Veliko Tarnovo Hotel Premier

The birthday stay was a terrible experience, and I can't recommend the hotel. I travel to different places around the world for my birthday every year, and have usually been given a complimentary drink and nibbles. This 4 star hotel offered nothing, and the service was non existent. At night there was no receptionist, just a security guard who kept the whole lobby dark, obviously saving on energy. We skipped breakfast because what was on the buffet simply didn't look appetising. I wonder how they have kept their 4 stars for so long. I'd give it 1 category star. The place is 20 years old and looks like it's never been renovated. On arrival, the lobby seemed dark, unwelcoming and very post communistic. Our room was on the 3rd floor, reached by an extremely slow, tiny lift that barely fit 2 guests and 1 suitcase. When the doors opened, a strong cigarette smell nearly made my head spin. I'm a smoker and have travelled a lot, but never encountered such a bad smell in a hotel. The room was spacious, but the facilities were very outdated. A wardrobe handle had rusted, and one wall socket was coming out of the wall, against health and safety rules. The very low Japanese-style bed had a rock hard spring mattress, and I still suffer terrible back, lower back and shoulder pain. I couldn't sleep properly. The shower mixer was coming away from the tiled wall, and each time I turned on the water I wondered if it would fall to the floor. The rusty shower head hook also needed replacing. On check out day, there was no running water at all. For the so called Spa facilities, we were told on arrival that they had stopped heating the swimming pool since Easter. Using the Sauna or Steam room meant paying 15 Euro for each, and telling reception in advance so they could switch it on to heat. What a joke, especially since the booking listing didn't mention the extra charge.

I booked a room with a hot tub and steam room, but the tub leaked into the room below and the manager thought I had caused it. I turned it on and recorded the problem without being in it. They came into my room while I was half naked, which made me really angry. They moved me upstairs to a similar room, and one lovely woman was very apologetic. She left wine, fruit and water to say sorry, and did her best to make me comfortable. The room phones didn't work, the hot tub only jetted from one spot and none of its lights worked. The TV lost connection every five minutes. The car park entrance could damage a big car, and breakfast was awful: all I could manage was a boiled egg, a slice of cheese and a tomato. If I'd known what the rooms were like, I never would have booked. The hotel calls itself 4☆, but it felt more like 2. Would I recommend it or stay again? No.

The room felt old fashioned and smelled strongly, and there were no power outlets by the bed. Breakfast had no choice, just one menu, and the customer service was terrible. The hotel's claim of free nearby parking is false. I don't recommend it.

It was right beside the area where the New Year's Eve concert and fireworks took place. The location is great, near both the main shopping street and craft street.