Is it better to stay in Arkhangelsk in a hotel or rent an apartment? My personal experience of frequent trips.
I've been to Arkhangelsk many times, both for work and just visiting friends, so I really tried all the accommodation options: from an apartment for a day to a variety of hotels. I admit, at first I often rented apartments — it seemed to be the most independent and easiest way. But after I decided that hotels were better after all, and I almost always started staying in the city that way, one day I stayed at the Severnitsa, and since then I've only been returning there. I'll explain why this happened based on my own experience. For convenience, I will compare the apartment for daily rent and my favorite hotel in Arkhangelsk.
Comfort and service
Hotel
After numerous business trips, I realized how important stability and service are. A clean room, a fresh bed, and a normal Internet connection are always waiting for me at the Severnitsa. You don't need to immediately think about towels, where to buy drinking water, or dragging things to the fifth floor without an elevator. They do the cleaning themselves, change the towels on request, and the staff really helps, not just for show. Even if you finish work late at night, you know that you will be met, dinner will be served and everything will be ready for rest.
Flat
I've studied the "like at home" option quite well — I've rented from different owners, sometimes in very different ways. There were good apartments, but there were also frankly tired ones: I expected comfort, but I got shabby walls and a smell from the entrance. It all depends on the mood of the landlord: it's clean, it's dirty, they promised a kettle, but it's not there, in short, a lottery. There have been apartments that you like, but it can be occupied on the right dates. And even the apartments of one owner can differ beyond recognition. After settling in, you take care of the comfort yourself, and sometimes you don't have the energy or desire to deal with everyday things after a whole day of business.
Safety and tranquility
Hotel
A classmate somehow got into an unpleasant situation in someone else's apartment (he was at home, and strangers opened the door with their key!!! When they saw him, they said they had confused him and retreated...) — after that, I thought about the security issue. The hotel is quiet: the territory is fenced, the door is locked, security will arrive in a couple of minutes, video surveillance. The room is closed — things are always in place, even valuable ones. I went in and immediately felt much more secure.
Flat
In apartments, I came across a variety of locks, "collective farm" doors, and sometimes I just took the key in an open mailbox — I can't imagine who could use it and how, and I don't want to. If the area is unfamiliar, the feeling of comfort does not always come quickly, if at all. I have corresponded with the owners more than once to find out what to do if the lock is broken or the neighbors are making noise. There were situations when you just really wanted to leave the apartment, but it was already paid for, and where were you going at night...
Food and infrastructure
The Severnitsa Hotel
In this paragraph, it is about this hotel without generalizations. In the morning, there is always a delicious fresh breakfast, berries and vegetables, as I was told, from my hostess's plot (that is, she grows them herself especially for the hotel), the milk is very tasty! Also from some farmers — I was told, I don't remember. Breakfast at any convenient time — when I woke up, then I ate — and it costs a lot, which helps a lot for a business trip or a long stay. You can get coffee at night, lunch and dinner are delicious at home - right at the hotel. By the way, there is a closed convenient parking nearby, which is valuable if you arrive by car. You don't have to worry about the laundry — there is a laundry room. Well, the important thing for me is a good, stable WiFi.
Flat
Cooking by myself was sometimes pleasant, especially if there were suitable dishes for a long time. Often, even in fairly expensive apartments, there were terrible frying pans and dishes in general — knives are blunt in 99% of cases. But more often there just wasn't enough time and desire. In short, I have plenty of experience "eating doshirak" in an unfamiliar apartment. Sometimes I had to stomp through the snow to get to the nearest cafe, and with breakfast it was either scrambled eggs with bread and butter, or without scrambled eggs...
Convenience of booking
Hotel
Everything is always clear on the official website: I chose, paid, arrived, and the room is ready. There is no need to call a hundred times, specify the address, catch the owner in the city at night. You can change the reservation if necessary, cancel it — everything is human and without nerves.
Flat
There have been situations when a person "changed his mind about renting" or suddenly raised the price. I arrived one day and the apartment hadn't been cleaned yet, so I had to walk around the area for a couple of hours with a bag. When you're in a hurry and you want to rinse and change, these surprises are annoying.
Cost and nuances of payment
The Severnitsa Hotel
Yes, a hotel can cost more than an apartment (although this is not a fact at all, and some apartments, even studios, are often more expensive or comparable in price). But the prices are clear, the promotions are valid, you can pay any way you want and immediately receive all the documents for reporting. There were never any surprises — I got what I was promised.
Flat
Bargaining is possible, yes. But during the holidays, prices soared, and financial issues were often solved only with cash. It's a hassle on a business trip, and if you're late with the payment, the rent goes to someone else. Documents are rarely given at all.
Why do I choose the Severnitsa Hotel now?
For me, everything is simple: if you want a normal level of rest, confidence that nothing will spoil the trip, plus an awesome breakfast, Severnica is the best choice. I have already booked for short visits, and when I came with the whole family, the result is always the same: reliable, comfortable, without unnecessary hassle.
If you were traveling for a month and wanted absolute freedom, you chose an apartment, but for short business or family trips, the hotel definitely wins.
Personal summary
I traveled around Arkhangelsk and apartments and various hotels, but only in the Severnitsa did I manage to feel "at home" without investing my strength in "hostly" worries. How many times I came, I was always sure that cleanliness, silence, breakfasts and staff who really care were waiting for me.
I recommend it to those who value their comfort and time. Let traveling bring only pleasure!
I've been to Arkhangelsk many times, both for work and just visiting friends, so I really tried all the accommodation options: from an apartment for a day to a variety of hotels. I admit, at first I often rented apartments — it seemed to be the most independent and easiest way. But after I decided that hotels were better after all, and I almost always started staying in the city that way, one day I stayed at the Severnitsa, and since then I've only been returning there. I'll explain why this happened based on my own experience. For convenience, I will compare the apartment for daily rent and my favorite hotel in Arkhangelsk.
Comfort and service
Hotel
After numerous business trips, I realized how important stability and service are. A clean room, a fresh bed, and a normal Internet connection are always waiting for me at the Severnitsa. You don't need to immediately think about towels, where to buy drinking water, or dragging things to the fifth floor without an elevator. They do the cleaning themselves, change the towels on request, and the staff really helps, not just for show. Even if you finish work late at night, you know that you will be met, dinner will be served and everything will be ready for rest.
Flat
I've studied the "like at home" option quite well — I've rented from different owners, sometimes in very different ways. There were good apartments, but there were also frankly tired ones: I expected comfort, but I got shabby walls and a smell from the entrance. It all depends on the mood of the landlord: it's clean, it's dirty, they promised a kettle, but it's not there, in short, a lottery. There have been apartments that you like, but it can be occupied on the right dates. And even the apartments of one owner can differ beyond recognition. After settling in, you take care of the comfort yourself, and sometimes you don't have the energy or desire to deal with everyday things after a whole day of business.
Safety and tranquility
Hotel
A classmate somehow got into an unpleasant situation in someone else's apartment (he was at home, and strangers opened the door with their key!!! When they saw him, they said they had confused him and retreated...) — after that, I thought about the security issue. The hotel is quiet: the territory is fenced, the door is locked, security will arrive in a couple of minutes, video surveillance. The room is closed — things are always in place, even valuable ones. I went in and immediately felt much more secure.
Flat
In apartments, I came across a variety of locks, "collective farm" doors, and sometimes I just took the key in an open mailbox — I can't imagine who could use it and how, and I don't want to. If the area is unfamiliar, the feeling of comfort does not always come quickly, if at all. I have corresponded with the owners more than once to find out what to do if the lock is broken or the neighbors are making noise. There were situations when you just really wanted to leave the apartment, but it was already paid for, and where were you going at night...
Food and infrastructure
The Severnitsa Hotel
In this paragraph, it is about this hotel without generalizations. In the morning, there is always a delicious fresh breakfast, berries and vegetables, as I was told, from my hostess's plot (that is, she grows them herself especially for the hotel), the milk is very tasty! Also from some farmers — I was told, I don't remember. Breakfast at any convenient time — when I woke up, then I ate — and it costs a lot, which helps a lot for a business trip or a long stay. You can get coffee at night, lunch and dinner are delicious at home - right at the hotel. By the way, there is a closed convenient parking nearby, which is valuable if you arrive by car. You don't have to worry about the laundry — there is a laundry room. Well, the important thing for me is a good, stable WiFi.
Flat
Cooking by myself was sometimes pleasant, especially if there were suitable dishes for a long time. Often, even in fairly expensive apartments, there were terrible frying pans and dishes in general — knives are blunt in 99% of cases. But more often there just wasn't enough time and desire. In short, I have plenty of experience "eating doshirak" in an unfamiliar apartment. Sometimes I had to stomp through the snow to get to the nearest cafe, and with breakfast it was either scrambled eggs with bread and butter, or without scrambled eggs...
Convenience of booking
Hotel
Everything is always clear on the official website: I chose, paid, arrived, and the room is ready. There is no need to call a hundred times, specify the address, catch the owner in the city at night. You can change the reservation if necessary, cancel it — everything is human and without nerves.
Flat
There have been situations when a person "changed his mind about renting" or suddenly raised the price. I arrived one day and the apartment hadn't been cleaned yet, so I had to walk around the area for a couple of hours with a bag. When you're in a hurry and you want to rinse and change, these surprises are annoying.
Cost and nuances of payment
The Severnitsa Hotel
Yes, a hotel can cost more than an apartment (although this is not a fact at all, and some apartments, even studios, are often more expensive or comparable in price). But the prices are clear, the promotions are valid, you can pay any way you want and immediately receive all the documents for reporting. There were never any surprises — I got what I was promised.
Flat
Bargaining is possible, yes. But during the holidays, prices soared, and financial issues were often solved only with cash. It's a hassle on a business trip, and if you're late with the payment, the rent goes to someone else. Documents are rarely given at all.
Why do I choose the Severnitsa Hotel now?
For me, everything is simple: if you want a normal level of rest, confidence that nothing will spoil the trip, plus an awesome breakfast, Severnica is the best choice. I have already booked for short visits, and when I came with the whole family, the result is always the same: reliable, comfortable, without unnecessary hassle.
If you were traveling for a month and wanted absolute freedom, you chose an apartment, but for short business or family trips, the hotel definitely wins.
Personal summary
I traveled around Arkhangelsk and apartments and various hotels, but only in the Severnitsa did I manage to feel "at home" without investing my strength in "hostly" worries. How many times I came, I was always sure that cleanliness, silence, breakfasts and staff who really care were waiting for me.
I recommend it to those who value their comfort and time. Let traveling bring only pleasure!
Book now at favourable prices
