Grand Hotel Velingrad

The only problems I noticed were in my room: the AC wasn't working properly, and one lamp was out. Aside from those small things, I found Grand Hotel Velingrad comfortable and welcoming. The pools and spa were a real highlight, and the hotel was clean, well maintained, and relaxing. The staff were friendly and helpful, and things felt organized and professional. It's a wonderful place to unwind.

The pool and elevator floors had lots of unexpected, poorly marked level changes, so watch where you step. We used the pools more than once and never saw a lifeguard. If you swim, be extra careful and keep an eye on your children. Our bathroom looked clean, but there was a stale urine smell that was quite off-putting. The hotel has several pools and spas, and the staff are friendly. But they couldn't reliably answer basic questions about the amenities, which were seriously limited, and that left guests at risk. One person in our group could end up in the hospital from down feathers in pillows. Neither the front desk nor the maid knew whether the pillows contained down. The front desk said there were down and “other” pillows, but didn't know which type was in our reserved rooms. The maid said “they are all the same” and also didn't know. The rooms were very hot even though it was 20 degrees outside, because the heat was on. The front desk said the heating was centralized and hard to regulate. This directly contradicted what we'd been told by phone before booking: that each room had AC. We were told to “crack open the balcony door,” which isn't an option for group members with pollen allergies. The air was extremely humid too, so the rooms must be breeding grounds for dust mites. That's probably why one person in our group had an allergy attack at midnight. Stay away if you want comfort and a place safe from excessive heat and allergens.

Some staff were grumpy and rude to a comical degree. I couldn't tell if that was normal or because we didn't speak Bulgarian. The spa was good quality and seemed well maintained, though treatments were a bit expensive for the standard. The hotel is in a great spot overlooking town, with the center only a short walk away. There was plenty of choice in the good food. Overall, a nice hotel.

I liked the hotel. It's on the hill in Velingrad, next to olymp spa centre, and has a pool, spa, saunas, fitness, bowling, a restaurant, and even an indoor play area for kids. Four stars because the handheld shower is stuck on the second hole after the less-controllable one, and the bathroom lock might be broken.