Paradise Beach, St. Vlas Hotel Paradise Beach

I was there summer 2008 and it was great - clean, delicious food, great beach, good coordination of the team.I want too say one thing: Thank you, Mr. General Manager

The pool was open until 23:00. The rooms were nice and the air conditioning worked well. However, the hotel was geared up for German tourists and there was no entertainment for English guests. There is a severe wasp problem and several members of our party were stung. We were All Inclusive which consisted of breakfast, lunch and dinner all of which were the same food every day and there were no provisions for extra food such as bar snacks, ice creams etc. Most of the staff were rude and un-helpful especially to the women in our party. Our overall experience was very bad at this hotel.

Just back from two weeks at the Hotel Paradise Beach, Bulgaria. We flew out with Balkan Airways from Edinburgh. Our first time with Balkan and wished we had known about the disgusting roll they serve you as way of the in-service meal. I would take my own in future.

On arrival the transfer from Bourgas airport took roughly an hour. No problems at the airport and everything went smoothly.

On first impressions the hotel lived up to its 4star status. The receptionist on the front desk was friendly and welcoming. As was the bell boy. We were shown to our rooms and they were clean, roomy and had a great view of the beach. Two single beds pushed together, plenty of storage space, a shower cubicle, tv and a safe [payable locally - 70 lev - roughly around £35 for two weeks]. Plenty of clean towels provided during our stay and our beds were changed on a regular basis. The balcony held a patio table, two chairs and a clothes airer. [very handy].

We stupidly booked All Inclusive. The restaurant was pleasant with the option of either indoor or outdoor dining. The food however was same old stuff for two weeks solid. It was edible enough, although sometimes cold. We broke down after 5 days and started eating out.

All Inclusive consisted of breakfast, lunch, dinner, afternoon coffee and cakes. Soft drinks and local alcoholic drinks. The beach bar and pool bar did not serve food so we had to trot back into the hotel if we wanted fed. This was via a panoramic lift which was directly on the beach.

Beach towels were also provided free of charge. These were laudered perfectly, but only a little larger than hand towels.

There were two shops on site. One situated near reception, and the other a few floors down. They sold essentials such as sun creams and toiletries as well as chocolate, crisps and cigarettes. [although very limited choice if you are a smoker]. One shop did a roaring trade in inflatable beds and the like.

There was three bars to choose from. A bar situated again near the reception desk. A pool bar and also a beach bar. The pool bar and beach bar did not serve wine, this was only available at the reception bar.

The pool area was nice enough. Two pools interconnected to choose from, and also an area where you could sit in the water at the pool bar. The sunbeds were limited and we never managed to secure any during our two week stay. There was also a few tables and chairs that were more easily attained.

The beach bar was reached via a flight of steps. You could take your drinks back onto the beach or there were around maybe 6 tables where you could seek some shade and enjoy a drink.

Paradise Beach Hotel is situated roughly inbetween the village of St. Vlas and Elenite. There are no nearby restaurants or bars you can walk to. St.Vlas can be reached by either taxi [12 lev] or by the hourly bus which passes by the hotel. I would be inclined to tell you to splash out and get a taxi. The bus is only 3 lev, but is usually full to the brim, with standing room only. Very hot and uncomfortable. In St.Vlas they have some nice eating places and a lovely village square where you can spend an evening. It's only 10 minutes away.

Now the bad bits!

The staff. Or some of them. Not the most friendly. We encountered only 4 staff members who were friendly and nice. They were the receptionist and bell boy I mentioned before, and the cleaner and the man who handed out the beach towels. The others really put a damper on our holiday. The mood was saddening.

The wasps were a problem. You can bet if you had a glass of liquid in your hand or a plate of food then these little blighters zoomed in on you. They were everywhere! We got so fed up with swatting them. One member of our party was stung twice. Lots of people were being stung on the beach. Luckily the hotel had its own doctors station. He was doing a roaring trade in anti-histamines and injections.

The entertainment isn't even worth a mention. It was bad with a capital B. Although if you like techno music then please go, it was blaring out day and night. You couldn't escape it.

Lastly, the hotel caters mainly for German and Russsian guests. We only came across one Irish family and one English family our whole holiday, so it can feel kinda isolated.

On the whole the hotel is lovely and clean. It is only around 6 years old. It is right on a beautiful beach, but it is a bit out of the way and you can feel isolated. The staff ruined our holiday, and the wasps were a nuisance. The food was the same everyday. Chicken in various unidentified sauces, as was the pork. Potatoes done various ways. Salads. Soups. No chips.

Along from the hotel on the beach there are two eating places. More like small beach cafes. These were a godsend. They did the best plate of chips and various side orders. Nothing fancy but it was just nice to get away from the hotel. Plus they were friendly and welcomed your custom.

I wouldn't hurry back to Bulgaria, and certainly wouldn't stay at this hotel.