I’ve been staying at the hotel few times already. Last year I noticed the hotel grounds were not very well maintained but this year the hotel was visibly getting old, poorly kept and outdated. The grounds were dirty, the swimming pools were not clean, the gym is unsafe for children and people just let them play inside unsupervised. The hotel hallways were dirty and smell bad and you could smell cigarettes everywhere. The staff is not helpful and try to do very little of their job, at the business check in time they had one staff member and the counter and long waiting line. The 2 elevators were rarely working and so small to fit more than 4 people. Huge disappointment overall

The place was clean and the service was great.

This is not a 5 star property, the food is below average, 1 restaurant really, self serving, rude staff, no support from reception, broken chair on the balcony not replaced, rain shower not working, probably ok for families with kids…who eat anything …very noisy, Definitely not for someone who Wants a true 5 star experience

It is recommended to read

The hotel is nice, I wouldn't rate it higher. The building itself is quite old-fashioned, but there are lots of facilities (pools, slides, rope park, etc.). The rooms are large, but not the cleanest, during the stay (about a week) only toilet paper towels were changed, no cleaning was done and the rooms look accordingly. There is a variety of food in the dining room and throughout the hotel, but not the most delicious and not of a high standard. A strange part is that both the slides and the rope park work at very limited hours/days (why not all day?? Probably in the busiest and most attractive month of the year) and for no particular reason. This creates long queues. I'll conclude with this, at check-out I waited close to fifteen minutes not because the hotel staff insisted on asking me how the experience was but to make sure I didn't take something from the mini bar. That says it all.

I suggest it

everything was good instead room servis and the hotel was All & until 12

Great hotel, staff is very friendly and helpful. Food was good, room cleaning was okay (could be better), food is great but a bit overcrowded. Overall great experience.

Nice hotel. The food was not good. Gym is awful never saw such old machines. Landscape is nice,

Reception staff not nice at check in and check out

Fabulous for families and couples

We had an incredible time, the most pleasing part for us was the food and even more surprisingly superb team of entertainers, they are all amazing, have way too much energy, in a good way and made every effort to make each programme offered an incredible one to remember. All facilities are as amazing as advertized on the website.

Awesome

Beautiful Bulgaria.... who knew? One of our best vacations ever! Melia Grand is just that..Grand! we upgraded to level guest, well worth it. There is nothing negative I can say about the hotel or staff, all were wonderful! Will definitely use Melia in the future.

it was great experience the hotel offers a lot good amenities food and entertainment. It has a great kids program. As an american you have to get used to the European way of things from the room to the food. There were number of guests from Germany, Poland, England, and the Middle east. Everyone was super friendly tom each other. As an american you have to be open minded to the differences. The beach was nice and very clean. Prices for the shops and food were very cheap. I felt very safe and relaxed everywhere I went. The hotel staff was very informative about where to go and not to in Varna etc. The experience was a like a cruise ship without the ship. Me and wife really enjoyed our stay and would go back again. I would recommend this hotel to my friends looking for this kind of experience.

Very nice hotel close to beach

Great time ,good atmosphere,friendly staff ,one of the best hotel where I ever been

Perfect hotel for relaxing holidays with family

Perfect hotel for relaxing holidays with family. All inclusive was good with great variety of products. Pleasant swimming pool with easy access to black sea. Restaurants and supermarkets close to the hotel.

another great stay at Melia

This is the 4th year we are staying at Melia Grand Hermitage, Golden Sands, this time we had the Level program with only breakfast. A lot of improvments made since last year, 1 more pool, 1 submarine pool for children, new waterslides, some new climbing area in the park of the hotel. Rooms cleanliness and the other ammenities remains the same. Food the same, not great but ok, that is why we choosed only breakfasts as there is plenty of great tavernas and restaurants around.

Nice hotel, friendly staff

The rooms were very nice and clean, staff very friendly and patient. Close to the beach and restaurants. Very green and quiet area. The only disadvantage was the overcrowded pool and the type of gang staying at the hotel - always complaining and trying to get free stuff. I'd come back.

Staff was rude. Don' t think they know anything about service. Hotel was remote and not really convenient to anything. Had rental car for one day but unable to exit garage because hotel was afraid we must be skipping on the bill then room keys didn't work. Clerk at check in wanted to keep our passports overnight. Buffet breakfast was lacking appeal and was taken up before anyone could finish eating.

The Hotel itself was great. It would be amazing for families going on a trip to Golden Sands. It was probably one of the best hotels if not the best hotel on the strip. However, that being said, it was definitely more family oriented than for single guys.

Good location and faciities

It is a hige hotel, with great location in golden sands and have lots of facilities but don't ever use the private clinic inside, very costly and staff are not coorperative.

Going there for holidays every year since 2011 and never regret :)

Unexpectedly good

We were really happy with everything. We had a amazing time.

Great Resort

Wonderful resort, lots of amenities and things to do both at hotel and nearby. Would not recommend The Level as there were plenty of common areas to share and lots of space. Breakfast was only ok for a 5-star resort, not as much variety as would be expected. Off the main strip or Golden Sands but great location nonetheless as it is only a short walk down.

The Level package it is not worth the money.

The level it is same food, same everything different restaurant, it is not worth the money, you will spend your money better eating out or opt for normal all inclusive, it is designed to extract the money from those people who have extra. Better to spend the money for treatments rather than paying to just eat in a different Restsurant. Don't be fooled by the level package it is a fraud.

Solid choice, all-inclusive unnecessary

We booked a "bed & breakfast" stay (not all-inclusive). Breakfast was underwhelming for a 5-star hotel. From what we saw, we would not recommend paying for all-inclusive or opt into any of the "Level" packages. There are many good restaurant options nearby. The front desk staff were not to the standard you would expect from a 5-star hotel (somewhat rude and cold). Although a short walk to the beach, sun beds and mattresses are at an extra charge (8lev for bed and 3lev for mattresses as at June 2015). Rooms were spacious and well-appointed.

hard to find any issues except for pillows and be sure to collect your passport in the morning as they do not remind you and several guests left without passports at front desk

Definitely over-rated at 5 stars

Typical all-inclusive hotel. 4 starts will be more appropriate. If you have not chosen the "Level" surcharge (this seems to be a Melia internal sub-brand for higher quality of service), then the experience can be really disappointing. E.g. - even the minibar in this 5-star hotel is empty, if you are not a Level guest. The prices of accommodation and all facilities, foods and drinks are quite expensive, whereas the experience is not on the same level. It can be quite uncofortable to be this hotel's guest, if you have not chosen the all-inclusive package (as in our case). Expedia should think how to present the "Level" room rates, so that it is clear the difference between the quality of stay, if you haven't use them.

Wonderful hotel with great services.

I was very impressed with Melia Grand Hermitage. The hotel offers very good conditions, the rooms are spacios and clean, woderful beds, and big bathrooms. Breakfast was very good and i recommend Level upgrade for the peopole who wanna spend a bit more money for a more luxurios holiday. This hotel has made our stay more enjoyable so it is highly recommneded. All my family loved it!

Spacious room and bathroom. Great amenities.

The hotel is huge, and the lobby sometimes felt like a train station, however, the room was comfortable with all the comforts of a resort hotel. It is close to the beach and the board walk. Great for families with children. It has indoor and outdoor pool. The buffet breakfast is included but not superb. We also had dinner at the hotel; The food was OK. We enjoyed the entertainment provided at night at the outdoor cafe.

Very satisfied

The hotel and grounds were wonderful and very well maintained. Our room had a great view, things felt nice and luxurious. My wife greatly enjoyed the spa as well.

Very good for a "Night out"

Very close to the beach (but not children friendly). Service at the beach including massage. Not so easy to get drinks at the outdoor hotel bar during "rush hour" - unless you want to wait forever (we went to the kiosk instead even though we had "all inclusive"). The hotel is located close to the main ("party road") with pubs, coctails places and resturants as far as you can see. I havent been to Sunny Beach, but I guess this could be the adult version of Sunny Beach.

Nice hotel to stay at Golden Sands

The hotels quality in terms of service and products still lack in Bulgaria. One of the main reason the guests profiles who are in general are mid class and less spending east european country citizens. This effects in a negative way the whole tourism industry eventhough the country has beautiful nature and so much to offer. Lets come back to the hotel review, breakfast food and beverage quality is not up to expectations, it was much better when it was Kempinski. At least coffee and tea should be served by the waiters. The waiters only job is to clean up the table. The hotel has over 700 rooms and when it is high season June, July and August, families with kids with all inclusive package stay were so many in the hotel and that effects the overall quality. The swimming pool were very busy and you should pay for umbrella and day bed at the beach, it does not belong to the hotel nor any privillege or any discount or free usage for the hotel guest. Most of the guest leave their towels on the day beds at the pool area during their stay and reserve by themselves not a good practice. The towels should be given to the spa reception desk at the end of the day. Wi-fi is free at the lobby area. The rooms are large and comfortable with balcony and in good condition. The staff in general is okey housekeping staff always smiles. Big plus.

good for a long weekend

good location with good staffs but due to the lake of experience the services are not 100% guaranteed & is not in line with a 5 stars hotel at all.the knowledge level of staffs is low & can't solve the problem even they are very kind. tight control make you uncomfortable.

Acceptable for families and groups.

The hotel is somehow quiet compared to other hotels. The food is not good. The location is ok but not the best.

THE place to stay in Golden Sands

The hotel looks amazing from the outside, both from the beach side or the street side. The front desk was amazingly helpful with any problem that we had (only one... a mix up with the beds). It was fixed very quickly. The laundry service at the hotel was fantastic although they charge you for it but when you go out you get used to paying for the bathroom so no worries. The area by the pool and the pool its self was clean. If you get tired of that the beach is less than a five minute walk. Next time I go to Golden Sands the Melia will be the only place I stay.

Good hotel, but not for the beach lovers

This is a very good hotel, with good services and food, but too big for our taste. Moreover, it is not on the beach, they do not have their beach at all, you should walk 5 minutes and pay every day for umbrella, if you would like to have one.

Generally Not bad

Nice but not amazing. The bad thing is that you might be surprised with new policies that are not mentioned during the booking!

Peace and quiet

I enjoyed my stay at this hotel. The surroundings are so beatifull and quiet, the sea on one side and trees on the other side. The staff service was outstanding.

Experience at the Melia Golden Sands

When we arrived at the hotel, we were told that there was no parking there or at any of the hotels in the area. They just shrugged their shoulders and we had to find parking somewhere else. We found a place but it was unclear if it was a valid parking spot and the spider tow trucks are very active. We left the car there overnight and were able to get a parking place in the garage the next day. It was a lot of ordeal for a few days stay. The food was included and was very limited "airline" quality of food. The room was fine but things were broken (the chair and the safe). The hotel looks like a resort, but is far from being a resort, especially a Melia (I've stayed at another Melia property). The staff was not all that friendly or helpful either.

First Class Hotel and First Class Staff

It was my wife's Birthday during our stay, and from the moment we arrived to when we left the staff were excellent, nothing was too much effort for them. We were so pleased with everything that we have booked to stay again next month.

Hotel review

Beautiful hotel, very close to the beach and nice restaurants. Definitely recommend to visit a Boat restaurant on the beach. The breaksfast was OK but nothing special; but according to our friends who had all inclusive, they loved the variety at lunch and dinner. We didn't buy all inclusive as there plenty restaurants around the area.

Sol Melia In Golden Sands

great location, safe, very good food, great beach, service good-above all the best place to spend a holiday with small children

A truly Grand hotel.

Golden Sands is Bulgaria Del Brava. The coast is a long stretch of ugly modern hotels but in the midst of this is the oasis of the splendid Melia Grand Hermitage. For sun and luxury it is difficult to improve on the Melia at Golden Sands. The hotel is set back from the beach with spectacular views over the Black Sea. The route to the beach is a grand flight of steps - if you want to drag yourself away from the hotel's giant swimming pool.

Grand Hermitage Varna more 4 star hotel

No luxury. Simple decoration. Very nice beach and on a pedestrian street on the beach full of restaurants, shops. Nice pool. Good location but you can´t see the beach because of the trees. Big rooms. Buffet is massive. Many people eating at the same time and no too much variety of meals at one time. But is good deal for your money. Very far form Varna town (18 km). There is public bus. Beach is on site. All inclusive hotel.

perfect hotel

the room was clean,big,comfortable as you can see at the phothos .and located perfectly very close to the beach. the swimmingpool was big and clean. activities for children a great massage that we order at the hotel good breakfast i recommand this hotel !!

Good first impression

Very nice hotel good location. The quality of the food in the all inclusive package was extremely high

Not Impressed

The Hotel is rated as 5 star, but doesn't compare to some of the 5 stars I've stayed in. The scale of the place makes it impossible to give a 5 star offering. Breakfast was a battle with 1500 people at a time and the food was unimaginative. The outside pool didn't seem to be heated. Overall it would do well as a 3 star from my perspective.

Great Hotel

This was a great hotel. The price was excellent. I highly recommend this hotel to anyone.

Das Hotel ist etwas in die Jahre gekommen (z.B. der Bad ist sauber aber die Alu-Rahmen der Duschkabine sind korrodiert), ist aber sorgfältig gepflegt und das Personal ist sehr freundlich und hilfsbereit. Insgesamt würde ich es auf 4,5 von 5 Sterne bewerten.

Hotel bello con tutti i servizi, spiaggia privata

Super séjour, nourriture variée et très bonne, établissement propre et activités variées. Chambres très propre, spacieuse, confortable.

Hotel muy viejo, sucio, camas muy incomodas, demasiada gente y es casi imposible accesar al buffet, comida y bebida de mala calidad. El personal necesita ser bilingüe.