Top Ukraine hotel is luxury oasis amid challenges of war

LVIV- Walking to the BANKHOTEL, General Manager Taras Kuzyk, heard the air raid alarm and wondered if people would take it seriously. A short time later from the roof top bar, the 47-year-old Lviv native watched a Shahad drone streaking towards the GUR intelligence service building, though it slammed into another higher property first.

 During the tense days before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the major international news agencies set up camp on the rooftop bar overlooking the city. “They seemed like they were preparing for the end of the world,” Kuzyk told the Lviv Insider.

 On Feb. 22, 2022, the war started, the media guests were all out gathering stories and the city became chaotic. There were 20 checkpoints set up by neighborhoods throughout the city which made travel extremely difficult even for people from the area.

 The next day, the 101-room hotel was hosting a large convention, but with the media still stuck in the rooms, Kuzyk could not just kick them out. “You need to think one step ahead.” He made a bet that half of the people would cancel their trip to the convention due to the war, and he could still squeeze everyone together. The bet paid off.

 Next, he decided to turn the hotel restaurant into a buffet service to save on food waste from an a la carte menu. He understood that supplies could be limited for the next few weeks and needed to make things last. This is what separates a five-star hotel, general manager from the rest of the pack – they are always ready for anything, even war.

 The history of the property began as a bank during the Austrian-Hungarian reign in 1911 designed in the “Academic” style of Art Nouveau. The first two floors were used as a bank while the second two floors were used for residences of the workers. At the time, this was a very prestigious job in Lemberg, (Lviv during the Austro-Hungarian Empire).

 The current owner, Viyacheslav Yutkin from Kyiv, bought the bank part of the property in 2017. The rest of the property was divided into eight apartments that the new owner had to acquire separately before he could start the renovations.

 The new renovations really show off the original grandeur of the property by maintaining original finishes in most places, including the tiled floors, the grand marble staircase, the exposed brick and the stained glass, finishes which could not be constructed today but just restored. The safes are still displayed throughout the hotel and have been refurnished to show off how durable they are.

 The history is celebrated throughout the hotel, displaying framed antique Ukraine currency along with famous Ukrainian historical figures.

 The show stopper was the Presidential suite. The 200-square meter oval-shaped corner room has hosted presidents and doubles as a work space with plenty of rooms for a work detail. The central balcony provides a great view of the historic Ivan Franko National University and the park which is perfect for a stroll.

 The hotel hosts many conferences throughout the year with facilities for coffee breaks and a connected outdoor space. They host a New Years Eve and Valentines Day party every year. The hotel has a spa with a finish dry sauna and a wet sauna with an award-winning masseur. The hair stylist is usually fully booked three months in advance.

 A highlight of the hotel is the rooftop bar which shows off the city, a perfect way to start off or finnish the evening. Breakfast was set up as a buffet and had many eastern and western options, including cheese pancakes and a respectable tea selection.

 The hotel is located just a five-minute walk from the historic center of Lviv which is a beautifully restored city and a pleasure to stroll through. The center is full of inviting restaurants with outdoor seating, perfect for people watching. Lviv is a city in the western part of Ukraine just over 40 miles from the Polish border. The architecture reflects the Polish and Austro-Hungarian heritage.

 Lviv is considered the safest city in Ukraine, though from time to time the Russians have targeted it. Last September seven people died and 64 people were injured during a Russian air strike. In April of 2024 a thermal powerplant was struck causing blackouts.

 The BANKHOTEL and the historic city seemed like an oasis to the current situation of the country and is a must-visit on your next trip to the region. Under the care of Taras, you will always feel at home.

mlp