Due to business assignments I used to enjoy regular visits to Grand Hotel Sofia. It was a home away from home. I knew the staff and they knew me.
Business changed and my destinations changed.
I found myself with some time to spare and I decided to go back to Sofia. I found renovated buildings, better roads and plenty cosy places to have a cup of coffee, a nice meal, or just to have a chat with a new friend. Here friends are strangers you are yet to meet.
One thing seemed to be the same, the Grand Hotel. Even the staff had not changed. The same people that used to make my stay so pleasant some three years ago were there willing to accommodate all my preferences.
It is nice to know that in times of changes, due to the current economic climate, also known as ‘crisis’ things like guest service and staff loyalty still exists.

I stayed in this hotel as the reconmendations on trip advisor were very good and normally this gives me a green light to book and never gone wrong yet, as a 5 star hotel you expect certain standards to be met unfortunately this was not the case whilst the room was clean and very comfortable the hotel negelected to tell me there was a Hi-Fi convention being held that weekend whilst that would not seem a problem there were a huge number of non paying guests in the hotel which made it nearly impossible to get a lift to the four floor, lucky i wasn't staying on one of the top floors as i would not of look forward to the walk, whilst i could of lived with this there was also a guest on my floor who had 24hr security this meant they re-arranged settees and tables to camp out on this floor again not really a problem until you wanted to sleep as the laughter and loud conversation through the night made it almost impossible to sleep i complained to the hotel and they apoligised and offered me an upgrade next time i stayed, i would of preferred a good nights sleep as i had quite an early flight back to the UK, i wrote a letter to the manager of the hotel on my return and got the same response a free upgrade on my next stay, maybe i was unfortunate but the way this 5 star hotel dealt with my complaint was very poor to say the least needless to say i wont be staying again, i have stayed in a variety of 3/4 and 5 star hotels in Bulgaria and received a much better service from 3 star hotels, this hotel which is suppossed to be top of the range.

We booked a city break for 4 nights at this hotel. It seemed a little decadent to book a 5* hotel for a city break - we're never in the hotel - but I can honestly say it was worth it

The hotel is lovely. Our standard room/suite (?) was enormous. I can't actually imagine what anyone does with all that space?? It made coming home seem like moving into a tent. Lovely room, loads of wardrobe space in the dressing area; bathroom is large with a great shower, big bath and well appointed

The only small complaint (and I am probably being a little picky) is that there were no tea/coffee facilities in the standard room. A cuppa after a long day sightseeing is welcome. We were provided with a kettle and coffee on request but it isn't refreshed in the standard rooms. However, we managed perfectly well with the excellent chain 'Memento' who have a great little cafe/bar just down the street. There is a Costa alongside the hotel by the art gallery if you prefer (Memento is great for people watching though)

I am a sucker for the detail and loved the small touches , eg the lifts have an individual carpet, changed daily, with the day of the week imprinted on them. [I know I know..., but it does make you feel that you are staying in a place where people care about the detail]

Beds were turned down every evening and a little Lindt chocolate on the pillow along with a weather report for the following day - again, I know it's a small thing, but it's a nice touch

We didn't eat breakfast in the hotel as we booked a 'room only' tariff- it was around £15-20 per head if taken on arrival - but there are so many great places to eat within short walking distance that this is not a problem

I gained the impression that this is very much a business hotel, as opposed to a tourist haunt. The reception/vast foyer was regularly populated with slick types wearing earpieces and sunglasses and guarding important looking people.

That said, on the Friday and Saturday evening, the room above us seemed to be party heaven - although what they were doing up there I can't imagine. We were kept awake until 3 a.m. with what sounded like people wrestling each other to the ground and throwing furniture around. Bizarre events, but gone by Sunday

Sofia itself was a big surprise. I wasn't quite expecting the volume of great bars and restaurants. Away from the coastal resorts and ski areas, Sofia seemed relatively removed from tourism. We were absolutely spoiled for choice of places to eat and drink - absolutely too many to name them all but please try Victoria (an accidental find, cheap, tasty lunches and a gem). We didn't have a bad meal during our 4 night visit - in fact, we ran out of time to try all the great places we came across.

Sights-wise, 4 days is probably more than enough to see what you need to see. It was a nice change to have a slower-paced city break though, plenty of time to explore without returning home in the usual state of exhaustion. We had some truly great experiences -Go!

Highly recommend a visit

The Grand looks pretty grand and the rooms are big by European standards, ven for a five star, but everything else, like Sofia itself, is pretty shabby and the price is no bargain. Sociologically the bar is interesting - business meetings all day with non-guests trying to impress, but in the evening it is empty.