I am a well seasoned business traveller and far prefer boutique hotels to the major chains. I am a frequent visitor to Bulgaria and have stayed at the Famous House on several occasions.

The Famous House meets all the tests for a good boutique hotel. It is an attractive building overlooking a park. It is within walking distance of the Old Town and the main shopping area. There are about 25 bedrooms all well-designed with plenty of space and good bathrooms. There bar and public areas are attractive. I rarely dine in a hotel restaurant (to prevent cabin-fever you have to get out in the evening) but the one evening I dined in the food was excellent. The room rates represent good value.

But there are low points to the Famous House. Breakfast is pretty awful. it seems a shame that in Bulgaria, a land that produces the most wonderful fruit, they cannot manage a more varied fruit bowl and decent orange juice at breakfast. The coffee served at breakfast is best... more