Okay, so my girl had to go an settle some family matters in Poltava, leaving me temporarily alone in Kiev.
So I decided to get an apartment with a big warm luxurious Hot Tub for her return - tonight.
I found an agency with apartments near Kreschatic and on the first page of their booking.com listing it shows a wonderful big hot tub.
I look in the text of the booking.com ad and the description says "Every apartment has a hot tub and a balcony." Super. Not much possibility of misunderstanding there.
And they have 5 units left - because of this (presumably) these apartments are market down 75%!! Thats what it says. Normally over $300 per night - now around $75 per night. Okay, so maybe that part is an exageration. But these usnits are supposed to be right near Kreschatic Street.
The description of my order even says "Special Features - Hot Tub".
So I show up to get this great apartment - AND - you guessed it - no Hot Tub.
I said "There must be a mistake. Where's the hot tub?" They said "No mistake. No hot tub".
I said "Then get me a different apartment. You have five uinits open. Give me one with a hot tub." The girl says "Would you like to talk to somebody at the office?" I said "Yes I would."
I speak to an annoying lady at the office whe says "Sir, wee have some units with hot tubs. But not every unit has a hot tub. I said "What does 'Every apartment has a hot tub and a balcony.' mean to you? Because apparently it means something to me. What are you going to do about it?"
She says "Nothing."
I said "I booked this through booking.com and I will be happy to write a very negative review, complaining about your deceiptful advertising."
She says "Wait a minute. I think we might have a room available with a jacuzzi bathtub."
So thats what I have. A piddly little standard size jacuzzi bathtub. Better than nothing but not a hot tub by any means.
THIS booking.com review is going to be fun to write.
Maybe I should have titled this thread - Adventures in Ukraine.
Just went to q liquor store where I bought 2 bottles if wine for 207.35 grievnas.
The girl who checked out my purchase didn't speak a word of English but she inisted that I had to have a discount card. I tried to explain that I wasn't FROM here but she would not be disuaded.
Trying to be polite (she seemed quite adamant) I consented to fill out the the Russian card (with I couldn't read any of) figuring maybe I will save 5% or 10% on the purchase. I can't do much until my girl returns to tonight anyway - so I struggled to fill out the car.
When I was finished she gleefully handed me my new discount card and scanned it as I waited anxiously to see my discount.
And my purchase price came to 208.35 grievnas. 1 grievna MORE - for, you guessed it, the card.
Nothing is ever what it seems! I look for special features in hotels too,,, it will be in their advertising,,, they will say that they have one,,,, but you ALWAYS have to ask if it works!!!!
sorry you are having trouble jetma. I have 2 discount cards. it averages 5-10% off, depending upon the place.
Your price was probably higher to pay the miniscule "activation fee". If the girl "activates" enough cards then
she gets a "bonus" which amounts to 4 or 5 bucks.
Just like America, it is basically a tracking tool to see what you buy in order to develop marketing.
I always book my hotels through booking.com. Its been a life saver. I always get lower prices than are available at the desk. In fact when I stayed at the Lybid in Kiev for $51.00 a night - the second night (I wasn't sure how long I was going to stay) they wanted to charge me over $100. When I bawked - I was told that if I wanted the $51 rate I should go back to my room and book it through booking.com. I did, and I got the lower price.
When in Poltava - all the big hotels were full - and nobody had a clue what other options were available. Of course there are apartments but since I was going to a Romance Social - I prefer to work from a hotel.
Booking.com was able to find a bunch of little hotels, very convenient and inexpensive and nody else I knew had heard of these places.
The ONLY time I have been let down is this time - and at supposedly such a low rate - I was on the hook, with no cancellation rights. They could charge my credit card anyway.
This is going to be dealt with.
My girl had a very bad cold. Obviously I wanted the hot tub for reasons (that went unfulfilled) but the hot bath after a cold bus ride made her feel better and when I told her about my effort to get us a hot tub - lets just say I got rewarded even though it didn't work out.
Because of a snowstorm in Ukraine and a plane that was leaving at 6:30 am - I decided to stay in a small private hotel in Borispol. This place was set up like a castle and my only regret was that I didn't have a lady with me as it was my last night.
They had a very formal dining room where I was offered coffee in the evening. And there were various packets of things to add to the coffee, like cream and sugar, carmel, apricot something. I chose one with a label written in Russian, but I could tell from the picture on the lable ot was certainly something for coffee and I added it. It tasted very strange. So I tasted the flavoring directly. It was horseradish.
Bleehhhh.
Now WHO puts horseradish in their coffee????? (I mean obviously, other than me.) Is this a Ukrainian traddition I have never heard of? Or should I have looked closer to see if my hosts were crouched down somewhere snickering?
and jetma, never heard of that before. probably a trick!
cant believe the snow! 2 feet! sledding by catacombs was awesome!
that hasnt happened in a few years.
Moyarishka: There was absolutely nothing on the tray that the horseradish could have been used for. And everything else on the tray was certainly used for coffee.
For the locals to place the Horseradish for jetmba. coyote to consume, this would only mean one thing; they see jetmba. coyote as the sexual predator that he is and also, as an old 55 year old that who, with no doubt, is chasing the hot young babes 30 years younger then him....
But if you ask him, a 21 year old girl from FSU and a 55 year old from Wisconsin have much in common ( pissing myself laughing )
Yes, the only thing in common, is jetmba. coyote is being conned ( again )and the woman has met an old fool that thinks in his mind ' I've still got it '
Keep up the good work you clever good girl.
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The 'Hot Tub' thread is a bit like Martin Colmans ( rag'n'bull ) life in the Philippines...Day, by day, dribble after dribble, fantasy chasing fantasy...