Dobrich, Dobrudja Hotel Reviews

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Good Points: The Dobrudja Hotel is in a central location on the main square, close to shops, banks, museums, an art gallery and the theatre, it is also a short walk to the park. All staff were efficient, helpful and courteous although some spoke little English. There was live music in the piano bar or restaurant most evenings. The facilities included a sauna, small gym and outdoor pool, open during the summer months only. There were shops including a hairdresser, chiropodist and gift shop around the bar areas. My non-smoking room was spacious and housekeeping was excellent. The excellent bathroom looked recently refurbished. The mini-bar prices seemed to be the same as those in the main bar. The general standard was better than many UK hotels I have used.

Bad Points: Generally, people in Dobrich speak little English and you really must try to learn some Bulgarian before going. However, when I had communication difficulties in the museums and art gallery, an official uniformed interpreter arrived as if by magic. Inland Bulgaria is only just beginning to be conscious of non-smokers, although the waitresses helpfully designated a non-smoking table for me and the number of non-smoking tables in the foyer coffee lounge increased during my stay. The city infrastructure was being developed, which involved construction work close to the hotel at the time of my visit. The hotel menu was a little restricted for a hotel of this size but it was past the main season. This may improve when the international Culinary School opens in Dobrich in 2007. One of the double glazing units was foggy and obviously leaking.

General comments: Dobrich is a commercial centre rather than a tourist resort but I think that as more people become attracted to the north Black Sea area it will develop it's tourist potential, possibly as a day trip destination at first. The restored revival period complex, which houses craft workshops and the Ethnographical museum, is a must. The bakery there is very popular and has long queues at times. St. Georges church, the Art Gallery and park would also be on my list for a second visit. There is also the Yordon Yovkov museum, dedicated to a local literary figure and author of the story that the resort Albena is named after.
Some areas of the the town have a Mediterranean feel with tree lined streets, pavement cafes and everywhere there are carved relief panels on buildings and street sculptures, including some in the Constructivist style. The open spaces bustled with people from morning to late evening and the park was particularly busy at the weekend.
In stark contrast to the central area are concrete apartment blocks from the communist period, which ring the city. Outside the city the area is still heavily agricultural, growing sunflowers for oil production, also maize and other crops. Some countryside areas had a feel of England in the 1950s.
I will be back.