We arrived at Emily Resort at 11pm exhausted, sore, and drained. We had been in Ukraine for 24 hours, plus it took us nearly 20 hours to cross into Ukraine. The front desk staff’s friendly disposition revived us, showing my group something that we encountered throughout our time in Ukraine. The Ukrainian kindness towards visitors is unmatched.
After dropping our suitcases and camera equipment off in our room, my brother-in-law/photographer Joshua and I made our way to the bar. Lucky for us, the bar at Emily Resort is open 24 hours. Even though Joshua and I were weary, we needed some downtime before drifting off to sleep. The bar was buzzing with other Ukrainians vacationing at the resort. Our bartender served us up delicious Lviv beer and answered all our questions with a smile. After downing a couple beers each, we walked back through the beautiful lobby back to our room.
We awoke the next morning refreshed after an enjoyable and restful sleep in the resort’s extremely comfortable beds. When I opened the drapes to the window. A snowy landscape greeted me. Our beautiful indoor surroundings equally matched the outside.
Emily Resort lies in the picturesque landscapes of Lviv Oblast, offering a serene escape for anyone seeking tranquility and natural beauty. The resort’s beautiful environment offers guest the opportunity to escape daily life, if even for at least a moment. A moment of escapism is needed now more than ever and Emily is providing joy to all those that set food on the grounds.
The 166 accommodations plus, range from cozy cottages to spacious suites, all designed with comfort and elegance in mind. Each room includes panoramic views of the luxurious resort, creating a peaceful ambiance for all travelers. The resort’s amenities cater to relaxation, adventure, luxury, and imagination. Four aspects I took advantage of.
After making myself presentable, Joshua and I entered the main restaurant for breakfast. I could not believe the bountiful spread. We chowed down on local breakfast cuisine and gorged ourselves on old favorites. In true European fashion, a glass of breakfast champagne was also consumed. Culinary delights await visitors who venture into the resort’s restaurant, where locally sourced ingredients are transformed into delectable dishes. Dining at Emily Resort is an immersive experience, complemented by the ambiance of the restaurant and the stunning views beyond. At the end of our meal, we were stuffed and retreated to our rooms.
I grabbed my swimsuit and robe and headed to the resort spa, where I was in awe of what I witnessed. Emily Resort’s spa is the best resort spa that I have ever seen. My travels have taken me around the world to many resorts and I have encountered nothing as magnificent. The spa was a labyrinth of relaxation. I bounced around between the 14 saunas and steam rooms. The spa facilities offer a range of rejuvenating treatments, allowing guests to unwind and rejuvenate amidst the tranquil surroundings. One steam room included hay scattered around that helped my lungs feel amazing. A relaxation room included beds made of hay that caused me to quickly drift off to sleep.
Also, within the spa are four pools (3 indoor and 1 outdoor) for adults and children to play around in. There’s an indoor jacuzzi to help ease those knots and sore muscles. A small outdoor pool is available for a cold plunge. I enjoyed taking a cold plunge before and after sweating in the steam rooms. A Phyto bar aided my rejuvenation with tasty spirits.
Guests of the resort can also reserve a massage and time in a weightless floatatorium. The next time I stay at Emily’s I will spend more time at the spa and let one of their professional masseurs take my stress away. During the summer months, guests can play on a sandy beach and swim in the resort’s lake. Whether indulging in a soothing massage or unwinding in the sauna, the resort’s wellness offerings ensure a holistic escape for mind and body.
Families that visit the Lviv Oblast area have the option to enroll their children into Emily Kids’ Camp. Kids between the ages of 8 through 12 can participate in stretching their imaginations into the world of giants and fairy tales. Kids learn English in fun and creative ways during their stay. For UAH 13,000, parents pay for 6 days of camp. Kids stay in a Hogwarts style hostel during the time. While kids are having fun at camp, parents can play and relax at the resort.
Other fun family winter resort activities are a hill for tubing, runs for skiing and snowboard with reasonable prices for rentals, a mesh park, and an ice-skating rink. There is also a zoo on premises.
There is plenty to see and eat around the resort. We enjoyed touring the resort and laughing at all the giant trolls scattered around Emily’s. It seemed like every few feet, a delicious smell arose from the food shacks and stands.
A large outdoor pool will greet guests during the summer months. Unfortunately, the pool was covered in snow while we were there. Another reason to make another return trip.
Emily’s Resort is a haven for individuals seeking a healthier lifestyle. Emily’s Medical Center includes state-of-the-art facilities and provides excellent healthcare services to guests. With a wide variety of medical services, professionals provide services ranging from diagnostics to treatments, delivering comprehensive healthcare to the patients. The holistic approach to wellness emphasizes both preventative care and lifestyle management.
Beauty treatments are also available at Emily’s. guests can receive HydraFacial, icoone laser treatment, endospheric therapy, Indiba therapy, and more.
An impressive gymnasium can be found at the resort as well as a workout gym. One cannot leave Emily’s without noticing the owner’s love of football. Hryhoriy Kozlovsky is also the owner of FC Rukh Football Academy. Each year, Emily’s provides footballers with the chance to learn soccer/football from great coaches while playing games on exceptional fields. As we walked past the snow-covered pitch, I dreamed of kicking the ball around with my sons.
Often, we travel writers like to use phrases like, “Something for everyone.” At Emily Resort, there indeed is something for everyone.
To book your room at Emily Resort, click here.
To read about why we went to Ukraine, click here.
Disclaimer: I was hosted for this story and partnered with Lviv Department of Tourism and Reports. Follow the Department’s Tourism Instagram account here. For their Facebook page, click here.
I also partnered with Rebuild Ukraine Travel for this trip.
Hear are more stories abour our time in Ukraine:
Where is God During War: A conversation with a Ukrainian Priest
15 Reasons to Visit Western Ukraine Now
Defeating Darkness with Art: Touring Park 3020
Getting Naked in Ukraine
Rebuilding Ukraine by Rebuilding Children’s Lives: My interview with the staff of SOS
Emily Resort and Spa in Lviv, Ukraine is a Luxury Paradise with Family-Friendly Activities
Visiting Ukraine During the War
Representing America in the Back of a Taxi in Ukraine
Promoting Tourism in Ukraine During the War
Visiting Ukraine During the War
Snowboarding in Ukraine
Tips for Americans Visiting Ukraine
Visiting Truskavets’ Healing Springs and Spas
Horseback Riding in the Carpathian Mountains
Visiting Kamianets-Podilkskyi: Remembering the Past and Building to a Better Future
The Show Must Go On: The Lviv Opera House is Open Despite the War
Traditional Ukrainian Drink Uzvar Recipe
Kyiv Mule Cocktail Recipe
This sounds amazing. Thanks for sharing.