Im. Chelyuskintsev Hotel

The lifeguards deserve special mention. We saw a man nearly drown, and Hasan reacted immediately, ran over, put him on a SUP, brought him to shore, performed CPR, and gave all the necessary professional help even after the man had stopped breathing. The other men on the beach also helped pull him out and carry him to the ambulance. Their combined effort saved his life. Anyone saying the lifeguards do nothing clearly hasn't seen them working. They also bring sun loungers wherever you want, and the beach itself is very clean. We stayed from September 13, 2025, in the second building and were very happy with it. Our windows faced the courtyard, with magnolias, palms, and cypresses around the balcony. In my view, that was nicer than the first building's road-facing windows and glazed balconies, although that's personal preference. Apart from the Soviet-style bars, the second building is no worse than the first. There is no elevator, and the generator is the main drawback. It is noisy and smells like carbon monoxide, probably because it runs on diesel. A room away from it would be better if you sleep with the balcony open, though with air conditioning and the balcony closed, it wasn't a problem. The staff created a genuinely warm atmosphere. Everyone greeted us with a smile, including the dining-room staff. Alina and Nadezhda cleared tables quickly and discreetly, always smiling despite carrying heavy trays. The food was delicious, with several kinds of meat, fish, and cutlets, plus fresh salads and side dishes. It wasn't as varied as in Turkey, but there was always a choice. Our room was cleaned every day, including the balcony. Lyuba looked after the second building, kept the water and toiletries filled, made the bed perfectly, and changed the sheets every three days instead of the stated four. The grounds are small but exceptionally green and clean, with staff sweeping up conifer needles early in the morning. In short, this hotel is magnificent. I definitely recommend it and now understand why people return again and again. Thanks to the management and the whole staff for such an atmosphere! 💖

We stayed with our child from August 26 to September 1, 2025, and liked everything. The hotel felt cozy, and although the grounds were small, they were green. The location was convenient, with everything within walking distance. The animators were especially good, arranging something new every day for both children and adults. Meals were home-style, with a choice at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and eating beside the sea was lovely. Our room was cleaned daily.

The stay had some good points, but it didn't feel like a five-star level. We were checked in immediately despite arriving late, the food was varied and tasty, the beach was right nearby, the grounds were convenient, the staff were friendly, and the room was cleaned every day. Internet was available everywhere, although painfully slow. The room itself was in poor condition, especially the bathroom. The shower didn't drain and flooded the floor, and there was hair left behind when we arrived. The previous cleaning had also missed an open ice cream container in the refrigerator. Towels were stained. The second building looked worse than the first and had no elevator. At the beach, lifeguards sometimes removed towels from occupied loungers when the owners weren't there and gave the loungers to other guests, which we saw happen in front of us. My mother became ill just before we left, possibly because of the restaurant fish. Our flight was at 2:00 PM, but checkout was at 7:00 AM, leaving us six hours at the airport. The overall experience was good enough, but the service did not match five stars.

We stayed in the second building in July 2025, expecting more for the price. The hotel is close to the sea in a lively area, with sun loungers and umbrellas, polite reception staff, and daily cleaning, although the cleaning was inconsistent. The buffet was tasty but repetitive. Our first refrigerator didn't work, and it took three replacements to get one that did. Used shampoo was left in the nightstand, and the room still had mugs, spilled tea on saucers, and traces from the previous guests. The balcony was dirty and wasn't cleaned, so our feet got dirty before we even entered the room. There are irons on both floors, but one stopped working within a week. The bedding is synthetic, the shower is only about a meter by a meter, and there is barely room to turn around. The nearby train can be heard, and the entertainment team was very unenthusiastic. By the end, my husband had a fever and was vomiting, which made the trip unpleasant. People in the city were mixed, some friendly and some rather cold. I have always loved Abkhazia and Gagra, but after this visit I don't want to return. For me, this is a one-time hotel, and I can't recommend it.