Lilia Family Hotel

The location is great and the price is fair, but the lower floor had a smell and the booking information was confusing. We were in what turned out to be a hostel, not a hotel, and the bathrooms and toilets downstairs were shared outside the room. That wasn't what we thought we'd booked, and it really bothered my friends. Since nobody else was on that floor, we put up with it for one night. It was fairly clean, with a kitchen and a common room that also smelled. A basement room doesn't have a city view. After we spoke with the owner, we understood there were no other rooms in our section, so the bathrooms were considered private, just outside the room. I'd avoid the "duplex quadriple" room for a better chance of a good stay.

The owner's thoughtfulness stood out during my weekend there. She didn't mind me waking her at 4am or bringing in my touring bike, and they made local food for breakfast instead of serving the same thing as everyone else. Her son also offers tours around the region in his cars. The guesthouse has the basics you'd expect and rock-bottom prices. Ruse is a wonderful city, and the national park just to the south is spectacular. It's a great base for the area.

The owner was so lovely, and makes her own cheese and bread for breakfast. She also looked after our bags after checkout until we left that afternoon, which was a huge help. Wish we'd been able to stay more than one night!

It has a cosy, very English-style hotel feel, even though it's in Ruse. The owner-manager is a very polite lady who makes sure you have what you need, serves an amazing breakfast and offers advice about your time in town or the journey ahead.