Moncastro Hotel in Zatoka

Beautiful place to stay in Zatoka. Extremely friendly staff throughout the hotel. Especially the reception staff. Food choices were many and most delicious. 3 choices for swimming. From the rooftop pool, regular pool and of course the sea. Food and drink service as well beachside. My view was kept very clean. The view from my balcony was amazing. Was my first visit to Zatoka but won't be my last. And when I do return the Moncastro Hotel will be my only choice!

Well, it’s a late call for me to post a feedback on Moncastro, but I always take some time to settle with the aftertaste.

It’s just as true as with wine tasting - you need some time to pass after some sips to understand if the wine itself is mature and has a good body not only visually but as well in the notes of grapes used to make it.

Moncastro came to us as a revelation. We didn’t plan for a holiday this year, and we were very pessimistic about traveling abroad with all those Covid checks and inconveniences of trip arrangements.

Our choice came very clear, when I did the reservation and then prolonged it for 3 more nights. From the first moment of meeting a doors opener Sergey till the point of going on friendly talks with guys from the kitchen - that was a very pleasurable experience. I should underline it: the whole crew, who worked at Moncastro in August 2021 - you are incredible people and that’s your hearted service and attitude that is so remarkable for Ukraine that I want to post this feedback.

We definitely are going to come back again and again. Thanks for room service, nights at the pools, and variety of choices on menu!

I've stayed at Moncastro now three times, over three years. Overall, it is an excellent hotel, with a few negatives.

Let's start with the MANY positives. First of all, this is the ONLY true European standard resort hotel, on the Black Sea, in Ukraine. Period. There are some other expensive hotels in Odessa, and Mariupol (Nemo in Odessa is actually more expensive- but nowhere near as nice). But nothing on the same level as Moncastro.

In fact, I'm writing this review from my balcony of my room at Moncastro, overlooking the Black Sea!

So exactly WHY is Moncastro better than every other seaside hotel in Ukraine? First is the property itself. The layout of the hotel, where every room is on a slight angle, with a balcony view of the Sea, is wonderful. Rooms are modern, clean, comfortable.

But what sold me, when I saw photos online, was the POOL. That glorious, beautiful, big "M" pool. Laying on a chaise lounge beside it, with a frozen daquri in hand, I feel like I'm at a 5-star resort in Malibu, or St. Tropez. It's really that nice. But there isn't just one pool - there are 3! Also of note is the rooftop pool and bar, with an amazing view of the beach.

If you don't like laying by the pool like I do, then the black sea is only steps away. With a clean sand beach.

Food - is excellent. Close to the level of top tier restaurants in Odessa. And clearly the best in Zatoka. However, prices are HIGH. Keeping in mind all their revenue for the year is made over 3-4 months, it's understandable.

Service - overall, great. Staff, waiters, waitresses, management, all whom I've interated with have overall been very professional and pleasant. Professional being the key word.

Prices - high, but deserved. Again, all revenue coming in over 3-4 months. Going from 2400 hryvnia for a standard, off season, to nearly 10000 for the amazing VIP suites.

In general - I am an American, and I have traveled all over the world. Have stayed in some of the best hotels, including Beverly Hills Hotel, Sofitel in Paris, etc. Moncastro, again, is the ONLY black sea hotel in Ukraine that is anywhere near on the level of these hotels.

So, in short, I love Moncastro. So much that I have made not one, not two, but three week-long reservations to stay there this season.

What are the negatives, then? Well, I sount two relatively minor, and one big one.

The minor:
1. 10% tip is automatically added on for all restaurant and bar tabs. I HATE when restaurants do this. I'll tip how much I want - most times well over 10%, based on service. But when you automatically add it, you know what? I never will add more.
2. No microwave in the room. I'm sure this is done to discourage bringing your own food, and try to drive more sales to the restaurant. But it's a big inconvenience. I had to either eat cold pizza the 2nd day, or heat it with a hair dryer.

Now to the BIG NEGATIVE:
KIDS. Sreaming, running, terribly behaved, unsupervised kids. This was a problem last year, and now this year (2021), it's a much worse problem. The management at Moncastro must do something to address this.

It can't be that bad, right? Well I will describe it like this - the hotel feels like a DETSKY SAD (kindergarten) that I am the uninvited visitor to, interrupting kids running and screaming everywhere. Parents are nowhere to be found usually. This time, there were 2 girls about 5 years old, running and screaming (loud, shrill, terrible) during the evening singer's show and dinner. Every night. So bad, the singer had to stop.

Kids overrun everywhere. The pools, the jacuzzis, the restaurants. I understand they want to be "family friendly". But believe me, you are alienating ALL guests without kids by letting them take over the hotel.

Moncastro - PLEASE do something about the uncontrolled kids taking over your hotel, fix this problem. Many of your guests are put into discomfort by this, making an otherwise great hotel into an expensive detskiy sad.

Me and my mom stayed there for 4 days . It was the best hotel in Zatoka , no doubts about that . The owners and managers definitely care about this place . Ivan , Oleg and Igori provided best customer service during my trip to Ukraine. Food was top notch! So many flavors, plus amazing presentation of the dishes . The hotel facilities are great as well , two pools is definitely a huge bonus . I loved the rooftop pool and dining area . To have a private beach is a luxury as well . Very satisfied with this hotel and the service .