In Karachay-Cherkessia there is a real mountainous country with fast rivers, mineral springs and developing ski service. It is called – Arkhyz. Hotels are located both in the village of the same name, and not far from the slopes. Tourists may well find suitable accommodation for themselves, decide on food.
Infrastructure
The resort area is surrounded by mountain peaks covered with glaciers. In winter, 8 main tracks of different levels of difficulty are opened. The slopes are divided into 4 ski areas:
- The Northern Lights is located on the northern slope and is served by a gondola lift;
- The Milky Way takes skiers to the blue and red tracks on gondolas;
- “Sputnik” accepts novice athletes, providing an opportunity to gain experience on green tracks (chair lift);
- “Moon Express” is equipped with a six-seater chair lifts, which lifts skiers to 2 blue and 1 black tracks.
The tourist village of Romantic is one of the centers of the ski resort. It is located 10 km from Arkhyz. In winter, the largest outdoor skating rink in the district opens here. On the territory there are schools for beginners, snowboarders, everywhere there are points of rental of sports equipment.
Attractions and leisure
Resort hotels take an active part in the popularization of local attractions. Here you can relax throughout the year. If in winter people come here to ski, then in summer vacationers are waiting for other entertainment:
- paragliding;
- rope complex, consisting of 18 stages;
- rafting;
- mountain fishing;
- paintball.
Hotels offer the organization of excursions to the sights of Arkhyz:
- Sofia lakes and waterfalls;
- Teberda Biosphere Reserve;
- a huge rock icon “The Face of Christ” (a place of pilgrimage for believers);
- astrophysical observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
A hike from Arkhyz to Teberdy “Along the roads of the Ancient Caucasus”is very popular.
Accommodation and meals
Arkhyz hotels rarely offer full board, but almost every one of them has its own restaurant, open during the day. The number of rooms is extensive and can meet any needs of vacationers.
Arkhyz Royal Resort & Spa
This hotel has a category of 5 stars. In addition to direct access to the ski slopes, the hotel boasts a first-class restaurant, an indoor all-season swimming pool and a SPA complex.
Guests of this hotel especially note the courtesy and efficiency of the staff. Any even the most insignificant request will be fulfilled exactly.
The exterior of the hotel is made in the style of a chalet. So do not confuse Karachay-Cherkessia with Switzerland in the morning.
Kavkaz Hotel
The hotel is located in a pine forest near the center of the hospitable village of Arkhyz. Standard, superior double and deluxe rooms are available to accommodate guests. The interior is made in a classic style using decorative elements made of handmade wood. There is a fireplace in the lounge. In the yard there is a children’s playground, gazebo, barbecue terrace, swings. Nearby is a mountain lake. Ski equipment hire is available. It is best to come here by your own transport. The nearest ski lifts “Milky Way” and “Sputnik” are 8 km away. You can eat in the restaurant “Mountain Air”, which is located 20 meters from the hotel. In the morning, a shared breakfast is served, followed by an à la carte menu. The hotel has a kitchen with a set of dishes and necessary household appliances.
“We specifically chose a hotel away from the road. It is quiet, cozy, the rooms have comfortable beds. Parking is free, to the ski slopes to drive 10-15 minutes. Classic breakfast – cheese, butter, omelet, sausages, cereals, several types of dessert, tea, coffee, milk. We cooked ourselves in the shared kitchen. For food stopped in the supermarket “Fairy Tale”, returning from skiing” Alina, Russia
Hotel Energetik
Modern pension is located in the village of Arkhyz. It is a complex of 44 apartments and rooms. Outwardly, it resembles classic Alpine hotels. The interior decoration uses wood, which is also typical for mountain guest houses. The owners tried to create all the conditions for active recreation of guests. There are playgrounds (basketball, volleyball, mini-football), billiard room, gym, children’s playground for games. It offers ski rental, transfer to the ski complex “Romantic”, cedar barrel, sauna, salt cave, massage room. On the bank of the Bolshoy Zelenchuk River there are barbecue houses and huts. Electricity is provided to each of them, garden furniture is inside, and barbecue facilities are outside. For guests organized a set meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner at fixed prices.
“Great place to stay with kids. Full board costs about 750 rubles per person per day. The lobby bar sells good coffee with desserts. The rooms are cozy and clean. There is an opportunity to relax from the bustle of the city and improve your health in the treatment rooms. Decent, beautiful, worth your money” Svetlana, Russia
FLORA boutique-hotel
This trendy 4-star boutique hotel is designed by an Alpine chalet in close proximity to the ski lifts. Sputnik and the Milky Way are 600 meters from the building. Moon Express Ski Lift is two and a half kilometers away. For accommodation there are 34 rooms with non-repeating interiors. Standard double rooms, one-bedroom suites and apartments are available. There is also an on-site restaurant serving European cuisine. Breakfast is served in the morning in its main room. There are several other restaurants in the area offering local food. Staff can arrange horse riding, hiking, sightseeing tours. There are board games for children.
“Lovely hotel, focused on the organization of leisure of visiting tourists. It is located on the territory of the Romantic Group of Companies. Stylish room, good service, there are own guides who are ready to hike along the most secret mountain paths. We hope that spa treatments will appear on our next visit. They are really not enough after skiing” Mira, Russia
Отель Белый Пик White Peak Hotel
Offering mountain views, this modern hotel is located in Arkhyz. Romantic Ski Resort is a 10-minute drive away. The advantage of the service is an organized transfer from / to the ski lifts. The staff is also happy to offer a trip to the Sofia waterfalls. Single room rooms, 2-room suites, standards up to 2 people are prepared for accommodation of guests. The hotel is famous for its thoughtful seating area. Breakfast is buffet style and dinner is served à la carte. The terrace offers views of the mountain slopes. Here you can have breakfast or drink a cup of hot coffee, wrapped in a warm blanket. There is a lobby bar with a fireplace around the clock. For clothes and boots there is a dryer, for skis – a separate room. Parking is free.
“A real European service. There is a coffee machine in the room. Taken away and brought to the lifts, do not think about parking near the slopes. Good restaurant with laconic and decent cuisine» Eleanor, Russia
Chalet Leona
The apartment complex is located in one-storey mountain chalets on the outskirts of the village of Arkhyz. There are 6 houses for 4 and 6 people with their own barbecue area and terrace. The floors are warm. This is important for people involved in winter sports. The interior consists of a living room, bedroom, kitchen and bathroom. The design uses forged decorative elements (lanterns, antiques). The nearest ski lifts are 8-10 km away. The roads are asphalted, the coating is of good quality. Parking spaces are available free of charge.
“Nice houses, clean, new. Very original interior decoration: panoramic windows, designed brown-beige tones, a small but equipped kitchen. In the place of cooking kebabs there is always firewood and skewers. Restaurants and shops are located nearby» Ekaterina, Russia
Cheget Home
This guest house is positioned by the owners as a camp site and works on the principle of “bed and breakfast”. Family, double, triple and quadruple rooms are prepared for resettlement. Interior decoration – wood. There is a sauna with a small swimming pool (paid), free parking, a room for drying ski equipment. Local cuisine is served for breakfast. The owners Lukman and Karina try to make the service better, so they listen to the wishes of the guests.
“Not a good road to the base. It’s inconvenient to get in and out. There is no transfer to the lifts. The room is warm, the food is delicious. There is a barbecue in the yard. From the courtyard you can go out into the forest for a walk” Diana, Russia
Mountain Rose Hotel
Mini-hotel with a restaurant is located in the village of Arkhyz near the center. The place is beautiful and quiet, the building is built on the bank of a mountain stream. It divides the yard into two parts. In one there is a residential building, in the other – a mangal area with spacious gazebos. 9 rooms can accommodate 42 people at a time. A double standard, quadruple comfort and a suite are prepared for guests. The owners promise that they will soon open a real Russian bath. In their restaurant they prepare dishes of Karachay, Caucasian and traditional European cuisine. Guests can come to the cosy dining room with your own food and drinks. In the evenings, entertainment events are held here. The owners rent ATVs at the lowest price in Arkhyz. A playground is available for children.
“We were here like home. The owner is friendly, always ready to help. Wonderful cuisine. They didn’t eat anywhere, only here. In the evenings it is fun, music plays, games and entertainment are arranged. Not far from the gate, tourist routes begin. Parking is small, accommodates one car from each room» Natalia, Russia
Rahat Hotel
The chalet hotel is located in a natural area 2 kilometers from Romantic. It offers a spacious area with free parking. Rooms are double, triple, family shared male and female rooms. It features a cosy café and a lobby bar with panoramic views. A continental breakfast is served in the morning. Special offer – free transfer to the ski resort. Room-service, when a guest can use the hotel service without leaving the room, is provided on a paid basis. You can rent a game console from the administrator. Ski boots and clothes should be dried in a special room.
“Good location: equally go to the turn to Sofia waterfalls, Arkhyz and Romance. The hotel is new, everything works. Great seating area, outside there is also a place to walk. Beautiful view around – mountains, sky, pines» Vera, Russia
Green Park Spa
Park Hotel is located in a picturesque area of arkhyz village. In the fund – double and family rooms,apartments. It offers a spa with swimming pool (Additional charge). Nearby there is a restaurant “Hut” and a café “Barberry”. The owners give out accessories for the grill. Pets can be brought by prior arrangement. The ski area is 8 km away. In addition to winter sports, the staff is ready to offer horseback riding and hiking.
“The park is just a miracle, there is where to walk, the kids to run. Gazebos are installed everywhere, you can make a barbecue. There is a shared kitchen. There is a supermarket nearby. Thanks to the hospitable hostess here you feel at home” Valeria, Russia
Sofia Peaks hotel complex
Another park hotel is located three kilometers from the ski slopes and hiking trails. It offers views of the peaks of Mount Sofia. Rooms are standards, lofts, suites and log cabins. In the morning, a buffet with fresh pastries and natural coffee is served. The restaurant specialises in Caucasian, Russian and European cuisine. In their free time from skiing, guests can enjoy a wood-heated steam bath with panoramic views, a relaxation room, the best indoor heated pool in the area. Behind the houses immediately begins the forest. There are swings and gazebos, picnic areas. To the ski lifts – 1.5 – 2 kilometers. You can walk or drive.
“A picturesque place, while several houses are still being completed. Not a very good location, to the ski lifts on foot far. But otherwise, everything is very decent. Lovely restaurant with prices lower than in Arkhyz. Beautiful view from the windows and fresh pine air. The rest was a success. I’ll be back!” Lyudmila, Russia
Not all hotels organize a free shuttle service to the ski slopes. In this regard, Rahat Hotel is a clear favorite. Modern service and beautiful nature will bring pleasure to the most whimsical tourists. I arrived, put the car in free parking and you can forget about your “iron friend” for a while.
