Sadyba Kukulka

We’ll definitely return to hotel "Kukulka", and we’re happy to recommend it to anyone looking for comfort and coziness. It’s a warm, homey place where we could truly relax, away from the city bustle, with a lovely, peaceful setting. The rooms are clean and neat, and everything feels cared for and thought through. The staff were attentive, friendly and ready to help. We left with only pleasant memories.

We came in winter and found the hotel warm and pleasant, with clean, tidy, comfortable rooms set up for a relaxing stay. The Carpathian scenery around it is incredible, and the quiet, fresh air and homely feel made it easy to unwind. The staff were friendly and always ready to help, with genuine care for guests. It works well for a quiet holiday or a trip with friends or family, and I’d gladly come back and recommend it.

The evening food was a disappointment. We ordered vareniki, pelmeni and deruny, but the dishes didn't taste as good as we expected. We didn't try breakfast. Even so, our family had a good stay at Kukulka and would recommend it for a family holiday. The grounds are green, well kept and lead straight to the river. There’s plenty for children and adults, including table tennis, volleyball, basketball, darts and a heated pool, which was handy with our small child. Our two-room unit had a kitchenette, two double beds, a folding chair, a wardrobe, TVs in both rooms and a fully equipped kitchen. It was very clean, with fresh bedding and towels, and we could get the pool towels replaced when needed. You can hear the trains because the railway is nearby, but I didn't find that a major drawback. It’s sensible to check the hotel's location before booking so you know about that.

The grounds are beautiful, and Vasyl, the manager, keeps them up, mows the lawn, helps get the barbecue fire going and cleans. You can step straight out to the river, though the railway line runs right behind the hotel, and the trains are very loud both day and night. I was hoping for forest walks in Slavske. When I asked the woman renting the rooms, she said there were trails, but it turned out they weren't in Slavske. I like active holidays, and this was more passive, better suited to families with small children. The pool is small for adults, more for kids, and I never swam in it. There’s a slide and playground for children. Without a car, ATV or excursions, there wasn't much to do besides go to the store. Car trips are expensive: 2,500 UAH for a car and driver for one excursion, or 800 UAH per person for a bus of eight. The woman mentioned a transfer, but it wasn't a hotel transfer, she just called us a taxi. I could have done that myself, and the two-minute ride cost 200 UAH. There’s only one taxi monopoly in Slavsk, run by Vasyl, and prices are kept fairly high. The kitchen has no stove, only a microwave and electric kettle, and the fridge on the floor is shared. I was sad that there was nowhere to walk in the forest.