Sofia Hotel Balkan, a Luxury Collection Hotel (was Sheraton) Bulgaria [Master Thread]
Apr 20, 2009, 2:09 pm
#16
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: San Diego
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Posts: 852
Thanks for your reply, jplondon. I did consider a trip to the Black Sea. We'll look into that further. I rented the Rick Steves Eastern Europe DVD from the library last weekend and it looked like a beautiful country (I've done a lot of web surfing, but it's much different to see video). I think we'll try to make a trip to the monastery (can't remember the name right now) that is not too far from Sofia. I'm not sure how much free time we'll have. We'll want to spend as much time with our son as possible, but I'd imagine the orphanage/adoption agency will have some limits to how long we can stay there each day.
I'm glad the rooms at the Sheraton are large. We previously adopted from Vietnam, and mistakenly expected the standard room to be comparable to a standard room in the U.S. Needless to say, our 9 nights at the Rex Hotel would have been more enjoyable if we'd paid a little more for a suite. We're just happy that we have the chance to pick our own hotel this time, as opposed to being at the mercy of the adoption agency. It will save us quite a bit of money since we'll be able to use points.
I'm glad the rooms at the Sheraton are large. We previously adopted from Vietnam, and mistakenly expected the standard room to be comparable to a standard room in the U.S. Needless to say, our 9 nights at the Rex Hotel would have been more enjoyable if we'd paid a little more for a suite. We're just happy that we have the chance to pick our own hotel this time, as opposed to being at the mercy of the adoption agency. It will save us quite a bit of money since we'll be able to use points.
The Hotel is wonderful I got a beautiful suite on the top floor with large living area, big screen TV dual showers etc... as a Platinum.
sdcarver
Last edited by sdcarver; Apr 20, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Apr 22, 2009, 4:01 pm
#17
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: PHX
Programs: Starwood Hotels, Alaska Air, Delta/Northwest Air
Posts: 73
Rila Monastery (Rilska on GPS) is an amazing place place, be sure to try the yogurt (made of sheep or buffalo) behind the Monastery. Another beautiful place is Melnick (a small wine town towards the south border) What we did was rent a car with GPS and meandered to the south which ened up being one of the best days of our vacation.
The Hotel is wonderful I got a beautiful suite on the top floor with large living area, big screen TV dual showers etc... as a Platinum.
sdcarver
The Hotel is wonderful I got a beautiful suite on the top floor with large living area, big screen TV dual showers etc... as a Platinum.
sdcarver
Great to hear the positive reviews of the hotel. As a lowly SPG Gold, I'm not counting on any kind of upgrade. However, it's nice to know the property is nice and in a good location. If we did get an upgrade, I'd hope for one on our second trip when we'll have our son with us. He'll have to stay in the orphanage during our first trip. Maybe I'll be able to make friends with a supervisor or manager at the front desk during our first visit and see if they can work some magic for our second visit!
Thanks again for your post. I truly appreciate any feedback from those that have stayed at this property, or from anyone who has travelled to Sofia.
Dec 4, 2010, 1:54 am
#19
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: IAD
Programs: Free Agent
Posts: 1,937
In the middle of a stay at the moment. I would rate the hotel as a solid Sheraton. But the service level is that of the Luxury Collection. A few days after making my booking here, I saw that I was pre-upgraded to a Junior Suite. This was over a month out!
The hotel runs shuttles from the to/from the airport at selected times during the day. A hotel car will cost 35 Euros. If you're leaving early in the morning for a flight, the rate rises to 49 Euros. The hotel is about 20 minutes from the airport.
When I checked in, the front desk agent had the manager of the hotel come out and welcome me. I was given a cramped junior suite overlooking the entrance of the hotel. While traffic noise wasn't a concern, there's a lot of honking going on due to traffic, which ended up getting on my nerves after a few hours. I asked to be moved later that evening, and was given another junior suite in the back corner of the hotel. While still classified as a junior suite, it was about twice the size of my previous suite. My new room had a walk-in closet and extremely spacious living room. So all junior suites are not equal! The bathroom in both suites are located near the entrance of the room, not near the bedroom as to be expected. I keep finding myself walking into the closet instead! The bed is a bit hard - definitely not a Heavenly or Sweet Sleeper bed. Bath products are some generic type with labels that look to be printed at home. No complaints though.
The gym itself hasn't been been touched since the 80's. Antique equipment and tiling. One treadmill, two bikes, a stairstepper (not an elliptical), two weight machines, and some free weights. Not impressed at all.
Breakfast was quite decent at 20 Euros, with an excellent selection of pastries and desserts. Service was quite good. I was told at check-in that if I wanted to commit beforehand, I'd receive a 10% discount. I suspect that I'd receive the discount anyway though.
The Lounge is on the second floor. You open the door using your keycard. It's got a large minifridge stocked with soda, beer, and wine. During the day, you can get small slices of bundt cake. There's also coffee, tea, and juice available. In the evenings, there are some canapes, chips, and nuts. Nothing special, but it's nice to pop in and grab a soda or water. The minifridge fairy does a great job of keeping it stocked throughout the day. There's a TV in the room, along with a nice sound system playing music throughout the day. I believe the Lounge is open until 11pm. I didn't even bother checking out the continental breakfast selections.
The entrance to the casino is inside the Italian restaurant. There's also an exterior entrance. I don't know where the bar is, but I suspect it's in their Lounge named "Scandal". There's a picture of it in the elevator. It's dominated by a stage and stripper poles. I'll pass.
Anyway, the Sheraton is central to all the main sites. The Hilton, near the Palace of Culture, is a modern glass and steel structure, with a better selection of food and prices than the Sheraton. As with most Hiltons in Europe, it's not centrally located, and is about a 15 minute walk from downtown.
Also, I guess this isn't the season for tour buses to Rila Monastery. The hotel arranged a private driver and tour guide for 135 Euros, which included admission and lunch.
The hotel runs shuttles from the to/from the airport at selected times during the day. A hotel car will cost 35 Euros. If you're leaving early in the morning for a flight, the rate rises to 49 Euros. The hotel is about 20 minutes from the airport.
When I checked in, the front desk agent had the manager of the hotel come out and welcome me. I was given a cramped junior suite overlooking the entrance of the hotel. While traffic noise wasn't a concern, there's a lot of honking going on due to traffic, which ended up getting on my nerves after a few hours. I asked to be moved later that evening, and was given another junior suite in the back corner of the hotel. While still classified as a junior suite, it was about twice the size of my previous suite. My new room had a walk-in closet and extremely spacious living room. So all junior suites are not equal! The bathroom in both suites are located near the entrance of the room, not near the bedroom as to be expected. I keep finding myself walking into the closet instead! The bed is a bit hard - definitely not a Heavenly or Sweet Sleeper bed. Bath products are some generic type with labels that look to be printed at home. No complaints though.
The gym itself hasn't been been touched since the 80's. Antique equipment and tiling. One treadmill, two bikes, a stairstepper (not an elliptical), two weight machines, and some free weights. Not impressed at all.
Breakfast was quite decent at 20 Euros, with an excellent selection of pastries and desserts. Service was quite good. I was told at check-in that if I wanted to commit beforehand, I'd receive a 10% discount. I suspect that I'd receive the discount anyway though.
The Lounge is on the second floor. You open the door using your keycard. It's got a large minifridge stocked with soda, beer, and wine. During the day, you can get small slices of bundt cake. There's also coffee, tea, and juice available. In the evenings, there are some canapes, chips, and nuts. Nothing special, but it's nice to pop in and grab a soda or water. The minifridge fairy does a great job of keeping it stocked throughout the day. There's a TV in the room, along with a nice sound system playing music throughout the day. I believe the Lounge is open until 11pm. I didn't even bother checking out the continental breakfast selections.
The entrance to the casino is inside the Italian restaurant. There's also an exterior entrance. I don't know where the bar is, but I suspect it's in their Lounge named "Scandal". There's a picture of it in the elevator. It's dominated by a stage and stripper poles. I'll pass.
Anyway, the Sheraton is central to all the main sites. The Hilton, near the Palace of Culture, is a modern glass and steel structure, with a better selection of food and prices than the Sheraton. As with most Hiltons in Europe, it's not centrally located, and is about a 15 minute walk from downtown.
Also, I guess this isn't the season for tour buses to Rila Monastery. The hotel arranged a private driver and tour guide for 135 Euros, which included admission and lunch.
Last edited by Condition One; Dec 5, 2010 at 7:03 am
Sep 9, 2011, 6:27 am
#21
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Sep 10, 2011, 4:29 pm
#22
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: London
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Not a bad place, though doesn't feel truly "luxury collection" to me versus some other luxury collection stays I've had.
ATM in basement and plenty all around. Great neighborhood for nightlife and bars.
I was personally greeted by the duty manager on arrival which was a nice touch. Upgraded to a suite on the third floor.
The room was nice in general. No complaints at all.
ATM in basement and plenty all around. Great neighborhood for nightlife and bars.
I was personally greeted by the duty manager on arrival which was a nice touch. Upgraded to a suite on the third floor.
The room was nice in general. No complaints at all.
Oct 31, 2011, 8:51 am
#24
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: London
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Plt
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Oct 31, 2011, 9:51 am
#25
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 17
I'm surprised that everyone else received an upgrade besides me! ): I stayed here for a night. Besides the point off on the upgrade, I found the service here to be excellent... check-in was very detailed and well-attended to, and I was repeatedly recognized that I was plat in the conversation, which is nice. (I like quick check-ins but I appreciate it more if the staff goes an extra mile to introduce me to the hotel, amenities and all). I was given a list of newspapers to choose from to be printed, without asking, and the newspaper was left at my door promptly an hour or so later tops, in a tote, nothing fancy but the treatment felt a step beyond their required line of service.
The concierge was accessible late at night (9~10 PM) and extremely helpful - took the initiative to find the best price for a late night limousine service for me at the last minute (even bypassing the company that has a booth at the hotel), and actually kept to his word of calling back punctually, something which I rarely get. I also got a call the next morning to ask on me about my evening out, if the limousine service was satisfactory, and if I wanted to arrange a transport to the airport before my checkout. Great!
The shower products seem kinda cheap though, minus point on that. Rest of the room actually felt kind of posh, I liked it. But I didn't like Sofia on a whole; taxi drivers were out to cheat me, I got racist slurs and looks from Bulgarians here and there as I was walking on the street day and night, the city was rather crappy IMO... I don't understand the place... but the hotel was a sanctuary from all of this; it really stood out. In my opinion: don't go to Bulgaria unless you absolutely have to, but if otherwise, stay here.
The concierge was accessible late at night (9~10 PM) and extremely helpful - took the initiative to find the best price for a late night limousine service for me at the last minute (even bypassing the company that has a booth at the hotel), and actually kept to his word of calling back punctually, something which I rarely get. I also got a call the next morning to ask on me about my evening out, if the limousine service was satisfactory, and if I wanted to arrange a transport to the airport before my checkout. Great!
The shower products seem kinda cheap though, minus point on that. Rest of the room actually felt kind of posh, I liked it. But I didn't like Sofia on a whole; taxi drivers were out to cheat me, I got racist slurs and looks from Bulgarians here and there as I was walking on the street day and night, the city was rather crappy IMO... I don't understand the place... but the hotel was a sanctuary from all of this; it really stood out. In my opinion: don't go to Bulgaria unless you absolutely have to, but if otherwise, stay here.
Oct 31, 2011, 10:32 am
#26
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Oslo, Norway
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Posts: 1,032
I agree about certain things about the hotel, but I haven't stayed here in almost two years. I do like Sofia though ^
Have an upcoming stay here (3 nights) next week, so I will see what upgrade, if any, I will get then
Have an upcoming stay here (3 nights) next week, so I will see what upgrade, if any, I will get then
Nov 6, 2011, 6:04 am
#27
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Oslo, Norway
Programs: Star Alliance Gold, Skyteam E+, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,032
Just got an email from the hotel saying that they have terminated their complimentary shuttle service.
Too bad, I utilized this service almost every time when staying there!
Too bad, I utilized this service almost every time when staying there!
Nov 6, 2011, 9:43 am
#28
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 948
But I didn't like Sofia on a whole; taxi drivers were out to cheat me, I got racist slurs and looks from Bulgarians here and there as I was walking on the street day and night, the city was rather crappy IMO... I don't understand the place... but the hotel was a sanctuary from all of this; it really stood out. In my opinion: don't go to Bulgaria unless you absolutely have to, but if otherwise, stay here.
Nov 6, 2011, 11:57 am
#29
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: London
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Posts: 2,607
I was also there with a black friend and he got a lot of curiosity but nothing explicit like slurs!
Nov 11, 2011, 6:12 am
#30
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Oslo, Norway
Programs: Star Alliance Gold, Skyteam E+, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,032
Staying here now for 3 nights (72 EUR per night). Upgraded to a 5th floor corner suite with large walk in closet. Lounge is okey as well. Location great. I like this hotel.