This home is lovely, spacious, calm, clean and you feel incredibly welcome and relaxed when staying here. The breakfast is simply the best i had in all bulgaria, and cathy and nick, the owners, were like a second family for some days. They give you all you could need and more, and you might end up having some really interesting conversation at night sitting around an homemade raki, who knows... So definitly go there, even if it is just for staying at this place, it is worth it. Thanks guys.

Phoenix hostel was one of the best parts of my trip around Bulgaria! The lovely managers, Cathy and Nick, had so much knowledge about the city, restaurants, and gave me great advice on where to hike in Veliko Turnovo. It feels so comfortable and home-like, with free internet and a social area, as well as being clean and welcoming. I recommend it to anyone, especially those who love a good breakfast! :) So much fun.

Ian and Kathy run a lovely place, very clean,quiet, hot showers, good sized rooms, laid back atmosphere and inexpensive too. I was made to feel like one of the family from the moment I knocked at their door, both were very knowledgeable of the local town, buses and trains times etc. The hostel is central to both the old citadel and the newer part of town with banks and shops close by.

Above all, the service offered at Phoenix Hostel is the best I've encountered yet. The owners were very friendly and gave us information on just about anything - nearby sights of interest, the history of the city, day trips, hiking trails in the area, information on public transportation, restaurants etc., and this information was more detailed and accurate than what you will find in any guide book.

The hospitable and friendly atmosphere of the place also made it very natural and easy for us to talk to the other travelers who were staying there. The rooms (twins / dorms) are cozy, comfortable and very clean, which applies to the hostel generally (the bathrooms and kitchen were refreshingly clean and well-functioning). Breakfast is included in the price and better than what is usually offered in other hostels. The prices are pretty much the same as for other hostels in Bulgaria, a bit surprising given the high quality of the rooms and service.

All in all, Phoenix Hostel is simply one of the very best hostels I've ever been to. Should I ever decide to go to Bulgaria a second time, I will no doubt stay there again.

The only downside I can think of with this hostel was the dog from across the street. It woke us up once in the middle of the night, barking wildly for no apparent purpose. This of course can't be blamed on the hostel or the owners, and I don't think it is a general problem.

About the city - Veliko Tarnovo is perhaps the most historically interesting and definitely a very beautifully located city in Bulgaria. You can find Phoenix Hostel in the old town, which is a nice place with narrow, cobbled streets, museums and even original craftsmen's shops among the usual tourist shops. If you go there, the ruins of the Tsarevets citadel is a must-see.