Hotels in Banishora, Sofia

This is a great new hostel concept for Sofia and Bulgaria. Its nice to have a fully enclosed bed (with curtain) which add to privacy, when sharing a room (dorm) with 4 other travellers Furthermore there are several lighting options within the actual bed area full and dime lightening, However, I was allocated a top bed in the dorm, I did find it hard at first to get in and out. Perhaps I am just too old for the hostel concept! - No seriously, it was very good for a hostel. The room was air-conditioned and seemed to work well. Great exchange with fellow travellers in my room, the benefits of staying in a hostel. Our external bathroom, was directly opposite with several showers and toilets. However, one facility was out of order. There are two different kitchens on different levels. I checked in at the allocated time - at first there seemed to be some problem with the reservation. I had prepaid my reservation, though Trip.com, but the vast majority of travellers use hostelworld.com, which only require a deposit, with the remaining payment given at the hostel. This created some confusion at check-inn. The hostel is very close to the main railway and bus station (10 min walk). However, this hostel is quite far from the main tourism zones and sights of Sofia, which is about 45 to 50 walk. However, there a several trams & buses to get you there - maybe little a bit confusing for first time Sofia traveller. Overall, I highly recommend this hostel.

Me and my husband stayed there for 3 nights. Lots of dust in the room, like no one cleaned areas at the head of the bed for years. The same situation is in the bathroom, broken drain plug in the bathroom tub, mold, rusty stains. We had great expectations regarding this hotel. We do not recommend it. Three stars are for the friendly English speaking staff, delicious breakfast and central location of the hotel.

As soon as we walked through the door, we were greeted by a uniformed man, who welcomed us to the hotel and took us to the reception desk, having looked after our bags, which were later taken to our room. The lady at reception treated us with great courtesy and efficiency, and therefore, from the outset, we realised we were in a well-run five star hotel with professional and helpful staff. Our bedroom was stylishly decorated in cool shades of grey, with two wide beds, a panoramic window with a view of Vitosha mountain, and the marble bathroom was of a good size, with modern fittings and a lovely walk-in shower. We had booked the Club Room and were not disappointed with the newly opened Club Lounge. They offer refreshments during the afternoon and then ‘happy hour’ from 6-8 pm. We found the service really excellent, with staff keen to help, and spent delightful early evenings having drinks and eating an enticing array of canapés. Breakfasts were also excellent in the Europa restaurant with a wide selection of cooked and cold options from the buffet, and dishes cooked to order such as omelettes and eggs benedict. One last point to mention - we found the Chief Concierge - Todor Goranchovski - most helpful in booking us restaurants and directing us to some notable attractions in Sofia: he was great. The Intercontinental is really a top class hotel and we would not hesitate to stay there again - thank you to everyone who made our stay memorable.

Overall very beautiful structure, works of art everywhere, a feast for the eyes, the spacious rooms, but alas a bit dirty, exceptional breakfast with many choices, both sweet and savoury. A flaw in my opinion is the internal temperature of the structure, but above all of the rooms which, even with the climate on 13 °, could not get cold.

Since most of the Sofia hotels are in the same price range, why not go with the best? Centrally in Sofia, Sense has nice, modern rooms, great breakfast, a quality restaurant and a roofyop bas with an excellent view. Recommended.

The staff at Grand Hotel Sofia deserves the highest praise for their helpfulness and attentiveness, going above and beyond to ensure my every need was met. Their warm and accommodating nature made me feel like a valued guest throughout my stay. The highlight of my visit was undoubtedly the spacious and beautifully decorated room. The tasteful decor, plush furnishings, and meticulously chosen artwork created an atmosphere of elegance and comfort that exceeded my expectations. Additionally, the room service at Grand Hotel Sofia was exceptional, offering a delectable menu of dishes that surpassed my expectations. Each meal was flawlessly prepared and delivered promptly, further enhancing the overall experience. Grand Hotel Sofia provided an outstanding stay with a dedicated staff, remarkable room decor, and exceptional room service. I highly recommend this hotel for an unforgettable experience in Sofia.

NOT 4 STAR. I’ve been to a lot of hotels in Europe. This has to be the worst four star I’ve ever stayed. I’ll star positives and why this isn’t a 1 star review. Two members of staff were amazing and really understood what it meant to welcome guests. I can’t remember their names but I’m sure they and their managers know who they are. The LOCATION was great. In the middle of everything. Also the rooms are reasonable and clean from my experience. The rest of the staff were just out right rude. Friends of mine being shouted at for daring to try and get some water from the machine. Yes ok, can’t use it after breakfast he didn’t know but no need to shout at a guest. In addition, a four star hotel in my experience always offers complimentary WATER. Even if you just have one bottle in your room, such a small thing that can make a world of difference. Most of the staff you couldn’t tell if they were working or peeping to go on a night out. This isn’t a hostel it’s meant to be a 4 star hotel. Cleaners will just walking into your room without knocking. Happened on several occasions. They will leave boxes and supplies in the corridor for weeks. The worst is the breakfast. One experience and I couldn’t go back for the rest of my stay. Stale bread and pastries that were brought from Lidl many days before hand. (I checked) and the limited “hot” food was just revolting and inedible. Just go out for food if you are planning on staying more than one night. This place could be nice. There is another one of the same chain by the National Palace of Culture. A lot better and more deserving of 4 star so it’s not unattainable and the excuse of this reflects the price just doesn’t hold.

Sveta Sofia is a traditional hotel in a quiet pedestrianised street in the city centre. All staff are very friendly, courteous and helpful. The receptionists speak excellent English. Rooms are big and include a settee and coffee table as well as fridge and coffee making facilities. There is constant hot water and great water pressure. The hotel is very clean,including the breakfast room. Rooms are cleaned every day, towels and sheets are spotless. Its true there is no bar or outside space but it is so near lovely roadside cafes you really dont miss out. The breakfast is varied and plenty of it - self service but you can get an espresso made by the restaurant manager. Because the hotel is in a pedestrionised street, there is zero traffic noise. In fact there is very little noise as the bars are not in this street. It also feels safe here which I think is important. I highly recommend Sveta Sofia if you are thinking about visiting this lovely city.

The hotel is only more than 1,000 meters away from the airport, but the road is a bit winding, it is better to take the hotel’s airport shuttle. There is a timetable for the hotel shuttle bus, but there is no one to take the bus; the hotel is easy to handle at the airport, make an appointment with the front desk, it is no problem to leave on time; from the airport to the hotel, if you don't call in advance, you may not be able to wait for the bus! The breakfast was good. The hotel has a parking lot, which is very convenient for self-driving.

The hotel is clean and comfortable, the security work is better, the front desk staff is very patient, the room is clean and tidy, and the environment is very nice. I look forward to seeing it again next time!