Spanning three floors, this hostel became a place I called home—even if only for a brief three-night stay. Conveniently situated right in front of a canal embankment near Sennaya Square in St. Petersburg, Friends in Sennoy Hostel offers budget travelers a comfortable stay without breaking the bank. Read this post to know what to expect!
Disclaimer: The hostel's official name is Druzya na Sennoi Hostel. To make it easy to remember, I'll use the English translation, Friends in Sennoy Hostel.
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Hostel Location in St. Petersburg
Located right along Griboyedov Canal Embankment, the hostel is literally a stone's throw away from the beautiful Sennaya Square. With three metro stations serving the square—Sennaya Ploshchad, Sadovaya (Garden Street), and Spasskaya—getting around the city is incredibly convenient.
If walking is your thing, there are several landmarks within walking distance from the hostel. Of course, our walking appetite varies, but I managed to walk to most of them myself! The landmarks closest to the hostel are St. Isaac's Cathedral, Palace Square, and the Winter Palace. I also went to the Fabergé Museum, which was just one metro stop away.
I also visited the Kazan Cathedral, the Peter & Paul Fortress, and the Church of the Savior on the Spilled Blood, though I came from a different hostel that was closer to it. However, they were still technically within walking distance—they're just in the vicinity of the next metro station (Gostiny Dvor/Nevksy Prospect).
As for dining, Sennaya Square offers a diverse mix of food options. From cozy cafes, hearty meals in a stolovaya or a Russian canteen (which is a MUST experience), to international and Asian restaurants, the choice is yours.
I didn't get to try the nearby 'Столовая № 1', but it's always packed, so it’s definitely on my list for next time! And if you're craving any Japanese, make sure to visit Tokyo City. 😉
Hostel's Rooms & Facilities
Similar to other hostels I've stayed in, there were dorms for females and males with private room options for couples or anyone who values a bit more privacy. As a solo female traveler, of course, I stayed in a Female Dorm—as usual!
My room had a window overlooking the canal until I saw a screen that completely obstructed the view. Looking through it strained my eyes, and I thought it was a shame not to be able to enjoy it.
Each floor has a large common area—I've been to the floor where the reception is and on the floor where my dorm is. There's also a spacious, well-maintained kitchen and pantry, regularly cleaned by housekeepers. Essential appliances, cookware, and utensils were also available and free to use.
There were plenty of tables and seating areas for dining, working, or just chilling. Plus a football table! I didn't get to find anyone to play with me, though.
While the hostel doesn't have separate toilet and shower areas for females, there were enough for everyone. Despite the number of guests (most of whom seemed to be long-term tenants), I rarely had to queue. A washing machine is also available for laundry, at an extra cost, of course.
Hostel Cost
Due to the current sanctions, properties in Russia were removed from Booking.com. Instead, I booked through Ostrovok!, a local platform that works similarly to Booking.com.
Here's what I paid for my three-night stay at Friends in Sennoy Hostel in St. Petersburg:
- Accommodation: 2,000 RUB/88 AED/24 USD for three nights (see photo above)
- Additional Fees (paid at the hostel): About 800 RUB, which covered the mandatory registration, bed sheets and linen, and a refundable deposit.
I got the deposit back upon check-out, so the only extra charges were for the registration and linen, which was clearly written on the instructions while booking. Overall, it was an affordable stay, and it was even cheaper than my hostels in Moscow!
Overall Experience in Friends in Sennoy Hostel:
While it's not the best hostel I've been to, I honestly have no complaints about my stay here. Even the lack of an elevator—pretty common in Europe—didn't bother me at all. In fact, I kind of liked it!
It was a clean and decent hostel that had everything I needed. If I were to highlight its best feature, it'd definitely be the location, though. It's super convenient, close to the metro stations, and I never had trouble finding food nearby.
Oh, there's also a Korean restaurant nearby called Koreana Restaurant! The cheesy tteokboki and the Korean chicken is so fulfilling after a long day of walking!
If there's one small comment I'd make (not a complaint, I promise!), it's that even after paying for bed sheets and linen—which was already a bit unusual for me—I was still asked to remove them myself at check-out. I’m not lazy, but I just found it odd!
However, all in all, Friends in Sennoy Hostel (Druzya na Sennoi Hostel) offers good value for budget travelers and is definitely worth considering for your stay in St. Petersburg. That's all folks, see you in my next post!
Book Druzya na Sennoi Hostel HERE!
