Five Sochi Hotels worth staying in
Hotels in Sochi have earned a bad reputation during the 2014 Winter Olympics, with the popularity of the #SochiProblems Twitter hashtag and reports of poor handiwork, uncompleted hotel rooms and even wolves roaming the hotel corridors. Hotel comparison website trivago.co.uk is here to defend Sochi with five hotels you would actually want to stay in.
If the Winter Olympics have inspired you to travel to this unique destination caught between the Caucasus Mountains and the Black Sea, do not be deterred by reports of bad accommodation. In reality, Sochi boasts a number of leading hotels, including resorts overlooking the “Russian Riviera” coastline and mountain getaways in Sochi National Park. Fans of the Winter Olympics can stay in the hotel which hosted the presentation bid, visit the Fisht Olympic Stadium or even ski in Krasnaya Polyana, the resort which hosted the ski and snowboard events.
1 Grand Hotel Polyana
Grand Hotel Polyana is located in the heart of Krasnaya Polyana, the ski area used during the 2014 Winter Olympics. Guests can ski the same cross-country, freestyle and alpine ski runs as the Olympic athletes whilst surrounded by the natural beauty of the Caucasus Mountains and Sochi National Park. Grand Hotel Polyana offers a total of 413 guest rooms, 16 separate wooden chalets and multiple bars and restaurants serving everything from traditional Russian to Italian and even Japanese cuisine. Guests can choose between four indoor and one outdoor heated swimming pool, whilst the SPA Valmont is the only one of its kind in Russia.
2 The Rodina Grand Hotel and Spa
The Rodina Grand Hotel and Spa is located in an impressive 37 acre park on the Black Sea coast of Sochi. Within this space is one of the largest spas in Europe, a swimming pool, restaurant, numerous bars and even a 3D cinema and children’s playground. The elegant interior design is the creative work of Patrick Brugman and Suzanne Loggere, who were the royal court decorators for the Netherlands’ Queen Beatrix. Unsurprisingly, this hotel is recognised as one of the Leading Hotels of the World and was chosen to host the presentation bid for the 2014 Winter Olympics.
3 Mercure Rosa Khutor
Like the Grand Hotel Polyana, the Mercure Rosa Khutor boasts views of the Caucasus Mountains and access to 25 kilometres of ski runs at Krasnaya Polyana. With equipment rental onsite, skiers and snowboarders will waste no time in hitting the slopes famed for their modern ski lifts, picturesque forest runs, heli boarding and off-piste opportunities. Each of the 153 rooms and suites feature mountain or valley views, Wi-Fi, tea and coffee making facilities and room service. Guests can watch their food being prepared in the open kitchen at the Barskii Stol restaurant, showcasing a selection of Russian, Ukranian and Mediterranean cuisine.
4 Radisson Blu Resort & Congress Centre
Back in Sochi, the Radisson Blu Resort & Congress Centre offers a prime beachfront location in the Adler district. Guests will be perfectly positioned to enjoy the Black Sea coast and neighbouring Olympic venues, such as the Fisht Olympic Stadium and Bolshoy Ice Dome. Picturesque mountain or sea views can be enjoyed directly from the 508 rooms and suites, some featuring marble bathrooms and bath tubs in the bedrooms. The spa centre features Finnish and Russian saunas, a hammam, Jacuzzi and numerous beauty and massage treatments. Sushi enthusiasts should not miss the Mikado Sushi Bar, offering fresh sushi and sashimi in a contemporary setting.
5 Park Inn by Radisson Rosa Khutor
Another fine option in the Krasnaya Polyana ski area, Park Inn by Radisson Rosa Khutor provides guests with a ski equipment room and direct access to the slopes. Krasnaya Polyana is often referred to as the “Russian Courchevel” due to its sophistication and quality après-ski. The Rose Khutor is no exception, offering a brewery-style Bierkeller which is the only one of its kind in Sochi. This restaurant and bar features German cuisine, draft beers and the obligatory Russian vodka. The hotel has 182 standard rooms and 16 suites, all with mountain or resort views, free Wi-Fi and complimentary soft drink mini bars.
