The Galaxy Hotel — Hotel in Saint Petersburg

“Galaxy Hotel: Where Four Stars Are as Imaginary as the Amenities”

I booked a stay at the Galaxy Hotel thinking I’d be getting a four-star experience, and boy, was I wrong. Let’s just say the only thing astronomical about this place was the level of disappointment. From the get-go, the Galaxy Hotel proved to be a black hole for every expectation I had, sucking up all hopes of a smooth, enjoyable stay.

First, let’s talk about the booking. Hotels.com promised “pay at the property,” a rooftop bar, and valet parking. But what did I find upon arrival? The owner chuckling at the notion of valet, handing us a spot in the employee parking lot, the “only” parking option. As for the rooftop bar and restaurant—spoiler alert! They’re as elusive as a shooting star. The staff’s excuse? “We opened early for the hurricane!” Ah, yes, nothing says five-star charm like hastily flinging the doors open with zero preparation and expecting guests to be impressed.

The WiFi was so weak it couldn’t even run the smart TV, despite two calls to the front desk. First, I was told maintenance would come, then later assured they’d “speak to maintenance,” who, apparently, is as real as the advertised amenities. I resorted to using my own phone’s hotspot just to watch a movie—a high-tech luxury experience, Galaxy style.

And the bed linens? Let’s just say they gave off more “budget motel” than “stellar retreat.” Add to that the manager taking a leisurely 30 minutes to make an appearance when I asked to speak with her, and it’s clear that customer service here moves at its own glacial pace.

The owner was pleasant enough but offered no real solutions. At the very least, you’d think he could’ve thrown in a free night, especially after admitting that third-party booking sites mistakenly tout their nonexistent amenities. His defense? “The app says we have them, but it doesn’t say they’re open.” By that logic, I guess they could advertise unicorn rides and live jazz performances if they wanted.

If you’re considering a stay here, be warned: The Galaxy Hotel’s four stars are purely fictional, and its advertised amenities are about as real as a comet sighting. The one bright spot was the young lady at the front desk—she deserves a raise for trying to make sense of this mess. But overall, this place needs to come back down to Earth before advertising itself as anything more than a one-star mirage. Save your money, your data, and your...

"Luxury Single Room" 404||- One elevator out entire stay. Other elevator had difficulty getting cleanly past floor 9 (of 12) in either direction, flashing "out of service" and reversing direction for no reason.|- Front desk frequently unmanned - just a sign proclaiming possible "bathroom break" and providing a phone number to call.|- Coffee/pastry counter in lobby only open in morning.|- Nice people, but obviously way understaffed.||Good:|- Excellent location (1st St and 3d Ave N).|- Large window wall facing east, toward bay. Good curtains.|- Large room, modern looking, sofa, soft king bed with fitted sheet. (But odd pillows that compress like a leaking balloon if you try to use them to support your head in a seated position to read.)||Bad:|- Very cheap furniture. No safe. No desk. One long shelf/desk about 18 inches deep, w/ no power.|- No instructions for anything; no literature anywhere at front desk or in room about hotel facilities.|- No gym.|- Room never serviced. Had to go to front counter to get clean towels.|- A/C very loud for about 5 minutes every 15 minutes. even with fan set to "on", not "auto", making good sleep difficult.|- Large TV with few useful channels, very limited remote.|- Poor lighting overall. Reading only possible at one side of bed and at window.|- Both bathroom wall switches outside, behind bathroom door.|- No glass(es)in bathroom.|- Dangerously loose toilet seat, swiveling ~30 degrees either way. Nothing near toilet on either side or in fron that can be reached for assistance.|- Toilet paper holder on wall behind toilet seat to one side, not easily accessible.|- Defective faucet -- trickle instead of stream at cold setting.|- Horrible shower - spacious, but rainfall showerhead one foot from wall, straight down only due to low pressure. In addition, dime store wire soap holder jammed in that corner, further impeding movement under shower.|- No pump bottles for body wash/shampoo/ conditioner. Only tiny (1.5 ounce?) bottles that can't even be squeezed.|- One extra-large bath towel, one much too small bath towel.|- Really crappy, tiny, Walmart (actual source) drip coffee maker. Pods that don't yield decently flavored coffee.|- Two one-use packs sugar, napkin, stir rod. Two paper coffee cups -- that's it.||We would never stay...

"Luxury Single Room" 404

One elevator out entire stay. Other elevator had difficulty getting cleanly past floor 9 (of 12) in either direction, flashing "out of service" and reversing direction for no reason. Front desk frequently unmanned - just a sign proclaiming possible "bathroom break" and providing a phone number to call. Coffee/pastry counter in lobby only open in morning. Nice people, but obviously way understaffed.

Good: Excellent location (1st St and 3d Ave N). Large window wall facing east, toward bay. Good curtains. Large room, modern looking, sofa, soft king bed with fitted sheet. (But odd pillows that compress like a leaking balloon if you try to use them to support your head in a seated position to read.)

Bad: Very cheap furniture. No safe. No desk. One long shelf/desk about 18 inches deep, w/ no power. No instructions for anything; no literature anywhere at front desk or in room about hotel facilities. No gym. Room never serviced. Had to go to front counter to get clean towels. A/C very loud for about 5 minutes every 15 minutes. even with fan set to "on", not "auto", making good sleep difficult. Large TV with few useful channels, very limited remote. Poor lighting overall. Reading only possible at one side of bed and at window. Both bathroom wall switches outside, behind bathroom door. No glass(es)in bathroom. Dangerously loose toilet seat, swiveling ~30 degrees either way. Nothing near toilet on either side or in fron that can be reached for assistance. Toilet paper holder on wall behind toilet seat to one side, not easily accessible. Defective faucet -- trickle instead of stream at cold setting. Horrible shower - spacious, but rainfall showerhead one foot from wall, straight down only due to low pressure. In addition, dime store wire soap holder jammed in that corner, further impeding movement under shower. No pump bottles for body wash/shampoo/ conditioner. Only tiny (1.5 ounce?) bottles that can't even be squeezed. One extra-large bath towel, one much too small bath towel. Really crappy, tiny, Walmart (actual source) drip coffee maker. Pods that don't yield decently flavored coffee. Two one-use packs sugar, napkin, stir rod. Two paper coffee cups...