| Holiday-Truth Readers Reports |
Alpech from Shropshire travelled to Marina Grand Beach Hotel with
Balkan Holidays
on a family holiday.
There were 2 adults and 2 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 06 2007 |
rated the Marina Grand Beach Hotel as follows:| Cleanliness |  | | Location |  | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment |  |
| said: This was our 4th visit to Golden Sands and by far the best hotel we have stayed in. On arrival we were shown to our room which was massive, even with the sofa bed already made up for our children. We were on the 7th floor and had a great view over the beach and pools with a fairly large balcony.
The bathroom was twice the size of ours at home with WC, sink, bidet, bath and 2 shower heads over the bath - just be careful as the tiled floor can get very slippy when wet however lots of towels and floor mats are available. The white fluffy bathrobes were a great touch.
The rooms were very well cleaned and the maid would make a different animals out of the tow
els for the children most days which they thought was great.
We thought the food was excellent, always plenty of choice and not luke warm as is often the case in Bulgaria. Even my fussy children were happy and eat well.
The hotel facilities were very good and the spa excellent. The drinks were quite expensive in the hotel however when we were around the pool we would go to the shop on the nearby street which was half the price of the pool bar and nobody ever said that we weren't allowed to bring our own drinks.
The hotel is very central however far enough away from the noisy bars so you could get some sleep.
I would recommend this hotel - maybe more of a 4 star than 5 but still very good and we will be staying there again next year.
Click here for more information on this hotel, resort and region
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Jim Bermingham from Glasgow travelled to Marina Grand Beach Hotel with
First Choice
on a family holiday.
There were 3 adults and 1 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 09 2006 |
rated the Marina Grand Beach Hotel as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food |  | |
| Entertainment |  |
| said: Hotel is in an excellent position, close to everything but no trouble with noise when trying to sleep.
Food was okay but exactly the same every morning and evening which even after a few days got very boring. Staff throughout the hotel were all excellent and extremely friendly.
A slight downside was the entertainment of which there wasn't any but we were there near the end of the season so maybe they were on holiday! The Mezzanine lounge was great to end the evening in especially for us and others who had small children. It's large, spacious and safe for the kids to play about in.
The best waitress in the world also works there and she's called Mary. The hotel should be proud of her. The pool area tends to be very busy and beds are very cramped around it.
Overall, a good hotel but probably not the 5 star quality you would hope to expect
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Michelle from Essex travelled to Marina Grand Beach Hotel with
First Choice
on a couples holiday.
There were 4 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 09 2006 |
rated the Marina Grand Beach Hotel as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: The hotel was in a superb location only a minute from the beach with fantastic views. Hotel staff were the friendliest and could not do enough for you.
The food was excellent I counted over 27 different Salad dishes and 26 Sweets not including the hot buffet which always included two meat dishes and one fish dish, two soups and vegetables. Fruit was always available so there was definitely something for everyone.
Rooms were really spacious and were immaculate. The hotel even brought out a Birthday Cake for one of our party which we had not asked for but they knew it was his birthday obviously from passport record on check in which we thought was excellent and a really professional touch.
The Mezzanine bar was excellent and the staff superb. Information was always available on the boards with regards to trips etc.
Pool was small but very clean but cold however we spent every day on the beach only a minute from the hotel.
On departure our cases were stored safely in a special room and there was also available a hotel courtesy room where we could shower and dress.
Fantastic hotel could not fault it and would recommend.
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celtictraveller from Ireland travelled to Marina Grand Beach Hotel with
Falcon
on a couples holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 08 2006 |
rated the Marina Grand Beach Hotel as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: This hotel has almost everything needed a, relaxing holiday. In fact if anything, it’s outstanding "extras" are underused by the guests.
For instance, the Gym, Jacuzzi, Sauna/steam room were totally neglected.
What better way to start the day then an hour work out before breakfast?
The Jacuzzi, (10 levi) was a lovely way to finish a day on the beach. Also, there were great full body massages on offer for €50!
Mud baths, Chocolate treatment??? all kinds of beauty and health treatments totally underused.
The breakfasts had a large selection of cereals and salads. Also, cooked meats, sweetbreads and cheeses. The hot selection was good, but not the same as we would have in Ireland or the UK. Mind you I added a few kilos by abusing the Pancakes on one or two occasions.
We dined out most evenings, but on the three occasions that we had dinner in the Hotel, we were most impressed.
A self serve dinner consisted of a choice of two soups, followed by a pick of four different meats or fish dishes. There was three types of vegetables on offer, including chips, also a pasta dish. If preferred, there were SEVEN types of salad on offer. All this could then be followed up with an amazing array of the most mouth watering deserts, buns, cream cakes, fruit cocktails etc...
The price??
FIFTEEN LEVI EACH.
That’s roughly €8???
Washed down with a lovely full-bodied Bulgarian red.
Total; €25 for two of us.
The rooms were kept very clean, a nice tip every couple of days results in fresh flowers and towels laid out in the shape of swans kissing (the wife thought this was lovely)
The views over the Black sea at night are beautiful, especially with a full moon glimmering on the waves.
Apart from the BBC, there were two channels showing American cop shows, these were subtitled in Bulgarian.
The pool area was nice with a bar in the pool, where you could literally sit on the bar stool, in the pool.
The Bars were nice, but there didn't seem to be much entertainment. We would finish off most nights with a couple of Cocktails in the Sky Bar. Again, not many guests were aware of this place.
You could sit outside on the veranda, 10 stories up, and watch the lights of the resort, twinkling below. The staff, Mire and Trodort were really nice and we became good friends during our stay.
There was however one sour note.
Unfortunately, I contracted viral infection in my throat, not too serious, but I decided to visit the in-house doctor, just to clear it up and avoid spoiling the vacation. I visited him twice, the first time lasted 10 mins at which e gave me a prescription and the second time the following day, for a check up, which lasted 5 min.
Imagine my anger when I was charged €80 for these visits. I think it was disgraceful. I contacted the Health Centre manager and told him so. I believe these exhobarant prices are charged because they think our insurance will pay up and so we won't complain. I was later told that to visit a doctor in his own office costs roughly €5/6 if you have no insurance. This incident left a sour taste, but I would not let it spoil the rest of my stay which we both thoroughly enjoyed.
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tom from oxford travelled to Marina Grand Beach Hotel with
thomas cook
on a couples holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 07 2006 |
rated the Marina Grand Beach Hotel as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food |  | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: *Admin edit - This review has been removed as it has been posted from Bulgaria. To ensure that our reviews remain unbiased we do not allow posts from the country where the accommodation is situated*
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Nick Moore from Barnstaple, Devon travelled to Marina Grand Beach Hotel with
first Choice
on a couples holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 05 2006 |
rated the Marina Grand Beach Hotel as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food |  | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: Just returned from the Marina Grand beach hotel.
Found this to be a very clean and respectable hotel, with good sized rooms which were well equiped and maintained to a high standard.
Only BBC world in English & all other Sat channels in German or Bulgarian. Food is all buffet style, and whilst being edible, did not inspire you to stay in for evening meals each night. Most dishes seemed to lack a decent quantity of sauce/gravy so dried out very quickly. There also only seemed to be one vegetable option (excluding fried onions!)and not sure if there was any choice for vegetarians. Waiting staff lacked general interest until tip time and did nothing to help you find a table at busy times. The waitresses also wore amazingly shirt skirts which were inapropriate considering some were like Russian weightlifters!!
Pools were clean but quite cold. Indoor was a doubtful 25 degrees (20 at most). Food and drink at the poolside was generally good and cheap and staff very helpfull - look out for the crazy hats! Did not see much in the way of entertainment, but we were at the beginning of the season.
Did not think much to being charged 10% commission for using my debit card for currency at the hotel and used the small amount of our sterling instead.
On the whole though a very good hotel which I would reccommend.
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Norm from Oswestry travelled to Marina Grand Beach Hotel with
First Choice
on a couples holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 05 2006 |
rated the Marina Grand Beach Hotel as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: We had a very nice time at the Hotel.
The food was good. The Staff were lovely. The Pool and Pool Staff were excellent.
I would go back again. The best time is the third week in May, when every thing is up and running.
The weather was hot and sunny, with only one day of rain, which was a pleasant break from the sun.
Go for the sea view, it is worth the extra cost.
A reasonable Tip, is two Lev,(80p) this will ensure priority treatment from the Bell Boy too the Pool Attendant.
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Karen & Chris from Liverpool travelled to Marina Grand Beach Hotel with
First Choice
on a couples holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 05 2006 |
rated the Marina Grand Beach Hotel as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: This hotel is one of the best we have stayed in. The rooms are very spacious and are cleaned every day. The staff are friendly and cannot do enough for you. The poolside bar / cafe staff are great. You can be served drinks or meals at the pool, so you need not move all day if you don't want to.
Had no trouble getting a sun lounger round the pool this time of year, no need to get up at 7 to put towel on!!. Area around pool is fairly small, so ok whilst we were there (Hotel not full) so will be very cramped in summer.
The food was not the greatest, but there is enough choice so you will never go hungry.
Only downfall is the entertainment. There wasn't much of it. Some bars had duets on - but they all seemed to sing the same songs. Was quite funny really. I am sure this will get better in high season.
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Creed from High Wycombe travelled to Marina Grand Beach Hotel with
First Choice
on a family holiday.
There were 2 adults and 2 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 08 2005 |
rated the Marina Grand Beach Hotel as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: The rooms were quite large but they certainly weren't cleaned properly. When we checked in (1st floor room) I cut my foot on broken glass and there were insects crawling on the floor.
Beds very uncomfortable - there was a big dip in the mattress and we had to put a blanket under it to make it more comfortable.
We were changed to another room on 2nd floor (at least we didn't have the insects then).
Pool too crowded - gave up in the end.
Staff were very polite but suddenly losts their language skills when querying charges ie safe deposit box key!
Food boring - all the same.
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Tricia from Birmingham travelled to Marina Grand Beach Hotel with
Balkan Holidays
on a couples holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 08 2005 |
rated the Marina Grand Beach Hotel as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: The hotel was beautiful. The rooms were very spacious with lovely big bathrooms and balconys.They were cleaned daily (however we found that the maids would sometimes come into our room at 8.30 to clean so make sure you make use of your 'Do not disturb' sign if know you will be in).
The food was varied and very nice although we went out a few nights to because there were so many restaurants to eat in that it would be a shame to not have tried a few of them out.
We walked the length and breadth of the resort looking at other hotels in the resort and we definatly believe that this hotel is in the best location. You are literally a 15 second walk onto the beach, but away from most of the noise at night.
The hotel staff were very helpful and always polite and cheerful.There was so many services to make use of in the hotel such as the sauna and jacuzzi which we used (however the beauty receptionist did lock the door when we went into the sauna and we had to shout for help, but the staff were very very apologetic. We saw the funny side and have kept it as a holiday memory,haha)There was massages and beauty treatments galore which we never got around to having but they are so cheap to that it's a crime if you don't completly pamper yourself after a long hard relaxing day at the beach.
Can't say much about the entetainment as we went straight out after dinner and never spent any night watching any hotel entertainment.Would definatly recommend the sky bar where we ended most of our evenings and the mezzanine bar on the first floor which also had three pool tables if you like pool!
All in all, we would definatly recommend this hotel and if we visited Golden Sands again,we would definatly go back to the Marina Grand without a doubt.It is the best hotel we have ever stayed in.
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Gray from Belfast travelled to Marina Grand Beach Hotel with
bALKAN
on a family holiday.
There were 2 adults and 2 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 07 2005 |
rated the Marina Grand Beach Hotel as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: What can I say about this hotel,in my view this is without a doubt the best hotel in Golden Sands.
Staff where always friendly and helpful.Food was good for a hotel but to be honest with the amount of good resturants in GS we only ate evening meal a few times.Breakfast was very good,lots of choice and different things for our two kids,pancakes,cereal,juice,toast that sort of thing.
The pool area was immaculate,there is two pools one for the wee ones and an ordinary one.
Plenty of sunbeds,reserving them is against the hotel rules,but people do it anyway so we figured if you can`t beat them join them.
The poolside cafe is a great place for lunch,great toasties.You have to try the family pizza some night as well,not joking it was the size of a dustbin lid and absolutely gorgeous.
Entertainment was a singer followed by some Bulgarian dancing.The kids loved it and it was a different dance most nights and they did try and get the audience involved.What they lacked in talent(which was plenty to be honest)they more than made up in enthuasim.
All in all we had a fabulous time at the Marina Grand Beach Hotel and we would definately go back if for nothing else other than a cappucino in the mezzanine bar.
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Read from Cambridgeshire travelled to Marina Grand Beach Hotel with
Balkan
on a family holiday.
There were 4 adults and 2 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 07 2005 |
rated the Marina Grand Beach Hotel as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: Excellent hotel, very clean. Rooms had plenty of space for two adults and two children, lacking slightly on the clothes storage. Air conditioning could have worked better in our room as well as the restaurant as some nights were very warm.
Plenty of choice for food, always found something for the children to eat and if all else fails there was always chips.
Staff very friendly and helpful, tipping the pool staff helped to reserve your sunbeds.
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webster from wirral travelled to Marina Grand Beach Hotel with
Balkan holidays
on a family holiday.
There were 2 adults and 2 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 07 2005 |
rated the Marina Grand Beach Hotel as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: We had an excellent holiday in Bulgaria and would certainly recommend it to anyone. There is lots to do in the resort and it is very cheap.
The hotel was fantastic with the rooms being clean and spacious. We had a great view of the resort from our balcony.
The only problem with the hotel is that the pool is quite small with the beds being taken very early (we couldn't get one at 7.30am !!!) but after a couple of days we discovered that if you give the pool staff a small tip they reserve sunbeds for you the next day.
The food was fine in the hotel no upset tummy's.
We brought home a lot of designer wear (don't know whether fake or not, but who cares!!) Jeans £20 T-shirts from £4, leather handbags are cheap as are leather belts.
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Cara from Lancashire travelled to Marina Grand Beach Hotel with
Balkan
on a couples holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 06 2005 |
rated the Marina Grand Beach Hotel as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: The hotel was very clean and tidy. Staff were very friendly, apart from the annoying entertainment team who go around the pool numerous times each day trying to get people to take part in their games which included egg and spoon races and darts! Other than this and the disco in the hotel there didn't appear to be much else in the way of hotel entertainment.
We found the hotel food to be very basic, bland and often semi cold so we generally ate out.
Be warned that the pool isnt very big compared to the number who stay in the hotel and you need to be up early to secure your sunlounger!
Despite all the above, the hotel is right on the beach front in a great location close to all the nightlife yet not in the middle of all the noise!
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STEVE & JAMIE from HALIFAX travelled to Marina Grand Beach Hotel with
THOMPSONS
on a couples holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 05 2005 |
rated the Marina Grand Beach Hotel as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: This hotel and most hotels in resort are excellent.
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Trevor Upfold from Langtree, Devon travelled to Marina Grand Beach Hotel with
First Choice
on a couples holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 10 2004 |
rated the Marina Grand Beach Hotel as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: This is an excellent hotel,the rooms are large, the bathrooms well equipped and spacious, the views from the sea view rooms are fantastic. The hotel was a joy to be in from check in to check out. I would definitely stay here again.
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Dave B from Essex travelled to Marina Grand Beach Hotel with
First Choice
on a 18-30s holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 06 2004 |
rated the Marina Grand Beach Hotel as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: The Grand Marina is an excellent hotel. We were full board but ate out most nights because of the sheer choice of restaurants (and prefer served food rather than buffet - personal choice).
We had a sea view room which has glorious views accross the black sea.
The Sky bar is on the roof at the ront of the hotel and is fantastic. It has a telescope to view the stars or the surrounding scenery.
The rooms are spotless and the staff very efficient and friendly.
The pool gets very busy with all the sunbeds being taken by 9am. The pool staff do try their hardest to find you spaces though.
The health spa is ecxellent and very cheap.
My only critisism is the Karaoke bar opposite on the seafront is vey loud until approx 2am.
In summary a good choice if you want to be in the heart of the resort in a top quality hotel but be prepared for the music from the surrrounding bars at night.
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moe wright from nuneaton travelled to Marina Grand Beach Hotel with
balkan
on a couples holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 10 2003 |
rated the Marina Grand Beach Hotel as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: we found the hotel standards to be excellent good staff food fine security excellent entertainment in hotel ok first week second week not much but to be fair we arrived at end of season hotel situated in good position for beach bars nightlife etc
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jillian from aberdeen travelled to Marina Grand Beach Hotel with
first choice
on a family holiday.
There were 3 adults and 2 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 08 2003 |
rated the Marina Grand Beach Hotel as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: Hello everyone, we have just come back from Alcatraz, although only just escaped. What can I say about this hotel? Well ok, but... Hotel staff were rude, like prison officers, pool area not too good, although one good thing was that the area which the hotel was situated in was grand.
Entertainment was below average, and we found ourselves eating out every night as food was not good.
Hotel staff were quite friendly, but watch out for jaws, he can bite.
Never saw the rep, and all I can say is we are not returning.
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Scottish Stuarts from Lanarkshire travelled to Marina Grand Beach Hotel with
Lunn Poly
on a family holiday.
There were 2 adults and 2 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 06 2003 |
rated the Marina Grand Beach Hotel as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: We were very pleased with the standard of our accomodation. We would definately recomend this hotel to any family with children.
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