Smartline Meridian Hotel

The way the dining room rules were enforced left my family and me feeling unwelcome and disrespected. As a food blogger, I had looked forward to dining at Hotel Meridian and sharing the experience with my audience, but this became one of the most unpleasant hotel stays I've had. I know other reviews may describe similar problems, but I want to share what happened to us. The hotel apparently bans photography in the dining hall, but the rule wasn't on the website or clearly posted with the other rules. While I was eating with my family, a waitress loudly scolded me for taking a photo of my meal. When I politely asked what the rule was, she went to fetch a sign from a far corner and warned me again in a loud, condescending voice. If photos aren't allowed, that should be clearly posted at the entrance instead of on an easy-to-miss sign. I also saw staff treat older guests badly over the rule against taking food out. On one occasion, a staff member knocked a half-eaten banana out of an elderly woman's hand as she was leaving. I understand the policy, but physically interfering with a guest's belongings is unacceptable and may cross legal boundaries. Another day, I saw a staff member chase two elderly women into an elevator and forcibly take an apple from one of them, even jamming her foot in the door to stop it. They appeared to be Russian and may not have known the rules. That kind of aggressive, dehumanizing behavior is unprofessional and especially disrespectful toward vulnerable guests who may not understand what's expected. The rules about photography and food might be justifiable, but the poor communication and hostile enforcement aren't. The dining hall staff seemed possibly undertrained or underpaid, and showed a shocking lack of empathy and professionalism. I strongly advise people who value respectful service and clear communication to reconsider staying at Smartline Meridian Hotel. Its poorly advertised rules and aggressive enforcement make it a disappointing choice, especially for elderly guests or anyone expecting basic courtesy. This stay reminded me that the atmosphere and staff conduct matter as much as amenities, and Smartline Meridian Hotel fell far short.

Food was plentiful, with a good selection, including pizza and chips. I especially enjoyed the Asian-themed night and the different dishes the chefs served. All-inclusive drinks were a bit disappointing: the lager was refreshing but had little taste, and the cocktails weren't much. Still, families with children could save a fortune on soft and hot drinks. The hotel staff were friendly and helpful. They may seem quick to clear finished plates and drinks, but that's to keep seagulls and flies away. I’d read that the twins in the restaurant were rude, but we never found that. They greeted us with a smile every evening and only asked whether we’d paid for all-inclusive drinks. For my friend's birthday, the hotel reserved a table with sparkling wine, and the manager brought over a cake and sang with some staff. A really nice touch. There are plenty of shops around in the middle of Sunny beach resort. It’s about a ten-minute walk to the beach, and the main road is easy to reach for a bus to Nesebar. The one annoying issue was the lifts: around 6 pm, everyone heads to the restaurant and you can be waiting a long time.

Reception was so poor that it put us off going there. The staff had very poor communication skills and didn't try to understand us. They acted like they were above us and ignored us, with a real attitude problem. We should boycott the hotel until they start caring for the residents.

The room was decent, and staff cleaned it and made the beds daily, changing the bedding twice during the week. We found the pool more than adequate, despite what some people say about its size. The water felt lovely once you were in, and there was a water volleyball net. We found a quiet spot in the top corner with loungers and a parasol. From the outside the hotel looks lovely and modern, with all the mirror glass giving that impression. The rooftop restaurant and outdoor balcony had a lovely view across sunny beach. But getting there at mealtimes was a struggle: the three small elevators were a tight squeeze for a family of four and had to serve all nine floors at once. The catering and service staff were abrupt, barging past people to clear plates as soon as they thought they were finished. Coffee and fruit juice were available with breakfast, but at dinner the machines were switched off and only gave water. The rooms were nice enough, but the ensuite bathroom was dated and needed a deep clean. From the first day, the bathroom, shower, and drains smelled of mould and mildew, and the smell got worse through the week. It was a nice hotel all in all, just rough around the edges.