Bansko - Bulgaria
Hotel Villa Roka - Bansko
Operator and Date: May 2005
Opinion submitted in May 2005 by : G Rogers - London (37, 36)
Resort Rating: Very Good
Accommodation Rating: Very Good
My/Our Holiday Review:
We spent a lovely weekend in May 2005 at the Hotel Villa Roka in Bankso, Bulgaria. We stayed in a double room for 90 leva (£30) per room per night in low season, which I booked direct by emailing the hotel. We stayed in a very comfortable room with television (some satellite channels), mini bar and bathroom with shower and a view of the snow-capped mountains.
The hotel has a modern black/grey/red exterior and looks over the River Glazne. There are 2 entrances one from Glazne Street and one around the corner from the hotel car park. The interior décor is modern and comfortable with a bar on the ground floor and a very large TV screen and comfortable seating. Breakfast and dinner is served in the Restaurant (Pectopah) on the lower ground floor. They serve cereals, nuts, yoghurt, bread, croissants, fruit and fruit juice, bacon, local sausages, cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, scrambled egg, coffee and tea. The food was tasty and fresh although the hot food was not very hot. The highlight of the hotel is the Spa with swimming pool, sauna, steam room and masseur services which start from £12 and is opened from 9am to 9pm so you have no excuse not to book one.
The staff are very helpful and some speak a variety of European languages. The ski lift is situated a 10 minute up hill walk from the hotel and there didn’t seem to be any bus service in the town or taxis but this may change in high season. We walked all through the old town and visited the church at midnight on Easter Saturday with the local people and wandered through the market on Sunday morning. Don’t be surprised to see goats being herded through the town and watch out for the road to Bansko, which has a fair share of potholes and people that drive very fast. The weather was warm and sunny and the people very friendly.
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Borovets
Hotel Breza - Borovets
Operator and Date: (Thomson Holidays
Direct) Thomson Holidays
- December 2005
Opinion submitted in Mar 2005 by : Deborah Ducey - Worksop (47,46,14,12)
Resort Rating: Good
Accommodation Rating: Poor
My/Our Holiday Review:
Take my advice, do not believe the brochure rating for this hotel. It is in no way, shape or form a 3* hotel, it is rather a budget hotel, with tired, dirty, smokey accomodation, disgusting food and unhelpful staff. My daughter refused to sleep on the bed all week, prefering to sleep on her coat and none of my family could eat in the hotel, the food was this disgusting.
Do not believe what the operators tell you when they say this is all you can expect in a resort such as this. We visited the 3*Ella Hotel just down the road and this was far more acceptable and of a standard most of us would have expected. The food available in the resort proved that it was possible to eat meals which were tasty and reasonably priced, not the case with the meals in this hotel.
The resort was fine, the sking great the hotel a disgrace. We have complained to the tour operator.Do not go there if you have any choice whatsoever.
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Hotel Ela - Borovets
Operator and Date: Inghams - 2006
Opinion submitted in February 2007 by : Michelle Horsham, Cardiff (36, 37, 61, 61)
Resort Rating: Very Good
Accommodation Rating: Very Good
My/Our Holiday Review:
Found the Ela Hotel to be absolutely fine. Its rated as a 3* hotel, but I would suggest that by UK standards it is only a 1/2*. The rooms have no coffee/tea making facilities, no telephone, no trouser press, but they do have a TV with lots of english speaking channels available, which is enough entertainment considering you are only in the room to sleep and shower!
The rooms on the ground floor have large-ish balconies and are very spacious, but are quite cramped on the 3rd floor. The rooms are cleaned every day, with clean towels being provided daily. The food is not very good at the hotel, but there are many restaurants and snack shacks that you can grab a bite to eat elsewhere at a very cheap price. Breakfast is a bit of a mish mash, and I would recommend the ham and cheese option as the cooked food was ropey to say the least!
The bar area of the hotel is fantastic, open 24 hours with table waitress service. The Happy Hour runs from 20.00-Midnight every day of the week, offering 2-4-1 cocktails. The price in the bar was more favourable than drinking outside. The waitresses were very helpful and friendly.
The hotel is very centrally located, right next to the Gondola station, and a minutes walk from the main street.
The skiing here is great - and I would especially recommend the ski school. Boro Sports ran the school, and the instructor that I had, Mariana, had been in the Bulgarian Ski Team as a downhill racer. She was brilliant and I would encourage anyone to try to join her classes.
Ski equipment and clothing is a fraction of the price of the UK, and its worth taking some extra cash to pick up some stuff.
The ATMs are a bit hit and miss, so I would recommend taking Levs from the UK, and cash rather than relying on cards. Most of the ATMs were not accepting UK issued cards, only 2 ATMs in the whole resort were useable, however, these also stopped working after 5 days. Nowhere else would take our Debit cards, and this left us having to borrow money until the end of the holiday!! Not a position I would like to be in again. Shops do not accept cards either, even though they display the Visa signs in the doors etc. so don't be caught out.
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Hotel Moura - Borovets
Operator and Date: (Airtours Direct) Airtours - Feb 2004
Opinion submitted in Mar 2004 by : Sam & Harris - (30,34)
Resort Rating: Good
Accommodation Rating: Below Average
My/Our Holiday Review:
The resort is indeed good for beginners just like we thought. Don't forget to book your ski courses and ski hire BEFORE you go, ie book them when you book your holiday. Prices will be double otherwise!.
The Moura hotel reminds me of my student accommodation! .. long ugly corridors .. cheap doors .. vintage carpet ... old furniture ... etc. We were on half board basis, but we couldn't stand the hotel food more than twice! ... breakfast was ok .. but the dinner was tasteless and poor indeed ... eventhough they try to compensate that with salads and deserts !!! ... but still ... their dinner is a NO NO! ... so we ended up eating in restaurants which there are many! .. if we go next time (and we might) we will aim for hotel Rila or Samakov ... anything else is simply not worth it! I cannot believe that Moura is given 3 stars!!!!!
Skiing was good fun and we learned a lot from this one week and managed to ski on harder slopes by the end (easy reds!) .. which many of our groups couldn't do and some didn't even show up the last 3 days! .. the tip is that you have to keep on practicing well after the end of classes ... otherwise you won't be able to catch up!
The airtours reps were great and always there when you need them, especially Ruman ! great guy and very helpful.
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Hotel Mura - Borovets
Operator and Date: inghams - Date Not Specified
Opinion submitted in Mar 2004 by : Ray Carr - Nottingham (34, 37)
Resort Rating: Very Good
Accommodation Rating: Below Average
My/Our Holiday Review:
Borovets!!!!! What a great place we had a great time. I will firstly get the couple of gripes out of the way.
1. The accommodation whilst not great was clean and warm ok to sleep in but not great.
2. The hotel food I would not have fed it to my Dog.
Moan over.
The resort is very friendly and open you do need to use some common scene whilst in Bulgaria as they do have pr*stitution and strip clubs, the clubs are very noticeable and you could not enter one by mistake and the pr*stitutes will not bother you unless you are a single male and then they will only make one advance.
The general standard of food in resort is very good once away from the Hotel, we ate in several of the bars and restaurants and could find no fault with the quality of the food served, I must however mention the Happy Duck bar the staff were very friendly and accommodating, me and a friend had early starts on a couple of occasions and they arranged for their chef to come in early to cook us breakfast, there was no extra charge made for this service. The standard of food in the bar was great and the entertainment was first class
The skiing school was fantastic I have heard that all the schools are of a similar standard and all the instructors are great (some even bring the local brew to warm you on the slopes) I skied with my friends group of novices for a day and they had come from complete novices to being able to ski down the mountain from top to bottom without killing them selves or any one else I also had lessons in an advanced group and the instructor was great he really brought me on.
Overall a very enjoyable holiday that was a very reasonable price and great value for that price. I would like to point out that if you are going to stay in less than a 4 star hotel it might be worth only booking self catering as the food will not be to any sort of standard that you would like to eat.
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Hotel Olymp - Borovets
Operator and Date: Crystal - Feb 2004
Opinion submitted in Feb 2004 by : Tina Taylor - Hampshire (40, 37, 32, 6)
Resort Rating: Very Good
Accommodation Rating: Poor
My/Our Holiday Review:
I would not recommend staying at the above hotel, although it is supposedly 3 star. It is situated at the top of a piste which you have to walk down to get to the village - it makes for a very tiring holiday before you have even started skiing - a particular nightmare if you have young children who are too tired to walk back up the hill in the evening after a meal out. The Rila and Samokov Hotels are far better. The beds at the Olymp were rock hard, the bathroom was appalling, and the food was awful. But having said all that, if you ate in the town the food was really good. Mamma Cita's even do a 'british breakfast' if you are desperate for good old eggs and bacon. The Katy's Bar was a good place to eat and also The Blue restaurant which does an excellent steak.
Recommend trying out the ski-doos which we booked through our rep. We also booked a trip on our last day to Sofia, but it's best not to rely on Sofia to purchase lots of pressies before you come home as there really isn't that much to buy, there is more choice in the village of Borovets.
In the village of Borovets the ski clothes are dirt cheap, chess sets, kids designer wear (No Fear, Vans etc) and well worth buying if you can stuff them in your suitcase.
Overall a good holiday, just beware which hotel you book and don't bother eating the food at the hotel.
You can buy stamps from the supermarket which is about 2 minutes walk from Hotel Rila. And you can then hand any post over to the reception at the Samakov who will gladly post them for you.
Beautiful country, lovely people - good holiday.
Plus the Bulgarian's idea of a sleigh ride, is actually a horse and cart, which was a slight disappointment.
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Hotel Rila - Borovets
Operator and Date: (Thomson Holidays
Direct) Thomson Holidays
JAN 07
Opinion submitted in February 2007 by : MANDY 34,BILLY 7
Resort Rating: Excellent
Accommodation Rating: Excellent
My/Our Holiday Review:
What a fantastic holiday in borovets,Bulgaria,highly recomended.I decided to go skiing for a week to spend some time with my son,i was a bit worried at first because we hadnt skied before.The hotel was directly opposite the nursery slopes,excellent location.we decided to get private skiing lessons from a friendly Bulgarian family from the WHITE MAGIC BAR ,Christo and his daughter Laura,it was half the price,you didnt que for lifts and half price lift pass,however if we went again i probably have group lessons because you got to meet people and it seemed like a lot of fun,even thou the groups were quite big.
Hotel ,cant fault it,very clean,was even cheaper in hotel than bars around.Hotel SAMOKOV next door was good to,bowling,shooting etc.would defo recomend,i would certinly go back with the rest of my family ,very cheap.
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Hotel Rila - Borovets
Operator and Date: Balkan - August 2006
Opinion submitted in August 2007 by : Andrea and Mick - Newcastle-upon-Tyne (35, 34)
Resort Rating: Excellent
Accommodation Rating: Good
My/Our Holiday Review:
Holiday
We stayed at The Rila, as part of a 2 centre holiday in Bulgaria, via Balkan. We were glad in a way to escape the routine of Sunny Beach (like Blackpool and Benidorm rolled all into one!)We recommend Sozopol for a beach holiday, we tried it in 2007 (Santa Marina Studios - so so so wonderful!). Going back for the 2nd time in 2008.
Borovets
It is a ski resort, obviously no snow in the summer, but endless walks, horse riding (try the horses up the hill by the ski slope, guide was really friendly and they seemed happier up there than the ones on the road outside the hotel), so wonderful for some fresh air and proper exercise. We had a great time. Be warned about Mount Musala, the Rep said it was hard going but nothing what like I imagined and had to turn back. Not a problem but a long walk back along the mountain and in the cable car alone! My husband made it to the top and photos superb. The 5 (or was it 7?!) Lakes trip as although quite a walk still, but it was easier going and the jeep is great fun! Helishly bumpy! Kids would love it! We had great weather considering how high up int he mountains we were. You also get asked on some free walking trips and also a free half day to Samakov which is worth it as a small town nearby where you see the "real" Bulgaria and some great bargains at the market.
There were enough bars and restaurants in the small town (some not open until winter season), to be entertained for a week and the prices were better than Sunny Beach. People seemed more genuine too, not as greedy.
Hotel
The Rila is a large hotel. We were lucky enough to get the ski slope view on the back of the hotel, wonderful views over the slopes. Our balcony was near the top floor and had a table and chairs. I sat very still when out there as not one for heights! The front of the hotel overlooks the car park so not so nice.
Rooms were basic but clean bedding and towels. The hotel could do with a little up-dating and a bit of a polish up (built in the 80s). Then again, it will get bombarded with skiers in the winter, so I can imagine the carpets getting a hammering with all the heavy and wet gear they drag in, so there would be no point making it look "pretty".
Food was basic. Nothing fantastic, like alot of buffet food but the service was fine and there was plenty of variety. We tended to eat in one night and out the next for a bit of variety. Mind I had an upset tummy on my last day and from working out what me and my husband had ate differently, as he was fine, it was a meal outside of the hotel. Not sure how as it all seemed well cooked and the restaurants were clean. Just my luck when had a 6 hour coach transfer back to Sunny Beach!
Nice pool area and enough sun beds and there was a solarium, steam room, etc.
Reception was big and airy and had a bar area. Receptionists and Balkan Rep were helpful when needed.
From talking to other people, The Samakov Hotel is very similar standards.
Overall
Would recommend Borovets. I would do the 2 centre option as you get a beach holiday also. Borovets is twinned with Sunny Beach and I think Bansko is twinned with Golden Sands. Bulgaria changes its currency into the Euro 2009 I think so try and go before then. So unbelievably cheap at the minute (cheapest pint we found was 30p! and 3 course meal for 2 with wine for £10!) Mint!
Enjoy your trip!
Andrea and Mick x
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Samokov Hotel - Borovets
Operator and Date: inghams - jan 2007
Opinion submitted in February 2007 by : 26-26-28-30-30-30-30
Resort Rating: Excellent
Accommodation Rating: Excellent
My/Our Holiday Review:
This hotel has excellent facilities , the pool area was really good , it was very cold , but it was nice after a day on the slopes ! you could get a massage for £10 for 1 hr !!
The rooms were cleaned every day , the views from the balcony was fantastic !
The food was nice , diff every day .
But as it was so cheap we ate out a few times .
resort facilties were ok , people were very friendly .
Our ski school was at the samokov hotel , our ski instructor was kiko . We couldnt have got a better instructor .We had great laugh.
Ski equipment was good quality .
Good place for food was fancos - excellent pizzas for about £3 .
Good place for drinks were - buz bar for lively music ./ Bar Sunski was nice and cosey . Peters bar had good karaoke.
Smaokov night club was also good .
Will b booking again for next yr
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Hotel Victoria - Borovets
Operator and Date: balkan holidays - February 2007
Opinion submitted in February 2007 by : caroline stewart
Resort Rating: Excellent
Accommodation Rating: Very Good
My/Our Holiday Review:
Have just returned from a week at the hotel victoria in Borovets. The hotel, an austrian chalet type building, is a small 14 roomed hotel, situated about a ten minute walk from the resort centre, in a pine forest. the staff were friendly and helpful. the rooms were very good, basic, but clean with plenty of cupboard space and a fridge filled with drinks and chocolate etc. The rooms were cleaned six days days a week and towels changed 7 days a week, there was always hot running water and the hotel was very warm, so much so, we had to sleep with the window open.
Breakfast was a bit limited, with no choice, we had scrambled/fried eggs seven days running, but on an evening, there was a menu with probably two or three choices. (four courses). typical bulgarian foods, salad, soup with bread, a meat course and a cake. I myself am not a fussy eater, but if you are, then you would probably be best off going self catering. Although we had thought there was a free shuttle service to the resort, on our arrival, this was proved wrong. However, on a morning, there was always a taxi waiting outside to take you down to the resort if you preferred (10 lev- about £3,) and on your return, there are plenty of taxis and horses and carts, which was our preferred way to travel back after a hard day on the slopes. On our departure at 4.30 in the morning, the receptionist kindly gave us all a packed lunch. for the journey, which i have never come across before. The locals were very friendly, if not a bit pushy sometimes, waiting outside their restaurants/bars to coax you in. There were many excellent bars and restaurants in the village, our favourites were the golden horn situated by the button lift at the bottom of the main run, and a fantastic restaurant, on the right hand side as you come into the main street, i think it was called sunny's. (with a large red illuminated pizza sign above the door). where they serve fantastic steaks, pizza and pasta dishes. We ate here on our last evening, as wished we had done so before.
The ski school we attended was fantastic. (samakov). Ivo, our instructor had us on the slopes by 9am every morning, and had finished by about 2.30 - 3pm, giving us time to put what we had learned into practice. I have never skiied in my life, and we were all skiing down the blue runs by the end of the week. A celebratory evening was laid on for us with free drinks at the Samokov hotel on our last evening, where we were presented on stage with our certificates by our instructors, and photos were taken of our group classes.
We were so very lucky with the weather, I think Bulgaria is having a nightmare of a year for snow, however we had about 1.5 foot of snow fall in the first three days we were there, which made conditions ideal. Plenty of off piste boarding for my partner, who was a bit dubious about holidaying in Bulgaria, but was very pleasantly surprised. I would definately go to this resort /hotel again, but would probably book last minute next time, to save myself all the weeks of anxiety, as to whether it would snow or not....
An excellent first time ski holiday.
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Hotel Victoria - Borovets
Operator and Date: (Balkan Discounts) Balkan Holidays - January 2004
Opinion submitted in June 2004 by : Helen Lamb - Huddersfield
Resort Rating: Below Average
Accommodation Rating: Very Good
My/Our Holiday Review:
No real complaints about the Hotel Victoria - is small, cozy and clean. There is limited choice for meal and they are waiter served rather than buffee as at the larger hotels but we always found somethings we liked - 3 courses of good quality food.
It is a little way out of the town centre though, about 10-15min walk, but there are taxis around if need be and it is quite a pretty walk. Not good for mobility problems though.
Balken Holidays were possibly the worst holiday company I have been with though - the reps were at our hotels at very inconvenient times and we never saw them. The skies and equipment we hired were of very poor quality. And unlike the broshure says, the resort is very limiting for beginners and beginner-intermediates. When the cable car to the top is not open (which happens alot due to bad weather) there are no long (greater than 20m) easy runs - just one that can only be reached by going down part of a red run. Signs and maps are poor - very unclear signs (ie. blue arrow is actually a faded black arrow, v.dangerous) and depending on what map you look at, routes are completely different! Also never found half of what was advertised in broshure or other lifts on map. Red runs very steep and icy - only for an advanced intermediate. Balken holidays also failed to mention 1 lift was closed all season for maintence - cutting off 1/3 of the ski area.
Borovets has some nice resturants - Katy's Steak Bar especially - but seems bit run down, and although generally welcoming locals, a Bulgarian will always get served before a tourist - no matter when you arrived and they did.
Overall, would not recommend. Pay a little bit more and go to France/Austria/Italy where runs are better looked after.
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Borovets - All Hotels
Operator and Date: (Airtours Direct) Airtours 2004/2005
Opinion submitted in Jan 2005 by : Chris - Airtours rep in Borovets
Resort Rating: No rating
Accommodation Rating: No rating
My/Our Holiday Review:
Hi, my name is Chris and I am one of the Airtours reps in Borovets for the winter 2004/2005 season.
One thing to stress though, BOOK YOUR SKI PACK IN THE UK, IT WILL COST YOU NEARLY DOUBLE HERE!
Look forward to hearing from you and seeing you in Borovets
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Duni / Dunni - Bulgaria
Hotel Marina - Duni
Operator and Date: (First Choice Discounts) First Choice - September 2005
Opinion submitted in Oct 2005 by : Christopher Walker - Rugby (41)
Resort Rating: Excellent
Accommodation Rating: Excellent
My/Our Holiday Review:
This was my first experience of an 'All Inclusive' holiday and I was not disappointed!
I booked last minute with First Choice via the internet and had no idea what to expect.
Slightly antisocial hours flight left Gatwick at 2225 which meant not getting to room at resort until 0500 - I have never seen such nicely presented beds - a very nice pattern made out of sheets and towels topped off with a fresh flower!
'Welcome meeting' took place at 1145am - enough time for a recovery nap. The First Choice rep for the resort complex is a likeable chap called Barney from Serbia. He speaks excellent English and this was the most useful 'welcome meeting' I have ever attended including a very helpful 'ramble' around the other hotels and facilities within the complex.
I stayed in the Marina hotel. The other three hotels on site were the Royal Marina, the Pelican and the Belleville. I was allowed to use all facilities (including restaurants, bars and pools) in all except the Royal.
I was glad I was in the Marina as this was next to pool and the beach and most of the daytime activities. There was a show in the open-air 1500 seat amphitheatre (near the Belleville) at 2130 every night except Sunday. Most of these shows included dancing by the hard-working entertainment team and was of a very high standard.
The food was excellent. Breakfast ran from 0700 to 1130! And you could eat until midnight. Made-to-order sandwiches and ice creams were also readily available.
Several bars were open until 2am, staffed by youthful and friendly bartenders - (with no extra after-midnight charge).
The standard of cleanliness was impeccable.
The nearest 'proper' town (as opposed to Duni which is purely a hotel complex) was the pleasant Sozopol - only 8km/5miles to the north with a fixed price taxi fare of only 18 Levs.
There was no shortage of sunbeds - don't bother taking your own beach towels as these are provided free each day.
If you're looking for bright lights and a bouncing nightlife look to Sunny Beach instead. If, however, you want a relaxing week that is truly 'All Inclusive' with a helpful rep, great food and friendly waitresses and barstaff, I would highly recommend this resort.
The only downsides to the holiday were antisocial night flights, slightly disappointing weather after the first two days and the fact that the British were such a small minority (ie practice your German!)
Excellent holiday though and would seriously consider returning earlier in the season next year. Will have to check on the status of the Marina hotel, though, as rumour was strong that it will be 'redeveloped' before the 2006 season.
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Hotel Marina - Dunni
Operator and Date: (First Choice Discounts) First Choice - August 2005
Opinion submitted in Aug 2005 by : Nicky Edwards - Hampshire (40,39,8)
Resort Rating: Excellent
Accommodation Rating: Very Good
My/Our Holiday Review:
Had a great holiday. Whole Duni complex spotlessly clean and food very good.
Marina Hotel right by beach and activity pool(music,aerobics,games etc).Can use pools at Pelican or holiday village for peace and quiet.
Rooms very wellkept- the only problem being some are near main road (but doubleglazing and aircon counteract the noise),and some of others are rather in shadow of enormous new Marina Royal Hotel (whose facilities cannot use)
Most of holidaymakers German.Sunbeds not a problem as same number in complex as bedspaces.Entertainment staff speak English as well as German.Enjoyed evening shows in Ampitheatre.
Sea generally safe for children(except when windy),and watersports well cordonned off from swimming area.
Didn't need to go on Bulgarian Evening trip as meal in Mechana restaurant on site lovely(staff in national dress )and had Bulgarian dancing one night anyway(including fire dance).
Trip to Sozopol a must(but beware the overpriced photographers with Disney etc costumes and chameleons).
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Hotel Marina - Dunni
Operator and Date: (First Choice Discounts) First Choice - 2004 / 2005
Opinion submitted in June 2005 by : Julie Travers - Billericay 42,37,43,47,13,13,13,11,8,8,6
Resort Rating: Excellent
Accommodation Rating: Excellent
My/Our Holiday Review:
This hotel was booked last minute and what an excellent surprise! My friends and I were absoloutely thrilled. The animation team are fabulous, the food is great and the location is superb. The only downside as mentioned by previous guests is the cold swimming pool, but it is such a lovely pool you simply have to go in it anyway. There are jellyfish in the sea but they don't sting (apparently) according to the locals. A further tip from the locals, my son got quite badly sunburnt as did some of the other children in our party, there were some lovely older Bulgarian female cleaners who rushed into the kitchen and cam be back with a massive pot of natural yoghurt which they liberally applied to the children and it really worked - no pain.
The other thing is that although you can use the Pelican and Belleville Hotel you are strictly not allowed in The Royal Marina Hotel, there is tight security, however, that said Barney are fantastic First Choice Rep did manage to wangle me entry in to their gym. By the way, the Belleville Hotel has views to die for and you must try the Yacht trip, we saw dolphins.
Enjoy
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Hotel Marina - Dunni
Operator and Date: (Thomson Holidays
Direct) Thomson Holidays
- August 2004
Opinion submitted in Aug 2004 by : Simon Martin - Surrey (42,47)
Resort Rating: Excellent
Accommodation Rating: Excellent
My/Our Holiday Review:
The Marina hotel is absolutely superb. The rooms are spacious and impeccably clean and the staff are very friendly.
Food service starts at 07:00 and continues untill 21;30 then another half hour at midnight for those with the munchies !!!
We went with Thomson Holidays
s on an All Inclusive basis and EVERYTHING is
included eg all drinks even champagne from 7am, the water skiing and
bananna boat is included too, but you pay for the jet ski's.
The hotel like most is predominately German at the moment as Thomson Holidays
have just started going there. However, there is so much variety in the
food that ignoring the Bratwurst sausage if you don't like it still
leaves a huge choice of other things, including Chinese most evenings as
part of the selection and pasta dishes too. There are set times for
breakfast, lunch and dinner, but in between those times you can have
fresh rolls made right in front of you with a selection of tasty things.
The hotel beach is very clean and safe, but the beach outside the hotel area is DIRTY, it is like a tip, but as it's public land it's not the hotels fault or responsibility.
The pool area is huge with multiple kids sections and water polo most days. Also the Animation team operate step reebok, stretching and aerobics classes for about 4 hours each day, so ladies take your lycra gear if you want.
The Germans don't tip, so one way of getting even better service is to give key staff (cleaner and bar man/woman) a tip at the beginning of your holiday, NOT on your last day. We found that 10 Lev, (about £4) was very much appreciated.
Outside the hotel, all popular taxi journeys are fixed price, tipping optional but appreciated. However, 2 bottles of Stella in a bar in Sozopol was 90 pence, yep that's right nine zero pennies !!! A Jack Daniels and Coke was £1.25 and this was a nice bar right in the middle of Sozopol, where the taxi rank is, look up the street 20 yards and there is a bar with an open upstairs, you should try it.
Finally, Bulgaria is a nice place to go. Go before it gets spoilt. However, spend the cash and go 4 or 5 star, we heard some horror stories from other Thomsom guests who stayed at 3T rated hotels in Sunny Beach. This place is worth the extra.
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Marina Royal Palace Hotel - Duni
Operator and Date: First Choice August 2007
Opinion submitted in August 2007 by : GE 47, 42, 12, 8
Resort Rating: Excellent
Accommodation Rating: Excellent
My/Our Holiday Review:
I thought this was an enjoyable and good value for money holiday. My comments below are not meant to distract from the overall view.
First Choice sell this, rightly, as an "up market" holiday and resort. Why then, from the Cardiff flight, a non air conditioned minibus for the 40 minute transfer? Not a gripe, but this is corner cutting that is not really needed - first impressions and all that.
Landing at Bourgas in the day time means you get a great view (and smell!) of what is clearly an ex communist industrial town - chemical works, appartment blocks and a general feeling of dilapidation and poverty - all far removed from the hotel in Duni.
The Marina Royal Palace was great. Our "suite" was two rooms, one with balcony, bathroom, a massive double bed in the bedroom and a sofa bed and z bed for the children. The room was beautifully presented on arrival and was "redressed" with fresh everything after 3 days.
The hotel is part of a much larger complex and you can pretty much eat anywhere. You can also use all the bars free of charge and have just about anything you want, including Bulgarian Champagne, red or white, chilled or lukewarm, from breakfast through until the early hours. There are few (err, no) "international" brands and I thought that the gin, vodka, rum and tequila were actually the same drink. If you have kids and want the orange coloured cocktail with the red syrup in the bottom then that is called a "cinderella".
The restaurant (s) are all buffet style and all "international". There is an outside bbq area where you can get freshly cooked elements of what is otherwise a buffet. We stayed a week and the food was very samey, but all good quality.
The Italian and Bulgarian restaurants have to be booked: TIP you can book as often as you want - others thought it was once only in your stay, not the case. Both were better in atmosphere, food and service than the buffets.
We went to the amphitheatre show once and were supprised by the good quality.
There was a beach party with fireworks at 10.30 on the Thursday - this is weekly.
The pools were all clean. Sunbeds (despite other reports) HAVE to be reserved early. You can change your beach towels from several points as often as you want during the day - no limit at all. There are no life guards. The inside pool and jacuzzi were freezing cold - heart stopping - you may think refreshing but they were literally painful.
If you can get one (again, need to reserve early) then the beach loungers are included as well.
We took a taxi to Sozopol (24 lev return - they ask what time you want to be collected) and thought this was a worthy trip. Nice old town. As an example of the cost of living in Bulgaria we went to a smart cafe with lovely views across the sea, had a bottle of coke each for the kids and frozen coffees for us - total bill was 8 lev - about £2.50. I am sure we could have found other venues for half that price. There was also a bizarre with souvenirs and silver for sale.
They say that Bulgaria is the "knock off" capital of the World. Judging by the bizarre its hard to argue. What was more suprising was the hotel lobby had "Omega" watches for £10 and "Oakley" sunglasses for £1! Not remotely genuine, and a little strange to see in what is marketed as a 5* hotel.
All in all we had a good time. Teutonic manners with regard to queuing do take a little getting used to, but I guess that is the same the World over - Duni was built by Austrians and aimed at Austrians and Germans.
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Marina Royal Palace Hotel - Duni
Operator and Date: (Thomas Cook Direct) Thomas Cook - August 2006
Opinion submitted in September 2006 by : Roy Carter - 53,52,33,36,7
Resort Rating: Excellent
Accommodation Rating: Excellent
My/Our Holiday Review:
We were there for a week and had a really good time.
The hotel is part of a holiday village with its own clean sandy beach and clear water.The British are in the minority here with the Germans in the majority, this however was in no way a problem,there being enough space for everyone.The rooms were spacious, of a high standard and kept very clean.The food was of a good quality and varity each night but a bit repartitious through the week.Please note that it would be wise to take your favourite breakfast cereal, especially for any children in your party.Cocktails, wine and champaign freely available, morning, noon and night if you wish.The entertainment team are a credit to themeselves and the hotel, providing entertainment for all ages.The nightly shows in the amphitheatre and the beach party on a Thursday being a must.English is spoken by most of the key staff and those serving that don't will get the message if you keep it simple.
One word of warning about the tiles surrounding the pool areas, these are very slippery when barefooted, catching you out even when you are being carefull.The local town of Sozopol with it's old town market square and surrounding area providing good shopping opportunities and relaxing atmosphere is worth an afternoon out.Go by taxi or via the organised trip. We went by taxi with no problem.
All in all on this experience we were not disappointed with this holiday and will return.
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Marina Royal Palace Hotel - Duni
Operator and Date: (First Choice Discounts) First Choice - Sept 2005
Opinion submitted in Oct 2005 by : Pete and Pauline - Dorset (50, 49, 51, 49)
Resort Rating: Excellent
Accommodation Rating: Excellent
My/Our Holiday Review:
Flight out and back was with First Choice Airways. It was a typical package flight with no finesse (it was called "Star Class") and had very little unused space. The aircraft video was faulty and therefore ther was no in-flight entertainment for the return journey.
When will these airlies stop people carrying extremely large grips/rucksacks on to the aircraft as hand luggage?
The transfer from Bourgas Airport to Duni was good and took about 40 minutes.
The Marina Royal Hotel was excellent throughout and the rooms large and air conditioned. The cable TV only had two English speaking channels (BBC World News and CNN) and the odd film with English subtitles.
The whole resort was geared up for the German guest. This became apparent from the outset. Our First Choice (Serbian) Rep Barney confirmed this at the welcome meeting. He jokingly refered to them as "Gremlins", a term that stuck with us throughout our stay.
Barney was very good throughout and was a mine of useful information.
The food was first class and plentiful, the local alchoholic drinks were fine and the service for the most part very good.
We had a great day out on a Jeep Safari in ex-Soviet 4x4 vehicles and the English speaking driver Bari was excellent.
Unfortunately, the weather was not kind to use and we only had one sunny day out of the week. The Marina Royal Palace and surroundings made the poor weather bearable.
This hotel lived up to it's five star rating. If you see holiday makers in the resort with the little yellow bracelets, they are the all inclusive guests.
Techies Beware: There is no internet access in the resort.
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Pelican Hotel - Duni
Operator and Date: (Thomas Cook Direct) Thomas Cook August 2006
Opinion submitted in September 2006 by : 23, 26
Resort Rating: Excellent
Accommodation Rating: No rating
My/Our Holiday Review:
The Duni Resort is fabulous and you cannot get bored there with all the enertainment and facilites.
The main benefit is that you can use the facilities (pools, bars, entertainment etc) of all the other hotels (apart from posh Palace Hotel!).
The activity program starts every day (apart from Sundays) at 9am, and you can do stretch classes, aorobics & step classes, street dancing, waterpolo and there are also daily pool & beach games which are always fun. The entertainment team are brilliant and really put you in the holiday spirit! Their evening dancing shows in the new ampitheatre are extremely entertaining & professional.
Food was always tasty and there was always a huge selection of food and drink available day & night. They even stock Pepsi Light and every fruit juice you could ask for. The late breakfast until 11am is particularly convenient after a night flight.
If you want everything you could possibly ask for on one beautiful complex set in the countryside, this is perfect for you, but if you like to go out and about, the nearest town is a 10 minute taxi ride and other places alot further, and there are no local buses stopping at the Duni resort.
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Pelican Hotel - Duni
Operator and Date: (Thomas Cook Direct) Thomas Cook - Aug 2006
Opinion submitted in August 2006 by : Joanne Ruddock - Norfolk (62,58,54,50,49,43,41,19,19,17,14,14.
Resort Rating: Good
Accommodation Rating: Excellent
My/Our Holiday Review:
Just arrived back from the pelican Hotel and as it was our first time to Bulgaria we were pleasently surprised as it was much nicer than anticipated.
Accomadation,
It was really clean and nicely furnished in the public areas and bedrooms, the bathrooms were spacious and modern with a decent bath and shower. The bedrooms were of a good size too.
The dining room was large and you never had problems getting a table though the air conditioning in there was poor and very uncomfortable at times. The selection of food was vast and all of a good standard. There was also a choice of 2 al'cart restaurants you could eat in during your stay.
Swimming Pools
These were good with one for relaxing and another down on the beach where all the activities took place. Always plenty of sunbeds available so no need to get up at the crack of dawn. The beach was also lovely and clean and the sea was clear and shallow so suitable for young children.
Location,
The hotel is set in a beautiful location amongst hills and trees and very pretty. It is isolated though there were always taxi's outside to take out an about at very good prices. the nearest town is sozopol and cost 20 lev which is roughly £8.00. We also went to Nessebur Which was 110 lev and about an hours drive away but well worth a visit. Pre moscow is another village near by but we were unimpressed with this so would not reccomend.
This may have ben our first holiday to Bulgaria but it certainly wont be our last as is it so cheap.
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Pelican Hotel - Duni
Operator and Date: First Choice July 2006
Opinion submitted in August 2006 by : Jan Robbins - Guildford 47, 44, 43, 18, 17, 15, 15, 9, 8
Resort Rating: Excellent
Accommodation Rating: Excellent
My/Our Holiday Review:
I've Just returned from this holiday & I can't wait to go back.
The holiday was very reasonably priced so we wern't quite sure what to expect, we were all very pleasantly surprised.
The rooms were lovely and clean and each bed had the top sheet laid out in the shape of a fan with a flower to top it off.
The welcome meeting with the rep took place at 11.15 the following morning and he took us on a tour of the complex.
We were just amazed at how much was on offer, too much to list here but indluded water sports, gym, sauna, swimming, games & massage on the beach (which my 2 friends took good avantage of).
There were restaurants dotted all over the complex, each serving a wide variety of lovely food, you could even get rolls made up in front of you on the beach & cold drink dispensers were located next to the pools and on the beach.
Beach towels were provided & we didn't have much of a problem getting sunbeds even though some of the other guests insisted on saving their beds & not using them all day.
There was an entertainment team organising games by the pool, and in the evening they put on a show in the amphetheatre.
The only slightly negative thing I can say about the resort is that English people were very few & far between, guests were mostly German & the staff didn't speak much english, but they were all very friendly (especially the cheeky chap serving behind the bar at the fun pool) and tried very hard to help in anyway possible.
All in all this was a fantastic holiday at a very reasonable price & I would definitely recommend it to my friends.
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Pelican Hotel Duni Royal Resort
Operator and Date: (Thomas Cook Direct) Thomas Cook - August 2005
Opinion submitted in Aug 2005 by : 43, 38, 37, 37, 14, 12, 12, 9, 7
Resort Rating: Good
Accommodation Rating: Good
My/Our Holiday Review:
Went to the Pelican and to save money we hired 3 triple rooms together so that both couples could look into the children as and when necessary. Got there at 4am and guess what no 3 rooms together. Got no joy in trying to sort out as they had no spare rooms. The rooms themselves are never 4 star but the bathroom is. Satalite tv was ok with 3 english speaking channels. No SKY sports. The back of the hotel overlooks a scruffy area but thats what you have to overlook if you want a pool view from your balcony. The cleaners were very good doing their best and keeping the rooms and bathroom very tidy.
The pool area is good at all complexes within the resort and you dont have to get up early to get a sunbed. The restaurant was very hot inside and the air conditioing just simply could not cope. There was plenty of choice to eat and it all seemed really good to me BUT 7 out of 9 of us ended up with stomach upsets and pains for over a week. Not sure if it was the pool or food but something did not agree with most of us. The entertainment at night was about a mile away and takes 15 minutes to walk to if you want to see it. Went a couple of times and generally the performances were pretty poor. Not worth the walk. Each hotel on the complex (4 of them) use the same ampitheartre and it gets very busy. Each hotel needs its own entertainment and shows. Now comes the worst bit. The beer was disgusting and in both of the guys views was heavily watered down. We one afternoon drank 16 glasses and no effect. After a couple of days we gave up with it and ended up buying it in and drinking becks from the shop. Went out just down the road in Sozopol (10 levs in a taxi) we tried one of the same beers and "Fantastic". It confirmed to us that it was watered down in the hotel. We also ended up buying smirnoff vodka and real coca cola. The stuff behind the bar was terrible and left a taste like you had sucked on 10 sweetners.
Overall, good place and with only a couple of changes could be fantastic. ie entertainment, beer and kids stuff in each hotel.
Went to PreMoscow (20 Lev each way in a taxi) and its ok for shopping but all shops as usuall sell the same stuff and most of the shops were made similar to a shanty town. Would suggest Sozopol rather than PreMoscow.
Alot of Germans at the hotel but there were always 5 to 10 English families knocking around.
The airport comes next. I travel around alot with my job and I have never been to a worse airport in my life for the amount of people going through it. When you enter the country be prepared for a 30-40 minute wait while you get through imigration. Going home the airport bar was tiny and just not up to it. Duty free had about 3 lots of english cigarettes but they were cheaper on the aircraft than in the shop.
Staff and cleaners were always friendly and good at there jobs working most hours of the day. Hope this helps
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Pelican Hotel - Duni - Magic Life
Operator and Date: (Thomas Cook Direct) JMC - 2005
Opinion submitted in Aug 2005 by : Helen Clements - 44,42,20,18,14,9
Resort Rating: Excellent
Accommodation Rating: Excellent
My/Our Holiday Review:
The Pelican Hotel is situated within the Magic Life complex, you have use of three hotels, the private beach and all the pools and restaurants within these hotels. There is one very large hotel called the Marina Palace situated within the grounds which you do not have any access, it looks very impressive but is also very noisy with entertainment going on for a good part of the day.
The Pelican hotel is very clean, the maids clean the rooms thoroughly each day and change the towels and bedding twice a week, they leave the room spotless and with the bed clothes arranged in different fan patterns each day.
The staff are very friendly, most speech a little english, as german is the main custom at the hotel, all the germans we met were very friendly and no one even bother with hogging the sunbeds with towels each day, it didn't matter what time of the day you came out to sit around the pool there was always a sunbed to be had and that was for four out of the six of us.
The drinks bar was lovely with free cocktails all day and every drink you could ask for including coffee and hot chocolate. Each afternoon between 4-5 pm coffee and cakes were on offer, these made a lovely mid afternoon treat. The restaurants were extremely clean and the food plentiful. Lots on offer from fruit, pancakes, cooked breakfasts and eggs for breakfast to everything from chips, to a barbecue and speciality dishes each lunch time and evening. On site is an a la carte Italian restaurant which you had to book the morning before, you needed to be on the phone by 10am to get a place as by 10.10 all the spaces were booked. The food was lovely, the trout was especally good and the kids enjoyed the pizza's.
There are no real snack bars as in most of the other all inclusives hotels with hamburgers and pizza on offer but there was a late night snack available of soup and bread and fruit which were lovely.
Down at the beach there was a lovely sandwich bar with rolls made freshly, and fruit juice and water available all day.
The hotel was extremely peaceful, with only really the pools which were quite cold but very clean and a table tennis to keep the kids occupied, there was a gym and a sauna with a hairdressers and beauty parlor for adults. There was a disco run at 11-2am but only a few visitors went it wasn't well organised or attended. There is an ampitheatre which has entertainment each evening, this is situated at one of the other hotels, it was a little walk but the entertainment on the whole was very good and worth the walk. One night a week they have a beach party from 10.30 - 12.00 which was lovely, great atmosphere and the barby was great, all ages joined in and danced to songs on the beach.
The beach was great, clean and with free sun beds and parasols for everyone. The sea was very warm and the slop into the sea was gradual, there are life guards on the beach all the time and some days when the see was a little rough they didn't allow air beds in the water and the boeys were moved in to stop swimmers from going too far out, the waves were lovely. There are water sports available just on the otherside of the private beach which is just a rope you can walk over, there are security guards to stop those from the main beach venturing into the private beach so you will need to take your passes with you. There are jet ski's, wind surfers and banana boats, my older girls and husband really enjoyed the jet skiing.
The hotel is a bit remote and the only way out of the camp is by taxi or on one of the excursions. The hiring of a 6 seater car was near impossible so we felt a little isolated. We did take a cab into Sozopol old town, we had to take two which cost 18.00 Levs return each, the town was lovely, nice atmosphere and a good place to pic up souvenirs. We took an excursion to Bourgas shopping which was a bit disappointing, small shops with the usual designer clothes but not really cheap. We took another excursion on the 4X4X4 Jeep into the mountain, a great trip and a must, it was fun, culture and scenery all in one, we stop for some lovely cake and tasted some unusual herbal tea (not really my taste) during the trip and lunch was OK. Another trip we took was an evening trip to a night spot called Khan tent, a building build in the shape of a tent, a 4 course meal and an excellent show with live music and a disco into the night and a coach home, a great evening for all ages and recommended for all.
All in all this was a very relaxing holiday for us all, the weather was very good 28 - 32 with a couple of hours of slight showers the whole two weeks. One recommendation would be to take some small games to amuse yourself in the evenings when you are having a drink, packs of cards ect, and perhaps buy some crisps and snacks as there isn't really any thing to eat after the dinner time and the kids did like to share a snack with the friend they had made. The shop on site sell bits but is quite expensive.
I would recommend this holiday, it was a lovely place, clean and friendly, food good and pool excellent, it was great not having to put you hand in your pocket every two minutes and even the ice creams were free to all during lunch and dinner.
Hope this review is helpful.
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Pelican Hotel, Duni Holiday Village - Duni
Operator and Date: (Thomson Holidays
Direct) Thomson Holidays
- october 2004
Opinion submitted in July 2005 by : lindsey (50, 34)- Durham
Resort Rating: Good
Accommodation Rating: Below Average
My/Our Holiday Review:
We went to the pelacan Hotel in Duni on recommendations of friends who went there in may 2004, This holiday was nothing like what they described.
We arrived at the hotel at 1am, first impression it was clean and the staff were friendly, we managed to get a drink from the lounge bar as it dos`nt shut until 2am there was only me and my partner in the bar which seemed strange as i thought someone would of still been up having a drink. There was no music on in the bar just a tv stood on a stage with some german channel playing out.
The room had twin beds, the carpet had stains all over it, the balcony over looked onto a roof underneath our room you could just see the hotel pool.The bathroom was nice with bath, shower and hairdryer. The tv only had one english channel which was the news channel.
The meals were horrid, breakfast - the only thing we would eat was toast and hard boild egg.
Lunch - we never ate lunch at our hotel as there wasn`t much to choose from we had lunch at the palace hotels pool restrant which had a lot more choice - pizza, chips, chicken (which didn`t look very nice) burgers i tried a burger but when i cut into it the blood ouzed out. soup and a salad bar which was always swarmed with wasps and flies.
Dinner- There was always some sort of meat but smothered in different sauces, none of the food at any of the restrants or pool bars looked freshly cooked it always looked as if it had been warmed up, my partner would only eat the soup as it was piping hot but one night they had put tripe soup on it was fair to say we never ate that night either. By day three we were so hungry we had to by biscuits and crisps from the hotel shop which wer`nt cheap.
The hotel was dead there must of only been about 30 guests which were all german we were the only english there, when we asked the girl behind the bar why there were'nt many guests there she said cos the resort was shutting down a week later. That explaind why they were moving the sun beds from around the pool and beach and why the food was warmed up so they could get rid of it.
on day 4 we enquired about how to get a flight out of there but we were told there was no more flights out until the day we were leaving, i was devastated, i just stayed in the room all day listening to the news channel over and over again.
you could'nt even sun bathe as there was'nt any sun it was dull and chilly.
we did get a taxi into the old town just to try to get someting to eat but the places there were dirty and with not having anthing proper to eat for 5 days it made my stomache churn. The few pounds i wanted to lose before the holiday i lost by the time i got home.
All in all this was the worst holiday we had been on it was so boring even the entertainment which was only on one night was in german. We came to the conclusion that it was like that cos the place was shutting down but they could of made some decent food for the guest that were there.
It was all inclusive but they defantly got there money for nothing.
If after reading this you still want to go to this hotel don't go in october go earlier in the year as our friends did and they enjoyed it.
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Royal Marina Palace Hotel - Duni
Operator and Date: First Choice June 15th 2007
Opinion submitted in June 2007 by : Barbara Segrave (56) Barry Segarve (56)
Resort Rating: Excellent
Accommodation Rating: Excellent
My/Our Holiday Review:
We have just returned from a 2 week stay at the Royal Marina Palace at Duni and have to say we had a fantastic holiday despite 3 thunder storms! but they were over quite quickly, the complex is very big with several hotels and if you stay at the Royal Marina you are given a yellow wrist band which allows you to eat in any of the other restaurants but those without were not allowed in the Royal Marina to eat but could use the pool etc, the staff were very friendly the hotel very clean and the food was excellent. Plenty of daytime activities if you could be bothered to get off of the sun loungers and join in, We were a bit disappointed in the Jeep safari but it was still good, the hotel had quite a few nationalities but mostly Germans who seemed to have left their manners at home.The Magic Life entertainment team and the evening shows at the Ampitheatre very entertaining, but be warned put on plenty if Insect repellant as the mosquitos are a bit of a nuisance. We went into Sozopal on our last evening to kill time before our flight home and it was very lively.
All in all a very enjoyable holiday and excellent value for money. We will certainly be returning to Bulgaria.
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Royal Marina Palace Hotel - Duni
Operator and Date: thomas cook may 2007
Opinion submitted in June 2007 by : allison 52
Resort Rating: Very Good
Accommodation Rating: Excellent
My/Our Holiday Review:
We were upgraded from the pelican to the marina palace essentially because it was the only one open as both the pelican and marina were undergoing renovation the rooms were of a very high standard and cleaned every day. the food was fine no problems apart from breakfast as the bacon is mainly all fat but there is plenty to choose from. the staff are attentive and do speak english.
I would however not go there again unless it was after the middle of june as we were told there would be jet ski's power boats banana boat but in fact all that was available was windsurfing which for us held no appeal. the weather was not great so the fact that there was nothing to do or see meant we were bored rigid. We went to Khans tent on the Sunday night and that was excellent food and wine beautiful and the entertainment was great, but all in all we spent more money on taxi's to get out of the place and find something to do and see.
On the tuesday night we were in the reception area (you cannot get near the so called entertainment lounge as the germans arrive there at 4ish and go for dinner at 6 in couples so that the rest of their family keep the seats) a french woman was at the reception desk and i thought she had one red shoe but no it seems she had slipped and very badly cut her foot there were three members of staff hovering around her doing nothing apart from telling her to walk over to the seats she told them she was scared she would fall on her way there they just pretended not to understand what she was saying finally one of them handed her a sealed bandage which she had to open herself and put on herself finally a manager arrived and got the lady a chair but their first aid skills are non existant.
It was after this we asked our rep to find us somewhere to move to in sunny beach which admitedly she did it cost us £90 for the two nights we spent there they were going to charge us 30 levs to cancel the room which we felt was a bit over the score since the only thing they would lose out on was our company. We also had to make our own way to sunny beach another 100 levs for a taxi. we had a great time at sunny beach at least there was a night life and you could relax by the pool or beach or see the sights much better. when we went to get on the coach which we were assured by our rep had been sorted surprise surprise we were not booked on it we did however get on but only after two phone calls so thomas cook holiday again no i don't think so. i can't comment on what duni will be like later in the year but if you are not interested in watching the germans play cards do not go until the middle of june which is when the place aparently has some entertainment.
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Royal Marina Palace/Pelican Hotel - Duni
Operator and Date: (First Choice Discounts) First Choice August 2005
Opinion submitted in Aug 2005 by : Hayley Parker - Essex (31,31,30,29,7,5,2,1)
Resort Rating: Very Good
Accommodation Rating: Good
My/Our Holiday Review:
First description was DISAPPOINTED! 40 hrs prior to travel we were informed by 1st choice that our chosen Hotel the Royal Marina was double booked and we were relocated to the Pelican.It transpired when we got there that this had been happening all peak season with the english.Word of warning dont go here if you have an issue with the germans as we are by far the minority!! Pelican rooms are rather basic but adequate and our maid wonderful & friendly teaching kids bulgarian.One problem was the number of steep steps we has to tackle to get to beach with pushcahirs.Beach lovely.
Food plentiful with lots of salads,veg,fruits, butnot best place if an over fussy eater. and we did manage a evening at the fish a la carte on seafront thanks to excellent rep Barney,but usually exclusive to Royal Marina guests.Which the hotelier refused to allow any first Choice over booked to use (or any of the other 'nicer' perks).However Thomas Cook guests overbooked were for some reason!! hotel kids club abit of an safety issue the reps were very keen to for you toleave your kid but no actual safety mechanisms in place to prevent wandering/lost kids in the busy resort, and my poor 5 year old was spoken to in german all afternoon!Despite this we made the most and enjoyed the food/alcohol,pools ok,no need for beach towels they supply,some good sports included in price.My mate got pickpocketed in Sozopol by a little girl so beware. Taxis pretty mad driving bu reliable if booked from reception and bring you home when asked, reasonably priced.
Overall a nice holiday providing you are prepared to be downgraded,not overly paranoid about what you sample to eat,you get no hassel from time share reps/touts etc as you are on one massive resort which is a bonus,like lots of nice fattening pudding every mealtime & afternoon. Would recommend go again but not get my hopes getting into the Royal marina as a member of staff explained this is how it always operates evry summer with the minority i.e the english always being relocated first- SO BE WARNED, as there was one poor couple who had booked their honeymoon and ended up at the Pelican in single beds! And First Choice doesnt seem to have any power to help at all. First Choice Rep Barney speaks excellent English and I actually felt sorry for him picking up this mess evry week. He generally wanted his guests to enjoy Duni so tried his best to help.
Oh the Balconies are a real danger if you have small children as they can easily slip/climb through the big gap. Safety laws are clearly not paramount yet In bulgaria. So go open minded and understand it is a cheap,clean but primitive holiday resort, and has till now kept its own Bulgarian culture which was nice.
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Royal Marina Palace - DUNI
Operator and Date: (Thomas Cook Direct) Thomas Cook - July 2005
Opinion submitted in Aug 2005 by : Sinead Doody - Peterborough (26,30)
Resort Rating: Excellent
Accommodation Rating: Excellent
My/Our Holiday Review:
This was our first all inclusive holiday and it was SUPERB!!! We will definatly be going back!
The royal marinar palace is amazing. Although the whole resort is all-inclusive and you can use the facilities in all the hotels we hardly left ours as the food and facilities were by far the best. From what I understood all though we could use all the other facilities I think there is a restriction on all the other hotels using the marinar palace.
Having been round all the other hotels I would say that the whole resoirt is lovely and if you are booked in at any of the other hotels i think you will have a great time - however saying that if you have a choice of hotel - there is no contest in picking the royal marina palace!
The staff are extremly friendly! the food is great with a wide variety to choose from including a BBQ area! There is a gym and indoor pool to use if excercising on holiday is your thing!
The resort is still mainly german but getting more and more popular with the english - but you will still need to get up early to get those sunloungers!!!!
I would recommend this hotel and resort to everyone, there are plenty of activities going on all day to keep everyone occupied if you get bored just lounging by the pool. There is a great disco in the evening over in another hotel if you want a bit of nightlife too!
enjoy!!! see you there next year!
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Elenite - Bulgaria
Elenite - Elenite
Operator and Date: (Cosmos Direct) Cosmos - July 06
Opinion submitted in February 2007 by :
Resort Rating: Excellent
Accommodation Rating: Average
My/Our Holiday Review:
The rooms are very clean. The main complaint we had was that the bunk beds were to small. I was assured by Cosmos that the bunk bed would be big enough for my eldest son who was 6', it wasnt!! We did complain but got nowhere. The food was ok but please visit the barbeque restaurant and say hi to Christina and her father. They are the friendliest people in the resort and very hard working. All the staff work very hard for very little money. Cosmos had no entertainment and if hadn't of been for Royal Park's entertainment we would've been bored. The resort is safe. You must visit Pacos which is a handbuilt bar and restaurant about 100 yrds from the gate of the complex. Don't get any laundry done without checking the prices as it is very expensive!!!
We would never book with Cosmos again!
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Elenite - Elenite
Operator and Date: (First Choice Discounts) First Choice - June 2005
Opinion submitted in Sept 2005 by : Ben Taylor - Darwen (47,41,17,17)
Resort Rating: Excellent
Accommodation Rating: Very Good
My/Our Holiday Review:
This holiday was one of the best ever in my opinion. Friendly people, lovely weather and great surroundings wot more can u ask for, eh?
The only bad thing was that the pools filters broke for one day so we cudnt use 1 of the 3 pools, which was ok cos we jus used the rest and the sea!!
Animation (entertainers) were very friendly and funny and that. Me and my mate even made friends with one of them, hes called Sev look out for him wen your there!!
Food was excellent catered for all tastes and offered food from all over the world and one day was a strictly Bulgarian food day which is an opportunity to try bulgarian food which is VERY nice!
So if u havn't booked a holiday this year go to Elenite, Bulgaria and i mite see ya there!
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Elenite Holiday Park - Elenite
Operator and Date: (Cosmos Direct) Cosmos - Aug/Sept 2006
Opinion submitted in September 2006 by : John Maughan - York (37,40,10,13)
Resort Rating: Poor
Accommodation Rating: Poor
My/Our Holiday Review:
Been back three days and my guts are getting back to normal thankfully.
The good points:
Great private beach, a few nice pools, nice climate.
Bad points:
The food is absolute poison slop, this is not beeing harsh at all. If you can get through two weeks in this resort without food piosoning or dicky tummy the Parra's/SAS is an option for you.
The beds in the room were absolute murder.
Very cold at night, temp just drops away even in August.
Room was infested with woodlice after storm.
the room door was poor fit and the keys didnt work properly so even the maids could'nt crack the door open.
Two choice of wine in the dining area was white (absolutley awfull) or Red (even worse)or beer ( very gasy )sometimes in a plastic glass as they run out of clean glasses, so a nice drink with your meal is unherd off. Some people were taking there own wine into diner with them the only problem is that nice wine was hard to find in the shops.
The staff in genrall were all misrable as hell and you could noy get a smile out of them.
There is a onsite medical centre, you will need it ( the staff sit outside sunbathing drinking beer from the bottle).
Snak bar type oulets run out of food all the time. One is a kebab tent that you have to que for ages, the kebabs are not bad but a 45 minute wait is a long time. The other is a hotdog shack with not so much of a que but hey! its a hotdog. the other is pizza spot with the worls greasyest meet free pizzas ever.
Three restraunts are availabe for you to book a table: Sozopol is Bulgarian themed foods poor and i got my camera nicked while in the restraunt.
BBQ is straight forward baraque, foods poor and caused alot of foodpoisoning.
Sunshine is european themed and has nice soop (veg or chicken)its mediocre and serves the same 3 courses night after night.
You have to que from 10 oclock in morning and bye 10:05 there booked fully, which means you have to get there about 9:30 and stand around a lot or take your chances in the main slop hall.
As you can probably tell this was not a great holiday mainly because of the terrible food.
There are better places in the worl to go than here(Beiruit/Afganistan/Sieberia).
If your on a buget and want cheap still dont do it.
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Elenite Holiday Park - Elenite
Operator and Date: (First Choice Discounts) First Choice - July 2004
Opinion submitted in July 2004 by : Dave Mercer - Wheaton Aston, Stafford, (46,34,10 & 7)
Resort Rating: Below Average
Accommodation Rating: Good
My/Our Holiday Review:
Having been on quite a few all inclusive deals, I would like to think I can give an honest opinion of the holiday for you to judge.
Flight & transfer, no problem, first choice have it well organised. The resort is on big village with two hotels at each end, with appartments in the middle. Going in July, there were thousands there and you have to get use to the crowds, 50/50 Brits & Germans.
Accomodation was basic but OK, but we were 156 steps from the beach, so after a few days, your legs were feeling tired (especially if you make the trip 4 or 5 times a day). The resort looks tatty with many hazards to avoid due to lack of maintenance and the grounds maintenance was poor (even the weeds had died!). Food was Ok at times and we tended to eat well when there was a good meal, thinking tomorrow would be poor. Higene was terrible, glasses, plates & cutlery not being washed properly and many marks were evident. Drinks are in abundence and a large Brandy was a LARGE BRANDY!, so it was easy to forget about the problems around you.
Entertainment was very good especially from the First Choice reps, unfortunatley if you watched their outdoor show, you had to get use to the smell of sewers from the local drains. Had loads of power cuts in bad weather and the phones went down for 4 days at one time (by the way, no payphones). One inportant point, if you do have a phone bill to pay (from the phone in your room) beware, the hotel only accepts CASH, no plastic, as we found out on the last day (no one tells you this).
Beach is lovely, but buisy & the sea is great. Pools are very buisy and tend to to get overcrowded (3 in all including a kiddies pool). There are a few shops to buy essentials & gifts (Vodka being about £3 a litre!) and stalls that sell other novalties. If you are unlucky to bump into one of the large snakes (as we were), we were told they are not poisonous (but they would say that, so beware), other creepy crawlies were tollerable, (few small lizards, snakes and the odd fly, no mozzies). In all, we tried to make the most of a resort that we feel needs a good refurbishment and hygene and health & saftey is not very good.
Would we go back, definatley not until the resort is brought upto standard and I am suprised that first choice & thompson had included it in their brochures. We did hear of many complaints from other guests regarding other issues, but we can only comment on our own experience. The choice is yours, its cheap, but we felt we were getting a poor deal for our holiday and we have all come back with 'dicky tummies'!
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Elenite Holiday Park - Elenite
Operator and Date: (First Choice Discounts) First Choice - june-july 2004
Opinion submitted in July 2004 by : Dave -Newcastle (38,32,8,5)
Resort Rating: Very Good
Accommodation Rating: Very Good
My/Our Holiday Review:
We were dreading holiday after ready the other reviews, spoke to first choice who said they had some problems early on because the Royal Park was not finished but they had been resolved.
When we got there we were put in sunrise b villas which had bunk beds and aircon and were very clean and spacious they were cleaned daily and towels and linen changed often. These are the best rooms to ask for as they are a lot bigger than others.
The resort itself was very clean and there are 5 pools to choose from they have activities around pools during the day. there are a few snack bars where you can get free drinks, toasties, hotdogs and pizza.The beach was very clean with lots of water activities and the water is quite warm.
The food at the buffet restaurant was basic but tasty but got a lot better during the second week and our kids ate alright even though they are very fussy.The other 3 restaurants were very good.
There is loads for kids to do with 3-4 kids club sessions a day and the reps had entertainment on at night times.The best thing is the animation team who are excellent and their night time shows are very professional.
Sunny beach is a lot busier and well worth a look with lots of bars and restaurants as well as loads of cheap clothes stalls.
Also there are some lovely peacocks just walking around the resort and a very friendly pelican called george.
Overall a very cheap and enjoyable holiday amd we would definately go back
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Elenite Holiday Park - Elenite
Operator and Date: (Balkan Discounts) Balkan-----june 2004
Opinion submitted in July 2004 by : 44,43,29,28,21,8,9
Resort Rating: Very Good
Accommodation Rating: Excellent
My/Our Holiday Review:
after reading some elinite reviews we were reluctant to go there. but what a great place......we were in the villas practacally on beach, very clean a bit small for 3 adults and 1 child,1 adult had the bottom bunk,but the place, the views,made up for that. it is such a big place you can eat and drink in all the bars and restrants that are in the village.
no problems getting sun beds theres plenty.
lots to do and the evening entertainment good, food hot and plentyfull just remember
your in bulgaria not england!!! try and book for the different restarants when you first arrive or you may not get in any.
word of warning dont buy anything in the village wait until you go to sunny beach, will go again loved it.
happy hols
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Elenite Holiday Park - Elenite
Operator and Date: First Chioce - June 2004
Opinion submitted in June 2004 by : Parry - Merseyside (28,21,3)
Resort Rating: Average
Accommodation Rating: Average
My/Our Holiday Review:
Just arrived back from the Elenite holiday village in Bulgaria.We didn't think it was that bad.
The main thing that lets this hotel down is the food. We stayed for a week and it took us a few days to get used to it. There is a different meal at lunch and dinner, but it's always chicken and pork in different sauces.The cooked breakfast is the worst. Lots of fruit and salad though, plenty of different bars to get drinks from. Beach snack bar okay.
The rooms were clean with fridge and television - only one English channel. Plenty of storage space, bathrooms okay, no bath just shower. Cleaned daily, fresh towls daily, beds changed once a week.Lots of steps everywhere. You are right on the beach, which is nice. Three pools to choose from, all clean. Lots of sunbeds at the pools and on the beach.
There is lots of things to do. Daily the Anamation team do different activities around the pool in the afternoon then put on a show in the evening after the childrend disco. It did rain for a couple of days, but we just got a taxi in to Sunny beach(15lv) and looked around the markets and went to Mc Donalds(hurray!).On the whole not that bad. Lots of building work in Sunny Beach, will be nice when finished.
Elenite gives you a relaxing holiday with the chioce to go into The more livley Sunny Beach when you get bored. It is really really cheap. Thats about it really. Not the best, but not the worst. Would possibly go back, maybe Sunny Beach next time though.
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Elenite Holiday Park - Elenite
Operator and Date: (First Choice Discounts) First Choice- June 2004
Opinion submitted in June 2004 by : Paul Smith-london (41,40,18,17,8,6)
Resort Rating: Excellent
Accommodation Rating: Excellent
My/Our Holiday Review:
Well this has been my 3rd all inclusive hoilday and by far the best. The food was great, had all variety for everyone. the first choice entertainment team were entertaining, but the best part of my holiday was the childrens club, both my children went to every session and were thrilled by the kids reps, silli-billi, jumping jules. trendy tracy, jellyfish jennie, crazy kelly and exciting emma. nothing was too much troublem for them and the mini disoc was spot on.
i will be coming back next year
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Elenite Holiday Village - Elenite
Operator and Date: July 2007
Opinion submitted in August 2007 by : Emma - Lincolnshire
Resort Rating: Excellent
Accommodation Rating: Excellent
My/Our Holiday Opinion:
I have to say I have never completed a review before, cannot be bothered if I am honest. However I have been on some poor holidays and some excellent ones, but this was the best ever.
I read loads of negative reviews from others on sites like these and was so shocked when i arrived i felt i had to write a review.
In short food fantastic (stay at home if you want british),
beach excellent,
accomodation very clean
staff helfpul and freindly
entertainment great for families.
whats the problem?
I WILL RETURN AGAIN!!!!!
Enjoy xx
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Elenite Holiday Village - Elenite
Operator and Date: Balkan Holidays July 2007
Opinion submitted in July 2007 by : The Atkinson Famely,56,54,27,6
Resort Rating: Very Good
Accommodation Rating: Very Good
My/Our Holiday Review:
I have just returned from a 2 weeks all inclusive Holiday in Elenite village from 8/7/2007 until 23/7/2007.With my husband ,daughter and granddaughter.
After reading a lot of the bad reviews we were a bit worried .
But there was no need to be. We had a lovely 2 weeks .The day we left it was 40 degrees .We just didn't wont to come home.
The Hotel and grounds were spotless. There was a team of ladies cleaning from very early morning until about 11 pm.They were even scrubbing the foot paths. I have never been to such a clean resort.
On the down side .As every one says in the review there are lots of steps. Loads to get to the reception area .And just steps all over the place .. I fell in the children's club on the second night ,as I just hadn't seen the steps .I badly bruised my chest arm and leg. It is certainly not the holiday for any one with walking difficulty's.
Now the food . I thought was very good ,there was a great selection .Yes as people have said there were chips twice a day. But there was also plenty of pasta ,rice . There was a great deal of choice with the other food. I have never eaten so well on holiday. As I am a vegetarian ,and I am a bit fussy with food abroad. But there was know need to of worried .It was all very nicely presented to.
If you go at the time of year we did you have to expect it to be busy at meal times . The first week of our holidays was ok .But the second week was a lot busyer.We had a job to find a table at breakfast time . The other times was ok..
The animation team work so hard with the children and putting shows on .
Some people reviews said the Bulgarian people we miserable and wouldn't speak. I found if you spoke to them first and were pleasant ,they were the same back. We met some really nice members of staff.
The aqua park was great to and was free to get in. But you had to pay for sun beds and umbrellas .
All in all we had a very enjoyable 2 weeks .And I could recommend this holiday .If you like the pools and the beach ,like our 6 year old granddaughter did .We just had a very relaxing holiday .
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Elenite Holiday Village - Elenite
Operator and Date: Direct Holiday - Sept/Oct 2006
Opinion submitted in October 2006 by : Shirley Sargent - Highlands
Resort Rating: Below Average
Accommodation Rating: Average
My/Our Holiday Review:
Do not go here at the end of Sept/Oct especially if you have teenage children as there is nothing to do. It is the end of their season and all snack bars & entertainment closed. All Water parks close first week of September. It was like a ghost town with just a handful of people around. Even Sunny Beach was quite the 2nd week of our holiday.
They seem to have a thing about trees at Elenite as there are huge trees blocking out the views from the balcony. On arrival we were put into a very dark and dingy apartment 318/320(dark wooden ceiling/walls & dark old curtains) with completely no view whatsoever as a huge tree was there. We complained the next day and were immediately moved into villas 545 & 546 and they were nice,we were right on the beach with a nice view, but they were about the only villas that didnt have trees blocking them. I would not have liked to be allocated one of the other villas higher up as there were hundreds of steps to them.
The food was pretty atrocious - best to book a table at the other couple of restaurants. The food in the main restaurant was always cold. Staff were friendly though. The "All inclusive" was the worst we have been on. The only choice of snacks were cold hot dogs, dona kebab, pizza and chicken. The stall with the chicken was only open for 15 minutes so be quick!! The 2nd week of our hols they just closed down the snack bars apart from the Pizza place.
Entertainment was very poor quality. Karaoke bar and Animation Hall were the reps mimed to backing tracks. The fitness suite was dire. Old broken pieces of equipment.
This is NOT somewhere I will return to nor would I recommend it at this time of year. Perhaps it would be better at the height of the season!!
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Elenite Holiday Village - Elenite
Operator and Date: First Choice - Sept 2006
Opinion submitted in January 2007 by : Karen Russell 40, 69
Resort Rating: No rating
Accommodation Rating: Average
My/Our Holiday Review:
My mum and I wanted a short break to somewhere different, we certainly got the "different" bit, this place was awful we travelled at the end of Sept 06,the staff are miserable, there were numerous break-ins into to ground floor apartments, management did not want to know, police were intimidating to the poor soles who had everything stolen, the food was not edible, we lived on stale bread and salad, would not touch the meat, people were dropping like flies with upset tummy's, I would never recommend this place to any of my friends or family, the worst place i have ever been to.
When i got back i complained to first choice but to no avail, they said they had not had any complaints, can't beleive that, everyone was complaining, take my advice avoid this place.
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Elenite Holiday Village - Elenite
Operator and Date: (Direct Holidays) Direct Holidays - 2006
Opinion submitted in October 2006 by : claire 31,32,30 12,11
Resort Rating: Poor
Accommodation Rating: Poor
My/Our Holiday Review:
all i have to say is this is the worse all inclusive i have ever been to.where do i start the food is awful,1st week we were there no chips in sight the meat would run away when you cut into it as it was raw.we were all bad on this holiday with upset stomachs,even the bread was not fresh.pool stunk of urine.
the best part of the holiday was when we went out into sunny beach for a meal that was lovely,but a good taxi ride away.there was nothing what so ever outside the complex.
wouldnt go back there again even if someone payed for me!
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Elenite Holiday Village - Elenite
Operator and Date: (Direct Holidays) Direct Holidays September 2005
Opinion submitted in Oct 2005 by : Tommy Hunter Rothesay 47 45
Resort Rating: Below Average
Accommodation Rating: Average
My/Our Holiday Review:
This has to be the worst all inclusive deal i have been on the food in the main buffet style dining hall seemed to consist of chicken and pork all the time although we were treated to the worst fish fingers i have ever seen.The crockery was broken and chipped and the utensils were never completly clean.
The brochure stated that there were a few steps to negotiate there was in fact hundreds.Around the village part where we stayed it was mostly tiled and very slippy due to the constant wiping over by the cleaners.Two hotels next door can use the village facilities but they cannot use the hotels,according to those in the hotels the food there was worse than the complex so they used ours making it difficult to get seated at meal times.The paths around complex are badly in need of repair.
The staff are not very friendly and the guy who runs the beach radio hut seems to think we all want to listen to gangsta rap seven hours a day.We complained re the music to the managment as we did not think the swearing in these songs was right for families,the next day we got bulgarian military marching songs all day.
The "Entertainment" in the night club consited of one game of bingo and one hour of Karaoke,you could go to the animation hall for a show at 9.pm but to get seat you had to be there at 7.00pm.The meals in sunny beach are cheap enough we got a chinese meal two starters main courses and 2 large stella artois for around seven pounds.Lots of bargains to be found clothing wise, do not buy duty free cigarettes in resorts as they are Turkish fakes of UK brands.This is the only holiday i have ever been on where virtually the whole planeload of passengers complained about the place.I will not be back.P.S. Get your duty free on the way out as the selection at bourgas airport is abysmal.
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Elenite Holiday Village - Elenite
Operator and Date: (Cosmos Direct) Cosmos 2005
Opinion submitted in August 2006 by : Ian Wood 43,33,16,15,6,4
Resort Rating: Very Good
Accommodation Rating: Very Good
My/Our Holiday Review:
The food was great ,the drinks and most of the staff too as was the accomodation and grounds .Just one complaint we caught on video the maid stealing from the childrens purses.She was immediatley sacked we received the money straight away from the hotel and 2 apples and a chocolate happy birthday cake plus wine as compensation {even though it wasnt our birthdays } .So please use the safety deposit boxes and you will have a great time !
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Elenite Holiday Village - Elenite
Operator and Date: (First Choice Discounts) First Choice - October 2004
Opinion submitted in Oct 2004 by : Paul Bibby - Wigan (43,41)
Resort Rating: Good
Accommodation Rating: Average
My/Our Holiday Review:
On arrival at the complex we had to wait for nearly an hour for a bell boy to take us to our chalet which wasn`t a good start but it was 4am anyway.
The village did look clean and tidy, the pools were in excellent condition and clean, restaraunts were okay, but the first week we could not move for flys and wasps. I was actually stung 5 times on 1st day so if you dont like them it could be a problem, anything orange coloured on you or a drink of orange and you had to run from the swarm of wasps that decended on you.
The beach was clean with plenty of sunbeds and unbrellas, but the ship on the beach serving drinks and hot dogs was a no no, because of the wasp problem. The main reception did have a lot of steps and if you had to go up to bar or cafe regular, it could get a bit tiring. The internet room was pretty cheap at £1.70 per hour but the guy that ran it does have a bit of an attitude problem!
The staff were not over friendly but not too bad, the cleaners were a nice bunch and did a good job. Our room 562 did have a problem with wood lice that came out at night over the walls so we had to kill a few of them, and we also heard other tales of people being moved, because of this.
Food was generally okay but not red hot which a lot of guests complained about but we didn`t have a problem with this. The 2nd week my wife sprained her ankle and we were moved to the Royal Bay to help her avoid all the steps, and even though it was a plain hotel, the rooms were excellent and the food not red hot again but very good indeed.
The only problem on this week was that the village shut down, the entertainment finished because the Royal Park shut, the animals and plants were all moved indoors and all the shops and stalls shut and disappeared.
We made the best of it but by tuesday there was hardley anybody left to talk to.
In sunny Beach when we stopped for a meal we went to the Casino, a wooden built restaraunt about 100 yards down from McDonalds with Alex looking after us, the food was excellent, hot and cheap, We can highly recommend it. We very much enjoyed the excursion to Khans tent, wonderful nights entertainment, and Nessebar is a very nice town too.
We will definatly be going back to Bulgaria but not to the village, Sunny Beach seemed a lot nicer and a better place to have your base, everything is very cheap and would be no problem going self catering instead of the all inclusive we took.
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Elenite Holiday Village - Elenite
Operator and Date: (First Choice Discounts) First Choice - September 2004
Opinion submitted in Oct 2004 by : Sharon Walton - Oldham (36, 34)
Resort Rating: Excellent
Accommodation Rating: Excellent
My/Our Holiday Review:
Having read the other reviews before holidaying, we were quite anxious as to what we would be experiencing - definitely no need to have worried!! The villas were spotless, the reviews are correct, there are mops everywhere and they are constantly cleaning!! We were situated 2 minutes away from the beach, great for dragging our £4 lilos to! The food was quite limited and was quite often lukewarm, there are microwaves to use if you prefer but we discovered the Royal Park Hotel which is much, much better, cleaner (if that's possible)much more choice in food and piping hot most of the time. Apparently an English Chef has been shipped in and has made a huge difference. The entertainment is pretty dismal, okay if you have kids but not much for adults. We spent most nights in "The Pub" in the Royal Park which is fabulous and full of atmosphere. You could however spend your night going on a "pub crawl" on the complex as various venues close at various times.
There does appear to be a slight problem with wasps on the beach and around the Nessebar restaurant.
Two musts are trips to Sunny Beach and Nessebar, two completely different places but both well worth visiting. Sunny Beach is a 40p bus ride from the village and is very much like Blackpool, Nessebar Old Town is very quaint with lots of shops and side streets, again it's a 20p bus ride from Sunny Beach. The local bus and taxi services are in abundance, it is very easy to get about, do not waste your money on organised trips.
We would definitely go to Bulgaria again and would go to Elenite but probably book in the Royal Park. The "Holidays from Hell" programme shown recently must have been an old version because it is definitely the better of the 3 venues in Elenite.
Bargains to be had are sandals at £3 per pair, jewellery and alcohol! Food is very, very cheap, we had a 12oz steak with all the trimmings, starters and drinks at a total of approximately £15! Tropicana is well recommended at Sunny Beach, head up the main straight from the bus and it's on the beach front.
Weather was lovely, in the 80s the first week, 75 ish the second week. It tends to cloud over approximately 4pm and goes quite chilly in the evenings. We had 2 storms in the night and 2 cloudy days. Ideal for hopping on a bus and getting about!
Not much else to be said apart from don't worry, you will enjoy your stay and love Bulgaria!
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Elenite Holiday Village - Elenite
Operator and Date: (First Choice Discounts) First Choice Sept 04
Opinion submitted in Oct 2004 by : Me 30 mate 41
Resort Rating: Very Good
Accommodation Rating: Very Good
My/Our Holiday Review:
The hotls here are in Bulgaria not 4 star in Spain! the room we had was in the middle hotel shally buildings on the cliff very clean tydy has two beds and double bunk,new towels every day,had sat tv yes only 2 english channels but who wants to stay in and watch tv when on holiday?
The swimming pools are cold but the sea is so nice/clear and warm I swam every day or went on kyacks great fun.Theres plenty of sunbeds with umbrellas to choose from,you can wonder to any end of the beach to find a good spot.
At night thers several bars to choose from Animation bar is ok after 10 as most kids gone till 12 then Irish bar in Royal Oak you can get most brands there and pay for the non local ones,had a nice cocktail for around £4 would cost double back home!open till one then thats it unless you go to sunny beach.
The food is ok and plentyfull but limited menu book around the different restraunts to get veriety or just go sunny beach you get big beer good meals and pudding for £2.50-£5 max!!!! so always plenty of choice,my mate has put on weight.
In sunny beach there lots of sellers so dont buy the first thing its always cheaper down the road a bit,and barter a lot too you get bargains Id have happily gone with just hand luggage and filled a new suitcase for £100 or so!all in all a good holiday and gets away from rain at home.
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Elenite Holiday Village - Elenite
Operator and Date: ?-August 04
Opinion submitted in Nov 2004 by : Babs-Gatwick
Resort Rating: Below Average
Accommodation Rating: Poor
My/Our Holiday Review:
Well only one thing to say...
This Hotel is a holiday nightmare waiting to happen.. to be honest i carnt believe its still on the market!!!!!
As me and my partner stayed here in august there were building sites everywhere especially from our balcony fantastic view of bulgarian men working and shouting god nows what in gibble le goo!
This hotel i would not wish on my worst enemy!
Beds are hard and dirty!
Our room was filled with green moss up the skirting board and the reception did nothing at all not even move us Plain arrongant!!!
PLEASE DONT GO TO THIS HOTEL YOU WILL BE VERY DISAPPOINTED IF YOU DO!! I WOULDNT RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE AT ALL!!! IT SHOULD BE SHUT DOWN FOR GOOD!!!!!!
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Elenite Holiday Village - Elenite
Operator and Date: Sunquest - last two in August.
Opinion submitted in Oct 2004 by : Newcastle ( 3 adults, 2 teenagers and 2 kids)
Resort Rating: Very Good
Accommodation Rating: Good
My/Our Holiday Review:
We were worried sick about this trip. Put off by some very poor reviews.
We had a great time!
If you accept the place for what it is cheap and cheerful with a super beach, pools and eccentric evening entertainmemt then you'll have a wonderful time.The kids simply loved it!
If you get fed up get out and about.Bus travel is so simple, very reliable and so cheap. If you get stranded anywhere barter with a taxi driver! Theres some wonderful places to investigate. Get a good travel book!
We're going to Corsica next year for bi-annual summer chill out trip. It will cost 4 or 5 times more.I'm still sctatching my head why we're not coming back to Bulgaria? Great Value, and Bulgarians are so friendly with a very dry english like sense of humour.
Its not perfect. The food is so bad its funny and dinner in was like an 1/2hour situation comedy. Away from the buffet the other resturants were much better but not half as much fun. However if food is important to you eating in Sunny Beach was great and ever so cheap!
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Elenite Holiday Village - Elenite
Operator and Date: (First Choice Discounts) First Choice Aug 5-19th
Opinion submitted in Aug 2004 by : 41 ,40, 14 and 11
Resort Rating: Good
Accommodation Rating: Good
My/Our Holiday Review:
Back this afternoon from Elenite.
Stayed in the village and seemed to come across quite a few people who have been reading these same few sites,as the questions i was being asked were near enough the exact same as here and elsewhere,
Eg,is there really any snakes?? And no there isn`t.
Is it as bad as everyone makes out?? Well the village isn`t by a long chalk.Allocated two twin rooms by FC in between the reception and hotel called Royal Park about 1/4 of the way up the hill.Your standard euro room if you ask me.Either fully tiled floor or 3/4 tiled and then laminate to the door the the balcony.(balconies crazy paved,smaller on the upper rooms but big enough sit 4/5 on the lowers)Maid in every day,towels every other day.
The thunderstorms we had though did manage to leak in once which did do some damage to the laminate,but hey it wasn`t my house so after 10 mins of drying out we were off and running again.
The food in the main buffet hall did lack a bit of imagination,but we ate plenty of what we liked and so did the kids.
We then mixed and matched where we ate on the resort to have a change.Forget the Sunshine restaurant,that was below par,though on the other hand it was nice and quiet up there away from the din of the buffet room.
Two recommends are the Sozopal and Talyana.both you have to book in the morning between 9-12,though take my advice and get in just after 9.
Sozopal is Bulgarian with just 3 different main meals built into a 4 course menu,but all were tasty and like i said if you ate there 3 times,Talyana a couple and the main hall, it broke it up nicely.
And bear in mind people were complaining of getting dicky tummies in the Royal Park which is supposed to be 4*
Now there is a slight scam going on out there which can be enjoyed by the First Choice customers,which i won`t directly put up here,as i know the reps do trawl these sites and look out for what people are reporting back on,but needless to say some common sense with regards to the colour of your wristband and how you wear it, will get into the hotel, and you can then also avail yourself of their facilities as well!!
I would say don`t panic,i know people seem to be complaining alot, but i get the impression that whilst sites like this are good for infomation,i think they can also go badly the other way and if people are getting nervous the holiday can be ruined before you have even got there.
Btw,the transfer time from Varna to Elenite is 2hrs,not what FC still say.
Getting about is pretty much what has gone before,agree taxi price beforehand,15 lev to Sunny Beach,bus is 1.5lev from out the front of the Royal Park.Trip to Nessebar a necessity,again bus from centre of sunny beach,2lev for four of us,yes i did say for the four of us,basically £2 return.
There are 3 pools,but they are quite cold really,but when you have the Black sea over your shoulder which is far warmer,why bother.What i will say about the sea though is it can change daily as to what you will find in it.
Seaweed one day,crystal clear the next,then what looks like the the remains of a shipwreck the next,not to be out done by two days of what seemed like a small eco disaster as there were zillions of dead flies floating around,but in all instances if you got about 30/40 ft away from the shore it was fine.I actually saw only 1 jellyfish in there in the whole 2 weeks,and i only miseed 2 days of swimming,yet other would have you believe there were swarms of them in there.
A little tip about the water parks we came across,there is a bus out to the big park free from the centre of sunny beach,but it`s then 24lev to get in,now if you don`t use the facilities it`s a bit of a waste of time and money,much better is walk down the centre towards the beach,and on the right hand side behind the casino is a smaller version where you can hire a sunbed for the day, 4lev,pay 15levs for kids to ride/swim all day,and then pay 1lev for each ride you go on if you`re bothered.
Waitress service all day,doctor on site as well.
As far as i`m concerned about FC,they know there are problems,but they are doing their best, and the reps couldn`t be better,always trying to do something,and do something different with regards the entertainment team.
All the kids seemed to get on,and i think if they are enjoying themselves and not moaning at you then it makes things alot easier in my experience.
My opinion for what it`s worth........ we decided to go and as long as the rooms were semi ok,we could at least eat out every night knowing it wouldn`t cost us a fortune and worry about the rest when we got home, definitely go and do what we did,set your expetations low and then you can only be pleasantly surprised as we were.
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Elenite Holiday Village - Elenite
Operator and Date: (Thomson Holidays
Direct) Thomson Holidays
- August 2004
Opinion submitted in Aug 2004 by : Steven Marshall (44,37)
Resort Rating: Average
Accommodation Rating: Average
My/Our Holiday Review:
How i never saw Jason King and Austin Powers on this holiday i dont know as we were locked in a 1970's pyschadelic timewarp for 7 days.
We were greeted on the coach at the airport by the area manager for
Thomson Holidays
s, who told us our rep would be joining us shortly, we set off
for our destination only to turn around after halfway (at 3am) so the
area manager could retrieve her bag from the coach. Arrived and checked
in fine. (2nd checked in), made our way to our accomadation and found
our chalet by accident (Yes we were in 70's Butlins) due to the poorly
lit signs and numbers. Accomadation was clean but also very basic, (only
bbc news on the tv, but fine if you are German), on the morning of
checkout however, we noticed people handing remotes in with money, so
possible movie channels could be available, check at reception, the rep
didnt say out.
Positives:
The Sunshine Restaurant - hidden gem, if you want a cup, spoon fork and knife and no queing, thats the place to be. The whole time we were there no more than 9 people ate breakfast in the Sunshine. Why it wasn't explained at the Welcome meeting that we could use this eatery is beyond us? However i wouldnt encourage use of this for an evening meal as it is only a luke-walm meal. Use the Sozapol for this time, as the food and service is excellent (but you have to start phoning at 9o clock and perservear to get a place)
70's disco/cinema: Ok if you're not sitting under the Chinese water torture system (this is the musky smell and the damp that dripped from the roof), you can get a drink from 22:00 - 00:00, which was nice (Austin Powers!). Downside to this, is that i dont think they believe in glasswear, (unless your in the restaurant), at the hotel because they're cheapskates. Unless you have impressionable children, entertainment is non-exsistant, after your evening meal what can you do? the answer is not much, infact nothing!
Cleaning staff great, the rest of them are miserable. Why do cleaners find the need to sit in toilets four at a time? Why does every allinclusive food stand shut a lot earlier than said in broucher (half an hour wait for pizza due to "lack of dough")
Why can Elenite Village residents not be allowed to go into Royal Park (restaurant and pub) but Royal Park can use all Elenite Village amienties and cause congestion. i.e. main restaurant - waiting for tables, no crockery.
When it rains walk to Sunny beach (it took 1 and a 1/2 hours), you will not get a bus!
There is one every hour to hour and a half.
The taxis (£6 there) arent there when its raining. They will try and make the fair more expensive after the rain has come i.e. 20 levs