Rachev Hotel Residence Arbanazi is a three-hour drive from Sofia up the mountains, on the same route to the famous Varna is Arbanasi. The hotel is located on the western part of the village of Arbanasi, right next to the Assumption Monastery, which is 4km away from Veliko Turnovo on the road to Gorna Oryahovitsa.
Veliko Turnovo is the old capital of Sofia back in the fourteenth century, a nice village to visit. "With its stylish rooms and suites Rachev Hotel Residence offers an unique experience to everybody. Warm shades in addition to a luxury furniture create a suitable atmosphere and predispose to relaxation and entertainment in 46 double rooms and 2 suites." :That I don't agree about, at all!
A very nice and relaxing resort with a calm ambiance, light music and a swimming pool... this is what makes your experience unique, but unfortunately I can't say the same about the rooms. The only good thing about the room is that it's spacious and has a nice balcony with a view.
The rest:
- A minibar in the middle of the room with continuous unpleasant noise. I had to unplug it from the wall. - A relatively small TV for the size of the room as the distance between the bed and the TV - An individually controlled AC that needs gas refill as I sweated all night long - A hair dryer in the middle of the room - The beds are not pleasant to sleep on - A mini blanket that doesn't even cover your body - Bed covers only cover the top part of the bed - Old furniture - Low quality bathroom with no amenities whatsoever except a shampoo offered in nylon casing that was not replaced the next day.
Again a four stars that is surely not!
The resort is so lovely and pleasant for a week-end with the kids:
- A playing area for the kids - A big swimming pool - Continuous music playing in the inner court - Perfect weather - A restaurant, spa and BBQ place with relaxing greenery and trees - Nice staff trying their best - Good food prepared and served meticulously.
The Pluses:
- A helpful staff - Delicious local food, especially their salad and chicken rolls - I like the biscuits offered on the lunch breaks Even though I liked their lunch and I tried twice, the breakfast was not my favorite. All ingredients used are heavy and too fatty. I had to stick to just having cereal for breakfast. It's surely not a four-star hotel like they claim but its an unpretentious hotel that I enjoyed staying at. It's worth spending a couple of relaxing days, visiting the Monastery and the old capital.
