Well we just got back from a one week stay in Albena, Bulgaria where we stayed at the Dobrodja Hotel. The hotel is rated on tripadvisor as a 4 star hotel and ranked number two by its members. Unfortunately, this is far from the truth. I live in the US and I understand that the rating system in Europe is different than ours, but I have stayed at many hotels throughout Europe that have been rated 3 and 4 star and they do not compare to this hotel. The hotel is in need of a major renovation in its rooms, hallways, outside facade and pool area. You need to be sure to specify that you would like an air conditioned room, otherwise you will not get one. The rooms are decent in size, but needed new furniture, linens, carpet, drapes and paint job. We were disgusted to put anything on the floor because it felt so dirty. The pool was in itself nice, but the pool deck area, the lounge chairs, and tables were dirty and the deck had debris that may not have been swept all year. The area around the pool deck is overgrown with shrubbery and plants, getting in the way of sun bathers. This should be maintained everyday.The pool area compared to other hotels that were rated 4 stars has absolutely no life. We went one day to Flamingo Hotel pool area and there was activity everywhere. A waitress walked around and brought you food and drinks when ordered and there was music and it was fun to be there. In our plan we had breakfast and dinner included. Well everyday it was the same thing for breakfast. The juice was from concentrate, the coffee was horrible, the fruit was brown and the bread was hard. The dinner menu varied but the food was awful. We basically ate bread and butter and potatoes. For a 4 star hotel the cook was not very good. We left every night disappointed, especially my son who did not have much of variety to choose from. Drinks at dinner were not included such as sodas, coffee or water. I understand that you have to pay for alcholic beverages, but the other drinks, what a joke.Albena overall is a quiet, family oriented resort. If you want to use the sun chairs, umbrellas on the beach be prepared to pay. There is not much to do or see in Albena or the surrounding area. One week in this place is too much. I have traveled many places and this is one place that I would not go back to. I am disappointed in the overall image that the hotel and Albena portrays, it is very deceiving. I am telling this so that no one goes there under the wrong impression, and if you want ot know more, please write.

We recently went to Albena for two weeks.
We had originally booked the Drouzbha Hotel, but received a phone call from the travel agents advising us the hotel was not open and we could stay at the Dobrudja Hotel instead.
On entering the hotel, we were met with a foyer which is extremely spacious and opulant, with large leather sofa's.
A porter was waiting to take our luggage.
The reception staff were very polite and explained everything we needed to know about the hotel.
The room we were allocated, had a balcony, twin beds, tv, mini bar, bathroom with bath and shower sink unit and toilet.
The room was nearly one third bigger than any we had stayed in before in Albena, The only down side to it was that it needed upgrading, the decor was a little jaded. However as we only used the room to sleep and wash in, this wasn't a problem. We had clean towels every day and the room was cleaned everyday.
The dining room is large and clean with a good selection of food to suit everyone. The staff in the dining room were all very pleasant.
There are a variety of shops located in and around the hotel, and the bar inside the hotel, was no more expensive than bars outside, in fact it was cheaper than some of the other bars in the resort.
We didn't go to the night club inside the hotel, so I can't comment on it.
We did go to the Panorama restuarant/bar on the 17th floor. The music was good and the food was excellent. Once again the staff were really nice and pleasant.
There are 6 lifts in the hotel and although we were on the 11th floor we never waited any longer than 20 seconds for a lift.
There is a pool at the side of the hotel with loungers and umbrellas, free of charge.
The hotel is located a short walk from the beach, and the resort centre is only a hundred yards away, yet you can barely hear any noise from it.
As we go to Bulgaria quiet a lot, we have several friends there. And one day the front desk manager Villiana Velikova (photo enclosed) even offered to lend me her car to visit some friends in the next village. (how many people would do that for a total stranger). She is a very nice person and speaks excellent English, as do a lot of the staff at this hotel.
We enjoyed our stay at the Dobrudja hotel and extend our thanks to the staff who made it all the more enjoyable with their enthusiasm to please.