Situated very close to the sea, this hotel features a small, clean swimming pool that is rarely crowded. In the evenings, you can enjoy an open-air cinema on the beach. The rooms are well-maintained and clean, equipped with a working refrigerator, TV, kettle, wardrobe (though not all rooms have a bar with hangers), beds, table, chairs, and air conditioning. The sea entrance is decent, but be cautious of the large stones. Sun loungers are available from 8:00 to 20:00 for 200 RUB/day, but there are also free spots by the pool under an awning.
One downside is the inconsistent water temperature in the shower, which fluctuates between hot and cold, though you can manage if you shower quickly (each room has a boiler). The plumbing overall is average, which is why the hotel gets a "4" rating from me. The rooftop bar hosts discos and karaoke in the evenings, which might not be ideal for those seeking peace and quiet, as the music continues until around 1 AM, but you can still fall asleep. The beds are spring-based. Each room has a balcony, some private and some shared, and at least three sockets (two near one bed and one near the other), in addition to those for the refrigerator, TV, and air conditioner. There were no issues with electricity.
Wi-Fi is available and works well, though it occasionally needs a reboot. The hotel also has a gym. If needed, staff can transport your luggage to the hotel via a golf cart along the embankment. Nearby, there are cafes, canteens, and attractions for 100 rubles, including a Ferris wheel, as well as numerous tents where you can book excursions (to the Crimean bridge for 1500 rubles/person, to Abkhazia, to Kerch, etc.), buy souvenirs, and get swimming accessories. A nearby pier offers boat rides, open sea swimming (departing from Gelendzhik Bay, which is safe and highly recommended for first-timers), and fishing, with your catch cooked on the boat.
The Olympus cable car is a 15-20 minute taxi ride away (900 RUB/person, including the Ferris wheel and zoo). Close to the hotel, you can rent catamarans (500 rubles/hour), sign up for a banana boat ride, or try out an iron ride. At the embankment entrance, there are high-speed bicycle rentals (