Helvetia Hotel, Saint Petersburg, is an independent, owner-run hotel in a historic 19th-century mansion at Marata Street 11, a few minutes’ walk from Nevsky Prospekt. According to the hotel, it follows the tradition of family-run European hotels and has 85 rooms.
It consists of two buildings, one facing the street and one at the back of a courtyard. This page covers where it is, how to get there and what to know before booking.
Quick Facts
| Russian name | Отель «Гельвеция» |
|---|---|
| Address | Marata Street 11, Saint Petersburg (улица Марата, 11, Санкт-Петербург, 191025) |
| District | Central |
| Metro | Mayakovskaya (Line 3, About 3 minutes on foot) Vladimirskaya (Line 1, About 5 minutes on foot) Ploshchad Vosstaniya (Line 1, About 6 minutes on foot) Dostoevskaya (Line 4, About 6 minutes on foot) |
| Best time to visit | The hotel is open all year. The courtyard terrace is open from May to October, and the white-nights period is the busiest. Book early for summer. |
| Website | helvetiahotel.ru |
| Last updated | October 17, 2026 |
Why Visit Helvetia Hotel, Saint Petersburg?
- Independent and owner-run: the hotel describes itself as a private hotel with the owner at its head, not part of a large chain.
- Two buildings and a courtyard: one building faces Marata Street, and the other is set back around a courtyard where a terrace opens from May to October.
- Location: Nevsky Prospekt and the Moskovsky Railway Station are a short walk away, and four metro stations are within about 6 minutes.
- Hotel shop: the Helvetia Shop sells homemade delicacies from local farm produce.
Highlights of Helvetia Hotel, Saint Petersburg
The historic mansion on Marata Street
The hotel occupies a historic mansion that was rebuilt in the middle of the 19th century by the Saint Petersburg architect August Lange. It opened as a hotel in 2003, after a restoration of the ensemble that ran from 1999 to 2003.
The street was called Preobrazhenskaya and then Nikolaevskaya before it took the name of the French revolutionary Marat in 1918.
Tip: Look for the entrance on Marata Street; the second building is reached through the courtyard.
The courtyard terrace
The second building is set around a courtyard, and from May to October a terrace is open there. It is a quiet place away from the traffic of Nevsky Prospekt, a few minutes' walk away.
If you travel outside those months, ask the hotel what is open in the colder season.
Tip: Ask for a room facing the courtyard if you want a quiet night.
The Helvetia Shop
The hotel has its own shop, where homemade delicacies from local farm produce are sold. It is a small, easy souvenir stop if you are staying or passing by.
Opening hours are set by the hotel; check them at the reception.
Tip: Buy a gift before you leave rather than on arrival day, when stock is fresh.
The Swiss connection
The name Helvetia is an old name for Switzerland, and the architect Lange, who rebuilt the mansion, took Swiss citizenship in 1871. The hotel was long part of the Swiss Center, which also ran the restaurants Marius and Claret.
Check which restaurants currently operate on site.
Tip: Ask the reception whether the on-site restaurants are open on the day you arrive.
History of Helvetia Hotel, Saint Petersburg
A mansion stood on the site in the 18th century and was rebuilt in the middle of the 19th century by the Saint Petersburg architect August Lange, who took Swiss citizenship in 1871. The name Helvetia, an old name for Switzerland, recalls this.
The architectural ensemble was restored from 1999 to 2003, and the hotel opened in 2003. Marata Street, on which it stands, was first called Preobrazhenskaya and then Nikolaevskaya; it received its present name in 1918.
Booking and Check-In at Helvetia Hotel, Saint Petersburg
Book through the hotel’s own website, helvetiahotel.ru, or an established booking platform, and compare the cancellation terms before you pay (as of October 2026). Listings give check-in from 14:00 and check-out until 12:00; breakfast and deposit rules vary by rate, so read them on the booking page.
- Registration of foreign guests: the hotel registers guests under Russian rules, which are set by the authorities and may depend on your nationality; check with the hotel and official government sources before you travel.
- Payment: the sanctions rules of your own country may restrict some Russian payment services, so check this yourself.
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How to Get to Helvetia Hotel, Saint Petersburg
The hotel is at Marata Street 11, in the Central District.
- Metro: Mayakovskaya (Line 3) is about 3 minutes on foot; Vladimirskaya, Ploshchad Vosstaniya (Line 1) and Dostoevskaya (Line 4) are 5 to 6 minutes away. See How to Use the Metro, Saint Petersburg.
- By train: Moskovsky Railway Station is about 500 m away; see How to Find the Right Railway Station, Saint Petersburg.
- From the airport: Pulkovo is about 14 km away; see How to Get from Pulkovo Airport to the City Centre, Saint Petersburg.
Food Nearby
The hotel has had two restaurants on site; check which are open. Nevsky Prospekt and the streets around Mayakovskaya have many cafes and restaurants within a short walk; see Best Restaurants, Saint Petersburg.
What to Bring
Comfortable shoes for walking, and a warm layer for the courtyard in spring and autumn.
Family Suitability
The hotel is in the centre with metro stations close by. Listings mention childcare and cots; ask the hotel about family rooms and extra beds. Rooms in an old building can be small, so check the size before booking.
Russia Vibes Tips
- Use Mayakovskaya station, the closest; the escalator is long, so allow extra time.
- If you arrive by train from Moscow, you can walk from the station; it is about 500 m.
- The Hermitage is about 3 km away, so take the metro to Admiralteyskaya or Nevsky Prospekt; see How to Buy Hermitage Museum Tickets, Saint Petersburg.
- Ask for a room in the courtyard building if you want quiet; the street building faces Marata Street.
- Buy a souvenir at the Helvetia Shop on your last day, so you do not have to carry it around.
Explore Nearby Helvetia Hotel, Saint Petersburg
Metro stations near Helvetia Hotel, Saint Petersburg
Mayakovskaya Metro Station, Saint PetersburgMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Vladimirskaya Metro Station, Saint PetersburgMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Ploshchad Vosstaniya Metro Station, Saint PetersburgMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Dostoevskaya Metro Station, Saint PetersburgMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Train stations and river piers near Helvetia Hotel, Saint Petersburg
Moskovsky Railway Station, Saint PetersburgMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
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FAQ: Helvetia Hotel, Saint Petersburg
Is Helvetia Hotel part of a chain?
No. The hotel describes itself as an independent private hotel with the owner at its head, inspired by family-run European hotels.
How many rooms does it have?
The hotel's own pages give 85 rooms. Older listings give 75 or 80, so confirm the current number with the hotel.
When did it open?
In 2003, after a restoration of the ensemble from 1999 to 2003. See the history section.
Which metro station is closest?
Mayakovskaya (Line 3), about 3 minutes on foot. See the getting-there section.
Is it near Moskovsky Railway Station?
Yes, about 500 m away, and you can walk. See How to Find the Right Railway Station, Saint Petersburg.
Is there a terrace?
A terrace in the courtyard is open from May to October, according to the hotel.
Is it near the Hermitage?
No; it is about 3 km from the old centre, so take the metro or a taxi.
Why is it called Helvetia?
Helvetia is an old name for Switzerland. The architect who rebuilt the mansion, August Lange, took Swiss citizenship.
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Last updated: October 17, 2026.
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