JI Hotel

The hosts make you feel relaxed because they seem to notice what you need before you ask. When I finished a glass of sauvignon blanc, another appeared; when I lit a cigar, they brought a proper ashtray. On our first evening they welcomed us with a double-distilled Pomorie rakia that they said wasn’t sold in shops. It was aromatic and mild, and even someone who doesn’t usually like rakia might appreciate the gesture. That attention carries through the whole place. It’s a small boutique hotel of about 20 rooms, with a little trapezoid-shaped pool, comfortable spots to sit in sun or shade, relaxing music, and well-kept greenery. There’s artwork on nearly every wall, much of it made by the owner, Yordan. It may not look luxurious at first, but it’s sparkling clean, elegant, and full of thoughtful choices, from the garden plants and pots to the furniture. The rooms are spacious, with comfortable beds and a lovely view of Budzhaka beach. We booked for our family holiday at the end of June after I noticed the full 5* rating across more than 100 reviews in Bulgaria. A call to the hosts from the car, while we were driving to Sozopol and asking about parking, made me understand why that rating seemed believable. Breakfast was great, with freshly cut fruit such as mango, nectarines or melons depending on the day. The freshly fried mekitsi made it easy to forget about a strict diet. There’s also a small restaurant in the yard for hotel guests, with a short menu and a very good cook. Fresh local Black Sea fish arrives daily. Yordan knows the fishers personally and goes out around 5 a.m. to choose and buy it. The pink tomato salad is memorable with the rakia. The beer selection is good, and the fish dishes are excellent. I also liked the pork neck steak, chabata with olive oil, shopska and Greek salads, and the simple grilled cheese topped with fruit. The cocktails Plamena, the hosts’ daughter, makes are tasty and refreshing. The Old Town of Sozopol is a 30-minute walk away, with nice restaurants on the cliffs overlooking the bay. Bamboo beach bar is just a two-minute walk. We’re fans now and will be back.