Palace Hotel

At the height of summer, the Palace Hotel is in full swing, when families and couples come in droves for fun-filled beachfront vacations. The slice of golden sand on the Black Sea right out front is packed with guests, as is the bright and slickly modern restaurant, which turns out a mix of classic Bulgarian and international dishes and plenty of booze, and hosts the occasional dance and music performances. More cocktails are available in the second bar, which goes full-blown karaoke later in the evening. A midsize oval outdoor swimming pool offers an alternative to the sea, and its tranquility varies depending on the number of children cooling off and splashing around.

In summer, the long coastline with the Black Sea fills with locals and international vacationers. Twenty miles north of Burgas, the nearest major city and airport, is a curved stretch of golden sand called Sunny Beach, home to a strip of high-rise hotels, waterparks, nightclubs, and beach chairs as far as the eye can see. The Palace Hotel is at the north end of the beach, among many others of its ilk. Regular buses run to Sunny Beach from Burgas and take about an hour, but it’s half the time in a cab and relatively cheap. Once in Sunny Beach, there are several transportation options to get around, including boat taxis, horse and carriage, and a “tourist train.” The only major sight near the resort is the 3,000-year-old town of Nessebar, six miles to the south.

Classic Greek blues and whites cover the walls and upholstery of these 143 mid-range rooms and suites. Amenities by and large deliver the basics, including mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs with cable, telephones, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi, though units lack kettles, coffeemakers, and microwaves. Their highlight feature is the balconies, all of which look out to the sea and surrounding beach and resort. Bathrooms are similarly basic, though they can be small and some are in better shape than others. All have showers only and no dividers or curtains from the toilets. Units on lower floors are subject to noise from the bar, so light sleepers may want to request a room higher up. 

Palace Hotel lays on a thick frosting of vacation amenities. First and foremost is the beach itself, which, although not technically part of the hotel, is right out front. A further cool down or bronzing can be enjoyed at the midsize oval pool, while meals and entertainment shift to the on-site restaurant and cocktail bar, particularly during evening karaoke. There's a continental breakfast buffet of decent quality that's included in the rates. Also on the premises is a garden, children's playground, currency exchange, small grocery, and gift shops. Free parking is available but must be reserved ahead of time. Guests can make use dry cleaning and laundry service, and the hotel offers babysitting for a fee. Wi-Fi is free throughout.