Do you love Soviet architecture? Are you fascinated by videos about life in North Korea? If you said Yes to both questions, this post is for you. I’ve mentioned before that my mom feels nostalgic when talking about Soviet Union. It’s not that she loved the regime itself.
Here is a spoiler for you. When you see photos of smiling Soviet citizens marching with slogans praising the great leader and communist party, most of them didn’t want to be there. Especially my dad. He hated this stuff with a passion. Though the same can not be said about my mom. For her it was a chance to get together with her friends and have a fun picnic afterwards. Nothing to do with celebrating the glorious revolution.
In general, my mom tries to see positive in everything, which is the opposite of my dad. I’m a weird mix of both.
Anyway, in order to pacify the populace and make citizens feel more content about their meager wages and lack of freedom, Communist party has wisely built these all-inclusive “resorts” where you could stay for peanuts at least once a year. The term is actually “sanatorium”, only you didn’t need to be sick to qualify. That was my mom’s favorite part of living in the Soviet Union.
Many of these “resorts” are still there, scattered all around Belarus. Senior citizens and disabled persons can still stay for pennies on the dollar (or ruble in this case), though competition is fierce. Fortunately, my mom likes a good challenge and stalks available sanatorium slots like a hawk. In fact, she even befriended the person in charge of assigning spots, so she can jump on any last-minute cancellations. If she lived in the US, she would totally be into miles and points hobby.
A few months ago, she called me with the happy news. She was able to snag two spots for her and her friend in Mogilev city sanatorium (that’s near Russia). They would stay for twenty days, at a cost of $40 total per person. 
Taking a train from Grodno to Mogilev
Technically, the sanatorium is located outside the city, in a nice forest.
The building itself is very Soviet:
Scary hallways:
My mom said she thought the room decor was tacky. No kidding.
But for $2 per night it’s hard to complain, right? And there was even a chair to sit in.
I asked my mom to also send photos of food, and it actually doesn’t look too bad:
Here she is, enjoying her hot deal:
There is also a pool and spa, though mom didn’t send me photos. She did say that the building was full of Russian pensioners who had to pay full price ($40 per person/per night). That actually doesn’t sound too bad, but the value approaches some all-inclusive Wyndham resorts booked via points. Of course, it’s much easier and cheaper to take a train from Russia to Belarus than fly to Jamaica.
But wait, there is more! The $2 rate also includes various excursions, which my mom made sure to take advantage of. Mogilev happens to be near an area where my dad’s part of the family is from. So, I asked her to poke around and find the estate where my great-grandmother grew up, or what’s left of it. My mom’s response? She didn’t want to miss out on her free excursions and spa treatments. Gotta get you $2 worth.
In the end, she did find something very interesting. There is a statue of a Soviet general born in the area, who happened to be my great-grandmother’s cousin. He was a big hero during WWII:
I did some research on him and turns out, he was arrested (but miraculously not killed) during Stalin purges. The reason? Hiding his origins. I guess being born in a family of a wealthy count before the revolution wasn’t very endearing to the regime back in the day. He was freed during the war and showed tactical brilliance in the battle with Germans.
I have to say, it was so much fun getting photos and daily updates from my mom. I was living vicariously through all of her adventures. I just wish my dad could have gone with her, but he views stays in these “resorts” as a cruel and unusual punishment. I hope that I can return to Belarus while he is still alive.
Author: Leana
Leana is the founder of Miles For Family. She enjoys beach vacations and visiting her family in Europe. Originally from Belarus, Leana resides in central Florida with her husband and two children.
@Slade Wow! Thanks. Unexpected, but I’ll take it.
One of my favorite posts ever on this site. Thanks for sharing a great story.
Oops, sanitorium not sanitarium. Time to resume drinking coffee.
@Christian Yep, I’m a lot like my mom, for better or worse! Thanks for your comments, they are always appreciated.
@Uri That is so interesting! These places are still state-owned and subsidized in Belarus, which explains the ridiculously low prices.
I would love to visit Israel one of these days, as it looks like such a beautiful country with so much history. Sadly, it’s not something I would risk doing in a near future.
@Nancy Yeah, my mom really loves exploring. She wasn’t able to do it too much while living in the Soviet Union, but still managed to get to Bulgaria and Romania via group tour. Back then you had to get a permission from your job and meet with communist party reps in order to get permission to leave the country. But she still managed to do it.
Thanks for the lovely piece! We used to have these sanatoriums in Israel up until the 1980s. By now they have all been privatized, sold, and turned into hotels, some even Marriott-affiliated…
Wow, what an incredible deal! An all-inclusive resort in Belarus for just $2 per night is unbelievable—thanks for sharing!
Wow, what an amazing deal! An all-inclusive resort for just $2 a night in Belarus is unbelievable!
Wow, what an amazing deal! An all-inclusive resort in Belarus for just $2 per night is incredible. Definitely bookmarking this!
Wow, major props to mom. The apple indeed doesn’t fall far from the tree. I’m glad that sanitarium means something different in English or people might be more disinclined to visit. Glad to read your posts as always.
So cool that your mom shares your adventurous spirit! It sounds like a lovely getaway.
@Jennifer Thanks! Yup, that room decor was something else, but my mom just laughed and made the best of it.
@ArkansasTraveler Thanks for your comment, as always!
Some people (like my mom) have an easier time keeping their head down and adapting to their circumstances. For folks like my dad it was and still is, incredibly hard. He loathed Soviet Union and barely tolerates the latest iteration. But it’s home.
I have heard about young people in Russia and former Soviet satellites talk fondly about Soviet era. That’s naïveté and cherry-picking due to propaganda. Some things were good, as in everyone had a job and such. I find it hilarious when USSR fans talk longingly about the best ice cream they used to have. Ironically, the recipe was stolen from an ice cream shop in New York. People tend to romanticize the past and make it better than it really was. If things were so great, how come the borders were sealed and nobody was allowed to leave the “paradise”?
What a sweet post. I’m so glad she had fun. She is appreciative of what most would probably complain about.
I guess that your mom makes lemonade from lemons. I would have been like your dad if I hadn’t been killed by the Soviets if I grew up under that type of regime. I have never understood young people when I travel in old Soviet countries who wish that they could go back to that era. I value my freedom more than anything else.
I enjoy reading of other cultures in your blog though.
@GBSanDiego Glad you liked it!
@Sara Thanks! It’s a lighthearted post that I’m glad you enjoyed.
Truly amazing, to say the least!! Thank u Leana for the post!!
OMG i love it! i love every detail and adorable pic of your mama! do more! <3