Reviews of Riu Helios Hotel, Sunny Beach, Bulgaria

The hotel itself was quite good,...

Overall Rating:

6/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2008

Tour Operator:

Portland Direct

Submitted By:

Mr G Gibson

Comments:

The hotel itself was quite good, nice and clean, but quiet. the staff were friendly and the food was good. However I have been to Riu hotels in the carribean and this does not come anywhere near them. Little things like the fact that the beach is not private and you have to pay 7 levs for an umbrella and 7 levs for a sun bed. doesn't sound much but its about 8 quid a day, times that by 7 and its a fair chunk.



My major point is a very serious one about the state of Bulgaria. The crime rate is awful and nobody advertises that fact. On the night we arrived myself and my friends went out and my friend got mugged on the beach. He was shaken and only had a bit of money taken so we put it down to misfortune. But it definitely wasn't as two days later I was walking back to the hotel down a main road, when about 200 yards from the hotel a guy came up to my punched me in the head and ripped my gold chain from my neck. I tried to fight back and ended up being beaten more.



The next day I got up early and told the rep who just didn't care at all about the incident and acted as if oh well its Bulgaria what do you expect. the police were absolutely useless and the police station was full of British people all reporting similar crimes. 2 people had wallets stolen in taxis and we heard reports from some of them that people were being run over by horses and carts down on the beach in the early evening.



Basically bulgaria is still way too soviet for my liking, there are mafia everywhere, you can buy knives and guns in the shops freely and the petit crime is rife. If you go, stay in the hotel its not worth the hassle.

We had a great holiday there in...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Jul 2008

Tour Operator:

Jetair

Submitted By:

Ms E & K Ellen En Kristof

Comments:

We had a great holiday there in hotel helios!

The adult animation is always fun in the hotel, I hope the team is not going to miss us, but the probably will for a few days.

If the animation team reads this: we love you all, have a nice summer! Keep in touch!



Kristof and Ellen from Belgium!



I don't think you can find a better hotel in all bulgaria! Watch out for Tony! He made me cry the last evening, he is just to sweet.

The hotel, staff and food was...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Jun 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Mr B Taft

Comments:

The hotel, staff and food was 1st class. The hotel was spotless, cannot find a fault with this hotel. Have actually booked up for the same hotel 2009. Would recommend it to anyone.

BUT NIGHT TIME FLIGHT NOT SO GOOD IE WITH KIDS............

This was my first trip to...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Jun 2008

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Ms L R Strike

Comments:

This was my first trip to bulgaria we went for 1 week, the hotel is fantastic arrived at 6.30am met by helpfull reception staff, our bags where taken to our room for us which was a blessing after been awake all night, the room was spacious down side was that it was twin beds which really could not be pushed together, the bathroom was great with a spacious walk in shower, the room was cleaned every day and the towels also changed every day, the view from the balcony was not great as it was at the back of the hotel, the 2 large swimming pools are great but abit cold, the food was first class was plenty to choose from was never disapointed until we tried the restaurant that serves a bulgarian meal we wished we had not bothered, their is plenty of things to do through the day my partner joined in the water polo and footy we also played bingo at the pool bar and won a bottle of wine but was abit embarasing in the evening when presented with a certificate for winning, the evening entertainment was good bar staff where very pleasant and some where very entertaining, treated myself to have my hair done at the on site hairdressers would not recommend unless you want to look like someone out of the sixties it cost me 35 lev for a wash and to have it curled alot of money when i had to go to my room to straighten it as it looked so bad, outside the hotel was brilliant especially if your a shopaholic great bargains to be had, plenty of bars to either relax or to dance the night away would recommend you take a cardigan or a light jacket as it does get cold at night, all the staff at the hotel did a fantastic job, would recommend bulgaria and will be going back again

I flew on 06/06/08 from...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Jun 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Miss KC Crawford

Comments:

I flew on 06/06/08 from newcastle airport to burgas airport, the flight wasn't great but when are flights ever great. When i arived at Hotel Helios i only had to look at the entrance and i knew the holiday was goin to be fantastic. As soon as i walked in i was welcomed by staff and showed to my room. My room was gorgous very spacious and i could of lived there. Because my flight was at tea time i arrived at Bulgaria at night and was ready for my bed. The next morning i went down for breakfast and i have to admit it was lovely you just have to be careful somtimes for the meat.

After that i went outside to find a lounger and i spotted Tony a lad from the animation team i thought he was extremely handsome haha and i couldnt keep my eyes off him the whole week. By friday it was his birthday and he came and spoke to me when i was looking after my cousin i nearly collapsed he was so kind and funny. I really enjoyed Bulgaria and i am still young but as soon as a turn 18 im planning on moving over there and trying to get a job as apart of the animation team. i will be looking for tony especially. Love you Tony see you next year. x x x x x x

The hotel itself was very clean,...

Overall Rating:

7/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2007

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Mrs J Carter

Comments:

The hotel itself was very clean, the staff were very helpful and couldn't do enough for you. The room was very clean and comfy but be aware we ended up with a room without a balcony and there wasn't a bath only a walk in shower so if you’re like us and have got a three year old who doesn't like showers it was difficult.



The food was very good, lots to choose from. Repeated itself a lot but went out a few times. In the dining room you got two sittings for dinner which was a bit rubbish as I like to choose when I want to eat.



The beach was lovely and the hotel is just off the beach so you can go for a swim in sea and go back round pool to sun bathe. All along the front there are market stalls selling all the same rubbish and people trying to get you in the bars they did our head in. Watch out not to get run over with the golf buggies there are everywhere and the three wheeler bikes.



We went to Nessebar on the boat but was not impressed, it was everything that was in resort, unless you went on the trip with Thomson then they showed you more.



We didn’t go on any trips as there wasn't any interesting to us and couldn’t rely on the weather. We were going to go to the water park as the rep said it was good but when we decided to go it was shut down for the winter.



Do not go to Bulgaria in September if you like the weather, it rained alot and at night it was freezing. You need a coat, in fact some people had hat, scarfs and gloves on but when the sun did come out it was lovely but not hot enough to sweat.

After just returning home from a...

Overall Rating:

6/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2007

Tour Operator:

Portland Direct

Submitted By:

Mrs A Holidaymaker

Comments:

After just returning home from a family holiday at this hotel I feel I must speak out. First the good things are the hotel rooms, spotlessly clean and the housekeepers do a brilliant job we asked for adjoining rooms and a pool view and got exactly that. The animation team do a brilliant job and my little grandson who was 2yrs the day we arrived fell in love with Dee Dee one of the children's animation team and still shout's her name now we are home.



Now for the not so good things, we were very disappointed with the all inclusive facilities if you went for the continental breakfast after 10am it was really poor never any cereals out, no toaster and always had to ask for butter and it all depended which waiter was on duty as to whether you got any butter. The 3pm snacks that were available were terrible if you wanted anything warm you had to toast yourself a toastie on a toaster that took forever, also plenty of choice at the main meal times but very repetitive throughout the week. The drinks are plentiful but varied in strength but there was always plenty of soft drinks and tea and coffee to help yourself to.



Yes the buggy's that you can hire and run along the beach front are a nuisance and dangerous in the hands of teenagers who drive too fast. Shops are plentiful but very repetitive in what they sell. In all I enjoyed the weeks hol but wouldn't go all inclusive in Bulgaria again not sure if I would even go back.

The hotel, staff and food was...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2007

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mr J Reilly

Comments:

The hotel, staff and food was 1st class. The hotel was spotless, cannot find a fault with this hotel. Have actually booked up for the same hotel 2008. Would recommend it to anyone.



Sunny beach itself is a great area. The shops were fantastic and the Bulgarian folk were really very nice. Plenty of bars and restaurants outside the hotel, if you wanted to wander about and it was really cheap.



Great value for the money.

The Riu Helios was everything...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

May 2007

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

 J&S

Comments:

The Riu Helios was everything that we expected from a Riu hotel. We had stayed in one in Cyprus last year.



The rooms were large and very clean. When we first arrived the room that we were allocated smelt of cigarette smoke our request for a different room was greeted willingly, reception even phoned us the next day to make sure everything was satisfactory.



The staff are brilliant and the food is plentiful and excellent. The entertainment is a bit amateurish but they give it their all the best part was the night in the bar salon when the head barman juggled cocktail mixers to rock music and the barmaids danced on the bar.



Khan’s tent is a good night out but it’s not as good as the Benidorm Palace! Vicki the rep is a lovely gel always ready to help.



The resort is the usual mix of souvenir shops and bars ,the main thing to avoid is being run down by a hired golf buggy or an electric scooter( you can’t hear them coming} .The hotel has two swimming pools with lifeguards and plenty of sunbeds . A warning!!



Don’t let the children watch channel 25 late at night!! Nuff said.

On arrival we were helped with...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Jun 2006

Tour Operator:

Booked Independently

Submitted By:

Mrs F Donnelly

Comments:

On arrival we were helped with our bags and taken to reception to check in. On the way a waiter greeted us with a glass of bubbly, I thought wow this is a good start. It only got better as we were taken to our rooms by the waiter. The hotel was spotless and there seemed to be an array of cleaners on all the time. The food in the hotel was excellent even though it was a bit repetitive but its quiet cheap to eat out a three course meal including drinks would probably set u back about 30euro.



The hotel is ideally situated beside the beach and close to all the bars and restaurants. The nightlife is quieter than Spanish resorts but I preferred this as I wanted a quiet break. There were plenty of sports available on the beach, jet skis, pedalos, and paragliding which were very cheap and great fun.



I’d recommend this hotel to anyone as its staff are very helpful, and the hotel is spotless, foods good, and there’s plenty of choice in food and drink. I have already booked again for this year and returning with my family again.

The hotel was very clean, the...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2006

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Mrs S Dack

Comments:

The hotel was very clean, the housemaids work hard and do an excellent job cleaning and tidying always polite. The bar staff were very friendly and always had a laugh with them when you gave them a tip they would go mad and shake their

rattle and shout 'ayeee ayeee ayeee'.



The food was excellent there was very good choices you always had a clean table they would be there straight away to take away your plates so you are ready to choice your next course.



The animation team were very friendly trying very hard to get you to join in the sport activities. Swimming pool was very nice. There were plenty of sun lounges and you only had to walk out of the gate and the beach was there.



There are lots of shops we didn’t do them all because there are so many. Some of the evening shows were a bit boring but we had a laugh. Some of the trips were not very good value for money sozopol & riverboat, varna the gem of the black sea but I do recommend khan's tent it is excellent food and cabaret it is definitely worth the money. This was our first holiday abroad and we enjoyed it that much we would go again.

Originally we had booked,...

Overall Rating:

5/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Jun 2006

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Mr T Sandles

Comments:

Originally we had booked, through Thomson, the hotel Miramar at Obzor Beach as we wanted a quiet holiday. However it was not completed and so we were re-located to the hotel Helios at Sunny Beach.



The hotel was clean and the rooms spacious with safe and fridge. The staff were friendly and obliging and the facilities excellent. There were always plenty of sun longers around the two pools but it was also easy to get to the beach.



Sadly after a couple of days the food became repetative and the drinks varied in quality, wine and lager very, very weak tasting. In the end we ended up eating out in order to get some decent food and drink.



Holidays are always a personal thing with some people enjoying hustle and bustle whilst others prefer a quieter location. We wanted the latter and got the former so the following comments are from somebody who does not enjoy busy places. Sunny Beach had a main road running alongside it, this is lined with a myriad of stalls all selling the same counterfeit goods. There are tattoo parlours everywhere and people pestering you to buy dubious fruit every step of the way. This is also accompanied by the restaurant owners harassing you to dine with them.



Day and night there are golf buggies zooming in and out of the pedestrians and are really an accident waiting to happen. Incidentally the small print on our travel insurance did not cover any injury caused by a golf buggy. There are also men walking up and down with pythons and small crocodile touting for picture poses. When these poor creature are not in use they are stuffed into hold alls. I saw 2 snakes and 1 crocodile shoved into one such hold all.



Be very wary about drinks and cigarettes and always look for the seals or caps to be broken on popular brands such as Coke and Heinken, some places place counterfeit replacement in genuine bottles. Never buy a packet of cigarettes unless it has an official seal on the packet. The best way to travel is by bus but you will constantly be pestered by taxi drivers whilst you wait at the stops.



As in previous postings do not believe a word any Thomson Representative says and don't expect them to be very helpful, you are told, "Sorry, don't know, but look in the Thomson Guide."



We actually visited the last week of may and first two days of June but everybody says that during the peak season the place is heaving full. My advise, if you enjoy a busy holiday with plenty of sun and beach you will love it. If you want some peace and quiet stay well away.

The hotel was immaculate,...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

May 2005

Tour Operator:

Portland Direct

Submitted By:

Mrs D Barton

Comments:

The hotel was immaculate, constantly cleaned, we couldn’t fault the place. Staff are friendly and helpful. The food was excellent, something for everyone with a huge choice of salads, main courses and desserts to die for.



There were plenty of sunbeds for everyone, no rush to get your towel on one at the crack of dawn, which was nice as it was Whitsun week and very busy. The pool was lovely and clean too. Towels were free, exchange for card then change as often as you like and return either the towel or card to reception at the end of your stay.

Hot and cold drinks were available, self serve or bar service all day.



There was a bit of difficulty getting served at the bar on the night with everyone getting 20 drinks at a time rather than keep going to the bar. I only wanted coffee most times and certainly didn’t want more than one at a time!



The hotel is right on the promenade running the length of the beach. The promenade is lined with market stalls selling fake designer gear. Beware the photographers in the costume stalls, the photo is cheap enough but they take more than one and they are so good that you don’t want to leave any of them behind. We ended up buying the whole pack, but they are very, very good and something to treasure. The beach is gorgeous, soft sand and lined with sunbeds and umbrellas.



We hired a surrey to pedal along the promenade as its a very long walk and one night we hired a bicycle.



There's not much to do in the resort if you're looking for clubs. There's only one in the shopping centre, and a few bars around the resort. We just walked along the prom every night, a little chilly in the evening but still very pleasant. We needed our cardigans.

There's a little land train that goes round the resort if you want to see what’s there. We were happy just chillin' by the pool and eating. Weather was hot when dry but it does rain occasionally.



We went on the jeep safari........wonderful, quad bikes, horse riding, shooting and the ride itself into the hills was a great experience. There's a guy sits on top of one of the jeeps filming everything which you can then buy back at the hotel.



We would love to go back there but its much more expensive this year now more and more people are discovering Bulgaria.



A 'must go' is the town of Nessebur just round the coast. We had a taxi which also came back for us at a given time, but you can easily get the bus. The reason we got a taxi was cos we couldn’t find the bus stop. Nessebur is a really old town with wooden houses. There is a little museum there which has traditional costumes in. Its a converted house which was donated for the purpose. We basically wanted to see what it was like inside the house.



All in all, a brilliant clean hotel and a clean new resort which will fast become spoilt if they continue building at the current rate. We will definitely go back before they go Euro.



Loved it!!

I went to Sunny Beach with my...

Overall Rating:

5/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2005

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Not Specified

Comments:

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.

A good clean, friendly hotel....

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Jun 2005

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

joyce rothwell

Comments:

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.