Don't be confused with the 3* offering, this review is for the Ralitsa Superior.

This was a surpisingly good holiday experience in a country that is still developing their tourism.

This was a family holiday booked through Balkan Holidays (they were very good) in the UK for 2 adults and 2 young children.

You need to be aware the hotel is in the Albena resort and is government controlled so it is not as commercial as other resorts - prices in the shops are fixed - you wont get ripped off too much

The Good Points:
1. Travel to and from airport punctual and good
2. Hotel was refurbished recently and very clean
3. Family room was clean and a good size; everything worked
4. Hotel staff are generally helpful and do speak some English although speaking German or Russian would be advantageous
5. Ralitsa Superior Pool is very clean but get the towel on the sunbeds before the Romanians (even the Germans have competition!)
6. The Black Sea is a 5 minute walk away and the sandy beach is reasonably clean
7. Breakfast was good - a lot of choice - queue for pancakes.
8. Very few loutish tourists
9. Lush green surroundings.

The not so Good Points but can be worked around.
1. Bulgarian Airlines are awful. Seats, food, service...try and get a BA flight if possible.
2. The all inclusive meals are plentiful but bland. Canteen Service is also slap dash and sometimes surly. There is very little evidence of Bulgarian dishes available and we found the food rather tasteless. its ok for a few days and then you may think about venturing out. if you are looking for egg and chips, beans, donner kebabs, battered sausages then go to Magaluf. Outside the hotel, near the coast, there are tavernas and other mainstream mediterranean cuisines.
3. When at the bar, people queue orderly from left to right - which is wierd but amusing.
4. The resort is quiet so if you want to go clubbing this resort will not suit you