Design Hotel 36

When we arrived, we found the hotel had fully automated entry and no staff on site, so we had to call the number provided to get in. After dinner we returned around 11:30 and realized our beds had no top sheets or duvets. We tried calling for help, but nobody answered. We spent a cold night with just one basic sheet over us and the mattress protector beneath us. The room had no apparent heating, and the weather in Sophia wasn't warm. When we eventually reached the hotel and complained, we were told that since it was summer, we shouldn't be surprised to have only one sheet. There was no apology, and I found that response extremely rude and uncaring. For what we paid, we expected at least a duvet, a better room and service, and a much better breakfast. The breakfast was very basic, about what I'd expect from a three-star hotel. When we checked out, we also found a cockroach in the shower. The automated entry really showed its limitations when something went wrong and there was no staff member to help. I put the lack of staffing down to Bulgarian cheap practises. Other reviews apparently mention unprofessional management responses and rudeness too, so we weren't the first to complain. Avoid at all costs. There are much better hotels at the same price. Avoid, avoid, avoid!

It's a lovely little hotel in a great part of Sofia, and the room was great. Everything at arrival is automated, but it worked perfectly. Sorry again about the coffee I spilled in reception. I cleaned it all up. I skipped breakfast, though I'm sure it's very good.

The check-in was really straightforward, and I liked the beautiful room design. It was spacious, with a huge shower and a comfortable bed. I had a super nice stay!

The hotel is spotless, the staff are incredibly friendly, and the location is very central, with all the major monuments within walking distance. But the temperature made my stay really uncomfortable. You can't adjust it in the room, and it was too warm for me to sleep. I tried opening the windows, but people were hanging out outside every night, maybe from a nearby bar, so that wasn't an option. Since check-in is almost entirely self-service unless you happen to catch reception hours, I asked about the temperature and was offered a small fan. It never arrived. The fridge didn't work either, and it was blowing hot air, so I couldn't store anything in it. I only got one reply to all the messages I sent. If room temperature and noise aren't concerns for you, you might be fine here. As a light sleeper who's sensitive to temperature, I wouldn't recommend it to someone like me.