Royal Marina Palace Hotel Reviews

I thought this was an enjoyable and good value for money holiday. My comments below are not meant to distract from the overall view.

First Choice sell this, rightly, as an ";up market"; holiday and resort. Why then, from the Cardiff flight, a non air conditioned minibus for the 40 minute transfer? Not a gripe, but this is corner cutting that is not really needed - first impressions and all that.

Landing at Bourgas in the day time means you get a great view (and smell!) of what is clearly an ex communist industrial town - chemical works, appartment blocks and a general feeling of dilapidation and poverty - all far removed from the hotel in Duni.

The Marina Royal Palace was great. Our ";suite"; was two rooms, one with balcony, bathroom, a massive double bed in the bedroom and a sofa bed and z bed for the children. The room was beautifully presented on arrival and was ";redressed"; with fresh everything after 3 days.

The hotel is part of a much larger complex and you can pretty much eat anywhere. You can also use all the bars free of charge and have just about anything you want, including Bulgarian Champagne, red or white, chilled or lukewarm, from breakfast through until the early hours. There are few (err, no) ";international"; brands and I thought that the gin, vodka, rum and tequila were actually the same drink. If you have kids and want the orange coloured cocktail with the red syrup in the bottom then that is called a ";cinderella";.

The restaurant (s) are all buffet style and all ";international";. There is an outside bbq area where you can get freshly cooked elements of what is otherwise a buffet. We stayed a week and the food was very samey, but all good quality.

The Italian and Bulgarian restaurants have to be booked: TIP you can book as often as you want - others thought it was once only in your stay, not the case. Both were better in atmosphere, food and service than the buffets.

We went to the amphitheatre show once and were supprised by the good quality.

There was a beach party with fireworks at 10.30 on the Thursday - this is weekly.

The pools were all clean. Sunbeds (despite other reports) HAVE to be reserved early. You can change your beach towels from several points as often as you want during the day - no limit at all. There are no life guards. The inside pool and jacuzzi were freezing cold - heart stopping - you may think refreshing but they were literally painful.

If you can get one (again, need to reserve early) then the beach loungers are included as well.

We took a taxi to Sozopol (24 lev return - they ask what time you want to be collected) and thought this was a worthy trip. Nice old town. As an example of the cost of living in Bulgaria we went to a smart cafe with lovely views across the sea, had a bottle of coke each for the kids and frozen coffees for us - total bill was 8 lev - about £2.50. I am sure we could have found other venues for half that price. There was also a bizarre with souvenirs and silver for sale.

They say that Bulgaria is the ";knock off"; capital of the World. Judging by the bizarre its hard to argue. What was more suprising was the hotel lobby had ";Omega"; watches for £10 and ";Oakley"; sunglasses for £1! Not remotely genuine, and a little strange to see in what is marketed as a 5* hotel.

All in all we had a good time. Teutonic manners with regard to queuing do take a little getting used to, but I guess that is the same the World over - Duni was built by Austrians and aimed at Austrians and Germans.

We have just returned from a 2 week stay at the Royal Marina Palace at Duni and have to say we had a fantastic holiday despite 3 thunder storms! but they were over quite quickly, the complex is very big with several hotels and if you stay at the Royal Marina you are given a yellow wrist band which allows you to eat in any of the other restaurants but those without were not allowed in the Royal Marina to eat but could use the pool etc, the staff were very friendly the hotel very clean and the food was excellent. Plenty of daytime activities if you could be bothered to get off of the sun loungers and join in, We were a bit disappointed in the Jeep safari but it was still good, the hotel had quite a few nationalities but mostly Germans who seemed to have left their manners at home.The Magic Life entertainment team and the evening shows at the Ampitheatre very entertaining, but be warned put on plenty if Insect repellant as the mosquitos are a bit of a nuisance. We went into Sozopal on our last evening to kill time before our flight home and it was very lively.

All in all a very enjoyable holiday and excellent value for money. We will certainly be returning to Bulgaria.

We were upgraded from the pelican to the marina palace essentially because it was the only one open as both the pelican and marina were undergoing renovation the rooms were of a very high standard and cleaned every day. the food was fine no problems apart from breakfast as the bacon is mainly all fat but there is plenty to choose from. the staff are attentive and do speak english.

I would however not go there again unless it was after the middle of june as we were told there would be jet ski's power boats banana boat but in fact all that was available was windsurfing which for us held no appeal. the weather was not great so the fact that there was nothing to do or see meant we were bored rigid. We went to Khans tent on the Sunday night and that was excellent food and wine beautiful and the entertainment was great, but all in all we spent more money on taxi's to get out of the place and find something to do and see.

On the tuesday night we were in the reception area (you cannot get near the so called entertainment lounge as the germans arrive there at 4ish and go for dinner at 6 in couples so that the rest of their family keep the seats) a french woman was at the reception desk and i thought she had one red shoe but no it seems she had slipped and very badly cut her foot there were three members of staff hovering around her doing nothing apart from telling her to walk over to the seats she told them she was scared she would fall on her way there they just pretended not to understand what she was saying finally one of them handed her a sealed bandage which she had to open herself and put on herself finally a manager arrived and got the lady a chair but their first aid skills are non existant.

It was after this we asked our rep to find us somewhere to move to in sunny beach which admitedly she did it cost us £90 for the two nights we spent there they were going to charge us 30 levs to cancel the room which we felt was a bit over the score since the only thing they would lose out on was our company. We also had to make our own way to sunny beach another 100 levs for a taxi. we had a great time at sunny beach at least there was a night life and you could relax by the pool or beach or see the sights much better. when we went to get on the coach which we were assured by our rep had been sorted surprise surprise we were not booked on it we did however get on but only after two phone calls so thomas cook holiday again no i don't think so. i can't comment on what duni will be like later in the year but if you are not interested in watching the germans play cards do not go until the middle of june which is when the place aparently has some entertainment.

We were there for a week and had a really good time.

The hotel is part of a holiday village with its own clean sandy beach and clear water.The British are in the minority here with the Germans in the majority, this however was in no way a problem,there being enough space for everyone.The rooms were spacious, of a high standard and kept very clean.The food was of a good quality and varity each night but a bit repartitious through the week.Please note that it would be wise to take your favourite breakfast cereal, especially for any children in your party.Cocktails, wine and champaign freely available, morning, noon and night if you wish.The entertainment team are a credit to themeselves and the hotel, providing entertainment for all ages.The nightly shows in the amphitheatre and the beach party on a Thursday being a must.English is spoken by most of the key staff and those serving that don't will get the message if you keep it simple.

One word of warning about the tiles surrounding the pool areas, these are very slippery when barefooted, catching you out even when you are being carefull.The local town of Sozopol with it's old town market square and surrounding area providing good shopping opportunities and relaxing atmosphere is worth an afternoon out.Go by taxi or via the organised trip. We went by taxi with no problem.

All in all on this experience we were not disappointed with this holiday and will return.

Flight out and back was with First Choice Airways. It was a typical package flight with no finesse (it was called ";Star Class";) and had very little unused space. The aircraft video was faulty and therefore ther was no in-flight entertainment for the return journey.

When will these airlies stop people carrying extremely large grips/rucksacks on to the aircraft as hand luggage?

The transfer from Bourgas Airport to Duni was good and took about 40 minutes.

The Marina Royal Hotel was excellent throughout and the rooms large and air conditioned. The cable TV only had two English speaking channels (BBC World News and CNN) and the odd film with English subtitles.

The whole resort was geared up for the German guest. This became apparent from the outset. Our First Choice (Serbian) Rep Barney confirmed this at the welcome meeting. He jokingly refered to them as ";Gremlins";, a term that stuck with us throughout our stay.

Barney was very good throughout and was a mine of useful information.

The food was first class and plentiful, the local alchoholic drinks were fine and the service for the most part very good.

We had a great day out on a Jeep Safari in ex-Soviet 4x4 vehicles and the English speaking driver Bari was excellent.

Unfortunately, the weather was not kind to use and we only had one sunny day out of the week. The Marina Royal Palace and surroundings made the poor weather bearable.

This hotel lived up to it's five star rating. If you see holiday makers in the resort with the little yellow bracelets, they are the all inclusive guests.

Techies Beware: There is no internet access in the resort.

This was my first experience of an 'All Inclusive' holiday and I was not disappointed!

I booked last minute with First Choice via the internet and had no idea what to expect.

Slightly antisocial hours flight left Gatwick at 2225 which meant not getting to room at resort until 0500 - I have never seen such nicely presented beds - a very nice pattern made out of sheets and towels topped off with a fresh flower!

'Welcome meeting' took place at 1145am - enough time for a recovery nap. The First Choice rep for the resort complex is a likeable chap called Barney from Serbia. He speaks excellent English and this was the most useful 'welcome meeting' I have ever attended including a very helpful 'ramble' around the other hotels and facilities within the complex.

I stayed in the Marina hotel. The other three hotels on site were the Royal Marina, the Pelican and the Belleville. I was allowed to use all facilities (including restaurants, bars and pools) in all except the Royal.

I was glad I was in the Marina as this was next to pool and the beach and most of the daytime activities. There was a show in the open-air 1500 seat amphitheatre (near the Belleville) at 2130 every night except Sunday. Most of these shows included dancing by the hard-working entertainment team and was of a very high standard.

The food was excellent. Breakfast ran from 0700 to 1130! And you could eat until midnight. Made-to-order sandwiches and ice creams were also readily available.

Several bars were open until 2am, staffed by youthful and friendly bartenders - (with no extra after-midnight charge).

The standard of cleanliness was impeccable.

The nearest 'proper' town (as opposed to Duni which is purely a hotel complex) was the pleasant Sozopol - only 8km/5miles to the north with a fixed price taxi fare of only 18 Levs.

There was no shortage of sunbeds - don't bother taking your own beach towels as these are provided free each day.

If you're looking for bright lights and a bouncing nightlife look to Sunny Beach instead. If, however, you want a relaxing week that is truly 'All Inclusive' with a helpful rep, great food and friendly waitresses and barstaff, I would highly recommend this resort.

The only downsides to the holiday were antisocial night flights, slightly disappointing weather after the first two days and the fact that the British were such a small minority (ie practice your German!)

Excellent holiday though and would seriously consider returning earlier in the season next year. Will have to check on the status of the Marina hotel, though, as rumour was strong that it will be 'redeveloped' before the 2006 season.

Had a great holiday. Whole Duni complex spotlessly clean and food very good.

Marina Hotel right by beach and activity pool(music,aerobics,games etc).Can use pools at Pelican or holiday village for peace and quiet.

Rooms very wellkept- the only problem being some are near main road (but doubleglazing and aircon counteract the noise),and some of others are rather in shadow of enormous new Marina Royal Hotel (whose facilities cannot use)

Most of holidaymakers German.Sunbeds not a problem as same number in complex as bedspaces.Entertainment staff speak English as well as German.Enjoyed evening shows in Ampitheatre.

Sea generally safe for children(except when windy),and watersports well cordonned off from swimming area.

Didn't need to go on Bulgarian Evening trip as meal in Mechana restaurant on site lovely(staff in national dress )and had Bulgarian dancing one night anyway(including fire dance).

Trip to Sozopol a must(but beware the overpriced photographers with Disney etc costumes and chameleons).

This was our first all inclusive holiday and it was SUPERB!!! We will definatly be going back!

The royal marinar palace is amazing. Although the whole resort is all-inclusive and you can use the facilities in all the hotels we hardly left ours as the food and facilities were by far the best. From what I understood all though we could use all the other facilities I think there is a restriction on all the other hotels using the marinar palace.

Having been round all the other hotels I would say that the whole resoirt is lovely and if you are booked in at any of the other hotels i think you will have a great time - however saying that if you have a choice of hotel - there is no contest in picking the royal marina palace!

The staff are extremly friendly! the food is great with a wide variety to choose from including a BBQ area! There is a gym and indoor pool to use if excercising on holiday is your thing!

The resort is still mainly german but getting more and more popular with the english - but you will still need to get up early to get those sunloungers!!!!

I would recommend this hotel and resort to everyone, there are plenty of activities going on all day to keep everyone occupied if you get bored just lounging by the pool. There is a great disco in the evening over in another hotel if you want a bit of nightlife too!

enjoy!!! see you there next year!

This hotel was booked last minute and what an excellent surprise! My friends and I were absoloutely thrilled. The animation team are fabulous, the food is great and the location is superb. The only downside as mentioned by previous guests is the cold swimming pool, but it is such a lovely pool you simply have to go in it anyway. There are jellyfish in the sea but they don't sting (apparently) according to the locals. A further tip from the locals, my son got quite badly sunburnt as did some of the other children in our party, there were some lovely older Bulgarian female cleaners who rushed into the kitchen and cam be back with a massive pot of natural yoghurt which they liberally applied to the children and it really worked - no pain.

The other thing is that although you can use the Pelican and Belleville Hotel you are strictly not allowed in The Royal Marina Hotel, there is tight security, however, that said Barney are fantastic First Choice Rep did manage to wangle me entry in to their gym. By the way, the Belleville Hotel has views to die for and you must try the Yacht trip, we saw dolphins.

Enjoy