Sea or lake holidays: what to choose and which hotels to stay in

Why you should choose a seaside vacation

In the south of Russia, you can relax on the coast of the Black Sea or the Sea of Azov. The resorts are located in the Krasnodar Territory and Crimea. There are large cities with five-star hotels, and cozy villages with rural accommodation.

Millions of vacationers choose seaside vacations for the following reasons:

• Beautiful views and a warm climate. Seascapes, high mountains, endless steppes and an abundance of greenery are pleasing to the eye. At the same time, the average air temperature in summer is about +25°C, and the water temperature is +23°C.
• Clean air. There are no large industrial enterprises in the south of Russia, so the environmental situation here is better than in many regions. The sea air has a great effect on the mood and health of vacationers.
• Beaches for every taste. Sandy and stone beaches stretch for tens of kilometers in the region. Most of them are equipped with all the amenities, but there are also options for fans of a "wild" vacation.
• A variety of entertainment options. Children and adults, students and wealthy businessmen, couples in love and noisy companies can have a great time at sea. In the southern regions, tourists are offered outdoor activities, spa facilities, wine tastings and many other entertainment options.

Developed by Freepik

What to consider when choosing a seaside hotel

Location

If you are only interested in beach holidays, choose hotels near the sea — on the first coastline. For those who want to combine a beach holiday with excursions and sightseeing, it is better to book a room in hotels located closer to the city center.

Comfort level

When choosing a hotel, pay attention to the time of arrival and departure, and the regularity of cleaning. If you are traveling with small children, find out if the hotel provides cots, high chairs, strollers and a special menu.

Availability of additional services and their cost

Please specify which services you can use for free and which you will have to pay extra for. For example, how much will it cost to visit a spa, pool, or fitness center, rent bicycles or cars, or organize business events.

Guest Reviews

Find tourist comments on forums, feedback sites, maps, and aggregators. Make sure that the description on the hotel's website corresponds to the actual level of comfort and service.

The best Accor Group hotels by the sea

Mövenpick Resort & SPA Anapa Miracleon

A seaside hotel with pools and Ultra All Inclusive accommodation. At guests' disposal:

• SPA complex;
• Gym and fitness rooms;
• Sports fields;
• Photographer's services.

Breakfasts, lunches and dinners are served in several restaurants located on the territory of the hotel. Gastronomy for every taste is presented here: from author's desserts to lean and diet menus.

The rooms are spacious, with interiors in soothing colors, views of the sea or the green area. The hotel is located 300 meters from the sea shore and its own private beach. There are sun beds with umbrellas, a bar, food vans, sports and children's playgrounds. However, in 2025, swimming in the sea in Anapa is prohibited.

Swimmers can go to any of the five indoor and outdoor pools. Separate safe areas are provided for the youngest guests.

There are other facilities for children at the hotel.:

• Free strollers, high chairs, bassinets and beds (from 0 to 10 years old);
• Playground and room;
• Special menu;
• Kids Club;
• Babysitting services;
• Shows, concerts, animation.

There are also services for business travelers. Business meetings and conferences can be organized at the hotel, and coworking facilities can be used.

Swissotel Resort Sochi Camellia

The hotel is located near the center of Sochi and the arboretum. The "trick" of the hotel is its location in the building of the legendary Intourist boarding house. It has been restored with European chic and preserving the Soviet heritage in appearance.

Swissotel Resort Sochi Camellia has more than 200 rooms with balconies and terraces, panoramic views of the sea and the park. Available to guests:

• Heated swimming pool. The water temperature in it is kept at +28° C all year round, so you can swim in the open air in any season.
• Premium PűRovel Spa & Sport. Here you can relax in the Jacuzzi, sauna or hammam, use the services of massage therapists and cosmetologists.
• Restaurants and cafes. Try delicious dishes of international or pan-Asian cuisine, and enjoy desserts at the Swiss Gourmet pastry shop.
• Gyms and equipment. Practice tennis, yoga, fitness, or water sports.

Vacationers with the whole family are provided with free baby beds (up to 3 years old), strollers, high chairs, playpens. Parents can contact a babysitter, take their kids to a kids' club, a playroom, a shallow pool or a sports field. The hotel organizes shows with the participation of animators, restaurants offer a special menu for the youngest.

Services for business travelers have also been thought out. Swissotel Resort Sochi Camellia has 4 conference halls, the largest of which can accommodate up to 300 people.

Alternative to the sea — rest on the lake shore

Trips to the lake are chosen by those who seek solitude in the bosom of nature. In such conditions, you can safely go fishing, swim or arrange a boat trip.

We are talking about several lakes known throughout Russia that are perfect for a vacation.

Beaches, ecotropics and places of power on Lake Baikal

The legendary Baikal is the deepest lake not only in our country, but also in the whole world. It is worth seeing at least once in your life for every lover of natural beauty.

There are sandy and pebble beaches around Lake Baikal. It is better to choose shallow bays and coves for swimming — it is in them that the water warms up to a comfortable temperature in summer.

• Sandy Bay. Surrounded by inaccessible cliffs, it is located near the village of Bolshoe Goloustnoe. In addition to the beautiful sandy beach, the bay has a unique natural attraction — stilted ("walking") trees. These are pines and larches, the roots of which are open. There is a feeling that once the trees themselves came to Lake Baikal and stayed here forever.
• Garnet beach. It is located near Baikalsk. It is unique in that the sand here is pink, crimson and red-burgundy shades. Such a miracle of nature arose due to small particles of the garnet mineral, which is washed away by streams from the nearest mountains.
• Beaches of the Kurkut Bay. They are located in three bays with almost identical names: Joy 1 (Iterchey), Joy 2 and Joy 3. There are options for everyone here: lovers of "wild" recreation; those who want not only to swim, but also to fly a paraglider; equipped beaches with pools, water parks and other entertainment.

Fans of active recreation on Lake Baikal can go hiking in the ecotropics, climb the viewing platforms on the rocks, go on an excursion to the island of Olkhon. It offers unique views of the lake. There are also ritual pillars on Olkhon. Make a wish next to any of them, tie a ribbon, and everything will definitely come true.

Vacationers with children should definitely visit the nerpinarium in Irkutsk. Here, adults and children can get to know funny seals better, watch a unique show with their participation.

On the way from Baikal to Irkutsk, visit the village of Taltsy. There is an open-air museum of wooden architecture, where you can find out how Siberians lived several centuries ago.

You can stay in Irkutsk at the ibis Irkutsk Center hotel. Nearby there is the Angara embankment, cafes, restaurants and the main attractions of the city. It is convenient to go on tours to Lake Baikal from here.

You can book a cozy and spacious room at an affordable price at the ibis Irkutsk Center. Guests are offered work areas, a European cuisine restaurant and two conference rooms. Pets are allowed.

Vacationers with the whole family are provided with free baby cradles and cots (for children under 1 year old). The hotel also has a games room.

Skerries and deserted islands on Lake Ladoga

Lake Ladoga is often called the sea — it is so impressive for its size and disposition. It is worth organizing a trip here for many reasons:

• Water travel. Local guides offer a wide range of tours around the skerries and islands. There are options for 1-2 days or for a week or more.
• Peace and quiet. Like any lake, Ladoga Lake is never crowded with tourists. No matter what time you go here, you will find unity with nature without the noisy crowd of other vacationers.
• Different leisure options. You can go kayaking, spend a weekend in one of the secluded coves, and go pick cloudberries and blueberries. For history lovers, we recommend that you join an excursion to ancient fortresses or to the island of Valaam.

To enjoy your vacation on Lake Ladoga, book a tour with hotel accommodation on the lake shore. The beginning of most of these sightseeing routes is in the center of St. Petersburg. Or take a Swallow to Priozersk, Kuznechny, Lahdenpohja and embark on an independent journey. Trains run from Finlyandsky railway station daily.

If you decide to combine a vacation on Lake Ladoga and in St. Petersburg, choose a room at Novotel St. Petersburg Center, located near Nevsky Prospekt and key attractions of the city. This is an ideal option in terms of price and quality.

The hotel has rooms from standard to suite. Each of them is spacious, stylish and comfortable.

The Novotel Saint Petersburg Center is suitable for all vacationers. There is a restaurant, a bar, a pastry shop, a gym, a hammam and conference rooms. Special menus, playrooms and playgrounds, and extra beds are provided for children.

You can find out about other Accor Group hotels in St. Petersburg and book a room on this page.

Rest among the Altai mountains on Lake Teletskoye

Teletskoye Lake is included in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List, and is considered one of the main magnets for tourists in Altai. This place has earned fame and popularity due to its fabulous mountain views, crystal clear deep waters and air.

There are about 20 campsites and camping sites on Lake Teletskoye. It is a real paradise for travelers: there are hiking, water, cycling, automobile, horseback riding and even air excursions. Vacationers are offered a sauna, steaming in a vat, an outdoor dinner and accommodation in a hotel on the lake.

Swimming here is only for the bravest: the water warms up to a maximum of +13...+16°C. But you can find other water activities. For example, rent a kayak or a sapboard. Another option is to rent a speedboat or boat to go fishing or to local natural attractions.:

• Waterfalls. There are a lot of them here. The most famous and largest are Korbu and Kishte.
• Stone Bay. A small picturesque bay, ideal for quiet picnics and relaxation away from civilization.
• I'll give it to the Poklonnaya pine tree. This tree fell many years ago, but the roots remained in the ground. When the water level rises, the top of the poklonnaya pine tree sinks into the lake, connecting the two elements.

You can not only go fishing and enjoy the scenery on Teletskoye, but also learn about the culture of the local peoples. To do this, visit the ethnopark, which tells about everyday life, customs, traditions and cuisine. We guarantee that it will be interesting and delicious.

Developed by Freepik

To summarize

Vacation by the sea or lake? Both options are good. When choosing a destination, it is important to understand what kind of entertainment you are interested in, what kind of atmosphere you want to spend your vacation in, and how convenient it is to get to your destination. You also need to choose a comfortable hotel.

Book a room in any of the Accor group hotels — then you will definitely be able to relax by the water.