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A modern fairy tale in the heart of the Carpathians: Mandra Morion project has become a sensation in Ukrainian tourism and investment
Imagine waking up with the sun in the heart of the Ukrainian Carpathians, and having days full of unforgettable experiences, complete relaxation, and delicious food ahead of you. It seems like a dream, but this opportunity already exists - in the cottage community Mandra Morion, which combines natural landscapes, modern design and the best traditions of customer care.
OBOZ.UA offers to learn more about the new format of recreation for Ukraine. This is a unique project that offers comfortable accommodation and favorable conditions for investors, as the integrated management is carried out by Ribas Hotels Group, which has become a quality standard in Ukraine.
A modern fairy tale among majestic mountain ranges
The complex is located in the wilderness at an altitude of 900 meters in Mykulychyn, Ivano-Frankivsk region, 15 minutes from Tatariv-Bukovel and Yaremche railway stations and 25 minutes from Bukovel resort.
The climb up a steep mountain road is the first exciting experience for vacationers. There you can easily meet forest inhabitants (not only hares and foxes, but even roes), see all the shades of mixed forest and enjoy the healing Carpathian air.
At the top, you will find 20 modern double houses that blend seamlessly into the local landscape and offer maximum comfort. Each of them is equipped with a modern climate control system, a large bed, panoramic windows and a terrace with furniture.
Designer renovation and convenience of cottages can impress even the most demanding customers.
All the lodges are designed so that you can meet the sunrise right in bed. The sunrise over the peaks and the mountain silence are experiences that Mandra Morion gives at no extra charge, and which will definitely be remembered for a lifetime.
In addition to the cottages, the complex has its own restaurant - breakfasts with mountain views are included in the price.
There is also a swimming pool, hot tubs, parking with electric car charging, a species swing, barbecue facilities, a game room and a playground.
Mandra Morion welcomes pets and can arrange a shuttle service if needed. Families with children should note that the complex has an age limit of 6+ for safety reasons.
Insta-location and aesthetic at every step
Mandra Morion is perfect for creating content for blogs, social networks, and personal archives.
Stylish cottages, the majesty of the mountains, the lights of Mykulychyn at night below, sunny and foggy sunrises - this rare combination will definitely get you positive reviews on the web.
Branded pillows with the inscription "You are among the stars", motivational phrases on the mirror, drip coffee for a cozy morning - this is how the cottage looks like inside.
The reminder of the importance of donations to the Armed Forces of Ukraine is particularly noteworthy.
The complex is a vivid example of glamping, which operates on the principle of "escaping from civilization but remaining with its benefits."
In addition, cottages on the top of the mountain give you a unique opportunity to be alone with your thoughts, organize an Instagram trip with friends, or simply spend precious time with your family and friends.
Guest care comes first
Mandra Morion has made it a priority to keep in touch with its customers on a regular basis. Requests that can be sent even via messenger are promptly fulfilled by professional staff.
According to Yulia Kosenko, CEO of Ribas Hotels Management, the Mandra Morion team was selected very carefully and consists of specialists who have previously proven themselves at other properties of the hotel group.
"We spare no time and money to organize service training. This includes training for managers, so that they can pass on knowledge. Many people look at our company as an example of a service company. We really create a great service for our guests. The service that people talk about. And that's right, because service is what we sell," she said.
Ribas Hotels Group has created the All-Ukrainian Hospitality School project and even received a grant for it. The company also organized administrator courses in Bukovel.
"We want to train and retrain people. We want to make them real professionals. We want to create a wow-service, so we need to understand what kind of experience our guests get in other industries or businesses," Kosenko said.
Go to impressions
Another innovation at Mandra Morion is the experience menu.
"We want to have a person on our staff - an experience manager. He or she will force guests to get new experiences. Yes, yes, to force. The thing is that most of our guests are quite passive, they don't like to go out and do anything... So we sometimes tell them: 'We're waiting for you at the reception at 12. And then we take them on a trip, organize a tea ceremony, and teach them Hutsul kung fu," Kosenko said enthusiastically.
Indeed, the choice of experiences in the complex is very diverse. These include an outdoor SPA, an eco-photo session, a horseback ride, an ATV tour, meditation, yoga nidra, fishing, and other equally interesting activities.
If the guests are in the mood for travel, Mykulychyn is home to Chemehiv Canyon, where the acclaimed movie Dovbush was filmed. The natural object with a picturesque blue lagoon has long been a favorite place for tourists for photo shoots.
"Mandra Morion has a unique offer. Here you can exhale and reboot. Here, if you go outside in the morning or evening and listen, you can hear real silence. And for guests, it's a real thrill," said the CEO of Ribas Hotels Management.
A new word in investing: how it works
Mandra Morion is not only about vacationing, but also about investing wisely. Each lodge is a profitable investment that pays stable dividends.
"The model of investing in the lodges of our hotel complexes works like this," Kosenko explained in detail, "first, investors invest in construction, and when the lodge is ready, they sign a management agreement with us. We technically accept the facility and manage it operationally. As a management company, we receive a percentage of the net profit, and the net profit is distributed among the owners. Investors receive a monthly financial report. We pay dividends once a quarter."
According to the hotelier, it is usually 10-12 percent per annum. According to the results of the first quarter of the Mandra Morion hotel complex, the yield for investors reached 15%.
Each investor has the right to a certain number of days, which is specified in the contract, of free vacation in the house in which he or she has invested. And starting from January 1, 2025, a new loyalty program will be launched for investors, according to which the investor will be able to convert the days of free accommodation to other hotels of the Ribas chain. Both in Ukraine and in Poland and Bali.
Mandra Morion's performance is quite high: the facility's occupancy rate during the adaptation period in the first three months of operation was 59%. During the high season (July-August), it reached 69%. The total profit of the hotel is 26% higher than the planned figure.
The complex was built by MBA Development, a company that has been operating in western Ukraine for 10 years, has 28 facilities in Ivano-Frankivsk region, and boasts 40,000 m² of built-up area.
In addition to Mandra Morion, the company is building two more modern complexes in Mykulychyn.
Agate Resort & Spa is a cottage community located next to the forest. It includes 37 cottages, which are being built in several stages. The complex, which is scheduled to open in February 2025, has a parking lot, a SPA, a restaurant and offers round-the-clock service.
Agate Resort & Spa is ideal for families. Each of the houses has a private courtyard with a swimming pool.
Malahit Resort & Spa is a complex with a total area of 4.5 hectares, located 15 minutes from the center of Mykulychyn village in a picturesque area with a mountainous terrain. It is being built in three phases and has objects available for investment.
Ribas Hotels Group will also manage both complexes.
Maksym Bartko, founder and CEO of MBA Development, explained the general concept of their recreation complexes: "We are proud of our projects and are happy when they bring people pleasure and inspire them. Our priority is to ensure that the investor who invests in our projects receives good dividends, and the end client who comes to rest is satisfied."
Bartko emphasized that it is important for them to build housing and hotels that harmoniously fit into the environment and are in line with local traditions and building aesthetics. During construction, the company strictly monitors the preservation of trees.
Stone and wood are widely used in each complex, which is very typical for the Carpathians.
Statues of women stylized as examples of stone-cutting art from different historical periods of Ukraine are used as decor. They resemble the well-known Polovtsian and Scythian stone women.
The developers from MBA Development also paid considerable attention to light in their cottages.
"While Mandra Morion has windows facing the sunrise, Agate Resort & Spa has windows on three sides to fully observe the surrounding nature," Bartko said.
"We want our clients to feel like they are in the lap of nature, among the incredible beauty of the mountains," Bartko summarized.