Неплохой семейный отель на 3 звезды Good 3 star family hotel

We went to rest abroad for the first time, and chose Bulgaria as the safest country for a holiday in 2016. We purchased a tour to the hotel Gradina in Golden Sands. The Family room was taken, we were 2 adults and two children 15 and 7 years old, the location of the hotel away from the center of nightlife suited us, since we were supposed to sleep at night. Meals were taken 3 times a day, and they did the right thing, although later it seemed a bit monotonous, but the chef cooked deliciously, the dishes were both national and closer to the Russian standard (of course there were no dumplings : )). Once a day there were fruits, but not very ripe, they bought fruits on the beach along the way, they were ripe and juicy. At the end of the holiday, many compatriots appeared at the hotel and the cook did not have time to cook, the juices began to be diluted with water, but we watched this only one day and then left. A couple of times we went to cafes, both national and to a seafood restaurant, but having paid from 40 to 60 lev for dinner, the four of us did not eat at all. It didn’t bother me to the beach for about 10 minutes at a calm pace, on the beach itself we went to the free zone near the Riviera hotel, there was enough space and the lazier ones didn’t get there. You can take a beach mat from Auchan for 100 rubles and buy a folding umbrella there from 10-15 levs, this will significantly save money on renting a sun lounger and an umbrella. In the hotel itself, WI-FI is everywhere, the currency exchanger is right at the hotel, the rate is 1.90 to the euro, if you want it higher, then in Varna or at the Admiral Hotel, but with a passport. . . Elevator in Gradina from the 4th floor to reach it by 3-4 flights of stairs, who has a problem with their knees will be problematic. The staff is friendly Russian-speaking, rooms are cleaned every day, but towels are changed every 3 days. We asked to change for 2 days, we were met. We left a tip of 2 leva to the maid, after 2 days they changed them again. At the bar, drinks were free from 12.30 to 20.30, we took all inclusive. They didn’t drink wine of an incomprehensible quality, I sometimes took beer for dinner, something local light of medium quality, I bought bottled wine a couple of times in stores - I didn’t feel the difference with the bar. If you want to try wine or something stronger, you better buy it in a supermarket, there is a large selection. There is no drinking water in the hotel, someone drank from the tap, but this did not suit us, every 2 days I took a bottle of 10 liters from the store for 3 leva and carried it to the room. At the reception there is a safe 20 lev for 7 days, hair dryer, iron. The pool at the hotel is the smallest of what we have seen in Golden Sands, when the sea was not calm, the children sunbathed there. There is a gym with a couple of cardio machines and table tennis. Having handed over the key once and having come to the hotel in the evening from the beach, they didn’t find it for us, they said that we took it, they gave us a duplicate. We decided that in the morning the manager would watch the video and look into the situation. At night, they barricaded the door with a chair and put an iron urn under the door handle, and suddenly they gave the key to someone. . . , the next morning the key was found at the reception. We went on one excursion to the botanical garden near Balchik and the cape. Kaliakra, bought a tour on the way to the beach 45 lev per person. . . One day the sea was restless, we went to the nearest water park Aquapolis, the prices are certainly not cheap for a small and the oldest park in Bulgaria, but we decided to arrange a small holiday for the children. If you want to save money, it's better to go after 16.00, unless of course you have enough 3 hours before closing (the ticket price decreases from 33 lev to 24 lev). One day we went to Varna by bus 409, to go shopping, and Navitel installed on a smartphone came in handy here. A ticket costs 3 leva, a taxi 5 leva per person. In general, the vacation was a success, despite minor domestic problems, and paid services at every turn.