Primoretz Grand Hotel & Spa

“Grand in many ways, even out of season”

We stayed in the Grand Hotel and Spa Primoretz for four nights in October, which is very definitely out of season, but our stay was no worse for that. The hotel is grand in setting as well as name. It sits inside the Sea Gardens, actually a large wooded area which stretches from the edge of the por… more

We stayed in the Grand Hotel and Spa Primoretz for four nights in October, which is very definitely out of season, but our stay was no worse for that. The hotel is grand in setting as well as name. It sits inside the Sea Gardens, actually a large wooded area which stretches from the edge of the port north along the promenade to the start of the serviced beach area. The public spaces of the hotel are spacious and well set out. We opted for a large double room which was in effect a suite size, 60 square metres and felt very relaxed as a result. The decor of the room and some of the public areas comes from an era of dark wood and paintings of questionable taste. The style is old-fashioned, the sort of old-fashioned that might have been old-fashioned when it was new. Predictable for the era in which the hotel was built but perhaps not for when it was renovated. Entry to the spa came as part of our room rate, and was appreciated. The spa area has an indoor swimming pool, a steam room, a sauna and an aroma sauna. The pool however was kept at as cool a temperature as I’ve ever encountered in an indoor pool. Bracing. The rest of the spa however was fine. The aroma sauna is small but well designed, and the ordinary sauna was at a good temperature, whereas the steam room was underheated. Reception staff were helpful and reliable. We asked for a takeaway breakfast on our departure, because we were catching an early train. It was provided, and fresh, and was available exactly when we had asked to collect it. The ordinary breakfast was a mixed experience. The cold cuts and fruit and all the other items provided were of a good quality. The ‘hot’ food wasn’t.. .hot. Each of the containers in which the bacon eggs and beans were kept had an independent electrical control, which seemed to guarantee that the heat was switched off for long periods. Basically the hot food was cold, and therefore both unappetising and a disappointment. This is a very simple matter. A more vigilant management system would recognise the issue and deal with it, or rather prevent it occurring in the first place. It was out of keeping with the values which the hotel espouses and largely delivers on. The Grand Hotel is a solid representative of its class of hotel. It is well situated, being at the end of the long promenade area, and literally next to the western end of the very extensive port, cranes visible from the inland-facing rooms. It is also less than a ten minute walk to the major city bus station and the train station which are next door to each other, so transport links are nearby and easily accessed. It therefore has the location and the feel of a beach and city centre hotel at the same time. All in all our stay was as we had expected. It was relaxing; we found the hotel a good place to stay for a first visit to Burgas. The style of the hotel is from a previous era, but it is well maintained and staffed and comfortable.

less

“Use to be a great hotel, nowadays not so much anymore...”

We stayed at Primoretz 4 or 5 times over the last 7-8 years. We always liked it here. But it looks like the quality of services has deteriorated more recently. Here's some things that really stood out in a negative way during our last trip. We tried to make the reservation in February for Septembe… more

We stayed at Primoretz 4 or 5 times over the last 7-8 years. We always liked it here. But it looks like the quality of services has deteriorated more recently. Here's some things that really stood out in a negative way during our last trip. We tried to make the reservation in February for September. So a lot of time in advance. We always got a discount for reserving in advance. Not this time. We were asked to pay everything upfront. Or pay a deposit of 50% and not get a discount. That's out of this world, I never had that happen with any other hotel booking. Funny thing is, I did make the reservation on your web site eventually. And I paid 15% of the price of the reservation (the remainder was paid when we checkout out). Also, my son wanted to use the gym and they asked him to pay 10 leva or similar. That also never happened before. Guys - it's a 5 start hotel, seriously? Are you not getting enough profit from the cost of the rooms that you need to charge for the gym visits? Another thing, the towels. We got a towel card and we could get one towel each for the card. Then the card was returned when we returned the towel. In the last we could use the towels without needing a card. OK, I understand that perhaps you had problems with people misplacing or not returning towels. But then we tried to exchange the towels during one of the days we stayed there and we were told: one towel per day. Seriously? What is there is no sun outside and the towels are wet? Are guest meant to use wet towels for the rest of the day? We were there in September, it wasn't even that busy to justify this insane rule. Finally, the breakfast. It hasn't changed in years. I've been getting the same breakfast each time I stayed there (eggs, sausages, bacon, etc). It doesn't really have any taste, it's very bland. Would be good to make some changes in the menu from time to time. All in all, this last trip was pretty bad so we decided we're going to try other places next time we visit Burgas. Such a shame because we really liked your hotel in the past. It's not all about profit, guys, seriously!

less