Grand Hotel Sofia

One of the worst experiences l've had in a hotel: the bathroom in the room has ants (see video), the pool lifeguard brings you glass botles of beer when you're inside the pool, the restaurant 'Il Limoneto' that they advertise on their website with luxurious photos is like a school dining room (see the before/after photo), at breakfast they told us to sit at a table where there were already plates and cutlery used with the bread crumbs of the previous diner, when the head of reception talks to you you have to cover your nose (you know what I mean). I don't know where the 4 stars come from, in my opinion it doesn't even deserve a 1/2 star.

The hotel is well located with parking - gave it 5 stars. They had a garage for our bikes. The reception team were welcoming but the member of staff showing us where to put the bikes less so and gave the impression of being annoyed and impatient with us - perhaps just his personality but not suited to “front of house”. The room was spacious with big comfy beds and a nice shower but the towel rail is off so your towels won’t dry for the morning and are still wet for your morning shower. There is a kettle and cups - no tea or coffee. The Wi-Fi is terrible in the rooms - maybe better elsewhere but we didn’t sit in the lobby. 4stars due to poor wifi - not really acceptable in 2026 and prevents onward trip planning and research. Sadly a bus party was staying so they were the priority- we felt “second best” but paid in full! The restaurant / room service wasn’t available to us because of these other guests and we were directed to town - we were on bikes and it was pouring with rain so missed an evening meal - shame all guests aren’t valued equally. Waiting to go to breakfast to find out if we will be looked after better at breakfast or side-lined by their more valued bus-tour guests. I am not hopeful. It was a big disappointment to feel not valued as a full paying guest visiting this hotel for the first time. It has a glossy appearance but was a let-down in reality. I would not recommend sadly, because we did not feel valued equally. We were booked here by the cycle tour company and I would suggest they don’t sent cyclist here again but use somewhere that appreciates our business. A generous 3stars for service based on this because the 2 reception staff smiled and the younger man checking us in was professional and willing to help by speaking excellent English which we valued.