Kyiv

[QUOTE=Cruiser D]Although I did use [url]www.UkraineApartments.Com[/url] when I went to Kharkov and they did actually ask for a security deposit - it was only $10 which I gave to him while I was standing with him in the apartment. Also, I think the website is just a front end for a bunch of agents - so you aren't actually dealing with one big company per se.[/QUOTE]They have lowered the security deposit request to $250, if ONLY I send them a copy of my passport. I've seen apartment sites that request a passport #, but never an actual copy. Of course, I am aware that stolen passports do happen, and for that reason, I am not going to scan my fucking passport for them. Nor am I coming off $250 for a security deposit. The girl from [url]www.UkraineApartments.com[/url] I am e-mailing is named Elena. She's e-mailing me from the main website domain name, so I am pretty certain she is an agent for the owner of this apartment. Maybe the owner is just an ass and she's trying to create a happy medium. Lots of bargaining from her end though.

From my prior experience in Kiev, it seems the agent or owner could really just have no idea what they really need or want. After all, why would somebody put down a one-night deposit, let alone a security deposit, if they weren't really coming to Ukraine? I was blown away by the ineptitude of another popular apartment site who I won't name on the public forum. I thought I was going to miss my flight out of Borispol, because the hot chick manager claimed I had requested another night stay at a totally different apartment. I was like 'ummm... where the fuck are you taking me and why?' She had the audacity to ask me on the phone several times if I was 'sure I hadn't requested another apartment??' I'm like 'nyet! spasibo! my fucking plane leaves for London in 3 hours!' Of course, I remained calm and respectful, but I was so livid inside. I see a mix of ineptitude and con-artistry in the apartment rental business in Ukraine. I sense the ineptitude many times is a cover for the con-artistry. How far off am I?

The reason why they ask for one night is that if the person contacting them is an internet dreamer they don't lose out. Once they figure out you aren't coming when you don't show up that night all they are out is that one night which is covered by the one night advance, seems reasonable to me. As far as the problems you are having with the security deposit issue. I would guess it is either something the owner demands (very very very few agencies actually own the apartment) or they are just getting off a bad incident. Why don't you just compromise and tell her you will work something out when you are actually in Kiev renting the apartment. That way both parties can better size up the other.

I think when it comes to the 'known' apartment agencies it more of a case of just poor (or Ukrainian) business practices then an outright scam.

Umm, maybe the hot apartment manager was asking if you were spending another night because she wanted to spend it with you. ;) PM me with the other apartment agency name if you would.

[QUOTE=Lovedatslavicass]They have lowered the security deposit request to $250, if ONLY I send them a copy of my passport. (stuff deleted)[/QUOTE]

Excuse me guys, but when did this site change into the InternationalApartmentGuide

[QUOTE=Tremayne]Excuse me guys, but when did this site change into the InternationalApartmentGuide[/QUOTE]

LOL! That was funny!

Hi fellow mongers,

first trip to Kiev coming in late April. Can anyone suggest a website that is available in English? Looking for independents or reliable agencies.

Thanks

Hello, friends!

I would like to present you the very beatiful and young Kiev prostitute. All have quite normal pictures in their questionnaires, so you can make it out.

[url]http://www.destiny.com.ua/zhasmin_1986[/url] (3-8-097-898-68-81, 100$ for hour)

You have to be registered to see the big pictures. Registration is free and if you know what and where you should push it will take a couple of minutes. Just don't ask how much time it took for me :))

So, how to be registered:

1. Click on the word "Регистрация" (Registration) at the upper left.

2. If a questionnaire did not appear push the big green button named "Регистрация"(Registration).

3. Fill the questionnaire:

"Логин" = enter your login (try make your login longer so it won't be already occupied, but if is occupied the system will suggest to choose the other variant)

"Пароль" = password

"еще раз"(once again) = here you shall repeat your password

E-mail - well, you know what to do :))

"Ваше имя:"(Your name) - just enter your name here. Actually you can write here anything, but it should consist of one word.

"Ваш пол:"(Your sex) - choose your sex ("Мужской"(male)/"Женский"(female))
"Дата рождения:"(Date of birth) - enter any date, but you have to choose something

"Место жительства:"(Place of residense) - you also have to choose something here
"С кем бы вы

хотели познакомиться?"(Who you would like to become acquainted with?) - choose with whom you wish to become acquainted :)) (choose "с девушкой" = with a girl)
"Код:"(Code) - enter a code on a picture.

"Я принимаю условия, изложенные в Соглашении о предоставлении услуг"(I accept the terms specified in Agreement about the grant of services) - put a mark and push the button "Зарегистрироваться"(Register).

You will get an e-mail, where you will find a link for confirmation of registration. In principle you can confirm it.

If you still gonna look for the girlies here, otherwise your questionnaire will just be removed in a day.

Well that's all! Have fun!!! :)

landed 22-March, cleared customs in about 15 minutes and went to meet my driver from ua-apartments who was not there, so I hang about there for about 20 mins fighting off the taxi mafia in borisphol! so in the end I have enough and go to the the taxi booth and get one to hotel that I use, figuring that I am fucked will get some sleep and call them in the morning and sort it out! big mistake! when I get there they tell me they only accept e-mail or phone bookings and full (elections monitors)so I throw myself on the sweet desk manager and she starts to ring about, finally she gets me somewhere, double room 53$a night, shrugs her shoulders and gets me taxi to a hotel on the left bank (no names) which to my horror is soviet non renovated job! so I check in and the room is absolutely apalling, so decided not to wait till tomorow, hunt out the internet cafe, on the website go back to my room and call ua apartments asking the obsvious question. Where fuck were you? any way after a brief conversation they send a driver to pick me up and I check out in less than 45 minutes thinking that my ordeal was over! how wrong I was! me and the driver leave the hotel and head to ua apartments office where we pick up julia thier manager and off we go to the apartment I had booked! by now it getting late in the evening. Any way we start going a bit further than I normally like and eventually arrive. We park up all get out and head to the front door and absoutely astounded as they are punching numbers in the lock but it not opening! they have changed the lock code and they don't have it! any way 10 minutes later julia says we will go arround the back and go in the door there and its open! wonderful. Check me in pay 4 nights and she tells me no probems back door never locked! so I sit down read the brochure and it tells me only 5 mins to centre so by now more hungry than tired I reckon I walk in town catch the metro and go to the joss centre and the engish pub there. It must of took me at least 30 minutes to get to the metro station and in total 53 to be in pub having a drink and some thing to eat, looking at the clock it already 1230 so I pay up and get a taxi to the rp which is busy! sit down with a stella and 2 minutes later anastasia sits next to me and ask what I am there for! woman and she says she 200 and we negotiate etc, but there is a problem she has friend and she being awkward with her. Many girls but only a few men in the place and she doesnt want to be left alone. So she trys to persuade me to have both but I am not having any of it and tel her she has 5 mins or I will find someone else. So her and friend arguing and just then 3 blokes sit next them and they are trying on with them trying to get a double act I supose so I go to the bar and run into lara who I had in December, agreed on 125$ and go, anastasia clearly fuming! get a taxi and head back to the apartment, got out paid the taxi and went arround the backdoor only to find out it fucking locked and now I am mad! lara was concerned and said I could go back to her place if I didnot mind it being a bit sparse! and it was! but accepted did the business and at 11 both got taxi back to myne where by now the back door was now open paid her up and called ua told them I wanted the code, hotel or another apartment, they ring me back 5 minutes later and tell me a few codes to try that don't work and they will move me tomorrow to a better apartment nearer the centre! with no more to pay! I say ok make sure I am in by 1800hrs and write the rest of the night off. Driver comes at 1200 picks me up and takes me to the new apartment which is far superior and only 2 mins from globus. Pull up outside and there she is julia who I tell in no uncertain terms what I think about her! but worse was to come we go upstairs sit down and then she asks for another 2 nights rent on top of the 4 already that I have paid her plus 10$ for the driver I tell her to fuck off and I want the manager whom she calls quick conversation in russian says the manager is not available and there is no more to pay! now fellow mongers I want to make this plain julia will take advantage of you if she has the chance and be wary of her! as regards to ua there appartments were clean and safe and all the other mambers of staff were ok and did what they contracted to do! now settled and being fri I go to see the show at joss 12$ticket starts at 2230 goes on for about 2 hours and it was good after the show they have a bit if a disco and out of nowhere 8-9 young girls 18-26 came in and started dancing I am not saying they are working or from the strip club next door I didnot stop long enough but worth a visit to find out next time! left about 1 and went rp where just as I got there the turks were leaving with there bonde booty for the night! had look arround and spotted yulia having a drink by the clock near the bar. 200$ total waste of money probally new to it all and I don't think she knew what really what to put up, responsive but wouldnot take that extra step that most of them do and become invoved but I didnot care really after week I had. Sat had lara again as reward for putting me up when I was in distress. Never managed to get to moda tremayne but will eventually next time! thought rp was very poor really and the girls with a few exceptions were really not upto much! there was a far better ratio Wednesday than Friday! just a final thought when I first met lara in dec she was with 3-4 friends who she tells have now given it up as they cannot make rp pay and she is thinking of taking a legit job.

Bandit7

[blue]Hi,

This is just a suggestion, so please don't take it the wrong way.

I appreciate the details in your report, but I know from experience that a lot of people find it easier to read a report if the paragraphs are separated by a single blank line.

I know how this happens: You're banging away at the keyboard, putting your thoughts into the report as fast as you can write them. However, if you could hit the return key TWICE at the end of each paragraph, your report would be much easier to read, which would certainly be appreciated by your fellow Forum Members.

Thanks,

[i]Jackson[/i][/blue]

Hey, how much were you actually paying per day for your flat?

b7... Your report points out a couple of things that are important to anyone who wants to rent an apartment in the FSU...

1. Always get a mobile number that functions all night AND with someone who can speak English on the other end.
2. If you have another option, even for more money, avoid Soviet-style apartments if you can.
3. If you have ANY question about the quality or service when you check in, do not pay for the full stay in advance, pay only the next day.
4. If possible, make sure that you are delaing with an organization who understands that you expect reasonable service. This can normally be accomplished by looking at this website and maybe their website to determine if others recommend the company.
5.. ALWAYS try to deal with a company who is renting their OWN flats and are not operating as a broker... VERY FEW actually own their own flats, but this will prevent the codes from being changed and having to work through a middle man when something breaks.

Remember that you may encounter a problem with ANY apartment, but the real winners are the apartment rental companies who will respond immediately, no matter what time, to correct a problem and don't try to jack you around with misrepresentations or bait and switch flats. At the same time, remember that this is the FSU and sometimes things happen that are out of the control of everyone, including the rental companies and the owners, that's why you should try to minimize any problems by dealing only with rental companies who own their own apartments... it saves one level of hassle for everyone.

We used the services of kievlet.com the last couple of times in Kiev. Probably not the best deal available, prices on the website are in euro, but Gary from England and his staff will take good care of you. Only problem we had last time was the missing backup water heater, make sure the apartment is equipped with one, otherwise you might wait for hot water every now and then, not the best option if you have a date and are in a hurry.

following article is from the "kyiv post". the new club "dance and groove" was formerly known as "tschaikovsky". disco "ring" is run by one of eric aigner´s friends from germany, we visited the club on womans day, girl-guy ratio was about 98 to 2, no nines or tens though, lots of students and school girls, definitely worth a visit.



"Get the party started: ten hot new clubs

Dancing just keeps getting easier here, so shake off the snow and show us what you've got!

Kyiv’s club scene just keeps on growing. But it’s not only a question of quantity: the ever-increasing number of venues allows for much higher service quality as well. Unfortunately, of course, that’s not always the case – but out of the ten new clubs we’re listing you’re bound to find one or two that fit both your budget and your nightlife demands.

Back to the future

All fans of retro rejoice: During the last six months Kyiv’s dance scene was furnished with three new spots reproducing the atmosphere of ‘60s freak-outs as well as disco’s golden era.

The “cosmic” interior of club 1961 sends you back to the time of Barbarella with its dim lighting, shiny metal ceiling pipes, chrome chairs and tables, and glaring mirrors that send flashes down the bar. And, of course, don’t miss the short-skirted “cosmic” waitresses as well.

Apart from the cocktail parties that take place here every night, the Cubano Boom Party is held each Friday for fans of Latin music. And 1961’s D.I.S.C.O. party offers all the greatest dance hits of the ‘70s and ‘80s every Sunday. When your legs get tired take a break at the cozy sushi bar with its comfortable sofas. Just put on your best disco outfit and get on the dancefloor.

Azhur was also designed to resemble American clubs of the ‘60s and ‘70s with its chic simplicity and flights of retro style. Bartenders and waitresses comply with the interior, dressed as Elvis and Marilyn accordingly.

Once a week you can dance to the sentimental tunes of old Soviet bands. Other nights provide hippie-era hits, and arm wrestling contests are held every week. But be warned, the face control is really strict – visitors older than 25 and dressed either in retro or rock-n-roll styles have the best chance of getting in.

Sexily named Pomada (Lipstick) consists of three different “zones” – a dance floor with glass walls and ceiling, a bar and a tiny stage; the “white” hall – a soundproof lounge zone; and the “red” hall, where you can relax on one of the three comfortable corner sofas and hide from the crowds. The music played at Pomada is “light and melodious,” including Russian and Western pop hits and latin music. In fact Pomada has already become one of the favorite spots of the gay community, though heterosexual couples also number among the club patrons.

1961, Entertainment Center Ultramarine, 1A Uritskoho, 200-1961

Azhur, 3 Leontovycha, 234-7494

Pomada, 6 Zankovetskoyi, 279-5552



Rock-n-roll lives

In the past year the number of live music clubs has grown considerably, please both the fans of live music and the bands themselves, who now have more opportunities to prove themselves worthy of an audience. What’s more, these clubs are usually much more democratic, with hardly any face control at all and generally quite affordable prices for both entry and drinks—definitely another reason to like them.

Ring gets its name from a stage shaped like a boxing ring, situated in the club’s biggest hall that accommodates about 20 tables, a number of isolated booths and a long bar. The second floor hides the balcony and two separate entertainment zones: Jazz Club, with its own mini-stage; and strip bar “69.”

Ring welcomes all sorts of live performers of different calibers, compositions and styles – from intelligent progressive rock and reggae to ethnic music and nu-metal. Every Saturday you can hear three different bands perform in a single night during the Tarakan (cockroach) Party. The name is not incidental, as the entertainment program involves cockroach races that take place inside the transparent bar stand, which has small wooden tracks built into it under the glass. Among notable concerts already held in the club were the heavy music festival Moon Fest, international reggae fest Good Vibes vol. 2 and a solo concert by Esthetic Education.

With its total absence of decor - or even a sign above the entrance - Torba seems to hark back to the times when rock was outlawed in the Soviet Union and any existing bands belonged to the underground scene. The only elements of design at Torba are the posters from the music magazines and portraits of Soviet leaders on the walls as well as heavy wooden tables that look straight out of the 18th century. Not surprisingly, experimental music is most favored here – death-metal, grind-core, death’n’roll, rockabilly – just as long as it’s played well. Inside, an old poster over the door reads “Welcome, members of the Republican conference!” You get the picture?(???)

Just like its Obolon-located older brother Docker Pub, Docker’s ABC resembles your typical bar. With its wooden tables and chairs, the oblong main hall and its long bar have small open pavilions each with a few tables inside. The walls are adorned with ancient advertisements and portraits of rock stars. Another “docker” trademark, the stage is situated behind the bar and the music played is only rock-n-roll. While during day you can hear your favorite classic rock albums, in the evenings there’s live performances from resident club bands as well as guest musicians mostly from Russia, such as punk rockers Nogu Svelo, who played at the club opening.

Ring, 8 Nauki prosp., 524-2209

Torba, 66 Pravdy

Docker`s ABC, 15 Khreshchatyk, 278-1717



God is a DJ

Most clubbing youths still prefers traditional venues with their house and techno— so naturally its these places that are competing most fiercely, trying to drive audiences away from each other by using star DJs, unusual design and particular specialties.

The main color of the interior in Dance and Groove (commonly referred to as D&G) is black with inflections of steel. The two levels of the club and its minimalist design create maximum space for dancing. European DJs and fashionable dance music trends from the West prevail in the musical politics of D&G. The always-glamorous Hed Kandi series of parties already so popular in Europe helped popularize the club as an advanced and high-end dancing venue. But glamour surely has its price--expect serious face control and dress code.

Recently opened Wenzel was at first considered a pre-party spot, but it’s already turned into one of the highlights of the city’s clubbing scene, with five unique zones each designed in a different style, several relaxation halls with sofas and armchairs, a dance floor and a long bar that stretches out across two rooms. During parties the whole brick-walled corridor adorned by scary gargoyles holding flat-screen TVs turns into a dance floor. As for the parties themselves, disco maniacs should appreciate the club’s eclectic and pleasant mixture of deep-house, tech-house, deep-techno, electro-house and other fashionable sounds from guest deejays such as DJ Chloe from Paris who played at the opening.

The newest club on our list, Kaif (Kick), opened just two weeks ago and though first impressions are often wrong, the opening party on March 3 did little to foster a good reputation. Thanks to the efforts of club security, the event - advertised as a party with no entrance fee for everybody holding an Afisha card or invitation - turned into a V.I.P. opening that welcomed only “special guests.” As a result, already before 11 p.m. a large group of people crowded by the entrance to Kaif, being violently pushed back by security, who continued to admit those aforementioned V.I.P. guests.

Those lucky enough to get in found themselves in a broad entrance hall with a coat check and stairs leading up into the spacious lounge zone laid with carpets and supplied with its own bar. Another flight of stairs led down to the main hall with a bar on either side of the room, a stage and a dance floor divided into squares of different colors that lit up from below. Quite empty at first (and that with the crowd outside) the dance floor gradually filled with girls and boys who seemed to care not so much about music and dancing, but showing off their moves before photographers. If the idea was to drive away the gilded youth and big spenders from other hot spots than the aim was certainly achieved. Those who didn’t manage to “get high” at Kaif despite having to fight their way both inside and outside, will hardly want to return. Though with its lavishly hip interior, the place does have potential once the dust settles.

Dance and Groove, 2 Bessarabska ploshcha, 234-3149

Venzel, 66 Velyka Vasylkivska, 287-2520

Kaif, Artema"

One of the good things about WSG is that you can express your opinions and ideas not just about sex but about life in a particular country. The bad thing is that while I and many others have expressed less than sterling opinions of life and business in Ukraine over and over again in all to many posts, many of you still come here expecting things as they are in Western Europe, the US or in other advanced countries.

Don't any of you guys who complain about the rip-offs ever read beyond the first page of the forum before you get here???? If not, I cannot be too sympathetic with your plight.

Now get this right, guys, and I AM shouting, Jackson, for effect...

THE LOCALS CARE ONLY ABOUT HOW THEY CAN RIP YOU OFF, IN WHOLE OR IN PART. THEY ARE DISHONEST, THEY ARE THIEVES AND THEY ARE PROUD OF IT ONCE THEY ROB FROM YOU!

They do not know and do not care about "win-win," they only know about "win-lose," and naturally it is always better that YOU lose.

I have been here too long and seen too much here not to finally get it through my thick skull that this is the way they not only work with foreigners but also with locals. It has nothing to do with your being from abroad, it has everything to do with local culture. Under the czars, under the commissars, it was dog eat dog and survive as best you can. Today, nothing has changed and may even be worse.

Be it apartments, ladies, and anything else, trust no one here unless it is someone like CA Traveler, who is not a local and has a proven track record. However, he is in Odessa and not in Kiev.

In Kiev and throughout Ukraine, be very, very careful.

Uke:

Funny that you post that because after reading the report I was also thinking, "oh, sounds like the Ukraine I remember".

We've all been through apartment hassles in Kiev or elsewhere... all the more important reason to try to find people you can trust. Not easy.

Don't you wish Ca_T was running all the apartment agencies?

Imagine a world with apartments that have more than one towel and... God forbid... internet in the rooms!

You have to roll with the punches in Candyland, otherwise they'll roll you...

Sorry to hear about your bad time Bandit7, but consider it an indoctrination into an exclusive club... :)

Bez booked it through website, shoud have been one of the "hot offers" 129$ reduced to 109$ but it was not avaiable! surprise! surprise! I know it was bait and switch but I knew this! uke boy I agree with everything you say! I have to say it has not put me of kiev or apartments but next time I will go elsewhere with my $!

Doc,

There are too many guys who come here and think the word "agency" attached to any business such as apartments, agency, escorts means something of quality and a "good deal." That is about as far from the truth as possible here.

I think that if anyone pays an agency any more than one night in advance for an apartment, they are fools who really deserve to be ripped off. Most of the places here are not worth the monies spent on them, not for even $20 per night. You are better off in a hotel no matter how many bribes you have to pay to the doorman.

I openly dare and challenge all the apartment agency owners to private email me and prove on the spot that it is otherwise.

I also dare them to openly explain to all in this forum why they need the full price of the stay if their place is a sty and that is no typo. If they do not, then they are the thieves and cowards I have claimed that they are. What is wrong with a one-night deposit as is the case in the West?

I have my own place here in an old Soviet bloc building so I know what life is like in such a place, the good and the bad.

If the locals have any pride of service, let them prove it here.

We know they read it and let them prove it NOW!

The same is true of such escort agencies as Kiev Beauties and all too many others. Let them also prove that they provide the best ladies for the lowest prices for all when we call. Not in a thousand years will the present lousy system change.

Show us all that you can provide service for a fair price and not try to rip everyone off!

By the way, I don't have any of the above problems so I have nothing that I would lose. I know the system, I have my methods and quietly do my "business" without any problems. I am just pissed that so many guys complain after they get there they were ripped off.

I think that the local businesses need to understand you cannot keep ripping everyone off all the time.

Maybe this rant could be one small step to making them understand, but I doubt that.