Trakia Plaza Hotel & Apartments

The hotel is widely recognized for its excellent pool area, which features slides and provides a refreshing escape for guests. This makes it an ideal destination for families seeking a fun-filled holiday, as well as couples looking for a relaxing getaway. The animation team consistently receives high praise for their energetic and engaging activities, ensuring entertainment for all ages. While some guests note that the hotel offers good value for its price, it is important to manage expectations, as the experience aligns with a budget-friendly option rather than a luxury stay. To make the most of your visit, guests recommend arriving early to secure sunbeds by the pool, as they are in high demand. Additionally, be aware that the hotel primarily caters to Eastern European tastes, which may influence dining options and the prevalence of a language barrier with some staff members.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel boasts a highly praised pool area that is considered a major highlight, featuring slides for both children and adults, contributing significantly to guest enjoyment. While the pool water can be cold, the overall cleanliness and design are appreciated. However, securing a sunbed can be challenging, as guests often reserve them early, sometimes even overnight, leading to a competitive atmosphere. The hotel also offers a PS4 for entertainment, which is a positive for families. On the other hand, feedback on other amenities is mixed; some rooms are equipped with a fridge and working air conditioning, but others lack these or have issues like unpleasant smells. The Wi-Fi network is frequently reported as unreliable, often not working after the first evening. Furthermore, the children's playhouse or kids' corner has been noted as being closed or non-operational during stays, and the lifts are prone to breaking down, causing long waits. Despite these issues, the gardens are described as beautiful and well-maintained.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guest feedback on cleanliness is generally positive, with many reviewers highlighting that rooms are spotless and kept very clean throughout their stay, sometimes even receiving daily cleaning. However, the overall room condition receives mixed reviews; while some find rooms spacious and well-maintained, others describe them as basic, outdated, or differing significantly from online representations. Specific issues mentioned include broken beds, leaking problems, and a lack of a shower curtain in bathrooms, leading to wet floors and requiring towels for mopping. Bed comfort is a notable concern, with several guests reporting uncomfortable and old mattresses that are either too hard or saggy. Noise levels can also impact comfort, as some guests experienced loud music extending past midnight and found that corridor noise and sounds from neighbors were easily audible within the rooms. Additionally, the frequency of linen changes and floor cleaning by housekeeping is a recurring negative point, with some guests needing to request these services.

Dining & Food Quality
The food quality at the hotel generally receives positive remarks, with many guests finding the meals tasty and varied, often praising the efforts of the chef. However, the food variety is a point of contention; while some appreciate the selection, others, particularly those with Western tastes or families with children, found the choices limited and repetitive, noting a strong catering towards Eastern European tastes. A significant recurring issue is the food temperature, with many dishes being served cold, though a microwave is available for reheating. Breakfast options are described as consistent but lacking variety. The snack bar receives mixed reviews, with some guests experiencing long waits for items and a serious concern raised about a case of food poisoning linked to a hot dog. The bar service and cocktails are generally well-regarded, with staff working hard to provide cold drinks, though some guests found the alcoholic options to be of lower quality. Coffee availability is also an issue, with machines often breaking down and hot coffee only available from 10 AM, and no tea or coffee making facilities in rooms. Furthermore, some guests noted that dishes in the restaurant were not always properly washed.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts a highly favorable central location, positioned just off a vibrant street filled with shops, bars, and restaurants, providing guests with immediate access to local amenities. Its proximity to the beach is a significant advantage, with the shoreline being a short walk of approximately 7-10 minutes away. This convenient access allows guests to easily enjoy the sea, which is noted for its cleanliness. Beyond the beach, an amusement park is also within a 15-minute walking distance, offering additional entertainment options. For those looking to explore further, a bus stop for routes to Nessebar is conveniently located about 200 meters from the hotel, with buses running every 15 minutes. While the hotel's immediate surroundings are lively, the area remains quiet in the evenings. The beach itself is divided into free and paid sections, and the free areas can become very crowded by mid-morning, suggesting early visits for a more relaxed experience.

Staff & Service
Feedback on staff and service is notably mixed, though the animation team consistently receives overwhelming praise for their energy, friendliness, and dedication to entertaining both children and adults with various activities, including foam parties and aqua aerobics. While many guests describe the general staff as pleasant, polite, and helpful, particularly in the restaurant and bar areas, there are significant concerns regarding the reception team. Numerous reviews highlight rude, unhelpful, and unprofessional behavior from reception staff, with some instances of extreme disrespect and a general lack of English language proficiency, which creates communication barriers. This language barrier is a recurring issue across various staff roles, impacting guest interactions. The check-in process is generally reported as fast. However, housekeeping receives criticism for inconsistent room cleaning, infrequent linen changes, and a need for guests to actively request services. The overall service quality is seen by some as a major drawback, detracting from the hotel's potential.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware that the hotel complex comprises three distinct buildings, including a main hotel, a three-star section, and an apartment house, with service levels varying between them, so it is advisable to confirm the specific building when booking. The hotel's atmosphere is largely influenced by its catering to Eastern European tastes, which extends to dining options and the prevalence of a language barrier with some staff. A notable issue is the sunbed reservation policy, where guests often place towels on sunbeds the night before, leading to a competitive environment and limited availability. While loud music is played by the pool during the day, a quiet period is observed between 11 PM and 10 AM, allowing for rest. The hotel also has a specific issue with smoking, as some guests smoke directly on sunbeds despite requests to use designated areas, and staff do not enforce this. For families, an amusement park is located within a 15-minute walk, offering evening entertainment.