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Red Corner: Kiev gets Normal Hotel
It has taken a long time, but Europe's last remaining capital without an "internationally branded" hotel has finally joined the 21st century. Kiev has gotten itself a Radisson!
During communism, the only accommodations available to foreigners were dilapidated state run hotels, many of which lacked basic necessities such as toilet paper. After communism fell and economies began to finally improve, tourism and business prospects were promising enough for major hotel chains to invest in new projects from Moscow to Bulgaria. Even lowly Tirana, capital of the poorest country in Europe, can boast a Sheraton. But this was not the case in Ukraine where high inflation and a corrupt government scared many investors away.
Last September, however, Kiev celebrated the arrival of a 255-room Radisson SAS hotel. Five-star comfort has finally made it across the Ukrainian borders and boy are businessmen happy!
Filed under: Ukraine, Red Corner
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Correction Apr 29th 2006 3:49PM
Actually, Bulgaria has had a Sheraton at least since the 1970s or 80s and there were international hotels there even before the communism fell in 1989. Not all countries in the "Red Corner" are the same...:-)
Neil Apr 29th 2006 10:14PM
Yes, you are correct. I shouldn't generalize across dozens of former communist countries. I've been to nearly every one, and will be the first to tell you that they are not all the same by any means!
Neil
colette Apr 30th 2006 11:20PM
Is it going to be as disgustingly expensive as most Kiev hotels are? Personally, I think the downtown Kiev hotels are of excellent quality. Maybe not 5-stars, but they're up there. I particularly like the Lybid, but must admit the rooms are really cramped.
David427 May 20th 2006 4:58PM
The people over at the very expensive Premier Palace Hotel might be more then a little upset over "Kiev finally gets a 5 star hotel" blurb. Besides, I don't think the Radisson in Kiev is a "5 star hotel". But I do know the Radisson in Kiev room prices are about double the Radisson in Manhattan. Don't go to Kiev looking for a bargain. Government corruption and the Eastern European mindset of fleecing foreigners is still very much alive and well.