Phoned the hotel to book - their price was twice the web price so I booked online. On checkout they told me that I had not paid but only reserved - although I had the impression I paid in full. So I insisted on phoning the local bank to issue me a MasterCard confirmation that I am only paying once.

The hotel is extremely conveniently located and should be great for a business traveller - were it not for the somewhat annoying habits of the staff to keep phoning to inquire when the room could be cleaned (despite a DO NOT DISTURB sign). Unbelievably plentiful breakfast - served, not self service.

Hope the hotel polishes up the service. Will want to return.

The airport is about 15 minutes from the hotel. The taxi stand has honest hosts and did not overcharge me. Arrived at the hotel to a friendly staff. The bellboy came over immediately and helped me with my luggage. The reception was very friendly. They offered me a room of my choice. The building is exquisite from the turn of the last century. Interior is well maintained and gives you a feeling of another era. The coffee/cake shop is great to sit and relax and take your mind away. The rooms have ornate beds and are comfortable, the fixtures in the room are a little iffy, too much pressure and the shelves could fall. The bathroom is small but comfortable. I had a view of the city from my window. The restaurant in the basement had very good breakfast.

Most of the shopping district, the monuments, the Russian church, the Alexander Nevsky cathedral are all walkable. The underground train station is easily accessible from the hotel a few blocks away. The location is perfect.

Get a taxi and make sure you visit the Boyana Church about 30 minutes away and also the Archaeological Museum close to it. Make sure you negotiate a good price for taking you there and waiting for you. (About $25.00).

I would definitely return to Sofia and stay in this great hotel.

Fantastic location turn right out of hotel walk in a straight line are the cafe's ,shops and restaurants . Turn left again in a straight line and you get to the massive bus station, The airport is 10 levs away. I did change rooms bit that was down to me as I didn't specify non smoking, rooms spotless I did prefer my second room as I had a view of the road, no view in my smoking room infact the windows were blocked out with a White film, so I looked out and saw a really run down grotty house, glad I changed. Breakfast is served until 10:30 it was what you would expect ok, the hotel has some interesting features like the lift and an archway leading to each floor, someone put a lot of thought into it's interior design . You will find most taxi drivers are grumpy and unfriendly smoking and talking on mobiles which we Brits are not used to and even when you tip them they are not happy so don't bother. Also alien is that everyone smokes and as I have experienced most restaurants or cafe's I visited don't cater for non smokers.

Great location.It is very central and is within walking distance to all the 'sights'.The hotel has character (it was apparently a former brothel) and is extremely well maintained.The staff speak English and are very helpfull.The breakfast was great.So much better than a chain hotel.We thoroughly enjoyed our stay.