Reviews of Chaika Beach Hotel, Sunny Beach

You can't fault this hotel for the Decor and service. It was truly beautiful. However I am leaving this review as a warning. Before our departure we left our luggage in the "secure" locker room that only the porter has access to and when you go to get something follows you in and watches you retrive your own luggage. when we came to leave I went in my bag to retrieve some perfume. It wasn't there! Someone had been rummaging through my luggage. I asked my husband to check his bag. He too had some aftershave gone and the lock on his suitcase had been broke and someone had gone through that. I asked the othye holiday makers to check theres. Everyone had one item missing! If you got home and realised you would have just thought you had forgotten it but for everyone to be missing something it was too much of a coincidence. we informed reception and they took the porter aside speaking to him in bulgarian and then he left. The hotel refused to comment aor call the police. In my opinion this is something they do on a regular basis. So I am warning you. Keep an eye on your luggage!!

if i could give this hotel zero out of ten i would have.sunny beach is a hell hole you are ripped off left right and centre.it was like being in the centre of a red light district you are frightened to walk anywhere at night.myself my husband and 13 year old daughter are scared for life from this holiday and couldnot wait to get home .as were all the other people we met . this is not i repeat not a family resort and should not be premoted by first choice as one .my 13 year old daughter was constantly touched by the locals in front of us PLEASE IF YOU ARE THINKING OF BOOKING HERE THINK VERY HARD .IF WE COULD STOP AT LEAST 1 FAMILY GOING TO THIS RESORT IT WAS WORTH WRITING THIS REVIEW

stayed here wiv my boyfriend 15th sept for 1 week... arrived at hotel about 12.30am! first thought lovely hotel... looked fabulous! the bell boy took our cases and showed us to our room..... we had a room facing the beach on the 7th floor... room was ok bit small... bed were low. first couple of days kept hitting our legs on the side of the beds... the bathroom... well we had a wet room the drainage system is weird.. by the time i had, had a shower the water was near enough in to the room... different experince... hotel staff were lovely at breakfast the women wud say " enjoy breakfast " and that was it... somethink similar at evening meals too... food ok.. deserts were lovely...

came to bulgaria last year but stayed in victoria place... had a lovely time... beach lovely... wud deff recommed "crystals" such a laugh!! also got 2 tattoos done out there... again really good... if any one has any questions or concerns i will be happy to help just email me at ladeyloop@msn.com...

We stay at the CHAIKA BEACH HOTEL for 2weeks , the hotel itself is stunnig , really nice reception area, staff can be a bit rude but you will find this with most of Sunny Beach.

Food was fine alot better than some hotels like the VICTORIA PALACE , Plenty to choose from , very clean resturant.

Drinks in hotel very exspensive, if you walk out of the back of hotel there is a pub called the flower which a beer only cost 1 lev at (about 35p).

Rooms okay bit basic, make sure you request a high floor ,

About a week into holiday we had some money taken out of room by cleaner, so make sure you hire a safe .



overall holiday really good great hotel location one of the best in Sunny Beach

My wife, son, daughter-in-law and myself stayed at the Chaika beach in Sunny Beach for the last fortnight in August 2008[ages 61,58,38 and 37]. We had originally booked for the Elenite Holiday Village [booked Feb 2008] as we had really enjoyed our holiday there in July 2005. On the thursday [3 days warning] before our departure First Choice called to say our holiday had been overbooked [sorry and all that] but we would be upgraded to a 4* hotel, Chaika Beach, and we would all receive £50 compensation for the change in our holiday, we reluctantly agreed [we were looking forward to a repeat of our earlier good experience at Elenite]

The Chaika Beach looked the part on our weary arrival [6-30am] and we were shown to rooms quickly and efficiently.The rooms were standard hotel rooms seen all over the world, clean,tidy BUT with a beautiful view staight onto the beach and main promenade. I could have thown a stone from the balcony and it would have landed on the beach. All was well , we were impressed, on our arrival.

All-inclusive bands were not there at reception [come back at 10-30am] and we were given cards to use, on a temporary basis for admission to dining room. Breakfast fine with cards,no problems. All-inclusive bands not ready at 10-30 [come back after lunch]. At lunch we began to experience a few problems, entered dining room with cards, found table, got food and began to enjoy. The beginning of our lunch was interrupted by irate waitress DEMANDING to see our cards. On inspecting them she said we could stay but no all-inclusive drinks would be served, we must pay. I explained we were all-inclusive but to no avail. I then demanded to see The Manager as I was not happy with our treatment and the veiled suggestion that we should not be having lunch in the first place, [half board do not get lunch without paying, we felt that we were being accused of trying to rip off a free lunch]. The waitress accompanied me to reception and it was explained we were all-inclusive, I got my band there and then, but the rest of my family must come and get theirs. I explained they were eating and they would come after lunch as the waitress now knew we were legit. All the way back to the dining room my NEW friend apologised and said she would get us any drinks [I am here to serve you and to serve you will be my pleasure] we required for our lunch. We did not tip, and my New friend then became my scowling old waitress for the rest of our holiday. We all got our bands after lunch and handed our temp cards back in. On going to dinner we showed our shiny new bands but were asked for our cards. No card, no admittance. A stroke was imminent on my part as I asked for the restaurant manager. People were backing up behind us as we insisted that we were legit. The manager ushered us in and gave us a complimentary drink to soothe over the slight problem [we were all-inclusive]

No more problems with our bands.

ALL-Inclusive bar a joke. The Irish bar [ all Irishmen must be sailors] due to the decor. Local produced wines,spirits and beer [as expected] but range extremely limited, brandy/raki was unheard of unless you paid [of course]. A bottle of magners cider £7.

FOOD overall was fine but lunches were the same every day, chicken, pork,[I like chicken and pork but not every day] chips and a limited choice of vegetables [compared with the evening choice]

BOOKING OUT 12noon monday, pick up time 2-30am following morning, keep one room on for the four of us 20 levs per hour [280 levs approx £140] we went on the internet booked a room through a provider £60. Checked out then my wife and I checked back in, the receptionist was kind enough to let us keep the same room so no hassle with luggage, we were allowed to keep our hard won bands until we finally left the hotel.

PRICES basically the same as here for eating out, drinks etc but if you search around the 4lev pint can become 1.50 lev. WARNING do not even think about using the bicycle rickshaws that clutter the promenade, my son & daughter-in-law hopped on one to finish up their romantic dinner, my wife & I sensibly decided to stroll back to the hotel, only to be met 5 mins later by an extremely irate son. Max 5 mins ride cost 100 levs [approx £50] when he remonstrated about the rip-off he was shown, on the canopy, a felt tip handwritten sign with much crossing out, 1/2 inch high the legend 50 levs per passenger. Prices must vary during the season.

Ladies of the night do parade outside the Chaika Beach [an earlier review] but unless you are sitting on your balcony from midnight onwards, you will never see them, so parents with young families will be totally unaware of what is taking place.

NOISE non existent after midnight, we slept soundly every night. We never heard any complaints from fellow guests about noise.

THE WEE WUMMIN [ I mean that with affection] that did our room was great. Friendly, efficient and kind. We left a 2 lev tip every morning as we went for breakfast and our passing her later was like meeting a long lost cousin. She worked extemely hard [8 till 5] and I suspect for low, low wages. Why else the greeting for a daily £1 tip. The bar staff worked from 10am till midnight so we did'nt take it amiss when they never smiled all the time.

WEATHER was all that sun worshippers could ask for.

LOCATION great.

PEOPLE very friendly.

LANGUAGE most people we encountered had a command of english that that put our attempts their language to shame.

SUMMARY Chaika Beach is not yet prepared for all-inclusive.

Menus must be looked at.

Communication between reception, restaurant and bar must be improved.

Prices for keeping a room on for early hours departures must be reviewed.

Maid service & bar staff should be given an immediate wage rise.

Khans tent was a disappointment to anyone who had paid similar money to

go to Pirates in Majorca.

What gives me the right to write this review? I was there in the last two weeks in august this year 2008. We have stayed in All-inclusive hotels in Cuba, Majorca, Turkey, Tenerife, Fortenventura etc and sadly we felt let down on this occasion, especially on our introduction. We plan our holidays with care and unfortunately due to First Choice [we feel we were let down] and the Chaika Beach [ struggling to get into another market they were unprepared for] We won't be back.

My husband and myself have just returned from CHAIKA BEACH HOTEL BULGARIA. I have to say that the hotel was spectacular, we have never seen so much marble and tiles.Our room was looked after by the maids who i must say done a super job, clean towells daily and clean bed linen every four days. Chaika Beach buffet style dining room was fine,the choice of food was varied although we ate out four times just to ring the change.Hotel's food was always piping hot and i am sure that they catered for all, one thing i want to point out is the issue of cracked, chipped crockery and no clean cups to hand. Breakfast consisted of english,eggs,bacon,cerials,abundant amount of fresh fruit,bread rolls, toast,coffee,tea,fruit juices and ofcourse the GERMAN sausages etc. I really have one grudge and that is with the shower which is positioned by the beach pool it becomes very very slippery with algae, although i must add the hotel cleaners done there best by regular sweeping of that area,to my mind it needs a constant power wash to remove the problem. I had my 19month old grandson with us and he did slip several times on this area, it was a constant worry! Can i point out that i saw only one lady of the night during our stay and one beggar and this you will see where ever you travel. Touts became a nuisance but we just said another night also people with snakes and crocodiles ( small ones ) trying to get you to hold them for a photograph. Beach was subperd jellyfish we saw two i add they were both dead, black sea so warm it was very welcome because the pools were oh! so cold and i wish they could heat them. Yes !go to SUNNY BEACH it is great.

After reading so many comments on this hotel i was quite concerned about going there with my young family, but we had a great time apart from a few things. The great side was the rooms, large, fantastic powerful shower, cleaned every day with the sheets changed 4 times a week. The food was good but it got a bit boring after a while so we ate out 4 times during our stay.But the variety of food was great you would always find something you like. The position on the beach was perfect and was central on the promanade. The beach was beautiful the sea a little rough but it was warmer than the pool! The down side....... by the pool is a shower which got so slippery my little boy slipped over so many times as it has got green algee growing where the water just lies there. The pools were freezing, even the kids declined on a few days. There is a man selling fruit who comes to the pool and on the beach beware he will try to short change you! We only saw one lady of the night, but the place is full with russians and germans it was great to hear the english. I have a few tips for you ask the lifeguard to remove any towels that have been on sunbeds all morning and not being used he is quite happy to do this, also push a folded card into the key slot for the aircon to carry on working when you go out at night it will be nice and cool on your return. Also try the chicken kebabs scrummie scrummie scrummie.

Booked a last minute holiday with first choice to the Chaika hotel so wasn't sure what to expect, first choice class the hotel as 4-star and I would agree with this. Stunning reception area, nice spacious rooms, nice bathroom with very powerful shower. Immaculate in terms of cleanliness - left the maid a well deserved tip for her efforts. Very impressed with food - great selection to cater for all tastes. Perfect position for beach access but we mainly used the hotel pools as sunbeds were quite easy to get (pools a bit cold but think I am just a bit soft). I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone thinking of visiting Sunny Beach. Also the spa is out of this world so treat yourself!

My partner and i went to Chaika in August an all round great holiday !!! Hotel is magic, very clean, staff were helpfull, spoke english well. The food in the hotel was ok as far as bulgaria goes, better than the hotel we stayed in last year. THe hotel is in an ideal location , you cross the street and the beach meets you. There were lots of snakes around, ok if you like them !!. We went to Khans tent a beautiful resteraunt situated in the mountains with a fantastic panoramic view of sunny beach and nessebar. The lazy day cruise was worth the money also. There is lots to do and see, plenty bars etc. We went to Crystals , the only uk drag queen in bulgaria appartly, good nite, cheap booze , maybe not so suitable for kiddies though.



This hotel is clearly a hit or a miss with some people, we loved it , but spoke to others who couldn't wait to get home. We have booked to go back to bulgaria already(only been home 8 days).



Great fun for all the family !!!!!!!!

i stayed at this holiday at the end of june and the start of august with my mam dad brother and boyfriend. when we arrived at the hotel we could not believe the size of it. In the pictures you can only seen half of the hotel. Before we had left I was looking at al the reviews and i was a bit worried about the holiday because I had found so many bad reviews..But I have to say though hotel is beautiful everything is tiled or marbled. The staff were very nice n helpful but some of the girls in reception can be a bit ditzy and not able to find your room key but other than that there is no problem at al. The food was ok wouldnt have been the best but it woz included so it done and there is many other places along the beach to eat. the beach is lovely and if u get down early u will get a sunbed near the water. I'd advise this because the sand can get roasting hot as the day goes on. The beach is great for al ages and there is great water activities to do there. iI read that at night there was beggers and prostitutes at the hotel but for the week that i was there i didn see 1. All of the bars ar great with good music and entertainment but u do need money for most of the toilets. I would defo say try the food in caribby mexican food it is great and the nicest food i had over there. One thing at night to watch out for tho is the men and woman with the snakes and crocadiles, they walk right over to you and try to put the snakes and that on u so u can get a picture. just becareful and try and go the opposite side of them and if they see u are afraid they will go for u even more.. But there is only 2 different sets of people along the promonade. Overall i had a fab holiday and i would definatley go again

we have just returned from a 1 week stay in hotel chaika beach and it was one of the best holidays weve had,from getting there and leaving everyone was happy to help. with two 14 year old daughters and one 9 year old son who like too be doing things all the time. there was no problems. rooms where cleaned daily with fresh towels even though they couldnt speak much english the maids where really helpfull. although if i had to pick afew things its would be the lifts we where on top floor and the lift out side our room broke down at least three times a day as me and my children are not keen on lifts at the best of times we took the stairs but after a couple of days i was fed up with it as im not the fitest of people. the other thing was the cups at breakfast time most had big chips in them and often ran out, however the hotel and holiday overall was fab and we would definatly revisit.

As a family we holiday 3+ times year and are well versed travellers. This was our experience and was similar to many we met at the hotel. First impressions were good. The hotel looks fantastic...then it went from bad to worse. Our room was situated 2 floors above the bar. For the next two nights it became the practise for the Bulgarian 'entertainer' to stand outside (speakers and all) and belt out (140db) extremely poor Robbie Williams covers until 4am. Despite complaints the reception did nothing. I eventually complained enough to be moved.



I will eat anything; apart from the food at this hotel. Cold, tasteless and two bouts of vomiting ended my ventures downstairs. This continued in the surrounding eateries. The food in the whole place was dull and tasteless. I lost 10lbs on the holiday. Thank god for McDonalds it kept me going!

The position of the pool/lounger area was also very suspect. The promenade is within a couple of feet from your lounger. You are lying there trying to relax with a thousand footsteps inches from your head. It did not feel secure, especially if you had young children. The noise of pa systems from all the nearby bars was overwhelming. A combination of 6 types of music completing for the air, was not conducive with a relaxing lie by the pool. It had a swim up bar...it never opened in the two weeks we were there.



The staff seemed de-motivated and uninterested. They were highly trained in lip service. The rooms were kept clean and were of a reasonable standard. The resort was not a place I would ever revisit - prostitutes, begging children, corruption (Russian Mafia) everywhere; a very unsafe environment. Our teenagers did not want to explore on their own. We all ventured out of the resort and the locals (not shop keepers - some rude beyond belief!) were great and friendly.



For us there was an identity issue it what the resort wants to be. It is trying to please all types; mature, family and young people, but they don't mix and as a result it was a very unwelcoming place. Most of all we did not feel safe or looked after - they just wanted our money and sod customer service. The holiday was cheap (£2500) for the four of us and was the biggest disappointment over the last 10 years. Property is cheap here and I can see why....If you have any standards then avoid Sunny Beach / Golden Sands, looking for cheap you got it and welcome to it

My husband and I arrived at this hotel at 2am, we checked in and a very eager guy in reception took my case up to our room. One word of advise have some small change ready for a tip as they always look for it. I only had 10 lev not that I mind tipping but he didnt do anything. The hotel was gorgeous when we walked in, the room was clean I was disappointed with our balcony I did request a high floor with a sea view and we got 4th floor with a sea view at the side. The balcony wall was made of stone so when we sat at night chilling with a bottle of wine we couldnt see a thing in the end I sat in the room. Our airconditioning wasnt working when we arrived and it took me the whole day to get them to fix it only after I spoke to the manager.



I have to say the maid that came every day was lovely she cleaned our room gave us clean towels everyday and one day she came in as I was making the bed and insisted she did it. Our sheets were change 4 times and she even washed my cups that I took over oh another wee tip take a travel kettle with you as there isnt one in the room. We also took tea & coffee but took the sugar from the restaurant in the morning.



The hotel is right on the beach that is were we spent our days, it was fantastic, there a guys on the beach selling fruit and hot corn on the cob they were delicious. Also just before you come on the beach there is a stall serving baked potatoes and kebabs try the potatoes I have never had one like it MMmm.



One thing that used to bug me was everybody looked for a tip no matter what they did. I asked for a water one night the waiter walked 2 yards to get it and was still looking for a tip. One other downfall I would say is everyone tries to get you in to their bar at first its ok but after 2 weeks of it it starts to get on your nerves but not enough to put me off going.



Watch out for the guys with the snakes I am not scared but my husband is and watching him avoid them was funny.



Happy hour in the bars is great well happy hour over there means happy night, some places it started at 6 untill 2am we used to sit with the cocktail menu and just go through it and loved it.



Another thing book a lazy days cruise it was fantastic I wish we did it in the first week so we could go again. I wont say too much about it except if you like boats beer food and just lying about and having fun no matter what age you are (except small children) then go for it.



I didnt see any hookers or pimps I did see 2 beggers but I just said no and walked on. I am not saying they arent there its just I didnt come across any.



There are germans everywhere and some very very rude, it was heaven to hear someone speak English.



Apart from a few wee thing I really enjoyed my holiday we ate in the hotel 12 days out of 14 and we really enjoyed the food. There was loads to choose from and always loads of fresh fruit which I love. The crockery was chipped a lot they could be doing with new ones but that still didnt put me off.



I would go back but only if I got another room.

I took my 16yr old daughter with me on 23 June 2008 for 1 week half board and it is the nearest thing to the holiday from hell that i have ever experienced.

On arrival we were given what to me was a double room when i told reception this i was told that it was a twin room and that i should just seperate the beds, i insisted on a member of staff rearanging the room this was met with much unhappiness from the staff.



Our room was next to the fire escape and in the afternoon i found a mountain of rubbish bags piled almost against my door so i just moved them myself. Next morning at 6am the local binman was dragging the bags down the metal stairs which woke up quite a few bleary eyed residents including myself i asked reception to tell the binman to carry them down and again was met with a very stern "This is not possible" [cathphrase of the week] the second morning this happened i went out of my room and roared at the binman and then insisted on a move. Guess what ? "this is not possible" Oh yes it F**king is i told them and had to keep going back to reception to ask when my new room would be ready eventually i was given a new room on the top floor.



On our last night it rained very heavily for almost exactly 1 hour and the room was very badly flooded soaking my bed, the curtains, and of course all our personal and hotel towels were used to mop it up, the Hotel took more than two hours to send someone up to the room, wouldnt move us to a new room and told our Balkan Holidays rep that it had nothing to do with the rain and that some one Had been to our room to Fix the problem even tough at that time they hadnt. I took the rep up to the room and he looked at the soaking floor ,bed and towels and shrugged his shoulders and said "these things happen"

i had to argue with him for some time before he got someone up to clean the room. [No clean dry towels were given]

I asked for my personal towels to be washed and dried as i wasnt prepared to put them in my case the next day to go home "i dont know if the hotel has a laundry if you hang them out they will be dry for you" was the reply. Steam was coming out of my ears at the uncaring ignorance of the man [Milian was his name] and the best i could get was a bottle of cheap crap wine as some form of compensation.



If you use the pool outside of the reception be prepared to listen to the lovely noise of the builders all day.

When you buy drinks in the restaurant at night the waiters will come up and tell you it is time to pay then they will forget it is time to give you your change and will avoid you like the plague, a stern look , a snap of the fingers and a loud voice asking for your change will get it to you but dont expect any smiles.



When you are in the restaurant watch out for the chips, not the edible ones but the many round the edge of the finger print coated plates, bowls, cups and glasses these are potentially very dangerous.



The Hotel has a Pizza restaurant that looks like a castle at the beach side, the pizzas a greasy and very salty dont waste your time or money on it you can get huge slices of pizza on the prom from 2 levas to 4 levas prices variations are big from place to place no matter what you are buying.



IF you have any problem no matter how small the staff at this hotel will be Impolite, unhelpfull and will be quite happy to lie through their teeth to do nothing to solve the problem and when you insist they do they will hate you for it.



Do not buy tobacco or cigs from the stalls on the sea front as they are all counterfiet rubbish the shops are only 1 lev [40pence] dearer but at least they are the real thing.



Watch out for the golf buggies ,electric motorbikes and three wheeled things as you cant hear them behind you and a lot of the people on them just steam on into you.

Im sure the many hotel doctors make a fortune from the accidents they cause.



Sunny beach is the most crass disguting rip you off at the blink of an eye resort i have ever been to and through the week i heard many stories of tourists being ripped off in the many shops, stalls,bars and restaurants.



The ONLY and i mean ONLY place that DIDNT have someone trying to drag you in, gave good service, beautiful food cheaper than any where else and always busy was a small eating place 150yards outside of Chaika beach called "LA BANANA"



IF you are already booked for Chaika Beach then my advice would be to cancell at all costs.

I stayed in this hotel for two weeks at the begining of June this year and i would NOT reccommend it. You have a panoramic view of the prostitutes in front of your hotel at night alongside their 7 or 8 pimps. While they search the promenade for their vunerable victims of any age both young and old offering supposedly sex. When they catch their first victim they agree a price and then down for the sun loungers on the beach for nothing other than to be robbed by the prostitutes. The pimps then appear a few minutes later and warn the man or boy away. Threatning with stun guns,knuckle busters and knives. I saw one guy in his late twenties who did not walk away and went after the pimps for his wallet on the main promenade in front of the hotel. He was beaten to the ground by them and then kicked by the prostitutes. Every nationality,age and race has been caught by them. Some have been so drunk and stupid to realise that they were robbed. Everyone over there knows whats happening but turn a blind eye coz there afraid. We all no who runs it over there. No such thing as police,there on the same side. I saw the police taking their cut of the takings from the pimps every night, then cycle off. This has to be known....get it out there. There is even a pimp working in Chaika hotel by day as a security guard. If there robbing people on the street whats stopping them doing it there. They own a shop,chipper,boxing machine and some say hotel. Be careful. I saw people get beat,robbed and humiliated.

NEVER NEVER NEVER VISIT .......such horrible people. they'll even charge tourists ONLY to use such horrible unisex toilets. It is so corrupt,some people i know have went and not noticed what went on. They were lucky. My holidays were ruined,i couldn't wait to get home but i was glad i knew what was going on so i could watch my back. STAY AWAY. DEFINATELY NOT FOR CHILDREN