Had a stay there just recently, and it was interesting to read through all the information here after it.

First of all, booked their winter sale (56€+taxes, final costs around 63€, dirt cheap!) - as a lowly Gold got all I could as for - Executive corner room (8th floor iirc) + lounge access (and breakfast in the restaurant)

The breakfast in the restaurant is good, but not great (by Hilton standards)

The lounge offers afternoon snacks as well as dinner (not much more than snacks, but perfectly fine) - Happy hour is from 6pm till late (9pm?) - but beer is available all day :D

All in all, (still) a very good choice even if they might have toned down a little bit - but what exactly could you expect for 56€? In Switzerland I wouldn't even get a brunch and a couple of beers for that.. without an actual hotel stay :D

How much is a taxi to the airport? Or is there a bus that drops off near the hotel?

About 30-40 Lev (15-20€) should cover it perfectly (it should be on the lower side - depends on traffic..)

I took the Metro (which costs peanuts.. 1.6 Lev for a single ride, 4 Lev for a day ticket) both ways - it stops very near the hotel (European Union station) - you do have to change once (City Centre, "Serdika" - not difficult as there are just 2 lines..) but it was easy enough with light luggage. With heavy luggage, I'd probably prefer a taxi as well.

There's a metro station 500m from Hilton (European Union Station) but you have to transfer at Serdika Station to get to Sofia Airport.

Oops! didn't see YuropFlyer's reply.

Hilton Sofia, Bulgaria Pictures

General Hotel Pics:

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/291/32...d282c8dd_c.jpgHilton Sofia | Lobby by BA_pics[/url], on Flickr

https://c2.staticflickr.com/1/415/31...6ed6da62_c.jpgHilton Sofia | Lobby Staircase by BA_pics[/url], on Flickr

https://c5.staticflickr.com/1/618/32...2c986cb9_c.jpgHilton Sofia | Lobby Glass Ceiling by BA_pics[/url], on Flickr

This stay was quite some time ago, mid June 2015 but I hope the pictures help those considering the hotel and city.

We flew in for a long weekend with some friends from FT to just explore the city and get a feeling for Sofia. We enjoyed the stay and I would return, the Hilton was okay but I do not remember any outstanding service, nor any glaring issues.

I believe I booked the one bedroom suite as the prices were very reasonable at the time and don’t actually remember if there are any rooms above this but we didn’t get upgraded if there were.

EDIT: (looking at the floor plan, it is possible to keep the bedroom screened off from guests that visit to the living room area so have edited this bit below to reflect that)...

The room was large with a separate living room and bedroom with closing doors between them. You had to enter the bedroom and then go through to the living room but you could close off the bedroom and bathroom from guests, so suitable for work or pleasure really. (although there is no separate second WC for a guest to use without going into your own bathroom...

There was a lounge (exec) and it was a reasonable size from memory with some decent drinks and snacks but we didn’t spend much time in there, generally preferring to explore the city.

We ate breakfast in the restaurant and found it good but I can’t remember any specific details except thinking it had a decent selection and good quality.

Restaurant (breakfast time):

https://c2.staticflickr.com/1/717/32...ae592662_c.jpgHilton Sofia | Breakfast Restaurant by BA_pics[/url], on Flickr

The hotel was a reasonable location for exploring the city and we walked everywhere from the hotel without issue. (in the Summer that is!) We used a taxi to get to the hotel and back from the airport and that was reasonable for price and driving style.

We ate at a well rated tourist restaurant nearby (behind the massive concert hall or building across the road from the hotel from memory) that served local food and provided some traditional dancing as well which was quite good and still excellent value for money, including some local wine.

https://c4.staticflickr.com/1/766/31...b9c1d223_c.jpgLocal Restaurant with traditional dancing by BA_pics[/url], on Flickr

During our stay we did very much enjoy the quality of food and service here in Sofia with very good fresh and tasty vegetables as well as attention to detail for service at a fraction of the price you would pay in Western Europe.

https://c5.staticflickr.com/1/296/32...bb653a75_c.jpgOutstandingly fresh vegetables by BA_pics[/url], on Flickr

Back to the room:

The bathroom was large and had a full bath with a shower over that as well as a separate enclosed shower cubicle. The furniture was in good condition but a bit dated in style.

I’ll let the pictures do the rest of the talking and hope they help those thinking of staying here.

Safe travels.

Pictures:

Floor Plan:

https://c8.staticflickr.com/1/607/31...abe97040_c.jpgHilton Sofia | Floor plan by BA_pics[/url], on Flickr

Bedroom:

https://c6.staticflickr.com/1/454/31...e4ee102d_c.jpgHilton Sofia | Bedroom by BA_pics[/url], on Flickr

https://c3.staticflickr.com/1/319/32...6b44897c_c.jpgHilton Sofia | King Bed by BA_pics[/url], on Flickr

https://c2.staticflickr.com/1/421/31...630bbd5a_c.jpgHilton Sofia | Mini Bar and Kettle by BA_pics[/url], on Flickr

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/309/32...ea8cc0bd_c.jpgHilton Sofia | Mini Bar Contents by BA_pics[/url], on Flickr

https://c2.staticflickr.com/1/684/31...5c5da64c_c.jpgHilton Sofia | Drink Amenities by BA_pics[/url], on Flickr

Living Room:

https://c6.staticflickr.com/1/430/31...bb9b3170_c.jpgHilton Sofia | Living Room by BA_pics[/url], on Flickr

https://c3.staticflickr.com/1/619/32...868c96cd_c.jpgHilton Sofia | Work Desk by BA_pics[/url], on Flickr

Bathroom:

https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/354/31...059f51f4_c.jpgHilton Sofia | Bathroom by BA_pics[/url], on Flickr

https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/410/32...c2ce8d6c_c.jpgHilton Sofia | Sink Vanity and Amenities by BA_pics[/url], on Flickr

https://c4.staticflickr.com/1/315/31...6435f381_c.jpgHilton Sofia | Separate Shower Cabinet by BA_pics[/url], on Flickr

https://c4.staticflickr.com/1/320/32...ebc78722_c.jpgHilton Sofia | Bathtub shower over by BA_pics[/url], on Flickr

Jz started a 2 night stay and was informed partner would be charged at €20 extra, apparently I have booked a meal plan..any one with similar experience?

HAVE you booked a half board rate? With breakfast but only 1 pax? or what did you actually book? Whats your status?

Meal here means breakfast according the front desk at check-in, honors diamond here.

Spouse stays free does not apply to the meal plan, but thats only applicable in the case of full breakfast (if the hotel doesn't do the cheap continental) and full or half board.

The exact rules say:

This hotel has a lounge, and CB can be provided there.

So they can only technically charge for the full breakfast, but a continental breakfast is definitely free for your wife.

This stuff never happened when Jacques Brune was the GM in Sofia... it all went down the pan when Reiter arrived.

True that- found the hotel subpar with food and drinks both at the restaurant and the lounge. Location is decent but doesnt provide a direct connection to the airport, I will recommend using apartments in sofia which seemed very decent value, and considering its reasonably cheap to eat out much better option!

Considering burning some points here in late March.

Have read some of the posts on here but admittedly not yet all 6 pages worth.

Interested in any recent experience of what a Diamond booking a stay on points in a standard room can expect in terms of upgrade?

Wife and I were there last month - airport transfer for two was 60BGN (about 30EUR) - taxi was a little cheaper. The metro is much cheaper, but don't expect to see anything of the city on the overground bits - they have an opaque 'polytunnel', presumably for the snowfall :)

The metro station is about 20 yards from the terminal, you need to either change at Serdica or go around a long loop to the north-west. Exit at European Union, and take the steps to the north (city-centre side). The Hilton is about 5 minutes walk (10 if you use the wrong exit and get disoriented...) - hope that helps!

Metro is super easy to use from the airport so I wouldn't worry about shuttle bus or taxi service.

While it's easy to use, the transfer in the centre isn't much fun with (heavy) luggage.

I always take the metro myself, but for someone being the first time there AND having heavy luggage, a cab might be the better alternative (especially if 2-3 people)

Thanks guys, as two first time visitors arriving late on a Sunday afternoon and with luggage we will probably looking for the easy option, maybe I’ll try the metro on the way back.

Would just like to understand the difference in cost between a taxi and the shuttle bus?