COME IN!" from the street. I vaguely recall a small, unassuming door. Pretty sure there's a sign, but it's not a neon extravaganza. You'll probably need to squint. Bring glasses if you have them. I once spent a good ten minutes wandering around, convinced I was in the wrong place. Then, finally, lightbulb moment. "Oh, *that's* it?" So, yeah, prepare for some wandering. Worth it, though. Totally worth the minor existential crisis of wondering if you've lost your mind.
3. What's the vibe? Trendy? Loud? Romantic? Terrifyingly quiet?
Alright, the vibe. This is where things get interesting. It's… chill. But not offensively chill. Like, you can actually chat without shouting over EDM. It's not overly trendy, which is a HUGE breath of fresh air. Slightly romantic (especially if you snag a cozy corner – which, let's be honest, is a competition). The music is usually good, never intrusive. I’ve seen groups of friends laughing, couples whispering, a lone person engrossed in a book (that was me at one point, basking in the comfortable silence). So, yeah - it’s flexible. It adapts to your mood. And that, my friends, is hard to find.
4. The food! What can I expect? Is it edible? (Be honest.)
Edible? Honey, it's *good*. Honestly, way better than it has any right to be for a place that's so… understated. The menu’s not overwhelming, which is a plus. I've had some amazing pasta there. Like, "suck-it-up-and-eat-it-even-though-it's-way-too-hot-and-you're-pretty-much-gonna-burn-your-tongue" amazing. The salads are fresh, the desserts are… well, I developed a slight addiction to a particular chocolate cake. Don't judge me. I also recall some excellent pierogi, but the names are a bit… let’s call them ‘intimate’... I just want everyone to know; the food is a serious contender for best in show. Honestly, it’s the sort of place where you contemplate changing your life so you can eat there every day. I almost did.
5. Drinks! (Because, you know…) What's the cocktail situation like?
Drinks. Oh, the drinks. They're serious about their cocktails. This is where the "bar" part of "cafe/bar/restaurant" really shines. They have a well-curated list, and the bartenders *know* their stuff. Don't waltz in and order a Long Island Iced Tea (unless you *really* want to be judged). They're all about craft cocktails. I once had a Moscow Mule that was, hands down, the best I've ever tasted. It was so good, I almost *asked* them to marry me (I did not, fortunately, but the thought crossed my mind). They also have a solid wine selection and beer. Basically, they have something for everyone. Just… be prepared to maybe linger a *little* longer than intended. The atmosphere just encourages it.
6. The service. Is it good? Does it take three hours to get a glass of water? (Important questions!)
Okay, the service. It’s generally pretty darn good. It’s not lightning-fast, but it’s attentive. I’ve never had a truly bad experience. They're friendly, they remember your order (sometimes, which feels amazing!), and they don't make you feel like you're a massive inconvenience, which is a HUGE win in my book. They seem to genuinely *care*... which is unusual, honestly. St Petersburg service can be… *variable*. But Antares consistently delivers. It's not perfection, but it's solid, and it's genuine. So, no, you won’t die of thirst. Unless you order a vodka martini. Then *that* might take a minute, because you're probably going to order another.
7. Heard it's small. Do I need a reservation? Or am I stuck hovering like a vulture?
Yes, it is small. Tiny. Cozy. And yes, you *might* need a reservation, especially if you're going during peak hours (dinner, weekends). I learned this the hard way. Picture me: late at night, starving, fantasizing about that chocolate cake… and being turned away. Devastating. So, yeah, do yourself a favor and call ahead. Honestly, it's worth the extra step. Especially if you're a chocolate cake addict like yours truly. Or even if you just want to have a normal, civilized human experience of eating. But if you're *not* the planning type, try going at an off-peak time, like late afternoon. You might get lucky. But don't blame me if you don't.
8. Okay, what's the *one* thing I absolutely *must* try? Don't leave me hanging!
Alright, the *one* thing. This is tough, because it depends on your preferences… But, okay. FOR ME? The chocolate cake. Hands down, no contest. It’s not just a cake, it's an *experience*. Rich, decadent, perfect. But if you're not a cake person (who *are* you?), go for the pasta. Or try their cocktails, specifically the Moscow mule. Or,**Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Khampare Chiang Mai Hotel - Your Thai Paradise!**
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