Must-see hotels in Bulgaria

  • Hotel Varosha 2003

    Bulgaria

    Bed down in a Bulgarian Revival atmosphere at family-run Varosha 2003, with its flower-filled balconies overlooking the river. Rooms with smooth wood…

  • Red B&B

    Sofia

    Attached to the Red House cultural centre in a wonderful 1920s building once home to Bulgaria's most famous sculptor, this six-room hotel offers digs with…

  • Anna-Kristina Hotel

    Bulgaria

    Housed inside a century-old Turkish bathhouse and set back from the river, the Anna-Kristina is a welcoming, if slightly formal, place with spacious rooms…

  • Hotel-Restaurant Chiflika

    Bulgaria

    Just south of the Thracian tomb, the Chiflika has a faux-traditional look, though the bones of the building date to 1851. Rooms are of a relatively high…

  • Zora Guest House

    Black Sea Coast

    This largish guesthouse is located in the centre of town, about equidistant (300m) for both the northern and southern beaches. The rooms are plainly…

  • Hotel Ribarska Sreshta

    Black Sea Coast

    Looking like a small, stranded cruise liner sitting on the northern side of the fishing harbour, this place has compact, attractive rooms with sea-facing…

  • Lodge

    Plovdiv & Southern Mountains

    A pleasant alternative to Borovets' mega-resorts, this smaller-scale hotel has rooms that are immaculately clean, plus a little pool and sauna area…

  • Hotel Rai

    Bulgaria

    Within a butter-yellow building that fringes Shumensko Plato Nature Park, this family-run hotel is furnished in a cosy, grandmotherly style with bonus…

  • Hotel Chinar

    Bulgaria

    Stately rooms at the Chinar are a little worn in places, but they have distinguished touches such as carved wooden bedheads and pristine bathrooms, while…

  • Tsarsko Selo Spa Hotel

    Sofia

    At the base of Mt Vitosha, this hotel offers a variety of large rooms. Facilities include a restaurant (open 7.30am to 11pm), gym, Turkish bath, and…

  • Doctor's House

    Sozopol

    Perched over the sea at the northern tip of the peninsula, the Doctor's House has basic twin-bedded rooms, and larger apartments sleeping up to four…

  • Royal Palace Hotel

    Black Sea Coast

    In the centre of the old town, the Royal Palace offers stylish and comfortable rooms with fridges and TVs (though there’s only one single). There’s a good…

  • Prince Cyril Hotel

    Black Sea Coast

    Located on a quiet, cobbled, souvenir-stall-free lane, this is a friendly place with a variety of rooms, all with TV and fridge, but not all with air-con;…

  • Hotel Odessos

    Varna

    Enjoying a great location opposite the main entrance to Primorski Park, this is an older establishment with smallish and pretty average rooms, but it’s…

  • Old House Hostel

    Burgas

    This charming hostel makes itself right at home in a lovely 1895 house. Dorms are airy and bright (and bunk-free!), while doubles have access to a sweet…

  • Hotel Diamanti

    Sozopol

    Old town Diamanti has a variety of rooms, some with sea views, including apartments with kitchenettes; larger apartments are available in a second…

  • SPA Hotel Dragalevtsi

    Sofia

    This bright, modern hotel in the Dragalevtsi neighbourhood is ideally located for exploring Vitosha Nature Park, and it has a spa centre, indoor pool and…

  • Hotel Opera

    Burgas

    This appealing boutique hotel has large, colourful rooms and especially soft mattresses. Guests get a 20% reduction in the excellent restaurant. It's on a…

  • Hotel Zebra

    Black Sea Coast

    Near the scenic Sea Gardens, on the northern peninsula, this modern complex offers superb value. The large, comfortable rooms all have balconies and…

  • House

    Sofia

    On a quiet side street off bul Vitosha, this attractively renovated townhouse has a wide choice of rooms, some quite small, but it's good value for…

  • Lumparova Kâshta

    Pirin Mountains

    Experience Bulgarian Revival style with a modern twist at this atmospheric guesthouse, which features unique stained glass and wall frescoes created by…

  • Hotel Bulair

    Burgas

    In a converted 19th-century townhouse on a busy road, the 14-room Bulair is very handy for the bus and train stations. Guests have access to the spa and…

  • Hotel Savov

    Plovdiv & Southern Mountains

    Just north of the main square, this homely place offers large, airy doubles, and cosy suites with sitting areas. Staff can help with bicycle, car or ski…

  • Alpin Hotel

    Bansko

    This small hotel south of the main square and opposite a Hilendarski monument offers clean, simple rooms, friendly service and on-site ski storage. During…

  • Hotel Villa List

    Sozopol

    With a superb setting just off the town beach, big rooms with balconies and an outdoor pool with a view over the sea, Villa List is understandably very…

  • Hotel Helios

    Black Sea Coast

    Occupying the only real patch of sandy beach in Balchik, Helios is a modern, resort-style hotel and all rooms have balconies, many with superb sea views…

  • Flag Hostel

    Varna

    The Flag is a long-established, sociable spot with a party atmosphere. The three dorms are basic with comfortable single beds (no stacked bunks). Free…

  • Hotel Ela

    Plovdiv & Southern Mountains

    With great-value rooms, free ski or bike storage, and a location mere paces from the gondola, this simple hotel is ideal for outdoorsy travellers with an…

  • Hotel Dunav

    Bulgaria

    Don't mind the drab exterior, the rooms at this well-maintained, central hotel are clean and comfortable. Ample parking out front makes it a good choice…

  • Pavlova Kâshta

    Bulgaria

    The Pavlova Kâshta is a dusty white-stone building offering basic, though airy and clean, rooms. The adjacent mehana (tavern) does good Bulgarian meals.

  • Bonchova House

    Bulgaria

    Close to the Kalachev Bridge, this homely place has bright, modern rooms and an apartment. The common room is relaxing and has a working fireplace.

  • Hotel Luxor

    Burgas

    This vaguely Egyptian-inspired place is centrally located and has comfortable, three-star rooms and an Italian restaurant with a pretty terrace.

  • Sveti Nikola Hotel

    Pirin Mountains

    At Melnik's eastern end, near the Historical Museum, Sveti Nikola's 10 crisply furnished rooms huddle above its stone-walled mehana.

  • Augusta Spa Hotel

    Bulgaria

    Some rooms at this spa hotel, within a Lego-block of a building, are a little clinical – apt perhaps, given its popularity among visitors with respiratory…

  • Hotel Arbanassi Palace

    Bulgaria

    Stay in the former residence of a Bulgarian dictator at the architecturally intriguing Arbanassi Palace. The 1975 building has brutalist sculptures on its…

  • Hotel Tsarev Vrah

    Plovdiv & Southern Mountains

    On land owned by Rila Monastery, the Tsarev Vrah has functional though unexciting rooms; most balconies offer forest views, but you can request a…

  • Hotel Lovech

    Bulgaria

    On the western bank of the Osȃm River, rooms in this rather austere structure are divided between the cheaper, older part of the hotel and the more…

  • Plovdiv Guest House

    Plovdiv

    Though its interior has a boarding-school vibe and zero charm, there is no denying this backpacker option has thought of everything. Its seven-, eight-…

  • Hotel Real

    Plovdiv

    If you're looking for a soft landing in Plovdiv, this is one of the most polished midrange hotels around. Rooms are somewhat beige, but comfortable…

  • Grand Hotel Shumen

    Bulgaria

    At Shumen's largest hotel the economy rooms are simply furnished in beige and cream, while 'comfort rooms' (single/double from 76/99 lv) are more brightly…

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