Finding Accommodations in the Carpathians (for skiing and vacations)
Around virtually every ski resort in Ukraine's Carpathians there is an informal local network of people who offer services to skiers — accommodations, ski rentals, taxis, rides up to the slope on horse-drawn sleds, etc. All it takes is a little asking around — which is a rule of thumb for getting just about everything done in Ukraine. If there's no one to ask, just knock on some doors. People who rent out rooms, and even family inns usually do not have signs or advertize their services, probably to avoid tax police.
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Typical room in a private home with wood stove, beds, and a table for cooking |
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Rooms in private homes
It is possible at most ski resorts to rent rooms or cabins for as little as 15-20 UAH per person per night ($3-4 USD), and they used to cost much less! Here you will have no hot water (often no running water), will have to stoke the fire, and sleep on old sagging beds in your sleeping bag. There will be an outhouse nearby. And you will have to walk quite a ways to get to the slopes.
Family inns
For double, triple, or quadruple these prices you can stay at family inns that are a little better furnished. There may be a hot water schedule, but there will at least probably be a place to bathe and an indoor bathroom. At some of these family-run inns you will find wonderful service, friendly people, and a great atmosphere. By the way, at private homes and inns your hosts will probably offer you meals at an additional cost.
Soviet-era hotels
There are also some fairly inexpensive hotels near many resorts (say, 60-150 UAH per double room, or $12-24 USD), but the level of service is almost never close to what it is in the West. For example, you might have one bathroom (one toilet) per floor with no showers at all, but a sauna downstairs that costs lots of money. Or the light may be out or the toilet paper gone in the bathroom, and you can't find anyone who's "in charge" to fix the situation. I'm not saying that conditions are always this rough, I'm just saying that someone who has not adapted to Ukraine's culture and standard of living might have problems.
Middle and high-class hotels and inns
Finally, there are middle and high-class hotels and inns at many popular ski resorts in the Carpathians. These will provide "normal" and "good" service by western standards, and some are very classy and romantic, but you sometimes may pay more than you would for the same thing in the West. However, here you get wonderful Ukrainian cuisine, and I haven't seen a foreigner yet who didn't like the national dishes.
These nicer hotels and inns are what we offer our foreign clients. Here you will have a nice level of comfort and service and will have the best chance of thoroughly enjoying your stay. These hotels and inns often rent out skis and have transportation to the nearest ski runs arranged.
Price factors
Except prices to double during the New Year vacation period (usually Dec. 27 - Jan. 16) and to be significantly higher at prime locations right next to ski slopes or near the center of villages. |
