Despite Bradt suggesting the Palas Hotel in Kazanlak was a little dated, it was probably one of the better places we stayed in during our tour of Bulgaria.
Arriving at 11.30am, we were pleasantly surprised when the receptionist who spoke good English told us our room, 203 on the second floor, was ready.
Our spacious room had two queen-size beds pushed together with a single sheet on top and two pillows with additional ones in the cupboard. The bedside cabinets had lights, but no charging points although there were plenty in the room. There were two cream leather comfortable chairs and an occasional table, a dressing table and stool, wardrobe, and TV. The mini bar was stocked with water, snacks and alcoholic drinks, and there was the luxury of a Nespresso coffee machine with two pods and a kettle. WiFi was good, the AC wasn’t needed, and room service was available.
The good-sized bathroom had the usual facilities as well as a bidet, complimentary toiletries, a good hairdryer mirror combination, a shaving mirror and plenty of towel hooks. The shower was over the bath, which was deep with sloping sides, so getting in an out was difficult and a helping, steadying hand was required. In addition, the short screen meant water sprayed onto the floor, and the hot water dipped randomly in and out. There was also the irritating sound of constantly running water somewhere under the sink.
Dinner was included in our package and served in the garden restaurant which had both indoor and outdoor seating, separated by doors and windows, which were firmly closed as it was a rainy night. On arrival, there was only one other couple who obviously knew all the staff, and who smoked and vaped constantly throughout the meal, with the waitress at one point pulling up a chair at their table and vaping with them. When at the end of the meal, I asked the waiter about Bulgaria’s smoking policy, I was told it was a garden restaurant!
From the extensive wine list, I chose a bottle of rosé, excellent value at 25 Lev or £10.90, as Kazanlak is the centre for Bulgaria’s rose oil production process. We were presented with small bottles of water and a starter of a Caprese salad – sliced tomatoes alternating with mozzarella, and topped with pesto and pine nuts. It was simple and tasty, but large and normally we would have shared. It came with four slices of a rather incongruous white loaf which we avoided. There was then a pleasant gap until the main course arrived: a deliciously seasoned pork loin sliced into four on the diagonal, sat on mashed potato with a light mushroom jus. We were then served what we thought was ice-cream but was said to be a special yoghurt with candied green figs (the room service menu included a dessert of strained yoghurt with green fig jam). The wine was kept chilled in an ice bucket and husbanded well, so it lasted throughout the meal.
Breakfast (available from 7.30am to 9.30am) was served in the main restaurant, a rather grand, but old-fashioned place with lots of bric-a-brac. There was a good buffet beginning with two types of juice, yoghurt, cereals and fruit. The hot dishes were difficult to see as it was a little dark and gloomy, but there were fried and scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, and what appeared to be several types of grilled vegetables. We stuck with items from the cold selection of meats, cheeses, hummus, red pepper dip, garlic dip, olives, tomatoes and cucumber. The only disappointment was the sliced bread. There was also a good selection of small cakes and biscuits which were ideal with excellent coffee from a machine.
This was a pleasant one-night stay, but Bradt are right, and the bathrooms particularly need modernising.
