Best of Kyiv/Kiev

[calmissile]

A couple of photos my wife sent me last winter in Kiev

[Boethius]

Last year, and the preceding winter, were both unusual.  It snows but it also rains almost as often.  But usually, when it snows, the snow doesn't stick.

[lordtiberius]

St Sophia's Lavra

[Vinnvinny]

Ok Mendy, here’s the definitive guide to accommodation in Kiev as of November 2013.

Hotels
Avoid

Apartments

Partner Guest House (http://www.partnerguesthouse.com/)
This should be your friends’ first choice. They actually own most of their apartments and the majority have been remodelled in the past 2 or 3 years to true western standard. English speaking reception staff are available 12 hours a day and their drivers are extremely reliable. Their customer service is the closest to what we are used to you and light years ahead of what is the usual in Ukraine. The rates are a little on the high side but you do get what you pay for.

Apartments are booked online by paying the first night as a deposit. One big advantage is that you can pay the residual amount of your rental costs and transfers via your credit/debit card when you check in.

Dobovo (http://www.dobovo.com)
This site is owned by Partner Guest House (PGH) and includes most of their apartments plus 100’s more to suit every budget. Once you start to search beyond the PGH ones it’s a game of chance as with most other websites. Often apartment photos will look much better than reality and sure some have been remodelled but they never mention that this took place in the 1960’s.

You pay a deposit for the first night to secure your booking and then you are given the owner/agent details to arrange check in.

Airbnb (http://www.airbnb.com)
Lots of choice here and you can read feedback on the owner/agent and the apartment. IMO many apartments are too pricey on that site so I’ll only use them as a last resort.

As for getting out and about in the winter then I would avoid historical places without heating. I found St Sophia's Lavra to a further -10c than it was outside when I went there in the middle of winter and I was ‘frozen’ before I entered the place. Your friend should stick to bars and restaurants.

Hope the above helps.

[Brillynt]

I stayed at this apartment in the end of August. The apartment was very clean and nice. The company that owned it was not far away, and was very helpful. There were plenty of restaurants near as well. It was about a 10 minute walk to the metro. I would recommend this apartment if you are in good shape, as it has quite a few steps to the apartment on the top floor. One thing I did learn about Kiev, was to use the Skybus from the Borispol airport. It is much cheaper to take it into the city, to the train station, then get a taxi to where you are going. The cost of a taxi from Borispol is very high.

http://www.booking.com/hotel/ua/golden-gate-apartments.en-us.html?sid=6732b91eee8226b942688c4fa26fb14c;dcid=2

http://skybus.kiev.ua/en/

[Vinnvinny]

Brillynt:

PGH charge less than $50 for a round trip transfer from Borispol and this will include taking your to their office to check in, on to your apartment and a demonstration of the apartment facilities. I dont think that is expensive.

[Misha]

A couple of photos my wife sent me last winter in Kiev

She perhaps sent them to you from Kiev, but the second is certainly not from Kiev. It is a popular image that was making the rounds as an internet meme. It was used on the "Meanwhile in Russia" page and then it was reformatted with the heading "Canadian Archaeology" and then circulated far and wide....

[calmissile]

She perhaps sent them to you from Kiev, but the second is certainly not from Kiev. It is a popular image that was making the rounds as an internet meme. It was used on the "Meanwhile in Russia" page and then it was reformatted with the heading "Canadian Archaeology" and then circulated far and wide....

Thanks for the clarification.  I would not have ever known.  Wifey sent it with a bundle of photos including her, daughter and family at the same time last winter.  I did find it ironic that everyone dug out their own car but no one dug a path to the street.   

[JohnDearGreen]

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g294474-Activities-Kiev.html
Try the theatre one evening.  Circus also good, get tickets in advance.
I've been outdoors when it was so cold the camcorder froze up.  Not a problem.

I didn't travel to eat, but here's a few places that might still be open:

Pervak, Richelieu,  Khutorok(on river), Apollo(Italian,near Passage), Taras(now Panas, mediocre but good atmosphere for lunch),  Arizona BBQ, Miami Blues.   For some unknown reason, the
ladies really seemed to like "The Cave" restaurant (Pechera) with the Fred Flintstone theme.

[mendeleyev]

John, your third photo is the Taras restaurant which as you say has since been renamed O'Panas as shown on the sign over the door. I've not been inside since the change. Have you eaten there since the change and if so, would you rate them as casual or fine dining?

[JohnDearGreen]

Have you eaten there since the change and if so, would you rate them as casual or fine dining?

No, I haven't traveled in 10 years.  I always used it just as a decent inexpensive place for a lunch date with a new lady.  Was a casual location and walkable from K St area.

[Ooooops]

It always good to check reviews on TripAdviser - http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g294474-d1155222-Reviews-Partner_Guest_House-Kiev.html

[Vinnvinny]

It always good to check reviews on TripAdviser - http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g294474-d1155222-Reviews-Partner_Guest_House-Kiev.html

What I found out from Tripadvisor is that you could find a word class hotel for $10 a night and people will still complain.

[Ooooops]

What I found out from Tripadvisor is that you could find a word class hotel for $10 a night and people will still complain.

I sift through replies and use my measuring tool to get the truth out of those comments.   

[lordtiberius]

I booked this place.  http://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1492387

I will report back my results.

[mendeleyev]

Nice, LT. You got a stovetop with oven, microwave and washing machine in the kitchen along with a nice view of Saint Sophia. Cool!

[lordtiberius]

Nice, LT. You got a stovetop with oven, microwave and washing machine in the kitchen along with a nice view of Saint Sophia. Cool!

Merci!  What's the deal with your outbound amigo?

[mendeleyev]

Merci!  What's the deal with your outbound amigo?

You have to remember us 58 year guys only speak at best 2.3 languages and that doesn't include most slang. I'm mean, I'd down with it man, and to cover the bases I'm up with it too, but I am not sure what is meant by outbound amigo. 

[JayH]

, but I am not sure what is meant by outbound amigo. 

He is inbound to Kiev !!   

[mendeleyev]

Thanks, Jay!

[lordtiberius]

must be for all that prenatal care you are paying for