Swimming season is under way in Crimea, Ukraine’s most popular summer vacation destination. Tourist agencies rate best hotels on page 3.

While high cost, poor service and unsanitary conditions are turning some summer vacationers away from Crimea in favor of such destinations as Egypt and Turkey, the fact remains that 6 million people are expected to visit the still-beautiful peninsula this year.

That may be down from Soviet highs when the picturesque southern region hosted more than 8 million visitors annually.

But Crimea still remains the top summer vacation of choice for millions of Ukrainians and others, according to tourism officials, with recorded visits gradually rebounding towards the levels seen in Soviet days.

In spite of all the problems – including complaints of dirty beaches and concerns about sewage fouling coastline waters – Crimean resorts offer obvious advantages: lots of beaches and mountains, visa-free travel for Ukrainians and Russians and more than a whiff of nostalgia for Soviet-era vacations.

Those who go this summer will have to pay more – perhaps a lot more – because of high inflation and the declining dollar.

“According to our forecasts, vacation prices could rise by as much as 50 percent,” said Inna Honcharenko, a manager at Bitsko tour agency in Kyiv.

Maryna Slesareva, first deputy minister for tourism, said Crimea is getting fewer tourists from Russia. She expects that they will not be replaced anytime soon by more travelers from Western Europe.

Oksana Menshova, 34, a Moscow native, is among those who are rejecting Crimea after spending nine summer vacations there.

“We spent about $2,000 last summer for two vacation weeks,” Menshova said of her family. “It is too expensive for such service.”

But for another Russian, Serhiy Pavlov, 38, a summer vacation in Crimea is an essential tradition since the early days of his Soviet childhood.

“You just need to have enough money with you – at least $300 to $500 a day,” Pavlov said.

Oleksandr Boltachov, a resident of Sevastopol, said that the quality of Crimean resorts is declining, and water quality may be too. He said that a thorough cleaning of the shore and new sewage systems are needed to prevent the fouling of coastal waters.

Boltachov is not certain which parts of Crimea have the best water. He said a comprehensive study is needed. But he thinks that the areas near Foros, Sudak and Yevpatoria may have relatively cleaner waters.

Novynar, the Kyiv Post’s Ukrainian­language sister publication, recently asked 16 tour agencies and operators to name the best Crimean resorts, evaluated by price, quality, location and recreation offerings.

Here are the results:

1. Bristol Hotel

• Region: Southern coast of Crimea
• City: Yalta, Roosevelt Street 10
• Distance to Simferopol: 86 kilometers
• Distance to the sea shore: 200 meters
• Room Cost: Hr 420-2910

Tour operators gave the best marks to the Bristol Hotel for all criteria. It is a 145­year­old four­story building in downtown Yalta. Tour operators said the place is a favorite among business travelers. Rooms vary, from economy class on up.

2. Sea Resort (More Pansionat)

• City: Alushta
• Address: Naberezhna Street 25
• Distance to Simferopol: 45 kilometers
• Distance to the sea shore: 150 meters
• Room Cost: Hr 520-4545

This place got the second highest marks, with its own 200­meter­long beach and spa complex. All rooms are doubles, equipped with central conditioning and cable TV. Pool and beach are included in the price.

The buildings, nine four­ or three­story villas and a nine­story spa­hotel, were built between 2001 and 2004. Prices depend on additional services, room size, view from the window and distance from the sea shore (from 50 to 300 meters).

3. Oreanda Hotel

• City: Yalta.
• Address: Naberezhna Lenina Street 35/2
• Distance to Simferopol: 85 kilometers
• Distance to the sea shore: 100 meters
• Room Cost: Hr 995-8475

In 2001, the hotel was refurbished completely. Oreanda is a favorite of Ukrainian officials and celebrities touring along the southern coast. The price includes half­board meals, beach and a fitness center. Depending on the price, you get a view of the town, hotel, park or mountains. There are standard services in all rooms – satellite TV, refrigerator and central air conditioning.

4. Palmira Palace Hotel

• City: Yalta.
• Location: Kurpaty village
• Distance to Simferopol: 95 kilometers, to Yalta – 8 kilometers
• Distance to the sea shore: 100 meters.
• Cost for the room: 780-8030 HR

The estate of Russian Grand Duke Dmitri Romanov once stood where this modern hotel now stands, situated not far from Kichkine Palace. Palmira Palace is a VIP­class hotel. All rooms are doubles, with air conditioners, satellite TV, telephone and Internet access. Price includes indoor and outdoor pools, beach and saunas. There is a shop, drugstore, travel bureau, squash courts with a trainer, paid parking, as well as a panoramic lift to the hotel’s own pebble beach.

5. Sudak Tourist Center

• City: Sudak.
• Address: Lenina Street 84
• Distance to Simferopol: 154 kilometers
• Distance to the sea shore: 50 meters
• Room Cost: 253-1970 HR

The pebble­and­sand beach shore of Sudak bay is surrounded by mountains on three sides. Founded in 1948, the sanatorium has a half­century of history, and was recently refurbished. The Sudak Tourist Center has 10 buildings with standard rooms, improved standard rooms and first class rooms, but only a few economy class rooms.

Source: http://kyivpost.com/