Dolina Nikolaya Hotel

We wanted a place where we could look after ourselves, so the mostly self-service approach worked in our favor. The house had what our family needed, and the grounds were clean, cozy, quiet, and well cared for. A great family holiday spot. Thanks for a lovely time, I'd definitely recommend it.

The grounds are lovely, with lots of space for walks, forest nearby, and neighbors about 50-100 meters away. There's a big trampoline, Wi-Fi, badminton and tennis gear, a basketball hoop and ball, a pool, and a gazebo with a fireplace. A store a couple of kilometers away has really good fresh meat. Fishing is available too, with carp, lobster, crucian carp, and another kind of fish. The carp were especially juicy, tasty, and fatty, and the fish quality was excellent. Alexander looked after me really well while I was there, and we even fed him a couple of times. 😁 There were some hassles. Wi-Fi reception was weak, the TVs were very small and old, and the shower was cheap, with a poor spray covering about five centimeters. We had no power for two of the seven days and no gas for one day. The grill had no fan to stoke the coals, though they said they'd fix that. The firewood was poor and cost extra, burned like paper, and didn't hold heat. Alexander did give us some extra coal for free, though. Fishing hours were listed as 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., even though the fish tended to bite from 4 to 8 in the morning and again from 5 in the evening onward. The timing they gave us wasn't ideal, but I still caught 5.8 kg, which we ate over two days. Fishing costs 200 hryvnias per rod and includes a rod, bait, and 2 kg of fish for free; you pay extra after that or release the fish. There's a kind dog around. You cook your own meals, while they handle cleaning and laundry. Firewood isn't included. I liked the stay. It wasn't perfect, but it was a decent place.

We spent Christmas 2021 here as a couple, and the bungalow was cozy and beautiful. Our host was lovely and welcoming, and we felt right at home. The views and atmosphere were superb, with fresh Carpathian air each morning, cool air from the forest, and a wonderful lake with fish that made the place feel especially peaceful and comfortable. A ski resort, ice rink, and more are just a 10-minute drive away. We'd highly recommend it!

That huge bedroom window was my favorite part. I spent the first few days in bed watching the forest and sky, the rain and wind outside in 12°C weather, and barely touched my phone or computer. It was exactly the kind of rest that lets you recharge. "Nikolai Valley" is a beautiful spot with cozy cottages, outdoor play areas for kids, gazebos, barbecues, and a pool with sun loungers. The kitchen has everything for cooking, and I especially appreciated the showers since I don't like shower stalls. The furniture is all natural wood, and the whole place gives you that feeling of gaining energy. I really want to return!