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| Nalyvaiyka Street at Dawn |
After a 2000 Kilometre journey by Land Rover from London, through France, Belgium, Holland, Germany and Poland in to Ukraine and on to L'viv, I was delighted by what awaited me at my new home for the next few weeks- 'The British Club'. Set amidst the picturesque architecture of Nalyvaika street, a hop skip and jump from Lviv's imposing and beautiful Opera House on Opera Square, 'The British Club' is in a prime position for easy access to all the delights L'viv has to offer. The city itself commonly referred to as 'The Little Paris' ,is a warren of coffee shops bars and restaurants all of which are unique in style and décor. The whole atmosphere of the city is one of a vibrant culture that is revelling in having shaken off the shackles of Russian domination and been reborn into the true vibrant and colourful Ukrainian city it was always meant to be. And at the heart of this city nicely tucked away is "The British Club" An English outpost of a truly luxurious and refined nature.
The first thing that struck me was the magnificence of the place. The hand crafted marble design around the staircase gave a stately feel to this recently renovated building.As I entered my apartment I saw a large mirrored cupboard and wooden chest for storing coats, hats, shoes and the like. My room was spacious and airy with exquisite Leather sofas, beautiful hand crafted dress mirror and dressing table with plenty of storage space and a comfortable King size bed. The design of the apartment was stylish and sleek. The two bathrooms again were stylishly designed with the added luxurious touch of heated marble tiles. The kitchen was well designed and fully fitted with convection oven, grill,double sink, drying rack,fridge freezer and washing machine as well as a host of cupboard and draw space.
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| Outside The British Club |
A mahogany table and antique chairs were set on a raised level for dining at and annexed to this was an outdoor space at the back of the kitchen with plenty of double windows for those hot Summer days, that overlooked the outdoor grounds of the Club.The apartment contained a further bedroom, no less impressive than mine and a large living room that was ideal for relaxing or entertaining with a fitted Plasma screen and much to my delight sported a beautifully constructed, marble fire place for those cosy nights in.e. This was just one of the apartments in the club and I have to say mine was the most modest in comparison!
Other apartments such as the one directly beneath mine were similar in design but had extra features such as one of the most beautiful living rooms/dining area I had ever seen. It would be more fitting in a stately home with its hand crafted corner work, antique dining table and chairs, leather sofas and again a beautiful central marble fire place. Subtly placed around the room were various antique corner tables,vases and candlestick holders and an impressive glass cabinet that contained a host of typically English boutique china ware. The room was wide and airy with a high ceiling and beautiful wooden tiled floor, over layed with an impressive hand woven, antique rug. It could easily have been found in one of England’s stately homes and indeed, the whole design and atmosphere of the club captured just that feel. Overall the building contains 14 rooms over 8 apartments all of which follow the same luxurious and stylish layout and differ only in size and shape but not in quality and attention to detail.
The main feature of 'The British club' however, has to be the Club Room itself. Equipped with bar and Kitchen for entertaining it has a truly British feel to it. As you walk in you are struck by the décor instantly. Period furniture adorns the room with beautiful framed pictures of the royal family adorning the walls. Mahogany chairs and tables, antique cabinets with beautifully hand crafted designs decorate the interior. As if this wasn't enough we then move on into the main dining room and are instantly struck by its opulence and grandeur .
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| Tango Evening In the Club Room |
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| Beautiful Lady amidst the Music |
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| Entertaining in the Club Room |
A long glass topped dining table is the centre feature, something the Duke of Devonshire or even the Prince of Wales would be more than comfortable sitting at. The walls are adorned with artwork depicting scenes form the city of London and two policemen’s helmets rest upon a mahogany dresser at the front of the room. A baby grand piano, a beautiful double bass and a Spanish classical guitar sit expectantly in the corner waiting to be played. All this is hooked up to a mixer and speakers that sit unobtrusively in the top corners of the whole club room. This would seem enough in itself but as we look up we are treated to a scene of cherubs and angels ( painted beautifully by one of Ukraine’s top artists) lounging and playing around the ceiling, in a scene akin to something one would see in the Sistine Chapel. The room is suitable for large functions and dinner parties all accompanied by live music if one so wishes. A breathtaking room with a truly irresistible ambience and feel. One thing is for certain that no expense has been spared to make this truly an experience to be part of.
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| The Opera House and Opera Square |
The Club is secured with CCTV monitoring at the main door and stare wells and even above each guest door on the outside ,supported by an intercom system so one can see exactly who is calling at any time. The doors are heavy and solid with sturdy locks adding to the feeling of safety and security. Anyone who decided to hire out this building would be able to relax in the comfort and knowledge that they would be perfectly safe and secure when they slept and would have complete control regarding who came in and out of the building. It would be an ideal place for business conferences, exclusive parties, luxurious weekend retreats and formal events all safe in the knowledge that whoever rented out the building for the time would have complete freedom and control to do as they wished and be as select as they liked about who they invited. This a building with all the classic British characteristics of class, distinction and refinement. A true Englishman’s stately home from home and all set amongst the rich cultural heritage and beauty of the city I fell in love with, L'viv.
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| View from The Glass Fronted Opera Restaurant |
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| L'viv rooftops at Dusk |
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| L'viv |
