Unique Ukraine Hotels: Fortresses, Bungalows, and Campsites

I may have lived here for years, but it wasn’t until I began planning my quarantine summer that I started wondering if I could find any unique Ukraine hotels. Bali has its villas, Scandinavia its eco-friendly bubbles, Japan its capsule hostels. And here? There must be some unusual places to stay in Ukraine.

The problem is, tourist information does not come easily here. I consider myself fairly familiar with all the right resources, yet when I started looking for unusual hotels it turned up very little.

But I’m not one to let a challenge go.

So I dug and I searched and I went to the furthest corners of the Internet to find the most unique hotels in Ukraine. But not just hotels — I’ve found mountain lodges and beach campsites, forest-shrouded sanatoriums and converted castles. So whatever your style, you’ll find a place to rest your head.

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Theme Hotels in Ukraine

If you’re looking for a unique Ukraine hotel but don’t want to skip on amenities, you should check out these theme hotels. They’re quirky without giving up on comfort.

Stara Pravda Hotel, Bukovel

Not only is this hotel nestled in the glorious Carpathian mountains, it’s also steeped in history. Each room reflects a different time in Ukraine, so you could stop anywhere from the Stone Age to the Soviet era! It’s not lacking in luxury though — rooms with balconies, a heated pool and sauna, and a restaurant terrace.

Mirax Boutique Hotel, Kharkiv

As its name hints, the Mirax Boutique Hotel is fascinated by the movies. The interiors are inspired by Hollywood icons. If you’d like a more central location, their sister hotel, Mirax Sapphire, is a short walk from the Derzhprom.

Rooms and Rumors, Odessa

Want to live the rock and roll lifestyle? Rooms and Rumors has a place for you — though they’d prefer it if you didn’t trash the place. Each room is designed with a specific rock star in mind. And, naturally, they all include a record player.

Masoch. Hotel & Café, Lviv

Some well-versed Ukraine travelers might know that Lviv is the birthplace of the writer Sacher-Masoch (who, by the way, was rumored not to be happy with the legacy of his name). This hotel, ahem, might be for a specific kind of traveler on a specific kind of trip.

 ‘Soviet Style’ Hotels in Ukraine

I put that in quotes, because when people talk about ‘Soviet style’ hotels, it’s hard to know what they mean. Do they mean the architecture, which during the Soviet era spanned many different styles? Or the interiors, which have either been updated or weren’t even, to be honest, so radically different from other 1980s hotels? Or maybe they mean the overall atmosphere, in which case, you are several decades too late. But there are still a few gems of architecture left, at least. Here are some of the most famous of these hotels in Ukraine.

Ukraine Hotel, Kyiv

Ukraine Hotel, towering above Kyiv’s Maidan, was built in 1961. The original design was much more impressive than the result, but political struggles mellowed out any ideas of grandeur. While the interior has been unevenly renovated, if you pick a room facing Khreschatyk you can get a fantastic view of Maidan for a very affordable price.

Hotel Salyut (Salute), Kyiv

Salyut’s spiral is instantly recognizable as a Kyiv architecture icon. While the interior has gotten a bit of an update, the lobby still retains some retro-glam. Rooms are rather standard, though some have magnificent views of the river and Lavra.

OK Odessa, Odessa

While I couldn’t ascertain exactly when OK Odessa was built, it looks like something straight out of the 1960s — complete with the architectural saucer on the side. The interior was renovated in 2012, though some of the higher-end rooms retain a modern vintage flair.

Natural Accommodation

There’s no shortage of nature in Ukraine. From the Carpathian Mountains and Black Sea beaches to salt lakes and continental deserts and sleepy riversides. Here are a few places to stay in Ukraine that will help reconnect you with nature.

South Camp, Kinburn Spit

Jutting out into the Black Sea, Kinburn Spit’s remoteness makes it the perfect beach destination for people looking to escape the crowds around Odessa. South Camp allows for an immersion into the beach wilderness — while not needing to bring along your own tent and sleeping bags.

Treehouse Airbnb, Kyiv

There had to be a treehouse in Ukraine, I thought, and while I searched for ages I couldn’t find one. It wasn’t until I was booking an apartment in Odessa that I managed to stumble across one — just a few kilometers away from my own apartment in Kyiv. In the middle of the city, on Hidropark, you can stay in a hippie-vibed treehouse. The rental is a smoke and alcohol free-zone, but it’s surely a unique place to stay in Ukraine!

Koni Horse Yard, near Chernihiv

If you want to live the ranch life, check out the Koni Horse Yard. At this full-blown equestrian club, after a day of riding you can enjoy a cozy night in a hayloft.

Zeleniy Gai River Cottages, near Kyiv

As someone based in Ukraine’s capital, I’m always looking for cool weekend getaways from Kyiv. These log cabins, clustered around small ponds, remind me of campsites back home in the US. On site there’s a restaurant, playground, and sauna — and fire pits for your own shashlik, if that’s your style.

Good Zone, near Dnipro

Listen, I’m not saying it’s an overwater bungalow in the Maldives, but having a little riverside cottage on the Dnieper is still pretty sweet. Good Zone is a lux recreation center, complete with tennis court, private beach, and spa, all exclusively secluded in a pine forest.

Dairy Farm Stays, the Carpathians

A few years ago, I went on a two-day horseback riding trip in the Carpathians that included a stay with a local dairy farmer. While the weather was too miserable to properly see the farmer and my guide had to translate between the farmer and I, it was still one of the most enlightening experiences I’ve had in Ukraine. Home stays like this are possible in many parts of Ukraine, though it might be easier to organize with a tour company as opposed to on your own.

Converted Castles and Fortresses

With much of its territory under constant contention for centuries, there is no shortage of castles and fortresses in Ukraine. Some, unfortunately, have fallen into disrepair, but a few have been restored and opened up as hotels.

Vezha Vedmezha, Volosyanka

This Carpathian luxury lodge is rumored to have medieval origins. The story goes that a noble knight was besieged by robbers while traveling through the Carpathians. The highwaymen were scared off by a giant bear, which the knight interpreted as a miracle. To honor the event, he built the Bear’s Tower where it took place. In addition to the main villa, guests can stay in a hillside hut or a private cottage.

Citadel Inn, Lviv

An ancient fortress reimagined as a five-star hotel in Lviv, Citadel combines history and luxury. Built in the Austro-Hungarian times, the original fortification included barracks and six towers. The hotel now occupies one of those towers. Rooms are modern with a touch of regal elegance — complete with panoramic views of the city over the battlements!

Radomysl Castle, Zhytomyr

Originally a paper mill, not a castle, this early 20th century building was abandoned and left as a dump until 2007. Then, it was transformed into Radomysl Castle, complete with a boutique hotel. The rooms are designed around different countries on the Via Regia, the Path of Kings, one of the oldest trade routes in Europe. The most luxurious is, naturally, the Ukraine-themed room. The Hetman’s Tower is a spacious two-bedroom suite with views over the estate.

Fortetsya Hetman Hotel, Kyiv

While this hotel might look imposing on the outside, inside it’s all luxury with hints of medieval charm. Imagine yourself back in the era of Hetmans and Cossacks, while lounging around in your regal room or feasting in the dining hall.

Sanatoriums in Ukraine

Sanatoriums, or health resorts, were once very popular in Ukraine. While the accommodation was very simple, guests took advantage of medical services for a mental and physical tune-up. Many sanatoriums, most with some modernization, still exist in the Carpathian Mountains in Western Ukraine. However, if you’re looking for a sanatorium near Kyiv, there are several outside Vinnystia in Khmelnyk.

Avangard Sanatorium, Khmelnyk

One of the most impressive-looking sanatoriums in Ukraine, Avangard is housed in the former palace of Countess Shcherbatova. It’s more likely that you’ll be staying in one of the less regal dormitories, but it still makes for a unique stay!

Berezovyi Gai (Birch Grove), Khmelnyk

If you’re looking for something with more of a ‘nature therapy’ vibe, Birch Grove is situated in a lush forest. However, you can still get all the treatments a sanatorium offers, as well as a rigorously examined diet.

Carpathian Chalets

While there are so many amazing places to stay in the Carpathians, including accommodation for every budget, renting out your own chalet in Ukraine’s mountains is a spectacular experience.

Chalet TwoSeasons, Bukovel

This slick Carpathian chalet is outfitted with modern amenities, all while being based right in the center of Ukraine’s most popular ski resort. With five bedrooms, this would be perfect for getaways with friends or holidays with extended family.

Riverside Chalet, Mykulychyn

This massive chalet is outside the main ski resorts, though still within driving distance. However, it’s not just a winter destination. In fact, with its riverside terrace, it might be better to book it for your summer holidays.

Forest Bungalow, Slavske

If you prefer something a little cozier, this perfect triangle bungalow in the mountains halfway between Ivano-Frankivsk and Mukachevo might be the right place to cozy up with a blanket, a book, and a glass of wine.

Oligarch Life in Odessa

There’s of course no shortage of luxury hotels in Odessa (um, can we talk about how the M1 Club looks like the kind of apartment I imagine a hip Silicon Valley guy would have?). Chic apartments, resort complexes, over-the-top hotels, they’re all there. As Ukraine’s party destination, you can find an excellent hotel room at an affordable price.

La Gioconda Boutique Hotel, Odessa

Rumor has it this is an oligarch’s villa turned hotel, and with the plethora of chandeliers I’m not surprised. The Tuscan-villa style hotel also has a private garden looking out on the sea.

If you don’t want to share your space, there is an abundance of swank Odessa villas on Airbnb. Employ caution when renting, as there might be scams. I usually don’t rent anywhere without reviews. But if you can snag one of these dazzling white houses, please send me photos of you lounging by the pool.

Other Unique Ukraine Hotels

There are some places that just defy categorization! If you’re looking for a truly unusual place to stay in Ukraine, you should check out these hotels.

Floating Houseboat, Kyiv

Put this at the top of your list — not quite a houseboat, not quite a river cottage, the ‘dobrodom’ floats on the Dnieper River. There’s a sauna, a terrace extending over the river, and a place to barbecue some shashlik.

BANKHOTEL, Lviv

Ok, so you may not be living out a Scrooge McDuck-swim-in-your-gold-coins fantasy, but still — sleeping in a bank has a certain appeal! This historic hotel in Lviv retained the grandeur of the 100-year-old façade while updating the rooms to a truly chic modern standard. Also — a terrace is never a bad thing to have in Lviv.

Superior Golf and Spa Resort, Kharkiv

Not playing the sport myself, I had no idea that there was a golf resort in Ukraine! But outside Kharkiv, there is an 18-hole, par-72 golf course with lakes and waterfalls. Complete with pools, children’s activities, and a restaurant terrace, this is a golf club that can actually cater to the whole family. 

Monotel Bessarabka, Kyiv

If you want to feel like you’re part of a futuristic sci-fi movie, Monotel might be the place for you. This capsule hotel offers both single and double… pods and is centrally located.

Yellow Plane, Yurov

You might not be able to sleep in a plane in Ukraine, but you can get pretty close! At Yellow Plane, you can stay in mini chalets right in sight of a parked Yak-40 plane.

Tiny House, Bukovel

If you want a ski vacation that’s focused on the slopes, you might want to consider this tiny house in Bukovel. While the set up is — by necessity — a bit basic, the location is hard to beat. And anyway, after a day out in the cold, a tiny house is a great place to get cozy!

Bakkara Riverboat Hotel, Kyiv

There are hundreds of places to stay in Kyiv, but few of them sit on the river. Anchored off Hidropark, Bakkara floats on the Dnieper, combining the novelty of sleeping on the river with hotel amenities. Guests cite exceptional views of the city.

I’m sure there are more unique Ukraine hotels, but information can be hard to find. Booking.com and Airbnb are excellent resources for finding the place perfect for you. If you know of an unusual place to stay, please leave a note in the comments!