Sofia Hotel Balkan, a Luxury Collection Hotel (was Sheraton) Bulgaria [Master Thread]
Apr 15, 2014, 3:58 pm
#46
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 932
I have heard from my friends in Sofia that they have removed the Sheraton name and signs. I checked their own website, and yes - they have removed the Sheraton name entirely. But on the SPG website and on my future bookings it still says Sheraton Sofia Hotel Balkan - A Luxury Collection Hotel.
May 22, 2014, 9:47 am
#47
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: London. Edinburgh, Cornwall
Programs: BA GGL, British Midland Lifetime* Loser
Posts: 7,950
Got upgraded to the fifth floor and a room with a gorgeous view. The lounge is a little eccentric but it has free beer and wine at most times (I never saw a time when it wasn't there) and the breakfast and dinner was adequate if not necessarily five-star. More than enough to keep me happy.
I never had a service problem at all - in fact, staff were super-helpful. Wifi was fast enough to overlook the irritatingly unmemorable passwords and dropouts.
Further eccentricities: a "gentlemen's club" in the basement and a free-drink casino on the ground floor...and there is no movie system but my room had a DVD player. And the hotel has its "own" ancient church in the rear courtyard.
There are some pictures of the room in this gallery - I couldn't get the individual photo URLs, sorry.
Apr 3, 2015, 12:51 am
#48
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: CEB - primary/YVR -secondary
Programs: AC*Super Elite (100K) / PR*Elite / AY*Platinum (OWE) / SPG*Bonvoy Titanium (LTT)
Posts: 2,272
Does anyone know how much taxi from airport to Balkan is? And is it safe or better to take hotel car?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Apr 3, 2015, 1:18 am
#49
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: London. Edinburgh, Cornwall
Programs: BA GGL, British Midland Lifetime* Loser
Posts: 7,950
Can't remember what I paid hotel > airport (sorry) and I went airport > Holiday Inn when I arrived but I wasn't ripped off in either direction and the local taxis are safe.
I'd consider booking a hotel car if I was arriving late at night, to save any hassles, but I had no issues using the public cabs outside the terminal. Might be worth emailing the hotel and asking what you should expect to pay?
I'd consider booking a hotel car if I was arriving late at night, to save any hassles, but I had no issues using the public cabs outside the terminal. Might be worth emailing the hotel and asking what you should expect to pay?
Apr 3, 2015, 1:31 am
#50
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: CEB - primary/YVR -secondary
Programs: AC*Super Elite (100K) / PR*Elite / AY*Platinum (OWE) / SPG*Bonvoy Titanium (LTT)
Posts: 2,272
Can't remember what I paid hotel > airport (sorry) and I went airport > Holiday Inn when I arrived but I wasn't ripped off in either direction and the local taxis are safe.
I'd consider booking a hotel car if I was arriving late at night, to save any hassles, but I had no issues using the public cabs outside the terminal. Might be worth emailing the hotel and asking what you should expect to pay?
I'd consider booking a hotel car if I was arriving late at night, to save any hassles, but I had no issues using the public cabs outside the terminal. Might be worth emailing the hotel and asking what you should expect to pay?
I emailed my ambassador to go right ahead and book if hotel car doesn't cost more than 20 euros. If it is then I'll just take a cab as I read it's just 6 euros?
If the latter option, just wanna be sure I'm safe
Apr 3, 2015, 4:17 am
#51
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold / OnBusiness, SPG Lifetime Plat 100, AmEx Centurion & BAPP, Superking Westin Heavenly Bed :)
Posts: 1,142
I don't remember the exact amount, but it's literally a few Euros. I want to say less than €5, but don't remember exactly.
And in my experiences, taxis are VERY unsafe! They will rip you off at every chance. When you land, a million random people will accost you to try and give you a ride somewhere, and those are people you want to avoid.
My suggestion (and what I do every single time): Clear customs etc., and go into the arrival hall. Right in front of you, you'll see a few stands for rental cars etc. One will be for "OK Taxi". Go there, tell them where you're going, and pay them the fee at the desk. They'll give you a receipt with your taxi number and show you where to wait.
No haggling, no cash, no being accosted by randoms.
It's the only possible way I'd consider taking a cab outside the airport.
If you pick any other cab from the street, good luck!
On your return - same story. Ask the hotel to order you a proper taxi. Grabbing one off the street puts you at the drivers mercy.
Good luck!
And in my experiences, taxis are VERY unsafe! They will rip you off at every chance. When you land, a million random people will accost you to try and give you a ride somewhere, and those are people you want to avoid.
My suggestion (and what I do every single time): Clear customs etc., and go into the arrival hall. Right in front of you, you'll see a few stands for rental cars etc. One will be for "OK Taxi". Go there, tell them where you're going, and pay them the fee at the desk. They'll give you a receipt with your taxi number and show you where to wait.
No haggling, no cash, no being accosted by randoms.
It's the only possible way I'd consider taking a cab outside the airport.
If you pick any other cab from the street, good luck!
On your return - same story. Ask the hotel to order you a proper taxi. Grabbing one off the street puts you at the drivers mercy.
Good luck!
Apr 3, 2015, 6:56 am
#52
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: CEB - primary/YVR -secondary
Programs: AC*Super Elite (100K) / PR*Elite / AY*Platinum (OWE) / SPG*Bonvoy Titanium (LTT)
Posts: 2,272
I don't remember the exact amount, but it's literally a few Euros. I want to say less than €5, but don't remember exactly.
And in my experiences, taxis are VERY unsafe! They will rip you off at every chance. When you land, a million random people will accost you to try and give you a ride somewhere, and those are people you want to avoid.
My suggestion (and what I do every single time): Clear customs etc., and go into the arrival hall. Right in front of you, you'll see a few stands for rental cars etc. One will be for "OK Taxi". Go there, tell them where you're going, and pay them the fee at the desk. They'll give you a receipt with your taxi number and show you where to wait.
No haggling, no cash, no being accosted by randoms.
It's the only possible way I'd consider taking a cab outside the airport.
If you pick any other cab from the street, good luck!
On your return - same story. Ask the hotel to order you a proper taxi. Grabbing one off the street puts you at the drivers mercy.
Good luck!
And in my experiences, taxis are VERY unsafe! They will rip you off at every chance. When you land, a million random people will accost you to try and give you a ride somewhere, and those are people you want to avoid.
My suggestion (and what I do every single time): Clear customs etc., and go into the arrival hall. Right in front of you, you'll see a few stands for rental cars etc. One will be for "OK Taxi". Go there, tell them where you're going, and pay them the fee at the desk. They'll give you a receipt with your taxi number and show you where to wait.
No haggling, no cash, no being accosted by randoms.
It's the only possible way I'd consider taking a cab outside the airport.
If you pick any other cab from the street, good luck!
On your return - same story. Ask the hotel to order you a proper taxi. Grabbing one off the street puts you at the drivers mercy.
Good luck!
I'm at Bristol Vienna right now and the concierge's smile went upside down when he found out I'm going to Sofia and then wished me luck.
But I really, really appreciate your help on how to get a cab from airport! Now I know what to do. Thanks JK! :-)
Apr 7, 2015, 6:26 am
#54
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: CEB - primary/YVR -secondary
Programs: AC*Super Elite (100K) / PR*Elite / AY*Platinum (OWE) / SPG*Bonvoy Titanium (LTT)
Posts: 2,272
Hotel transportation 31 euros per way.
Upgraded to Jr suite with an L-shaped layout so looks and feels like a 1 bedroom. Very big actually. Bigger than 1-bedroom suites that I've stAyed at before. Beds are VERY firm. And because of its size and high ceilings, really needs some thorough vacuuming and dusting, especially curtains.
Executive lounge has 2 hot meal offerings at night, wine, and regular soft drinks. Seems like the lounge is the only part of the hotel that has been renovated.
Left all the lights on at night so I can fall asleep...
Upgraded to Jr suite with an L-shaped layout so looks and feels like a 1 bedroom. Very big actually. Bigger than 1-bedroom suites that I've stAyed at before. Beds are VERY firm. And because of its size and high ceilings, really needs some thorough vacuuming and dusting, especially curtains.
Executive lounge has 2 hot meal offerings at night, wine, and regular soft drinks. Seems like the lounge is the only part of the hotel that has been renovated.
Left all the lights on at night so I can fall asleep...
Feb 6, 2016, 1:58 pm
#57
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,820
Feb 6, 2016, 2:02 pm
#58
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,820
Feb 9, 2016, 7:35 am
#59
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: London. Edinburgh, Cornwall
Programs: BA GGL, British Midland Lifetime* Loser
Posts: 7,950
Feb 16, 2016, 2:58 am
#60
Join Date: Jan 2003
Programs: LH SEN***, Bonvoy LT Titanium
Posts: 1,727
I have stayed there this past weekend. As I wrote in the Make a Green Choice thread, my experience showed that this hotel does not participate.
For those interested, parking in the hotel parking in front of the hotel costs 15 EUR per day. This fee can be charged to your hotel folio, but it does not seem that all associates are capable of executing this flawlessly. They will give you a printed invoice which the parking attendants will use to let you out.
The lounge offering is fairly basic for European standards. Soft drinks, beer and white wine are available throughout the day. Additional there are some snacks - nuts, nacho chips and the like. In the evening the red wine comes out (I did not like it). Additionally there is a warm food selection accompanied by some cold appetizers and deserts. I found the food selection and quality a bit underwhelming. Staff members come in regularly to clean up.
Another oddity about this place is that they have still (after 14 years!) managed to completely transition from Sheraton to Luxury Collection. You will find many signs (i.e., at the parking lot, or the membership cards of the casino) that indicate that it is still a Sheraton. I even found a map calling it the Sheraton.
For those interested, parking in the hotel parking in front of the hotel costs 15 EUR per day. This fee can be charged to your hotel folio, but it does not seem that all associates are capable of executing this flawlessly. They will give you a printed invoice which the parking attendants will use to let you out.
The lounge offering is fairly basic for European standards. Soft drinks, beer and white wine are available throughout the day. Additional there are some snacks - nuts, nacho chips and the like. In the evening the red wine comes out (I did not like it). Additionally there is a warm food selection accompanied by some cold appetizers and deserts. I found the food selection and quality a bit underwhelming. Staff members come in regularly to clean up.
Another oddity about this place is that they have still (after 14 years!) managed to completely transition from Sheraton to Luxury Collection. You will find many signs (i.e., at the parking lot, or the membership cards of the casino) that indicate that it is still a Sheraton. I even found a map calling it the Sheraton.