The quiet corner of Western Ukraine brims with tourists and locals. They trod the old streets, seeking the best view for photographs, unsuspecting of a true work of art that is Mala Shtatsia hotel. Located on the Olbracht street, it occupies two floors of the 200-year old house with rich history. The hotel’s name, translated from the Transacrpathian dialect, means «Little Station», which was actually located right across the road years ago. The birth of Mala Shtatsia took its place after an owner of the well-known in Uzhhorod «Pid zamkom» cafe-museum, Yuryi Rusnak, decided to buy two floors in a then dilapidated house and turned them into a place with unique ambience that used to be centuries ago. According to the city administration, the age of the house can go up to 200 years, and after talks with the old-timers, it was revealed that soldiers used it for rest and entertainment. Officers could chat freely, play cards over a bottle of wine over there.
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To recreate the atmosphere of Austro-Hungarian period, Yuryi had been deliberately choosing and collecting antique furniture and interior design items. Moreover, he was the one to fix most things around and do the main parts of the great makeover. Thus, thanks to his work, you can now observe majestic main entrance doors with painted frame, massive wooden beams, typical for the house style, and windows, walled up by the previous owners. The most challenging part was cleaning up the basement - and it appeared to be the most rewarding after all, opening a way to Uzhhorod’s under-city system. On the Olbracht street, where the hotel is situated, each house has multiple wine cellars, and Mala Shtatsia wasn’t an exception. The shortest one is 74 meters long - imagine the other ones!
All furniture in the hotel is antique, carefully selected and restored by Yuryi. He cleaned up and restored cabinets, beds, dressing tables and dressers that date back to pre-war Uzhhorod to keep every room to the same interior style called «rustic». To put it shortly, rustic means almost untrimmed, rough interior decisions with country charm and coziness. Think of the old, frayed - and oh so comfortable - rocking chair near the fireplace. The tavern on the first floor of the hotel has one - be sure to test it out on the especially cold evening.
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Apartments on the second floor are built for 6 people, offering 3 bedrooms, bathroom and a small terrace. You can add two more living places if needed, and host a whole family or friendly company. Don’t forget to peek into the basement - here, in the mysterious breath of history, you can have a romantic dinner with candles and wine from the hotel’s collection. Mala Shtatsia doesn’t have a separate kitchen, but you can prepare snacks like sandwiches, as well as coffee, in the tavern on the first floor. Worry not - the cafe-museum «Pid zamkom» is a 2-minute walk away from the hotel and will surprise you with just as deliberately created atmosphere, and, of course, its menu from local dishes. Despite being a place out from a history book, Mala Shtatsia has all 21st century conveniences: running water, heating, TV, and, of course, Wi-Fi. The nearby entertainment includes options for everyone: modern water park, flowing river, historical downtown and Uzhhorod’s castle. When fully loaded, the room’s price at the hotel per one night reaches UAH 250 per person. Memories, however, are priceless. Visit to savor them.
Address: 31, Olbracht street, Uzhhorod
Photo sources: shutterstock.com, varosh.com.ua. All images belong to their rightful authors.
