Riu Helios Hotel

I went to Sunny Beach with my Partner and our Friends. When we arrived at the hotel we thought WOW very nice nothing like the picture on the internet but it was nice the rooms were lovely.
I would say the entertainment was not that good at all but it was nearly the end of season so don't book in Sept as most places are closing for the winter which we were not advised.
We went to Thomson’s welcome meeting bad mistake they told us a pack of lies DO NOT TRUST them.
The pool was very cold but been on a lot of holidays and the hotel pools are always that cold
Hotel food was very nice salads were very nice. Fruit was very nice. Drink wasn't that bad either.
Off Road Adventure simple not worth the money you pay for it.
Varna was rubbish Dolphin Show good but the trip was not worth the money. (Rip Off)
The best one was Khans Tent brill well worth the money.
There were a lot of Germans at this holiday that weren't that nice either.
Apart from that the holiday was good.
Beach was lovely.
You don't have to tip that much 2lev or even 1 lev at least they get 1 and they will respect you even more.
Overall the holiday was good I would recommend that you earlier on in the year, but in September.

1 reader found this review helpful

A good clean, friendly hotel.
Staff can not do enough for you they are so pleasant. The food does get a little repetitive (but that is to be expected) But it was hot, presentable and edible.
I am disabled and a wheelchair user. On arrival I was unable to get from the driveway into the hotel because of the kerb being high and not slanted. I mentioned this to our First Choice rep, Marianne. What an excellent young lady she was, and brilliant at her job too. On the same day as we arrived, she had the slight problem rectified and a piece if wood was made into a ramp and permanently fixed into the driveway and the kerb for all to have access into the hotel; wheelchairs, motor scooters and push chairs.
If you get the chance go to "The Gypsy Tent" the meal is nice entertainment good, and the sun setting view is beautiful (take a camera) My one downside to the holiday was that I was mugged the day before we came home. I was in my motorised wheel chair on the promenaded attempting to get through the crowds that were stood looking up at the bungee jumping. I was punched from behind and knocked over, and robbed of my handbag from a man on a bike, who had obviously been trailing me and my Aunty and waiting for the opportunity to pounce so to speak.
Please take great care, of your belongings and do not carry your valuables with you. I can say this with hand on heart, I can feel for the young man from Liverpool who has been imprisoned for x number of years, his parents too, as I was an innocent party and the Bulgarian police made me feel so intimidated and scared, as if I had committed a crime. My husband was not allowed to come in with me while I was being interviewed via an interpreter by a women plain cloths police officer, who spoke to me one word syllables; sit, (I was sat!) name, write, English, Hotel, room. Very very scary indeed.
However, Bulgaria is a wonderful country everywhere is so clean, and the people so friendly, weather was so hot, but goes quite cool at nights.
If you do read this and decide to go, have a lovely holiday, and don’t let my one blip put you off......Go for IT
Regards to all
Joyce
Radcliffe Manchester.

We went to Bulgaria not knowing what to expect.
This was our first holiday in Bulgaria, the hotel was lovely, exceptionally clean and the staff were fabulous, very friendly and couldn’t do enough to help, the bar staff and entertainment staff were absolutely fantastic, they couldn’t do enough for us and the entertainment was first class.
The Restaurant was always busy and the food was basic but very nice, Not much choice at the bar though, just the basics again.
The hotel was almost on the beach and there were beach bars all along the front, with bars all around the hotel and we were on a busy street but there was no noise at night.
A very nice holiday with lots to do.

We have just got back from this hotel it looks nice from the front. As it was very dark when we arrived. But next morning when we look around there was nothing, no more hotels anywhere to be seen.
The pool was very very cold indoor pool not clean and to small beach very very dirty.
On our second day we both had tummy bug mine lasted until I got back. There was no town to walk to and we were 40 min ride to sunny beach were all the night life was.
We did not enjoy this holiday and would never go back as we love the sea, I could not get in with out being knocked back by a wave.
We wish we had been told that we was not close to any nightlife. But the staff in hotel was very nice.

This was my first visit to Bulgaria and was unsure what to expect as I have always been to Spain in the past.
As soon as I arrived, I fell in love with the Hotel. I couldn’t believe how big it was and it was so clean.
All of the staff were so friendly and nothing seemed any bother. The bar staff seemed to work all the hours which were sent and I was always served in less than a minute at the bar, even when it was busy.
The restaurant was nice and was buffet style so you could just help yourself to as much or as little as you wanted. The food was nice but they could have served chicken a bit less, as this was on the menu everyday, cooked in a different way. The entertainment was great with all the entertainment team putting on regular shows in the Bar Salon.
The actual location of the Hotel was right on the beach and had lots of restaurants near, just a short walk. There was lots of great nightlife, including 3 or 4 nightclubs, I personally recommend 'Lazur', which is attached to a Waterpark so half is inside and half is outside.
The cost of entrance is 4LV (about £1.50) and an average round is roughly 10LV (about £4). If you do get bored of the hotel food, it will cost around £7 to eat out, drinks included and at the back of the Hotel is 'La Perla' which is great for meals and drinks.
I really couldn’t fault anything about the resort or the hotel. Myself being 18 found it fantastic and it is also a great resort for families and couples.
All round, me and my friend had a fab time and are going to be booking in the next few weeks to go back to Sunny Beach and Riu Helios Palace.