The small village of Massandra is located 3 km from Yalta. It is often considered as a suburb of the resort capital of Crimea, as it is separated from Yalta only by the M18 highway. The main enterprise of the village is the plant for the production of vintage wines “Massandra”. Its founder was Prince Golitsyn, who glorified Russian winemaking throughout the world. Millions of bottles of elite wine are stored in deep cellars. The wine cellar is listed in the Guinness Book of Records. Back in Soviet times, they began to build boarding houses for the rest of workers. Today, those who consider Yalta too noisy resort and strive for silence and solitude come here.
Leisure and entertainment for children in Massandra
It is quite natural that in the village there is no particularly noisy entertainment. Nightclubs at hotels do not count. 1520 is considered the date of foundation of Massandra. There are more attractions than the population. Every year thousands of tourists come here not only to relax and sunbathe. Here they get acquainted with history, introduce their children to it. The most interesting objects are the Palace of Alexander II and Massandra Park.
In the village everyone will find entertainment to their liking. Children can be offered the following activities:
- Horseback riding. The surroundings of Massandra are picturesque mountains with many viewing platforms, lowlands and glades, the sea coast and mountain streams. Children over 5 years old are allowed to ride on horseback. The clubs offer different routes lasting from 2 to 6 hours.
- Aquapark “Atlantis” is located in Yalta, but is the closest distance to Massandra. Children are waiting for water slides, attractions, swimming pools. Adults can visit the spa, relax in the hydromassage pool.
- Dolphinarium “Aquatoria”. It will take 20 minutes by car. But children will be able not only to watch the show of marine animals, but also to be photographed with them. Dolphin therapy sessions are paid separately.
- Puppet theater “Trickster” is the only representative of spectacular art in the village. The repertoire includes performances for all ages.
Hotels try to diversify the leisure of young guests so that their parents can go to the Massandra Tasting Room. Entry with children is strictly prohibited. But adults cannot leave the wine capital of Crimea without a gift. After tasting, all visitors are offered to buy a bottle or two of vintage Crimean wine.
Where to settle with a child on vacation in Massandra
The village covers an area of 1.78 sq km. There are not so many hotels, but it is not easy to choose from them suitable for a family holiday. The review will help to navigate the conditions of accommodation and food, as well as some services that parents with young children pay attention to.
Pension Massandra
One of the oldest boarding houses was built in 1958. In the early 2000s it was completely reconstructed. It is located on the territory of Massandra Park in the immediate vicinity of the palace of Emperor Alexander II. Within walking distance – the beginning of the Yalta embankment, several Massandra beaches. The centre of Yalta is 2 km away.
It offers the services of:
- rooms for 140 seats (different comfort categories);
- indoor pool;
- bath complex;
- restaurant “Avalon”;
- paid parking.
Pets are not allowed. During high season and New Year’s holidays, a package of accommodation with breakfast included is offered. A games room is available for children. It is necessary to pay attention to the fact that the hotel complex consists of two 4-storey buildings without elevators. Now the boarding house is on the next reconstruction, which lasts for the 4th year. Site in development. Information about the beginning of full-fledged work should be clarified with the administrator.
“We had a rest in Massandra in the summer of [y], often walked with our family in the park. The building of the boarding house was sealed. On the Internet a lot of negative reviews from deceived holidaymakers. Be vigilant. Nikolay, Russia
Hotel Yalta-Intourist
The hotel fund of the multi-storey hotel has 1168 rooms. This is a complex that includes everything you need for a good rest. The building was built in 1977 and renovated in 2019. Part of the territory is located in Massandra Park, the other half on a terrace park made by landscape designers. The 4-star hotel welcomes guests all year round. The beach is 100 metres away.
The hotel complex is a real city in the city. For a comfortable stay of guests are provided:
- restaurants, bars, cafes, shops, boutiques;
- panoramic fitness center;
- medical center and the first on the coast Center for mud rejuvenation with Saka mud;
- SPA with saunas, baths, swimming pool, salt cave, massage and treatment rooms;
- a large outdoor swimming pool with swimming paths and a children’s shallow bowl with water slides, a jumping pool with a 10-meter tower;
- sports grounds.
The beach of the hotel was awarded the Blue Flag (international certificate of environmental friendliness) for the cleanliness and safety of the coastal recreation area. For children there is a separate area with a sandy coating.
Meals are organized according to the “All inclusive” system. You can purchase a package that includes only breakfast. On the territory there is a whole network of cafes and restaurants (20 catering facilities), offering lunch and dinner à la carte. The main restaurant has a children’s menu.
Children under 5 years stay free of charge (without bed and meals), up to 13 years with discounts. For their leisure there are heated pools with water attractions – a water park, a children’s room with a tutor, a club, a town with swings, a zoo, a team of animators.
“Great place to stay bored. A lot of locations and entertainment. Vacation is not enough to go around and visit. The food is decent, delicious, everything is enough. Ice cream is made in the lobby. I want to warn moms with strollers. Do not settle on the upper floors – the elevators are narrow (left over from Soviet times), very uncomfortable and stuffy” Irina, Russia
Ripario Modern Resort
The hotel complex is designed for 420 beds. It is located in six different storey buildings and detached cottages. There is a campsite for trailer houses and a tent city. The hotel is built on the territory of the former estate of Count Orlov-Davydov. It occupies 10 hectares, and next door is the Nikitsky Botanical Garden.
Meals are mandatory for guests who have settled in hotel buildings. It can be a package with breakfast or full board. Cottages and villas have all the conditions for cooking (kitchens and dining rooms are equipped), so a package without meals is provided for them.
To organize leisure activities of guests work:
- three restaurants;
- large indoor swimming pool;
- fitness center;
- sports grounds.
Children are entertained by animators. There is also a children’s playground and a games room. The beach is pebbly, with good infrastructure. There is a rescue service, a separate area is fenced for parents with children, there is equipment for swimming, diving and skiing in the rental.
“A large area is a plus on the one hand, because there is where to walk, and on the other hand a big minus. To quickly get to the parking lot, restaurant, beach, it will take time. The administration provides a shuttle service, an electric car runs through the hotel. It is convenient, but there is always an opportunity to use it. It is forbidden to drive on your own transport. Free parking is provided for car owners. But at the resort, usually no one is in a hurry. Measured walks in the old park strengthen health. The hotel has a well-established medical care. The doctor comes to the sick child in a matter of minutes. There is a good organization of food, well-mannered staff, security around the perimeter” Konstantin, Russia
Coral Guest House
Cozy three-storey hotel is located in a closed and guarded area. In the courtyard there is a garden, paths for walking, a barbecue area. Parking is free. Family rooms are available. All rooms with balcony, private bathroom with showers. The distance to the sea is 500 m. No meals are provided. Rooms have tea stations with kitchenware and a shared kitchen. Outside the territory there are cafes and canteens where you can eat inexpensively.
There are several reasons why parents choose this guest house for their holidays:
- Location in a quiet area of the village.
- Within walking distance – a water park, a dolphinarium, to the center of Massandra – less than a kilometer.
- Affordable prices for accommodation.
- Nearby is the most budget dining room of the village “Pili-eli”.
- After dinner, you can go down to the pier, stroll along the embankment or visit the cinema of the tourist center “Primorye”, which is a stone’s throw from the dining room.
Discounts for children are not available. It is forbidden to come with animals. The price for accommodation is the minimum for hotels. Cheaper only in the private sector. The administration often holds promotions, sets discounts, gives bonuses.
“It is not the first year that we come to Massandra and always book a room in the guest house “Coral”. This is the most cozy and affordable place. The yard is closed, guarded. Parking is free, they do not take money for the Internet. In the evenings, a video room opens, where children are shown cartoons. To the sea – 5 minutes, to the center – 10 minutes. Nearby there are grocery stores, a pharmacy, a canteen” Evgeny, Russia
Guest House «Divo»
The hotel is located next to the hotel complex Yalta-intourist. In the room stock – 21 rooms with a bath, balcony and appliances (refrigerator, TV, hairdryer, air conditioning). To accommodate guests, rooms of the following categories of comfort are offered:
- Economy;
- standard;
- Junior Suite;
- apartments;
- studio.
8 rooms have family status. They are located from the 2nd to the 5th floor, the windows overlook the sea, the total area is 35.7 sq. m. Family apartments are a 2-level apartment occupying the 1st and 2nd floors. Only one room of this category is available. All apartments and studios have a kitchen. For guests staying in other rooms, there is a café and a shared kitchen.
Children are accepted without age restrictions. If the child wants to take his beloved dog with him, then this should be agreed with the hotel administration. A day of residence of the pet will cost the owners 300 rubles (actual for April [y]). For younger guests, a games room is open in the building, channels with cartoons are configured on the TVs, babysitting services are available for a fee.
“Of course, far from the center of Yalta, but the desire to swim in the clear sea above all. What you need to consider when coming here with children. First: there is no desire to cook – order delivery. The administrator will tell you the phones of restaurants that will bring food to the address. The second is a private beach, sunbeds are free, the sea is crystal clear. Third: the rooms are spacious, there are balconies, you can order laundry, ironing, cleaning.” Yuri, Russia
Apart-Hotel Valencia
The guest house offers apartments with kitchenettes. Each room here will provide you with a microwave, kettle and refrigerator. The fund has improved apartments for families with children. On private territory there is a garden, there is a place for cooking kebabs. A pebbly beach is 100 metres away. The centre of Yalta is 2 km away. The walk will take about an hour.
“Great hotel for a family holiday. Clean sea, pebble beach, silence and comfort. Nearby is the hotel complex Intourist (8 minutes walk) with a bunch of cafes and entertainment. Will appeal to those who go just to relax on the sea, sunbathe and swim. By the way, the administration can help with the organization of sea fishing” Sergey. Russia
For a full and safe holiday with children, it is worth considering offers from the Ripario Modern Resort Hotel and the Yalta Intouristhotel complex. Prices in them are higher than in guest houses. This is due to more comfortable living conditions, organized meals and the availability of all kinds of entertainment.
