Chances are you’ve only heard about the Crimea peninsula via news of a political nature lately. But for those interested in new and fascinating places to see and experience, this Black Sea gem offers its own world of intrigue, history, and vacation bliss too. Here’s a sampling of the best resorts and hotels in Crimea from TripAdvisor.
Courtesy Золотой Колос
Golden Resort
Located in the coastal resort town of Alushta, the Golden Resort is ideally located to take advantage of the remoteness of this part of Crimea, for families or the spa crowd. The area is famous for its rocky and rugged terrain, as well as for its historic significance. Alushta also has a rather unique climate, which puts it on a par with the more famous Yalta and Sochi.
As for the hotel accommodations, Golden Resort list of features and activities include: a park, a well maintained and equipped beach, indoor and outdoor heated swimming pools, restorative health center, sports fields, a gym, and recreation and activities especially for kids. The rooms come in various configurations and price ranges, arrayed into 1, 2, and 3 bedroom standards and suites. The resort complex also has several food bars and restaurants suites to a wide variety of situations and tastes. For more on Alushta, visit WikiTravel here.
Contact: Golden Resort, Phone: +7 (495) 204-14-08 or email: resort@goldenkolos.com
Courtesy Солдайя Гранд Отель
Soldaya Grand Hotel
The city of Crimea mentioned by Marco Polo during his travels, Sudak is another of Crimea’s picturesque landscapes fraught with camera ops and historic points of interest. What was a town along the historic Silk Road, is today one of the region’s top touristic and vacation spots. Famed for the architectural masterpiece of the UNESCO Genoese fortress, the best preserved such bastion on the Black Sea. The local natural flora and fauna, and especially the beaches of the area, are other main attractions.
The Soldaya Grand Hotel is comprised of 76 spacious and comfortable rooms, a restaurant, a grill and bar, indoor and outdoor pools, a relaxation and sauna area, a kids club, and a wonderful solarium on the sea. Here, as with most of the Crimea resorts, the hotel and resort cater to families with kids. Activities for children and adults abound. You’ll find everything from yacht and boat rentals to a children’s disco to entertain here. First time guests also find this hotel/resort most fascinating for its location and architecture, as noted in the image above. It’s simply a lovely hotel setting.
Contact: Soldaya Grand Hotel, Phone: +7 (499) 346-7995 or email: info@soldayahotel.com
Courtesy Wellness SPA Hotel More
Wellness SPA Hotel More
Another of Alushta’s magnificent spa resorts, Spa Hotel Sea (or locally – Boarding House Sea) is an all inclusive family, spa experience. This hotel, a bit upscale when compared to some others, offers too many services and features to actually list. The hotel is one of the only Crimea resorts that is well suited for winter or summer seaside fun. Whether it’s your own Black Sea villa experience you’re after, or an all inclusive family vacation, this is one of the finest hotels on the Black Sea.
The key feature of this property is the all inclusive medical diagnostics and wellness center. Luxury spa treatments from therapeutic to beauty lavishness, are listed here. I assure you, the list of treatments is extensive running into dietary perfection at the hotels “Sea Restaurant” where homemade local and international favorites are plated up. Extensive leisure and sports activities, a kids’ club, and several other dining choices are also available. An lest I forget to mention, the hotel is perfect for that special wedding or anniversary celebration.
Contact: Soldaya Grand Hotel, Phone: +7 978 815 66 10 or email: info@soldayahotel.com
Courtesy Villa Elena Hotel & Residences
Villa Elena Hotel & Residences
Anyone who considers travelling to Crimea for the first time must be thinking of Yalta. The place where 19th century aristocrats came to cure their lumbago, and where Churchill, Stalin, and Roosevelt met, it’s as charming and fabulous as ever. Here visitors get an eclectic menu of activities, sights, and attractions for their life long bucket list. From the smooth pebbled beaches Yalta is so famous for, to natural wonders like the Nikita Botanical Garden, you’ll never get bored, that for certain. Other attractions nearby include; Livadia Palace, Massandra Palace, the Massandra Wine Plant, and the picturesque Swallow’s Nest.
The Villa Elena is set in the middle of this historic and picturesque landscape. Maybe the most beautiful of all Crimea hotels, here room windows afford guests vews of the sea, the promenade, the lighthouse, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and the immense panorama of the Crimean mountains in the background. Surrounded by a year round historic Park, the hotel is a sight to behold, as are the many amenities which Include; luxury apartments for sale and for letting, standard, deluxe, and all manner of suites, 2 main restaurants and numerous bars and cafes, a wellness center, sports venues, shopping, and even an art gallery. For a taste of old world ambiance and class, this is the best hotel experience in Crimea.
Contact: Villa Elena Hotel & Residences, Phone: +7 978 776 89 24 or email: reception@villaelenahotel.ru
Courtesy Park Hotel Porto Mare
Park Hotel Porto Mare
Last, but certainly not least, the Porto Mare is another all inclusive family/spa resort where the possibilities are almost endless for leisure and fun. Also located in Alushta, the resort features a beach complex, medical center, several restaurants, kids areas and clubs, and even a mini-zoo. A family club, apartments for sale or rent, sporting facilities, and much more await traveling families here. There’s even a concert hall and a “so-called” Park Land where kids can play to their heart’s content.
Accommodation wise, the hotel has a wide array of choices from suites to apartments, and standard room packages. Additional features of the hotel include; kitchens for moms, free WiFi, a utility room with washing machines, a vast array of child development and entertainment activities, and all the usual restaurant/bar suspects you’d expect from a five star resort anywhere.
Contact: Villa Elena Hotel & Residences, Phone: +7 978 731-30-00 or email: pr@hotel-portomare.com
Additional photo credit: Castle Museum Swallow’s Nest. © CrimeanPhotographer & Fotolia