Pliska Hotel - Golden Sands, Bulgaria 

On arrival to the hotel Pliska we were excited as it looked gorgeous. When we booked in we were put on the 7th floor which meant getting into a tiny lift to the 5th floor then walking down a long corridor to another lift to which took you to the 7th floor. Our bags were heavy but a small hotel staff member insisted on carrying our 2 large suit cases and 1 bag which was very helpful. He brough us all theway to our room and asked where we would like our bags left. At this stage we hadn't seen our room past him as he was in the door way. Whe he put our bags in and left we walked in and could not fit in the room with 2 single beds squished together and a tiny foam chair converted into a bed for my 4 year old son - for whom i had paid 3/4 the price of my own adult price. To walk around the room you had to step onto the bed to get to the other side. We went out to the balcony and could see into the bedrooms on both sides of ours - no balcony privacy. While having a snoop into the rooms on either side i noticed that the so called bed my son was to sleep on was sitting in the corner of the other rooms as a tiny chair. i was furious that his stay costed almost as much as mine and his so called bed would have been in the room whether i'd paid for him or not. We were getting dis heartened by the minute so within 10 mins we were back down to reception to complain. The receptionist insisted there were no more rooms available in the hotel so i demanded the reps mobile no. Within 2hrs we were allocated a new room on the 3rd floor a lovely sitting room, small bar area with fridge, air conditioning, seperate bed room, hall, closet area and large bathroom. because all this had happened on the first day it didnt affect our holiday at all. We then enjoyed another 6days in the hotel the staff were so friendly, food was cheap pool was child friendly and we really enjoyed it. The moral of the story ~ if you get a tiny room and its not what you think you paid for be the first to the recetion and get your reps no. You will enjoy the Pliska, eventually!

Well back about a week after holiday in Bulgaria. I had read horrific reviews about the Hotel Pliska prior to going and was worried that it was some kind of Brothel! Well it wasnt a brothel and it wasnt that horrific. Thank god they had air conditioning in our room ( small fee ) was very hot during the day but bearable and cooled to comfortable during the night. Had breakfast just once, average eggs and bacon cereal etc. Ate out rest of week in pubs restaurants etc. Very cheap so i would not recommend half board or all inclusive. Room was very small and basic but done the job and cleaners were very good. Balcony poor with no privacy and our view was of some greenery and wood pallates and also an old busted lilo! Pool seemed ok but was always crowded so we went to the beach every day. Quite expensive for beds ,cushions and parasol on beach ( approx £7 $14 a day) but everything else so cheap we didnt mind. Most of the hotel staff seemed friendly but i can see what people mean about the "Robot woman" in her white tunic at the desk. The most Annoying thing about this resort was the constant harrasment by the girls and guys trying to get you to go to their club or restaurant. Avoiding eye contact does not work and they will continue to talk to you after you have walked on. I spoke to one of these girls and told her that it was very off putting. She stated that business is bad due to so many people going all inclusive. It still is really irritating. Bars were generally quite poor but drinks cheap ( 4 bloody marys 14 lev £5 $10 ). Regards Prostitution didnt see any at Hotel but on bar street there was always 5 or 6 hanging about. They will grab you literally and ask if you want sex and some did not take your initial refusal for your answer and will follow you down the street.They seemed to all charge 160 Lev £55 $110 for an hour. We declined although most of the girls are very beautiful. The Pimps were always hanging about and were quite creepy. All in all i would return to Bulgaria but maybe different resort and hotel. It is one of the places were cost of living is still very cheap. Have fun and if you want cheap and cheerful Hotel Pliska is fine.