| Holiday-Truth Readers Reports |
The Tweedies and Smiths from Oldham travelled to Drouzhba Hotel with
Balkan
on a friends holiday.
There were 4 adults and 5 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 08 2006 |
rated the Drouzhba Hotel as follows:| Cleanliness |  | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food |  | |
| Entertainment |  |
| said: Although we were on a Balkan Flight we ended up on an Air Adriatic plane (Croatian) for the outward journey. This caused much consternation at MCR airport because nobody had told them it was a different plane (MD80) and only had 5 seats across not 6 ! A lot of boarding passes had to be reissued in the departure lounge. The 5 seats across was great as the seats were wider and it seemed there was generally more leg room. Normal Balkan food but we only got drinks with the meal – nothing else at all unless you ‘buzzed’ for a glass of water.
As we had booked AOA, we approached the Balkan Rep at Varna with some trepidation and found out we were staying at the hotel of many names – Drouzhba, Druzba or Druzbha ! I had read the reviews on the Druzba and was more than happy with the hotel.
I guess the hotel was built in the 60’s and has undergone various refurbishment’s since then. It is situated right on the Main St in Albena with most of the restaurants and shops literally on the doorstep.
The beach is about a 150yd stroll away passed a mini golf and tennis courts at the back of the hotel.
It does not have a pool but you can use the Laguna Gardens pool about 3 mins walk away. You will still have to pay for sunbeds (3Lv), mattresses (2Lv), and parasols (?Lv). Most of the other pools will also charge you for a swim as well !(3Lv).
The rooms were fine. A decent size with a large wardrobe built into the wall and a good sized bathroom with a powerful shower over the bath. Shower curtain fitted ! A 14” colour TV with remote on the dressing table but the only English speaking channel was BBC World. The balcony with table and chairs overlooked the gardens at the back of the hotel. As there were lots of trees in the garden, the rooms did not get direct sunlight and therefore stayed cooler during the day which was good as there is no AC. There was also an ‘insect screen’ door to the balcony which meant you could get some fresh air at night without the dreaded mozzies sneaking in !
We invested in hiring a fridge that cost 49Lv for the 14 nights. Fans were available for 25Lv a week but we had taken our own. Beds must have been changed at least 4 or 5 times during our stay and towels every couple of days. Rooms hoovered and mopped every day by the friendly maids.
Safety deposit boxes were behind the 24 hour reception and I think they were about 3Lv per night.
Breakfast was taken at The Dorostor hotel – about 50yds away. It could get very busy in the large dining room as guests from 2 hotels are eating there. Usual Bulgarian hotel breakfast buffet. On the hot side – always scrambled eggs, fried eggs and pancakes. Other dishes varied – beans, tomatoes, bacon(ish), frankfurters, fritters and french toast. Good selection of bread, croissants and cake although the toaster was painfully slow. Sliced meats, cheese and various fruits also available. The tea was a bit strange – suggest you take a teabag with you in the mornings !
The bar at the hotel was independently run and open 24 hours :o) I can certainly vouch for the fact it was open until 5am at least a couple of times. Quiet music is played in the bar after midnight and didn’t appear to bother anyone. The bar also served food until around 11pm. Typical restaurant menu and prices. Cheese and Ham toasties normally available through the night and a selection of crisps and sweets also available. All the staff were great and spoke good English.
Entertainment comprised of a resident duo – without being cruel, the instrumental numbers were the best ! A pretty limited repertoire meant you had heard all their songs by the third night. There is also a pool table at 3Lv a game. We ended up playing cards or chatting in the bar later at night.
We were flying home late the Friday night, a day after the hand luggage restrictions were introduced. Balkan had put up a notice in reception so we were prepared with clear plastic bags and everything else in the cases. A little worried about cameras, phones etc so we took out memory cards/SIM cards and packed them elsewhere in the case. If something had gone missing we would still have the photos but everything arrived in the UK intact.
Check in at Varna and the flight home ran like clockwork even with the added security checks. One great thing about the lack of hand luggage was the boarding of the plane. Everyone got on and sat straight down – no messing about in the overhead lockers, doors closed and off we went !
I have put general Albena information under the Resort Reviews.
Would we go back ? Definitely but maybe only for a week in Albena as we had 5 teenagers with us and it was a bit quiet for them. A week in Golden Sands and a week in Albena might be a good compromise.
Click here for more information on this hotel, resort and region
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jemma ullyatt from sheffield travelled to Drouzhba Hotel with
balkan
on a family holiday.
There were more than 6 adults and 4 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 07 2006 |
rated the Drouzhba Hotel as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: This hotel is probably the best hotel any of our family as stayed in abroad.
We have been going to the same hotel for the past nine years.The hotel is worth more than a 3 star rating.The staff are terrific especially Dido and Mikey!
I would recommend this hotel to anyone going to Albena.
We will be back in August see you then.
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John from Sussex travelled to Drouzhba Hotel with
Balken
on a family holiday.
There were 2 adults and 2 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 08 2005 |
rated the Drouzhba Hotel as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: First time in Bulgaria, and an excellent hotel had all we wanted great staff and although we had to use the pool in the next hotel Malibu it was just as easy as having your own pool in larger hotel.
Would recommend this resort for those who like a quite time and early night as no noise after 12 fantastic.
Boys aged 12 and 15 loved the beaches and pool time.
Room cleaned every day and towels changed every other day.
Entertainment by Pub singer who knew nearly all the words.
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N Woodward from Notts travelled to Drouzhba Hotel with
First Choice
on a couples holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 08 2005 |
rated the Drouzhba Hotel as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: The hotel is ideally placed for the town lots of places to eat and drink and very close to the beach.
The only point we would state is that the hotel does not have air-conditioning, although fans are available to hire.
Food is available from the bar in the hotel and for your Breakfast you use the neighbouring restaurant.
The hotel has no pool or outdoor sunbathing area however, we were able to use the pool of the neighbouring Laguna Gardens hotel without paying for sun loungers (mattreses were only 2 lev each).
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hazel nicoletti from northern ireland travelled to Drouzhba Hotel with
travelmax.co.uk
on a family holiday.
There were more than 6 adults and more than 6 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 06 2005 |
rated the Drouzhba Hotel as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment |  |
| said: Loved this hotel Druzhba stayed here last year as well.
Bar staff are absolutely fantastic and very friendly, they are called Danny, Zak, Mike, Vinny and Sven also Ivor the boss he was brilliant with the kids. He opened an Irish bar since last year, so I have sent him over some Irish traditional things to hang up to help decorate it. I don’t know if he has received them yet or not.
Hotel is great and very near everywhere I will stay here every year form now on as I would never go anywhere else I just love Albena and the hotel Druzhba can’t wait till next year.
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Jeanne Carney from Manchester travelled to Drouzhba Hotel with
first choice
on a couples holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 06 2005 |
rated the Drouzhba Hotel as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: This hotel is great the staff are lovely. The hotel is very clean we were on the fourth floor and our cleaner was really nice, are room was left spotless everyday. Hotel location is ideal for shops bars restaurant's all on the doorstep the beach is not very far away. The breakfast food although not horrible could of been better. The entertainment although nice could of been a bit more varied.
We would definatly visit this hotel again
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Coates from Lancaster travelled to Drouzhba Hotel with
First Choice
on a family holiday.
There were 2 adults and 1 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 06 2005 |
rated the Drouzhba Hotel as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food |  | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: The hotel, although clean, was old and basic. The lift broke while we were there and took 4 days to fix. On the plus side the hotel staff were brilliant, Zack was fantastic. It was my husbands 50th birthday while we were there and Zack supplied me with balloons, hats, candles and a cake all shopped for on his half day off. The bar is 24 hour and Danny and Vinny worked long night hours but were still as cheerful at 10am as at the start of their shift.
The beach is lovely, all white sand. The town itself is busy with all the stalls but very safe for adults and children alike. The B&B was basic and a few mornings no milk or tea bags or fruit was available. The restaurants on the front are lovely, I recommend the old house although a little more expensive well worth it.
I would go back to Bulgaria but not to this hotel.
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carpo from beverley travelled to Drouzhba Hotel with
first choice
on a couples holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 07 2004 |
rated the Drouzhba Hotel as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: This hotel is basic but very clean and tidy.
The staff are excellent, good location to beach and shops.
The food at the accompanying restaurant is excellent, the local bars and restaurants are excellent.
Make sure to go to the bar Tropical and sample one of Nelly’s cocktails. Also the entertainment at this bar is second to none.
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Geraldine McParlane from Ireland travelled to Drouzhba Hotel with
Balkan Tours Ltd
on a friends holiday.
There were 4 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 07 2004 |
rated the Drouzhba Hotel as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: The hotel was in a central location, easy access to the beach and practically everything on the doorstep.
The staff were friendly and obliging particulary the bar staff.
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Lauren from Hull travelled to Drouzhba Hotel with
Lunn Poly
on a family holiday.
There were 4 adults and 1 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 07 2004 |
rated the Drouzhba Hotel as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: Me and my kids were astonished to find how friendly the staff were, especially 2 men called Ivor, the boss and Danny, a barman. The location was ideal, seeing as though we were nearly on the beach every day. And the good thing about it was we didn't get bored with it. I am definatley going to this hotel again, and I advise other families aswell.
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steve callister from liverpool travelled to Drouzhba Hotel with
sunstart
on a couples holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 06 2004 |
rated the Drouzhba Hotel as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment |  |
| said: staff could not be more helpful, hotel is clean, rooms cleaned every day towels and sheets changed everyday .
NOT ENOUGH TIME TO SAY HOW MUCH WE LIKED IT
central to everything , zak and barstaff are fantastic and will do almost anything to make you happy!!!!!!!!!!
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Kerris from Essex travelled to Drouzhba Hotel with
First Choice
on a family holiday.
There were 2 adults and 1 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 07 2003 |
rated the Drouzhba Hotel as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: The hotel was clean and tidy and the staff were fanstic. The hotel has no swimming pool which is a disadvantage because you have to go to the next hotel which is Hotel Malibu and you have to pay for the chairs if you do not stay in the Hotel Malibu.
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mr george lynch from shildon,county durham travelled to Drouzhba Hotel with
thomson
on a singles holiday.
There were 1 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 05 2003 |
rated the Drouzhba Hotel as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: I have been to this hotel 4times and everytime the staff are so helpful to me.i have been 2 times with my children.i am a single father of three and all the staff were so kind and helpful my children loved it there.i hope to go this year just to see my freind i have met there.bye from george(the cap)lynch to the druzhba hotel albena
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