Latest Reviews for Albena

albena resort ok if you what a quiet hols with nothing to do.

well where do we start went september 2008 for a last min break. look at the rewiews and all seem to be out of date. when you get to th hotel make sure you have change for the porter does not move till tipped. place in a villa on the hotel complex ok abit of a walk late at when had a few drinks but ok. food repeated every 3 nights or so got a bit of a joke trying to guess whats to eat with me and the wife:meat ball/chips/or pork??????????? still ok ..

drinks in the bars brill all internationl drinks jd and coke happy nites ha ha all the cocktails free too.tip the bar man and see how much you get next time?? hotel clean and tidy cleaners in our rooms every day . weather very cold and raining what a surprise in september had to buy jumpers. the resort it self is a bit quiet no shows or bars all but 2/3. afew shops down by the beach theres a train that take you there for a few levs about a £1. this resorted is gated with all the hotel all inculsive a supermarket buy the campsite cheaper than the little shops . hotel classed as 3/4 star class more like 2 star. would i go back not a chance . but all said only payed £800 for 2 so what do you what a 5 star.

Being All Inclusive we didn't venture into town too often, but it has everything you could want. We did unfortunately need the medical centre which we found to be very good. There is a good range of shops etc and various 'rides' for the kids Albena is a gated resort and as such would seems to be very safe, it does however mean that prices tend to be higher, although still low by British standards. We wouldn't hesitate to return

I have to say that on going here in August last year, we went with more than a hint of trepidation having read the reviews. We didn't start well, having booked a two bed apartment we arrived very late only to shut the door and find one bedroom. The First Choice rep was excellent and by the end of the next day we were where we should have been. Our apartment was huge, very clean and comfortable with lovely sea views. Considering we only paid £1800 in the school holidays for 4 of us I think we got brilliant value for money. The food was basic, hot and plentiful, to be honest we can't really understand the complaints, you get what you pay for at the end of the day. Entertainment was hit and miss, but the entertainments team were one of the nicest groups of people we have ever met. They loved the kids and it was reciprocated. OK, the rose seller was a complete pain but it's all part of the experience. We ventured out and about a bit- the jeep safari absolutely not to be missed; probably best to give Varna a miss unless you know exactly where to go as we had a bad experience in the market; horseriding down the beach was fab as was the Bulgarian day. It was a great holiday- we like to get a flavour of the country we are staying in and don't want anything that is too 'english'. If you go here expecting the party scene and english pubs it probably isn't the place for you, but if you are after somewhere quiet with a great beach and friendly welcoming people, go...you will have a great time.

resort itself fantastic beaches great, the sea wonderful. The hotel was ok food left a lot to be desired very much the same night after night. Not alot for a 13 year old boy to do and the nightlife was not brilliant. The entertainment staff did their best but did not seem to be trained very well. People were very friendly and helpful and eating out was very cheap although you dont expect to have to do this on a all inclusive holiday. Would go back again but not to this hotel.

we have just returned home from hotel magnolia and we are very disappointed the food was disgusting it was cold and not agreat choice if you like pork then you would be ok and everythihg else just looked like slop probably left overs from the day before.you couldnt get a drink after 11. all coffee machines were turned off so you had no chance of getting a warm drink if you needed one throughout the night. the entertainment well if you wanted to play darts round the pool in the day you would be sorted but come evening there was nothing whatsoever. the beds felt very damp everynight i thought it was with being on the ground floor where the room never saw daylight because of the trees but guest on the top floor also mentioned it.there is only a handful of shops which sells the same things to get to the shops you could get a little noddy train no sign of a courtesy bus like the broucher says or you could go down the very dangerous steps very steep uneven and cracked. we know it was getting to the end of the season in albena but come night time it was like a ghost town even the bars stopped serving at midnight but when you go all inclusive you shouldnt need to leave the hotel it should be all laid on for you there. i will definatly not be returning to bulgaria especially albena and the hotel magnolia is a real no go in my eyes,it doesnt deserve to be rated.

This was the worst holiday we've ever had! The accomodation was ok, the maid was really friendly and our room always felt clean. The flush function on our toilet kept on breaking and had to be fixed several times during our stay. We found the hotel staff friendly, but we experienced racist comments on our trip to Varna. Watch out for the beggars if you go there, they are really persistant. We also found a lot of the Bulgarians rude. The food at the hotel was ok for a few days but became boring and repetative and we resorted to eating out. The evening entertainment, (if you can call it that) consisted of the staff dressing up in costumes and miming to English songs. The beach was COVERED in ciggarette butts and everyone smoked where ever you went. The resort was dull and although it was cheap, everyone was trying to sell you something. There was one man in particular selling roses who became a real pest, asking over and over again if we wanted to buy one every evening! If you just want to get a tan and don't mind smoke, then this would be a good holiday destination, if you are after culture, luxury, exciting things to do, don't go here.

Hi all. Don't really know where to start with this hve so much to say. just come back from 2 weeks all inc at magnolia and i will firstly say how the food was terrible. My boyfriend is not a fussy eater and he really struggled. it was all for the germans!! Don't eat the so called 'baked beans' they are like bullets in chutney, they make us all sick! we made it our mission to find really beans( located across from the playboy club) it was just the smell off the dinning room that put us all off. the food was just mass produced crap!! you would not give it a dog. speaking of dogs they freely roam round the dining room begging for food. if you are not an animal lover like myself then it will put you off the awful food straight away. i found myself living off red cabbage and my boyf and his cousins living off melba toast and cheese spread we bought from a shop, needless to say the 2 of the men fell ill. my boyf had really bad runs and stomach ache. he said he just felt really weak. the other came home with it and again had really bad runs and was also really sick. the hotel staff were really rude! the amount of times we got told to shut up was unbeliverable. even families with young kids were getting told to shut up. the wors night was when a member of my party slipped on some glass out side his room, he was barefoot and the glas went through and artery in his foot resulting in stitches. all in all it cost 400levs for medical treatment. we used a hand towel to wipe up the blood as well as 3 rooms worth of loo roll and instead of asking how he was they charged him for the towel. the entertainment in the hotel was non existant, they sent you to an amphi theatre where you couldnt get a drink and had to sit on a wooden bench. the drinks were rubbish not even all the local sp[irits were free, no local whisky tequila or no diet coke one of our members is insulin dependant and needed a suger free drink surely there are rules and regs about this. the best place for a bit of life was ganvie bar. enveny and plamen were the best barmen ever and made us feel so welcome. they made our holiday.

We have just returned from two weeks AI at the Albena Beach Club.During the two weeks my family and I had no problems whatsoever. The food and drink at the hotel are excellent.There was a wide selection to choose from and all tastes were catered for. If anyone can complain about the food selection,quality or choice then they are really being picky. The staff were very friendly. Yes I got served drinks in plastic cups BUT only when I was by the pool. In the bar in reception or during meals it was always glass and I got served more than two drinks. There are two pools at the hotel both are small but sufficient because the hotel is on the beach, literally!! The animations team at the hotel work really hard and there is a full days worth of activities for both children and adults. Albena is a safe resort and this was our second holiday there. Weather in August was hot 35-40. The room was on the small side but you dont spend your holiday in your room do you? I would recommend this hotel without hesitation.

Please don't get confused between the hotels, there are two Ralitsa, if travelling with first choice you will be in the 3* and if travelling with Balkan the 4*, which is where we stayed

The hotel itself was spotless, our family room consisted of a very large room with twin beds and double bed settee with bathroom and extra loo. free air conditioning.

the food in the hotel was excellent and couldn't be faulted, every day there was a large selection including various meats, fish, a roast, potatoes (as well as chips) soups, veg, salad and cold meats. Loads of fresh bread and friut as well as lovely desserts. kids have a small separate buffet but generally ours ate from adult one.

entertainment at night is a bit quiet. there is a show but in a room with no drinks allowed so we didn't particularly bother with it. large balcony and seating areas

2 pools one quiter near the 4* restaurant and the other busier where the daytime entertainment went on by the 3* rest. sunbeds not a problem.

daytime ent consisted of darts, ten pin, bowls, table tennis etc, they did one lot for adults and the other for children.

the resort it self is not massive but plenty of little shops to wander around, we had no problems at all with 'ladies of the night' as other reviewers mentioned.

we went horseriding for a hour from opposite the hotel which worked out about £33 for the family. Banana boats on the beach were about about £2.50 each.

we went on the fiesta night which was ok, wouldn't bother again and the jeep safari which was fantastic, but be prepared to get muddy and soaked.

all in all a great holiday and we would return

Just returned and thank god I am back!

This hotel should be named the Hotel ThePitsa not The Ralitsa! OMG!!

I wanted to enjoy this holiday but it wasn't to be!

Spending the night in hospital with my son being violently sick and on two IV drips did not enhance this nightmare experience! Food poisoning because the hotels food was not cooked properly!

Chicken pink and just browned on either side is not my idea of good food.

Entertainment was like A Clockwork Orange - my eyes had to be stapled open to keep me awake and watching.

The Abba show was quite good but after the 156th song - even that made me feel like killing myself.

Don't get me wrong - there were high points - errrr......

Going home.

No - I have to say that the pools were fantastic. Club Dance was good fun - but that was it - no music by the pool all day - just the same songs played for 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the afternoon.

Rock DJ by Robbie is good but not on permanant replay for two weeks!

All inclusive side of things?

No fresh water...... in bottles. Coke that tasted like weak syrupy soda. Cross contaminated pizza utentils stuffed in spag bol tray - then chips - then back again. Ice cream help yourself the same!

The complex was nice and clean - but it was a long walk to the hotel restaurant for brekkie, lunch and dinner.

And this is a nightmare when the weather is not too good as we found out for two days of our holiday.

Pushing your mum up a slope when it's thundering and lightning and torrential rain is lashing down on you is quite a good activity on the Animation Teams Entertainment Program but I'd rather just relax and enjoy my dinner in comfort.

Another high point was going to watch Man U in the town on Sky Sports in a nice pub - just wish the pub and the Sky Sports had been in the complex!

Varna and the Dolphinarium were a great excursion. Kids loved that and yeah we did too!

There was beauty to be viewed by the pool - ... and her name was Rachel - but she left before us - so cest la vie!

All in all - would I return to Bulgaria?

Yes - but not the Hotel Ralitsa - which turned out to be an all inclusive nightmare!!

Well, where do I start. This was one of the worse Hotels I have ever, ever been too, and I have stayed in many in my life time and alot of 3* also. But I do think the problem was with the hotel management really. It's a GERMAN HOTEL, all food geared for the GERMANS they were always served 1st at the bar, to the point of total rudeness, but I say again I think it was more of a problem with the staff treating Germans 1st class and ENGLISH 2nd, when I mentioned it to a animation team memeber, he SAID it was the HOTELS POLICY, say no more.

DIET COKE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE ALL INCLUSIVE so please note this if any of you are unfortunate enough to go, and there is only fizzy for the kids, coke,fanta, sprite and water no juices what so ever! and we would try and get a little milk for a cup of coffee in our room at night, or for 1st thing in the morning and do know what out of the 14 nights we were there 14 nights they had run out of milk can u believe that.Water even stopped at 11pm too. No fridge in your room so you could stock up from the market for the kids to drink, nothing worse than drinking warm water,milk,Juice. Oh by the way you could have a fridge if you paid for it.

The food was Edible but I must stress most of the time Inedable, mainly because being under cooked, on a couple of occasions I had to get rid of the veg in my mouth is was so disgusting, how can you go wrong with a Cauliflower! My Husband refused to eat there after the second night, so we ate out the rest of the holiday.

The pool I just felt was just not clean at all, in the 2 weeks we were there we never saw anyone cleaning it, only going round with the net, the baby/toddler pool all the children in our party had bad cuts to there feet form the jagged tiles in pool. the pool toilets were worse than disgusting, if you had to go you would have to go back to your room or to the reception area. Plus the brouchure DID NOT MENTION that the restaurant was not even in the hotel, but across the road and up a little just to get a cup of tea in the morning was a pain, well I do have to say I do have walking difficulties so it was a big problem for me, but for most it wasn't, but First Choice should of mentioned this in there brochure. WE asked recepion one night the night of the storm, could they phone for a taxi, as it was raining that bad, she handed my husband a tel number, and said you will have to phone from your room as we cannot do it from here! How RIDICULAS, then she said IT MIGHT NOT BE THE RIGHT NUMBER, what more can I say.

I must say also, if you are a diabetic. Like me, they will give you a small bottle of coke daily, yes small bottle to last you all day in that heat, but I never found this out untill the day before we were coming home, although I had phoned head office in Bugaria about the Diet Coke Situation early in the Holiday, but was not mentioned to me once.

we save all year round for our holidays and the holiday company's should take this on board. By the way there is also a 4* part of the hotel, restaurant, swimming pool and accomadation, we were not aware of this untill we arrived, but 4* was only for the Germans. It is showing in the German Brouchure but not First Choice's. So you can imagine the feelings there.