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Albena (Bulgaria) Reviews |
pjcasanis
Travel Writer - Bronze
Visited in:
October 2005
Voted this Destination:
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The beach in Albena is beautiful. It's very clean and the sand is so soft. Maybe it was just the time of year but there were a lot of jellyfish in the sea which meant we couldn't really go swimming.
The resort center is again clean, with lots of greenery. A good view is from the panoramic hotel in the center called DOBRUDJA, this also does very nice cakes!
There are some shops runing down one street, and there are 2 small trains to get you round the resort but it can be walked quite easily.
Going out at night in Albena in October is not that exciting, most places are shutting down for the winter. People who are open welcome you in but there is a lack of atmosphere when you are the only 2 people! Anyone going in October should consider this as we didn't expect it. In the height of the season I'm sure it would be much better and there are some nice bars around.
The hotel was poor. We had read some bad reviews on different sites about the hotel but I believe you should judge yourself. I wish we hadn't. The food is quite bad and very repetative. It just feels like being in the school dinner hall. We went out to eat quite often which obviously is not the point of all inclusive. Getting a drink meant waiting for one poor bar man to serve you a weak half pint in a plastic cup- only 2 drinks at a time which was fine for us but a pain for families i'm sure.
Our room had a very damp smell to it, even the bed covers smelt damp which was awful and it was quite cold as the room never got any sun. This room was 212. The hotel was full so we couldn't move sadly.
We also ended up giving a tip to the porter which annoyed me because all we had was large notes as we had just arrived. I have no problem giving tips but I felt this was a little unfair.
I wouldn't stay at this hotel again, really the only positive was that it was right on the beach but so were many other hotels. For couples of our age I would suggest staying in the resort of Golden Sands which has more to offer and the hotels look much nicer.
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P Kenyon
Guest
Voted this Destination:Not voted yet
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Having read some negative comments about this hotel, we found that yes the hotel had its fair share of ignorant Germans however why should you let others spoil your holiday, play them at their own game.
We had a fab time in and around the hotel food fine, don't expect package holiday food from Spain as that is catering solely for the English this hotel had a cross section of nationalities thus food has to be geared to please all.
The resort of Albena is not for those who want a hustle and bustle resort, it for those who want to completely chill out and jump of the rat race treadmill for a few days.
Book this Hotel
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Leanne Clarke
Guest
Voted this Destination:Not voted yet
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I booked this holiday at the last minute so was quite apprehensive. However, there was no need to be, it was absolutely brilliant.
The staff at the hotel are very friendly and although english is poor. (This resort is still largely German, though I see this changing over the next season)
The all inclusive package is good and tries to cater for everyone, breakfast and lunch were fine. The evening meals were also fine, though I would not go too late as the choice inevitably reduces. The choice of drinks were fine too, though if you did fancy a cocktail or an imported drink they are only 4-6 Lev (£1.20-2) so they are really cheap.
The entertainment team do work really hard and the ABBA show is well worth a look, though the hall feels rather like a school assembly hall. However, on a Tuesday it was Bingo, and that was LOOONNNGGGG! Instructions in Bulgarian, German, English, French then Russian.
We went to the water park, very good and very cheap, only 28 Lev each and the security is fantastic. Well worth a look!
All in all, it was a fantastic holiday but dont go if youre expecting masses of discos, albena is a quiet resort and suitable for families.
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Carol
Guest
Voted this Destination:Not voted yet
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After reading some reiews about this hotel and its food i was a little apprehensive, there was a party of 14 of us and i can honestly say that not one of us complained about anything.
The entertainment was entertaining done mostly by the animation team who are very friendly the kids loved the shows there is a mini disco for the kids but it only lasts 30 minutes and only every other night, there was plenty of room by the pool, the food was very nice and something for everyone, the complex is very clean as is Albena, there is a free shuttle bus to the beach although it is only a 10 minute leisurely stroll. We changed our currency before going but next time we will change it there as you get a better exchange rate and most of the hotels there will change money for you and they all have the same exchange rate .
Albena itself is not very big but there are plenty of eateries and bars some with live entertainment, Karaoki bars, beach bars, Sky sports. you can get a lovely kebab on the beach front for only 4 lev (approx £1.40). There are ladies of the night as they are called but they start to come out about 3pm (not quite the night), they did not bother any of us and it was quite entertaining watching them. My mother in law and I took a taxi (70 lev)into Balchic we did not think much of this city many of the shops sold the same thing and you could of got that in Albena and saved yourself 70 lev, our friends went to Nessebar and they loved it, we also went on the jeep safari trip which was great fun it was also safe enough to take the kids (maybe not the 2 year old)although we did not, half of us went a different day so we took turns looking after them. The weather was fantastic.
We all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We have only just got back (6.6.06) and are thinking of going to Bulgaria again next year.
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mckenna family
Guest
Voted this Destination:Not voted yet
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we stayed at the magnolia in september 2004 and found the hotel to be very nice,however the food was not of the same standard as the accomadation,as it was always cold and they did"nt realy cater for the british guests as we found out,myself and my family had to eat out 90% of our stay here as the magnolia is baisicaly a german hotel and the british taste is not the same as the german.
the pool area is fantastic very clean and great for the kids however the animation team tried very hard to entertain,but it would of been nice to be able to understand what they were saying as they were speaking in german and did"nt seem to care about the 5% british holiday makers that were there.oh yes the kids club,you guessed it,that was in german too.
albena itself is a very nice little resort with plent of shops selling designer goods all copys of corse but to a high standard much better than what you pick up in turkey.albena has got a problem with pr*stitution wich is a shame because it is a nice little place.
we will go back to bulgria in the future but maybe to one of the bigger resort like sunny beach or golden sands.
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Gill Hignett
Guest
Voted this Destination:Not voted yet
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We have just had a brilliant holiday in Albena.
The Laguna Garden was very impressive and always clean.All the staff were friendly and the reception staff were always helpful and spoke very good english.The only downside was the food in the hotel and after the first few days we didn't bother going to see what was on offer.We were aware of this before we went on holiday so it wasn't too much of a disappointment and it was so cheap to eat out it didn't bother us.We tended to eat pizza or toasties by the pool in the day and go out at night.The daily total for lunch and evening meal was £15-£20 for 3 people including drinks!Gallin and Ronnie who serve at the pool were so cheerful and worked very hard.
Most nights were spent in the Tropical cafe which had a good atmosphere and there was a grassy area with a Wendy House for the children to play.My daughter had a childrens cocktail every night which was expertly made by Nelly and she was always made to feel special.
I would definately go back to Albena and the Laguna Garden.Also even though most days we didnt go to the pool until 10.30, we always got a sunbed.
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Terry Hollands
Guest
Voted this Destination:Not voted yet
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First time to Bulgaria. Didn't know what to expect. Upon arriving at Varna airport we wondered what we had let ourselves in for. The arrival lounge is what you would expect for Eastern Europe - drab and small and cramped. Watch out for the sign showing the time and temperature. There is also a reading for the current radiation level [normal when we were there].
Albena was a good resort specially created for the tourists. Long stretch of sandy beach and sea was warm with not too much of a tide. Plenty of sunbeds and umbrellas [fee for hire] or lay on the sand - you can purchase lilos there.
Hotel Gergana is at one end of the beach and is fairly quiet and secluded. Good pool which leads onto the beach so excellent position.
Rooms were good, two single beds and a set of bunk beds, with a small settee and coffee table. Mini Bar and TV with only one english TV program - BBC World [News].
There was a mix of staff, some very helpful, others a bit miserable. Food was very good, plenty of choice, usual buffet style food. The soups were especially good. Hotel caters for mostly German and British tourists.
The resort of Albena - There is a noddy train that takes you into the centre for 2 levs each or 3 levs return [approx 80p to £1.00] but for the return journey you can only return on the bus you went on so be careful. Taxi ride was 5 levs before 10pm and 10 levs after 10pm. There were four in our party so it was cheaper to go by taxi!
Only saw a couple of 'butterflys' [ladies of the night] and were told to beware of pickpockets but no trouble from that quarter.
Recommended places to eat and go for entertainment in Albena - Tropical Cafe to see Elvis performing in the evening. Poco Loco was the best - a small group performing but in between the waiters and waitresses entertained with dance [breakdancing, ballroom, modern] excellent night out. We had a job to spend our levs. Drink for 4 people for the whole evening came to about £15 with a generous tip!
Went on an excursion [£31 each] to 'Picturesque Bulgaria' - had excellent guide, went to prtified forest, bee farm, donkey ride, wine tasting, pottery demonstration, folk music and dancing and a meal with a local family in their home. Don't miss it!
Also went to the city of Varna [Taxi for 4 people return was 65 levs] Varna is the third biggest city but is quite run down [buildings and roads] but people were friendly, the young people were good looking, not many fat people there. Go to the the restaraunt where the locals eat we had a good meal with plenty of choice for about £2 each.
First Choice holiday rep was not very good, bit of a misery and not very friendly [makes you wonder why they take a job working with people!]
So in conclusion we had a good holiday in Bulgaria but would I go again? No I don't think so. It was a good holiday but nothing special! Be sure to spend all of your levs before going to the airport on the return jouney as they will only take euros [not even in Europe yet] in the duty free shop.
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