How to get there
Ukraine international Airlines offers three daily code-share flights between Paris and Kiev with Air France. Two of these are operated by the French carrier using Airbus A 319 and A 320 three-class aircraft, including Premium Voyageur, while Ukraine International Airlines' daily service is operated by Boeing 737 two-class aircraft. The Ukrainian national carrier also offers direct services between Nice and Kiev in its summer schedule.
Tel: 01 58 22 20 06 (Ukraine Airlines) or 3654 (Air France)
Internet : www.flyuia.com or www.airfrance.fr
Getting to the city centre from the airport
In the run-up to Euro 2012, the local authorities have sorted the wheat from the chaff among the city's taxis. Expect to pay between UAH 150 and UAH 200 to reach the city centre in 30 to 45 minutes. Another option is the Skybus, which leaves every 10 to 15 minutes from the airport to Kiev railway station in the south of the capital, passing through the city centre at Kharkivska metro station.
Hotels
Quinté de tête
Intercontinental Kiev
Located very close to Kiev's three heritage stars, the churches of Sainte-Sophie, Saint-Michel and Saint-André, the InterContinental's décor is not out of place, with aesthetic choices that are all classicism and elegance. Guests in the Executive Club rooms or the eight suites are particularly well looked after, but all InterContinental residents benefit from extensive room service with free WiFi access, tea and coffee making facilities, a large screen TV and sound system. Other facilities include a large fitness centre, the I-Spa and a business centre open from 7am to midnight. Velyka Zhytomyrska 2A.
Tel.: +380 44 2 19 19 19
E-mail : Hotel.Kiev@ihg.com
Internet: www.intercontinental.com
Hyatt regency Kiev
Plunging views, designer furniture, open spaces: it's hard to get more graphic than this 'new generation' business hotel, located just opposite Sainte-Sophie Cathedral. In addition to 234 rooms, including 25 suites, there is a large swimming pool and spa. Alla Tarasova 5.
Tel.: +380 44 581 12 34
E-mail: kiev.regency@hyatt.com
Internet: kiev.regency.hyatt.com
Opera hotel
The idea of the designer of this 136-room boutique hotel and spa was to create "the most Ukrainian of international hotels". Located close to the city centre, it is the only hotel in the city to be affiliated to Leading Hotels of the World. B. Khmelnitskogo 53.
Tel.: +380 44 581 70 70
E-mail: info@opera-hotel.com
Internet : www.opera-hotel.com
Premier palace hotel KYIV
A classic 'palace' aesthetic for this prominent member of a local luxury hotel chain. Highlights include the pool with its slightly pompous decor, themed suites (Bulgakov, Lifar, Feng Shui...) and an Executive Floor with VIP services. Shevchenka Blvd/Pushkinska.
Tel.: +380 (44) 244 12 01
E-mail: reservation@premier-palace.com
Internet : www.premier-palace.com
Radisson Blu hotel KYIV
Located on a quiet street in the historic centre of Kiev, the Radisson Blu offers functional design in its 257 rooms and almost 400 m2 of meeting space. The hotel is also home to one of the city's best Italian restaurants: Mille Miglia. Yaroslaviv Val 22.
Tel.: +38 44 492 2200
E-mail: reservations.kiev@radissonblu.com
Internet: www.radissonblu.com
Away from the centre
Fairmont Grand Hotel KYIV
Recently opened at the foot of the historic city, this new five-star hotel offers luxury in impeccable whites and noble tapestries. The location may come as a surprise, as the Fairmont is located in Podil, in the lower town, very close to the river and not in the immediate vicinity of the city centre. Naberezhno-Khreshchatytska 1.
Tel.: +380 44 3228888
Boutique hotel riviera
Also in the lower town, a hotel opened in 2007 that hides its small size - with 79 rooms - behind a noble façade facing the Dniepr. Sagaydachnogo 15.
Tel.: +380 44 581 2828
E-mail: Info@rivierahotel.com.ua
Internet: www.rivierahotel.com.ua
Old days
Dnipro hotel
On the edge of avenue Kreschatik, facing the park, this massive hotel conceals a jewel within its walls, on the 12th floor: the Panorama Club restaurant which, as its name suggests, offers a breathtaking view. Kreschatik 1/2.
Tel.: +380 44 254 67 77
Hotel UIraina
The hotel's façade is hard to miss from Independence Square. The location, facing Khreschatyk Avenue, is the main attraction of this 373-room behemoth with its gently old-fashioned tones. Instytutska 4.
Tel.: +380 44 278 2804
E-mail: reservation@ukrainehotel.kiev.ua
Internet: www.ukrainehotel.kiev.ua
Budget
Ibis Kiev Shevchenko boulevard
Prices are still relatively high in the Ukrainian capital, but there are still some very good places to stay for less than 100 euros a night. The proof is in the form of this new 212-room Ibis on Shevchenko Boulevard, not far from the city centre. Taras Shevchenko 25.
Tel.: +380 44 591 22 22
Restaurants
Stefano's
Stefano's is probably the most successful contemporary restaurant in Kiev, with its meticulous design, trendy basement bar and spectacular private areas above. On sunny days, you can also enjoy two large terraces away from the clamour of the street, a stone's throw from St Andrew's Church. Vladimirskaya Vul. 4.
Tel.: +380 44 279 11 21
Internet: www.stefanofff.com
Leo restaurant
A quiet house on the edge of a park, hostesses perched on stiletto heels, statuary galore and gilding down to the frames surrounding the televisions in the karaoke room: Leo is a stunning illustration of the aesthetic leanings of the new Kiev aristocracy. 20 Parkova Doroha.
Tel.: +380 44 270 71 71
Internet: leo.ua/en/
Spotykach
The décor reflects the nostalgia of the Khrushchev years, but without going overboard, with cosy little nooks and crannies where you can discreetly admire the wallpaper and period photos. Volodymyrska 16.
Tel.: +380 44 586 40 95
Under wonder
Central, stylish, cosy: Under Wonder has a lot going for it, from the woody tones on the ground floor to the dimly lit vaults in the basement. Urban ambience and Italian cuisine. Chervonoarmiis'ka 2.
Tel.: +380 44 234 21 81
Internet: www.underwonder.com.ua
Pantagruel
Italian gastronomy has invaded the streets of Kiev. And Pantagruel is one of the most convincing illustrations of this trend, with a pleasant trattoria decor and a real Transalpine chef. Lysenko 1.
Tel.: +380 44 278 8142
Concord
Perched on the 8th floor of the Crédit Agricole building, Concord offers spectacular views and volumes around French-inspired cuisine. Pushkinskaya 42/4.
Tel.: +380 44 234 7788
Mimino
For travellers staying in Podil, in the lower town, this Georgian restaurant can be used as a canteen. The discreet setting is enhanced by a "cinema" theme and pretty stained glass windows. Spas'ka 10a.
Tel.: +380 44 417 3545
Other restaurants
Ikra
"Ikra is the local name for caviar. A convincing clue to the clearly elitist orientation of this restaurant with its cleverly glitzy décor. Honchara 67.
Tel.: +380 67 300 88 11
Monaco
Elite again, but in a slightly cosier setting. Bolshaja Shitomirskaja 20.
Tel.: +380 44 279 04 04
Kureni
On the banks of the Dniepr, the best place to discover the unexpected joys of Ukrainian cuisine Park Alley 4.
Tel.: +380 44 253 17 24
Nightlife
The reputation of Kiev's nightlife is beginning to build, not without a few sulphur fumes.
Several large units stand out from the crowd. The Buddha Bar and D-Lux, on the edge of Mariinskiy Park, are the most striking. Another option, further into the city centre, is Arena, a veritable multiplex of nightlife where a huge forum of sports bars alternates with nightclubs and a few dodgy cabarets. In the middle of this not necessarily tasteful mix, there are a few pleasant surprises, such as the colourful Martini Terrazza.
Buddha-Bar Kiev Kreschatik 14
Tel.: +380 44 270 7676
D-Lux Grushevskogo 3
Tel.: +380 44 200 90 09
Martini Terrazza 2A Basseynaya
Tel.: +380 44 561 61 81
Shopping
The Ukrainian capital has not been spared by the international wave of large shopping malls such as Mandarin Plaza, Globus and City Center.
For more local shopping, head for the Bessarabsky covered market. Finally, for antique shops and small souvenirs (Russian dolls, flowery rural shirts, Red Army memorabilia and other trinkets), stroll around St Andrew's Church.
Services
Furnished flat rental
This is an option to consider for long stays, in a city where this sector has developed well in recent years. Several service providers stand out from the crowd.
Rent in Kiev
A wide selection of luxury flats for a minimum stay of 10 days.
Tel.: +380 44 223 4143
Luxury Apartments Another specialist in top-of-the-range flat rentals, again with a minimum stay of 10 days and a housekeeping option.
Tel.: +38 066 266 89 22
Flat Lux
Flat Lux offers options comparable to those of the players mentioned above.
Tel.: +380 44 538 09 39
Taxis
Taxis are pretty cheap in Kiev. Expect to pay no more than 50 UAH - just over five euros - for a trip into the city centre. However, they do not have a meter, which unfortunately leaves the door open to all possible interpretations at the end of the journey... Note also that Kiev has a fairly extensive metro network, comprising three lines. The fare is an unbeatable 2 UAH.
Express > Phone: +380 44 239 1515
Stallion > Tel.: +380 44 501 5501
Chauffeur-driven cars
Driver Kiev
Tel.: +380 66 717 00 12
Internet: driverkiev.com
RentCarUA
Tel.: +380 44 33 22 993
Business centres
Regus
The specialist in business centres and virtual offices has three addresses in the Ukrainian capital.
Kiev City Horizon Tower Shovkovychna 42-44
Tel.: +380 44 490 1212
Kiev Horizon Park, Mykoly Hrinchenko 4
Tel.: +380 44 390 5959
Leonardo business centre
A centre located in the heart of Kiev's business district, close to embassies and the headquarters of local and international companies. 17/52-A Bohdana Khmelnitskogo.
Tel: +380 445810012
Internet: www.quinn-property.com
