Garden Nevis - All Inclusive

We really enjoyed the sea and the people, and we'll miss the new friends we made at the resort. The beaches were clean, and even the paid sections cost about what you'd expect at beaches in the US. It was our first visit, and a wonderful one. The staff were very friendly, our room was very clean, and the food and drinks were better than what we've had in other countries. Language rarely got in the way since most people spoke a good amount of English, or Russian for anyone familiar with the past Soviet influence.

For a three-star hotel, this was about as good as it gets. The pool area was great, and there was an outdoor snack area for when you got hungry between meals. The food was really good, and anything that ran out was replenished quickly. It wasn't too crowded, although finding a table at lunch could sometimes be a challenge. Staff were friendly and spoke English, so communication was easy. The room cleanliness was the main letdown. The couch was especially dirty, with quite a bit of grime by the armrest and between the cushions. The two bar staff seemed overworked too, and the cocktails varied a lot in how much alcohol they had. Still, I'd give it five stars.

The food was tasty and there was enough choice for a three-star hotel, though the menu hardly changed from day to day and got tiresome after a few days. The hotel has a pool with sunbeds and umbrellas, indoor and outdoor bars, and a lift. It's about a 10-minute walk to the sea. The administrator's treatment of us as Ukrainians was the real issue. From the start, we felt she treated Ukrainians differently from other foreigners. On our first day, she made her pro-Russian position clear and said she disliked Ukrainians, that we were nobody and our country was just a province. She also told us, “If you smile at me, I'll show you where your room is.” We were shocked and outraged, so we declined her help. Thankfully, other Ukrainians who had already been staying there for several days helped us find our room and settle in. When we checked out, the administrator was smiling and being kind to us. It was almost funny after what had happened. Dear Ukrainians, think carefully before booking here. We shouldn't have to pay to be humiliated.

We had a lovely holiday at this clean, friendly hotel. The rooms were modern, the food was delicious, and the entertainment was great. It's close to both the beach and the main strip, and the staff were helpful even though they couldn't speak English. I'd come back without hesitation. People who join together to complain can make a holiday sound much worse than it was. Everyone experiences a trip differently, but this is Bulgaria, so the language, food and mannerisms are different. I heard a lot of stories that seemed made up. The people complaining were still first down for breakfast, first around the pool, and first for drinks at 10 a.m. If things were really that bad, you'd think they'd spend time at the beach, go on outings, or buy their own food and drinks. Some of these groups seemed to be talking about compensation, and that kind of thing can damage a hotel's reputation for personal gain. Of course, if something terrible happens, say so. But someone was complaining that there wasn't a hairdryer in the room. I go to Egypt and there isn't a hairdryer or kettle there either, and it hasn't spoiled my holiday. We just enjoyed ourselves here.