Kempinski Hermitage Hotel

5 readers found this review helpful

My boyfriend and I just returned from a 7 night stay at the Grand Hermitage.
We arrived on a First Choice flight before midnight and were transferred to our hotel, a 40 min coach drive from Varna airport. The hotel looks amazing at night time so when we stepped out of the coach, took our bags to Reception, everything just seemed effortless.
We were given our key cards, took our bags up to the room, and ran around playing with the lights and television. We couldn't believe the space we had, the size of the bathroom. It was very luxurious and I couldn't believe what value for money we were getting.
Our room was a sea view deluxe and we had a view overlooking the pool and Black Sea. Our room was well presented and every day, our cleaner came whilst we were down at the pool and left it immaculate. I would have liked to have tipped the cleaner but we never seen her.
The next morning, we went down to the hermitage restaurant to the buffet breakfast. They had a lovely spread and you could choose to sit inside the restaurant, or outside facing the pool. The tables were made up lovely and we had some very sweet waitresses.
There are a lot of people so the turnaround for making up tables and ensuring you have hot tea and coffee was very efficient. We never had to wait anymore than 5 minutes for service but we were also very patient and knew they would come by when they could.
The poolside has a Sunshine Cafe/Bar that serves you from 9am till very late. They do nice milkshakes & BLT Sangers. We brought our bottled water from the ALDO supermarkets as it works out 6 LEV cheaper. The poolside was very clean, there are always plenty of staff around, and including a Manager should you need any assistance.
Also, there is security guarding the hotel day & night which was very reassuring for me.
I can't stand randoms coming in looking suspect or trying to sell you dodgy things. Actually, I didn't even see any dodgy randoms come to think of it. Bonus!!
The Nirvana Spa staff were really sweet and helpful. We had a Sensuality Massage for two on the last day and it was the perfect end to an amazing holiday. I wouldn't rate the gym equipment so if you want to run, save it for an early jog along the water (if you haven't been out too late the night before).
We paid for half board (breakfast & dinner) but thought we would eat out every night. We actually ended up eating out only 2 nights because the hotel dinner buffet had everything. We ordered a Bulgarian white wine with dinner and sat outside listening to the entertainment. The entertainment is usually a duo and you could get anyone. It’s a good laugh if anything.
After dinner, we would go out to one of the many cocktail bars along the beach front. The stairs leading down are well lit so we felt very safe. We went out for cocktails every night so we frequented Ministry of Cocktails & the Paris Bar. Very impressive and all fresh ingredients made in front of you.
The only thing I would suggest is avoid "the bbq,” you get charged 40lev for eating the same food they serve at the buffet inside the restaurant, you get the same entertainment, and you also get charged service on top of it. Why pay for it when you already paid for it.
Our rep was very helpful and told us about activities we could do to break up our week so we opted for the military jeep safari and the yacht picnic. The military jeep safari was fun and I would recommend it. The yacht took us along the coastline and was a peaceful relaxing day; however, the secluded beach is just that and is no club med so be prepared to do it on the basic.
I definitely recommend this hotel, I am sorry for those who have had a bad experience but I also think some people have standards way too high. No-ones perfect, if you aren't a very patient person, you'll never have a good holiday anyway. RELAX!! You are on holiday.