Hotel Alexander Reviews

Although this was a Balkan Holidays deal we booked through Thomas Cook TV as part of their price pledge (always worth trying!). We flew from Gatwick to Dubrovnik then by coach to Budva which takes around 2 hours (including a short ferry crossing). Unfortunately our flights were changed so instead of arriving early afternoon we didn't arrive till 1am so couldn't appreciate the nice scenery on the way through.

We booked self catering although were surprized on arriving that there was no cutlery, pots, crockery or kettle. We had our welcome meeting the following morning with our rep (and just us two!) and she admitted it was her responsibility and quickly arranged it - although surely a self catering apartment should have all this as standard in the room. As it turned out we still had no kettle - basically just a fridge and two hob rings so you couldn't heat up any left overs or actually make a meal, and to make a cup of coffee we had to boil a pan of water.

The room was OK - twin beds, tv although we couldn't pick anything up and great shower in the bathroom but the plugs didn't fit so you couldn't have a bath instead!

Main problem was I think we were the only English in the hotel - mainly Russians and German and the reception staff couldn't speak much English. We really felt we weren't part of things - there was entertainment at the weekend but we knew nothing about it - a welcome pack would have been nice.

Picked Hotel Alexander as it only had 33 rooms so couldn't understand why the complex was massive. You could get lost in the grounds (and we did a couple of times!). Realized in the second week that it links up with the Slovenska Plaza hotel so again it would have been nice to know if we could use their 2 pools etc.

Very disappointed with the Balkan Rep. Apart from the welcome meeting we didn't see her. She was only meant to visit for 1/2 hour once a week but when we needed her to find out the coach time for coming home she didn't turn up - we had to get reception to ring her - no apologies. There is a board for details to be put up but nothing was added and at the Slovenska Plaza it hadn't been updated for 2 years!

Word of advice - don't book your trips with the rep or you'll be ripped off! We booked two trips with Montenegro Cruising which you will find walking towards the town on the right hand side. Vladimir the chap who seemed to be there all the time was brilliant - speaking Russian, English, German, everything. We booked a trip to Dubrovnik for 20 euros and a fantastic cruise of Kotor Bay also 20 euros (both would have cost 47 euros with the rep).

As for the resort of Budva, it's got all you need. It takes 20-30 mins slow walk to the old town and you can either go along the beach with bars/restaurants all the way, or use the next road up which again has shops, bars and restaurants all the way plus a market on the right hand side. Was quite busy with cars while we were there but could be because the main road was being dug up so they were using it instead.

The supermarkets if you're self catering are on the next road up which is the main road all the buses use - you can get the bus to Sveti Stefan there - look for the blue bus sign. The Mega Market in the main square is the best supermarket where you can get everything you need.

So glad we were self catering not all inclusive as Budva is fantastic for bars and restaurants. We didn't have a bad meal in 2 weeks and only went back to our 2 favourites at the end so we could try more out. Soup plus main course and a bottle of wine comes to around 30 euros (although the wine is 10-12 euros so sticking to beer would be even cheaper). Best restaurants we thought were the Hot Moon (inside the walls at the Mozart cafe and look down the right as you go through until you see a red and yellow moon/palm tree sign - it's like a world cafe with something for everyone) and practically opposite the hotel is a restaurant made of pine with a water feature in the window (the Nik Gold chicken is fantastic). Another good restaurant is the Bala Bar along the beach - look out for the yellow gazebo. Doesn't look much but their menu is very extensive and the food was good.

Best place for beer is the Villa Balken on the harbour front outside the main walls (I think the restaurant is inside but their menu didn't have much choice) - only 1 euro for a large glass of beer (most places are 1.5 - 2 euros per glass or bottle). Another good stop for beer on the way back to the hotel is the Koktel Bar in the grounds of the Slovenska Plaza but near to the Alexander (walk through signs to market and it's at the end) - only 1 euro for a large bottle. We didn't discover this till near the end of our holiday because we assumed the hotel bars/restaurants/shops would be more expensive but not in this case, and bread in the supermarket was the same price too.

If you like fish then most of the restaurants will be good for you but a special mention for the Garden Restaurant along the beach. For a cheap pizza try either The Fisherman's pub at the end of the harbour where you can see it being cooked in the kiln, or O Sole Mio on the next road up - pizzas are massive and cheap - one between two with a salad is more than enough and they have live music every night (as do most of the restaurants along the beach).

As we were heading back around 10.30pm hoards of youngsters were flocking towards the old town probably as there are a number of clubs there but we didn't check them out!

If you want to get away from the main busy beaches then head to the right of the old town walls and follow the coast path round to another beach and bays round the corner. You can also walk or get the little train (Noddy train we called it) which goes to Beccici beach or you can get off anywhere along the way - it costs 2 euros no matter how far you go).

All in all we had a lovely holiday in Budva and I would recommend it, especially if you like a beach holiday. Our only reservation was the language barrier. The menus tend to have english translations and usually at least one of the waiters can understand english or at least you can point, but there were a couple of bars where we were ignored by the staff so went elsewhere and some didn't understand ";2 beers please"; so it helps to know beer is ";Pivo";. It's also nice to chat with other guests to get recommendations for restaurants or where they've been that day but we didn't hear that many english voices. That might change as the season gets busier or in a few years - all the other resorts we went to were building loads of hotels. So go to Budva in a group or if you enjoy the company of your partner and you'll have a great time.