Saborna 25 Guest House

We were in the Boom Boom room, which is definitely unusual: it has a sauna, steam room, and Himalayan salt wall. It was extremely comfortable for sleeping, but the low-to-the-floor setup meant no regular-height table or chair, which bothered us both a little. The narrow, steep stairs are hard to manage with big bags unless you're very fit, and I kept hitting my head on the odd hanging lights shaped like wasp nests. We had our own toilet in the room, though some of the building's other units share a bathroom. The hostess was always available and helped us get into the building the first time. You can't beat the location, right at the foot of the Old Town and steps from the pedestrian area, bars, cafes, restaurants, and shops. After nearly a month travelling around Bulgaria, Plovdiv was our favorite city.

The design is lovely and unusual, and the location is great. Having a sauna of your own sounds good, but it never got hot enough to be useful. The toilet needs more privacy too, it felt awkward using it while my friend was in the apartment. There wasn't a trash can anywhere in the apartment or building except a small bathroom bin, so I had to carry rubbish out myself, which I've never had to do before. We also had no internet for our whole stay. The router downstairs needed restarting, and I doubt it can reach the top floor reliably. I'd still recommend staying, but keep these things in mind.

I expected more decent people. I couldn't get into the hotel, and when I called the woman, she wouldn't listen and hung up. A man then showed up, took the keys, and left me there. Other guests got me inside. I caught him going through my luggage?! Absolutely unacceptable. Be careful if you book here.

We stayed in the Boom Boom Room, the best Airbnb we've ever been in. It's designed really thoughtfully, made from 99% natural materials, mostly wood, and the private bathroom sauna has a breathtaking view over the city. The location is wonderful too. The owners were friendly and polite, and the price felt great for the comfort. If you're coming by car, there's public parking right in front of the building at a good price. We'll definitely be back soon. Best place to stay in Plovdiv!