Riviera Beach Hotel

Most of the reviews here are quite old. We have just returned from the most relaxing holiday in years at the Riviera Beach Hotel.
The hotel is situated, along with 4 other hotels, in a secure private resort set at the south end of the main Golden Sands resort, directly set on the beach. Between all the hotels there are virtually no facilities un-catered for.
The food was exceedingly varied, and one night each week includes a Bulgarian food night. The hotel was in the category of business class rather than tourist class and in fact many business people stayed while we were there. The entertainment team kept anyone who wanted it entertained all day. However, you had to pay for some of the evening entertainment.
The rooms were spacious. The maids made up my children’s beds in novel ways using the bedding to make giant bows etc. One day we came back to find the duvet in the shape of a boat complete with all their cuddly toys in it sailing away.
The Spa Centre is quite large and has an excellent range of treatments, the indoor pool was very clean, the outdoor pools were showing a little bit of wear and tear, but there was a lot of evidence of maintenance people at the site, and so I expect they will get that sorted out quite quickly. There were always sun beds available at the pool, but not always on the main beach area. They quite often ran out of the free beach towels too.
There is a lack of pool snacks available for lunch times, but there is a small kiosk and a snack bar just outside the complex gates which I can recommend.
We spent one evening on our balcony watch a fantastic display of dolphins swimming and diving around in the bay.
We went in May/June and the only problem then is June is the wettest month in Bulgaria, and we did have 1 day’s rain. Also, although really warm in the sun, the breeze at this time of year is quite cool, so the children needed warming up when they finally came out of the pool.
I would recommend this hotel highly and my children are begging to go back again. The only problem is, I heard a rumour that Thomas Cook won't be going to Bulgaria next year. I certainly hope they will.

On arrival at the hotel, we were overwhelmed with the lush looking reception and bar area.
The staff were really friendly and took over the transport of our cases from the coach to our rooms.
The rooms were clean, well furnished and the balcony views were all excellent with sea views. The safe in the room was free and the use of the fridge was free too.
They left you to jot down the items you took from the mini bar and we paid at the end of the holiday with no one questioning our honesty!
The food was very varied and there was plenty of choice for all nationalities and diets.
The rooms were cleaned daily, towels and bed linen changed every day and the maids were really friendly and courteous at all times. All the hotel staff were always willing to help and friendly.
The pool area was fantastic for the children and overlooked the beach. The pool attendants wouldn't let anyone save the sun beds, if you did; they took your towels away!!
They assured everyone that there would be beds and parasols available for everyone who needed them and there were. Hotel towels were available from the poolside which saved you toting your own about.
The animation team did a good job, but was more aimed at the younger children, and my children aged12 and 10 weren't very impressed with the evening entertainment.
Loads to do in the town on an evening and only a short walk away. McDonalds on the beach and lovely kebab stands!
Some tourists complained of prostitutes hanging around the upper part of the town, but maybe that was late in the evenings, I never noticed anything!!
The walk to the monastery from the hotel isn't for the weak hearted or asthmatics, but worth it when you get there.

Traveled with Thomas Cook - Finesse brochure. Whilst the hotel was a good four star hotel it did not live up to the expectations given by the words in the Thomas Cook Finesse brochure.
The hotel could not be faulted for cleanliness or the standard of the food or position. The major complaint is that of the lack of standards in the restaurant and bar, including the pool bar. In the restaurant it was a war of attrition with the waiters to get a table set for dinner or breakfast, often they would just walk away despite it being obvious folk needed a table setting.
The waiters were often surly and appeared disinterested. The dress code was not enforced and children on roller skates were not turned away. The two lady supervisors did nothing to help guests find tables. Both in the pool bar and reception bar the staff were smoking and then served people with no hand washing. The pool bar had no ice cream on occasion and no other food available. Sun beds and umbrellas were well passed their best and need replacing.
This hotel needs re-assessing by Thomas Cook or removing from the Finesse brochure. All in all a good holiday, but did not live up to the expectations generated by the Finesse brochure.