Royal Marina Palace Hotel Reviews

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