Kostadinovi Kashti Complex — Hotel in Elena

Having checked out this establishment on its own web site, we were fairly sure that we would be happy to spend two nights here, so that was our plan. The price was good, the pictures looked nice and there was even a swimming pool (which however we did not use).||||So when we tried to reach the place in our hire car, we discovered that it is some way outside the centre of Elena, at the end of a very narrow and extrememly poorly maintained "road" which was actually more like a farm track in most places, full of deep holes and ruts, with the situation not being helped by the fact that drivers coming in the opposite direction seem to believe that there would be no other vehicles using the track at the same time. I know that's not the hotel's fault, but if you're driving there, hire a jeep, or be very careful.||||I guess by now we should be wise to this, but the web site pictures make the rooms look bright and welcoming. The reality is somewhat different. The web site doesn't show the cobwebs in the corners, nor the fact that the sheets on the beds don't quite cover the mattress, nor indeed the fact the the beds aren't fully made up on your arrival; you have to place a blanket inside a Bulgarian-style duvet cover yourself.||||The general atmosphere in our room was rather grey and dingy and nothing like we were expecting. As already mentioned, cleanliness was not up to scratch; inside the wardrobe the story was much the same. Although we had booked a double room, there were three beds in the room. It was a good thing we didn't have to use the third bed because it looked extremely well used and not all that clean.||||Also over the third bed, the electrical socket with mains voltage was hanging completely out of the wall. That could have been a shocking experience for someone with small children, or stumbling around in the dark.||||As for facilities in the room, you get an old and small TV set, a small fridge (not switched on at our arrival), and a bathroom which was fully functional, although in need of a thorough modernisation. The shower hangs over the bathtub and there is no shower curtain, so almost inevitably the floor gets quite wet.||||The hotel didn't even manage to get our booking correct. We had asked for a double bed and a shower without bathtub. When we mentioned this to the receptionist the following morning, she expressed (and rather curtly) surprise that we had been put in that room. There seems to be some lack of co-ordination here.||||During the day, the hotel plays rather loud music across the pool and dining areas. If this floats your boat, then that's great, but it seems to me a shame to disturb the peace and quiet of the area in this way.||||We had dinner at the hotel, and they offer a good selection of Bulgarian specialities and other items, although (typically for Bulgaria, it seems) not everything on the menu was available. Nevertheless my trout was excellent. The food in general is well prepared and nicely presented. Our waiter was also quite polite.||||Breakfast was a big disappointment. Although it was included in the price, it consisted of one piece of banitsa, and what the hotel staff call "juice," which was nothing of the sort, being in fact a sweet and sticky concoction with a vaguely fruity taste, which was probably out of a bottle and mixed with water there and then. There is no other choice for breakfast. Not even coffee is included.||||As mentioned, we were intending to stay two nights here, but we decided to leave after one night only. Fortunately the hotel didn't make any difficulty with this. NOTE: initially they will try to get you to pay a deposit by bank transfer. If you're doing this internationally, it's likely to cost more to make the transfer than the room actually costs for one night. However we called them in advance and they allowed us to make the reservation without a deposit.||||It's difficult to find anything really positive to say about our experience here, beyond dinner, and so we don't...

A marvellous place to stay at, regardless if after a long seaside vacation (as in our case) or just as a mountain SPA getaway.

The staff was super friendly, helpful and kind to us, it really warmed my heart. One rarely gets a such a service nowadays.

We (8 adults) stayed in the private villas - our villa had everything necessary from cooking, to dining, to comfort. We even managed to do some BBQ in the yard, too! Breakfast was not included, but we were provided with the paid options of banitza or mekitzi. Choosing both, we were not disappointed - they really had that homemade taste.

The SPA centre is not too big, but rather compensates for its size with the gorgeous hot jacuzzi indoors (there is a cold one outdoors), a Finnish sauna bath, a steam bath and a salt room. There are two outdoor pools (not warm).

Frankly, our only regret was not...

Давам обективна обратна връзка за плануващите да посетят мястото. Стаи- само гледката е пленяваща, НО стаите са базови, занемарени, стойката за душ счупена (5 лв ог китайския бе хора!!) фуги мръсни, завеса за баня няма (при къпане с душ в ръка цялата баня е мокра) закачалки в баня/стая никакви (2лв/бр. алоо!), закачалки в гардероб - 2 бр.,стойка за т.х. счупена, чаршафи с петна, матрак сравнително удобен, но базата на матрака е видимо на петна, с влизнето се усеща лека миризма на мухъл, пердета прогорени, простор на тераса наличен и счупен, дограма остаряла и духа, парното работеше 12 часа и следващите 32 ч се предполагаше да се топлим на климатик.. при запитване камериерката каза "да, днес не е пускано", по телефон бабката каза "има авария, нали има климатик"?? Да бе, ама авария нямаше, никой нищо не ремонтираше, щом и камериерката нищо не знаеше за авария??? Долнопробни селски лъжи да спестят за сметка на гостите и техния комфорт. Отношение - бабката на телефона за резервации е за дълбоко пенсиониране!!!, това е най-киселия и негативен човек, който съсипва още първото впечатление; за разлика - отношението в ресторанта е приятно и на ниво; Храна - вкусна, заслужава 5 от 6 точки; Чистота - спорна.. изглежда се чисти, но всичко е сериозно амортизирано и реве за ремонт; дори едната стена в ресторанта е пропита с влага и ронеща се; Спа - не се надявайте на нещо приятно, малък басейн тип джакузи, мега хлорирано, като влезеш в спа зоната очите ти се насълзяват, като в средата на водата имаше странна пяна тип химическа на голямо петно, и никой не даде нормално обяснение какво по д*лите е това? Не повторихме; Рецепция - не бих казала, че има такава. Сградите са 2 - ресторант с подобие на рецепция забутано в ъгъла и без постоянен човек, и втора сграда на 5-7 мин по улицата до основната част за настаняване, където освен камериерка през деня, друг персонал няма и ако искаш да питаш нещо.. ходи пеш до другата сграда (за студени месеци грам не е приятно). Финално - не бих повторила, не бих препоръчала. С този подход ще досъсипят всичко останало и фалират съвсем скоро. Цена/качество...