Riu Palace Sunny Beach

We visited this hotel when it had been open for a month. We picked it because it was 5 star adults only. We had requested a room on a higher level but rejected the room offered on the first floor as our poolside sea view was completely obliterated with a view of the reception roof. All sorted well by the receptionist on duty. Our room was good size, comfortable and with a good bathroom. It was kept spotless during our stay. There were a number of pools that we chose to avoid as they were all cold so we chose to only use the jacuzzi (along with everyone else!) Plenty of sun beds but extremely poor quality, they looked like they had been bought as a job lot from Wilkinsons. They were uncomfortable and we saw a number broke during our stay. Certainly not 5 star beds. The pool bar was so badly placed that you were only able to visit it from one side (or be able to walk on water!) Drinks from the PoolTerrace and was hit and miss with no poolside service at all . Drinks machines invariably not functioning. If you wanted a drink you had to visit the bar in Reception. Very pleasant staff at the main bar. Food choice and quality was poor (for a so called five star hotel) Lunch was a disaster in the a Steakhouse restaurant(I ate pizzas for a fortnight). Absolutely no chef enthusiasm whatsoever. Crystal Restaurant superb (we visited twice) but no real variety but the Mediterranean Restaurant was a disgrace. A long walk and shared with children (albeit in a different area with more uncomfortable seating) All in all we felt that the restaurant staff lacked either enthusiasm or get up and go. We were told indirectly that they apparently were frighted of the clients. This should not have been the case as even during the worst of service from them we made no comment (although chose not to tip). 24 catering was also hit and miss especially during the day . However the “Lounge” was excellent after dinner service at night.. We spoke at length with Valia pointing out our likes and dislikes. We appreciated that it was a new hotel with teething problems and there needed to be a bedding in process. We did feel that service and food improved vastly when he was onsite, staff seemed on the ball but it went straight back when he left. My final moan was the fact that whenever we wanted to sit outside we were drowned in fag smoke. It’s just not fair that al fresco means you have to sit with these selfish people. The hotel needed to recognise that and provide outside no smoking areas. We actually get ill when we are around people smoking and I feel sure we are not the only ones. Final thoughts. Too close to Sunny Beach (a dreadful place) and definitely not five star even though that’s what we paid for. We will not be revisiting.

Hi I booked this hotel has my wife and I were celebrating our 51 st wedding anniversary my sister alaways goes Thompson gold so I thought go platuim it a special holiday . Hotel is very nice rooms are huge and kept very clean like most of public areas bars device very good evening entertainment well it’s not bad have seen a lot better plenty of sun beds but not as good quality as you would expect now the main problem the food not 5 star more like good 2 star breakfast you had 1 station were you could get a hot plate bacon was some times not to standard sausage looked at but wasn’t sure eggs I always went for well cooked I can’t eat snotty eggs sorry .ceral I looked but not for me thanks fresh fruit bowl good a lot of thing were recycle from the nite before .now lunch time nearly every day the same cold plates cold food and soups were good and then the next day like warm water no cooked meats for salads sweets very poor 5 star choice I even spoke to Rui rep like she didn’t see what was wrong but like I said to her have you ever been to Spain a 3 star she said no I said u need to it’s not has good evening meals cold plates soups good some days food always same Meets on carvery a review said they had beef well perhaps that was the ribs .i am not a fussy eater and found it difficult my wife is she was wasn’t week after second day she lived on toast chips poor sweet and had to go to doctor on back at home . We met some very nice people thank god .but the man that insulted my wife I never wish to met him again I don’t we will go to bulgaria again

So, this is a relatively new hotel open for about 4 months. I booked this before it was finished so there were no reviews to read at the time. Having read the other reviews that people have posted since then, I find they are quite accurate, (except the one who ‘RANTS’ about the smoking. Seek help woman!). It’s obvious that they take note of the reviews as a lot of changes have been made in relation to them. I did not have any under cooked food whilst I was there, so they addressed that, unfortunately to the extreme. There are also non-smoking tables which they apparently put in the day after ‘n*tter’ above complained. So, here’s my list Room ***** Nearly more like a suite & cleaned every day. Sheets changed once. Small mini bar, basic stock, no spirits but cold. A mini bar that works! Cleanliness ***** Not a spec to be seen Friendliness **** There was some stand offishness, but this could be language related Service ***1/2 There is a lot & I mean a lot of inexperience here the staff are young & untrained. This doesn’t stop them from being nice, but service can be sloppy in the restaurant & slow in the bar Entertainment ** Food ** Alas, this is the one place it all falls apart. I’d give it 1 star for food, but the salads were lovely. Breakfast: This was the best meal of the day, especially if you want bacon. It was nice & flavour some. There was a good selection of eggs too which were cooked nicely. Sausages, a couple of types but frankfurters (to be expected). Pancakes were also on offer however you would need to get down early for those. There was a good selection of bread, & the sliced pan tasted the same as home, unlike the bread you get in Spain for example which always has a sweet flavour. Butter is unsalted. Lunch/dinner: These were pretty much the same thing. You will probably read some other reviews regarding the amount of ‘pork’ that’s provided & it’s an accurate review. This must be the pig capital of Europe for the amount of pork that was served. Nothing I had was undercooked, it was overcooked. There was a lot of chicken on here too, but to be honest, it tasted like turkey. Salads aside, nothing tasted like it should. There were no theme nights for food, it was the same every night. There was fish on the left (I didn’t eat it however a vegetarian who joined us said she could have beaten it off the floor.) Straight ahead there was pizza, but it looked like it had been sitting there for ages. In fairness, I didn’t taste it, it just looked so dry. Next along you would find burgers. Tried these. How can I explain these? They were obviously ‘meat’ but pink on the inside. Not undercooked! These were cooked solid but PINK! Like beetroot had been poured in. I’ve never had meet like this in my life. Tasted crap btw. Off to the right there was the roast of the day. Go on, have a guess what the roast was. If you guessed PORK or TURKEY (sorry I mean chicken) give yourself a prize. There were some other dishes being cooked along this side & these did vary somewhat, grilled pork chops, chicken…. bits. Sometimes they had these meats/fish in some sort of sauce. These I did try, and we’re back to 1 star. Along here you would also find the veg of the day. This was usually ok. Veg is veg, except for potatoes. The mash potato was gloopy slop. I kid you not. The flavour wasn’t too bad but you sure won’t be eating it with your eyes. Don’t remember seeing roast, boiled or baked, just the gloop. Didn’t try the soup but it looked ok. Desserts: you could see where they put different things on each day, but it didn’t matter what colour the cakes were, they all tasted the same. So, I’m going to give you a food tip. Don’t get excited, it’s a small tip. Next door there is a sister hotel which you can use. This hotel pretty much serves the same type of food, but the quality is better. The pizzas are great mostly due to the fact that this is a family hotel & kids like pizza. The burgers are a different meat & actually taste like burgers. I had chicken here & it tasted like chicken. All in all, it’s the better place to eat. Al a carte Restaurants: Not sure where to start with this one! Ok. So, to avail of these restaurants, you need to book a seat in them between 8am & 10am. Good luck with that. We were the end of the season & all he kept telling me is that they were all full. I managed to get a booking for the 4th 5th & 6th day. The reason they’re always full apparently, is that they will only serve up to 16 people. I’d hate to try to book one mid-season. Mediterranean restaurant: Don’t bother going here. Please save yourself the hassle. This is nice & outdoorsy (if you don’t mind the cats wandering around & jumping on the tables for the uneaten food, that people have left on the table after walking out & the staff haven't bothered to clear, or the seagulls flying in to help themselves) however the food is EXACTLY the same as what is being served in the main restaurant other than they actually serve you the main to your table. For the rest of it, you still get up & go to the buffet. So why bother. The Steak restaurant: I ate here twice (it was the only one available when I booked). The first night it was ok. Set menu of either Ribs/steak/½ chicken/surf n turf. There was a starter but it contained fish/seafood, so we didn’t bother with that. I opted for Ribs, as at this stage the carnivore in me was starting to have a melt down from withdrawal & I wanted to tear something apart. My partner opted for the steak. She thought it was ok, but small & she preferred my ribs. Dessert was struddle with ice-cream which was nice. The only let down here was the rest of the dinner. The ribs were good but came dressed with 1 (yes 1) piece of asparagus, ½ a tomato (seriously! what’s that about? That went back on everyone’s plate.) a mushroom & ½ a small potato. I asked for fries but was told no. Was going to go upstairs & get them myself but my partner got a little embarrassed about that so wouldn’t let me. Got up & got myself my own wine though. Two people serving 16 covers & I couldn’t get a drink??? Dinner was also served with a bread roll which was fab the first night but inedible the second. (different type of bread) the second night we just felt the food had been sitting there, or perhaps we were so starved for a good meal the first night we didn’t notice how average it was. I can’t attest to the other restaurants, however as I stated earlier, you can use the facilities I.E. restaurants, in the sister hotel. They have a fusion one over there which I heard was ok. Once again you still have to book it between 8 and 10am. People have a point about the sunbeds & that bar that catches you across your back. The 24 hr bar is for people who are suffering that 'kebab' moment. You know, when you're so drunk you'll eat anything. Pools were FREEZING even indoor pool & life guard was asleep on the sunlounger It feels like I’m starting to nit-pick now & this review is long enough, so I’ll stop but you’ll understand what I mean if you go here. In conclusion, I know you’re paying all inclusive, but the buses are cheap & there are some really good restaurants in town. The food & possibly the entertainment is the only thing that has let this down for us. The hotel itself is fab, with one exception. Manager please note: You can’t get Irish Whiskey at the bar. All scotch. Surely you could put in a bottle of Jameson!