Grand Hotel Sofia

The nine-floor Grand Hotel Sofia, opened in 2004, carries on the stately, elegant tradition of top-tier European hotels. There's not much that's modern here in terms of decor -- instead, expect a formal, somewhat heavy interior filled with more than 400 original oil paintings and lots of dark-wood paneling and furniture. The overall vibe is sophisticated and quiet, however, some areas -- particularly carpets and the quirky days-of-the-week mats in the elevators -- are beginning to show signs of wear. The hotel is primarily popular with business travelers, and it caters to them with its convention center and accompanying suite of meeting rooms. Couples on vacation, and some families, have also laid there head here though. While not a huge inconvenience, some guests have complained of small and slow elevators.

Located about as centrally in Sofia as you can get, the Grand Hotel Sofia is within easy walking distance of the city's top sights and attractions. The National Theatre, city art gallery, national concert hall, national art museum, Russian Church, St. Sofia Church, archaeological museum, ethnographic museum, and national history museum are all within a 10-minute walk. For business travelers, the country's ministry offices (of defense, agriculture, education, etc.) are all within a 12-minute walk. The closest subway station, Serdike, is a five-minute walk away. The airport is about 20 minutes away by taxi, and the city's train station is a 10-minute drive from the hotel.  

Rooms and suites here aren't the most modern, but they're incredibly spacious for a city hotel, starting at 50 square meters (538 square feet). The rich emerald and ruby jewel tones of the carpets, curtains, and bedspread are old-fashioned in a grand, elegant way, as are small sculptures, dark-wood furniture, and oil paintings. However, some rooms could use a refresh, as their wallpaper, upholstered headboard, and carpeting have seen better days. Large bathrooms are beautifully outfitted in dark-green marble, and all have a shower stall and separate bathtub -- jetted tubs are available in some higher-category rooms. They're stocked with free toiletries (Aroma toiletries in lower-tier rooms), bathrobes, hairdryers, and slippers. 

Standard amenities include minibars with free bottled water, flat-screen satellite TVs, free Wi-Fi, and work desks. Due to safety regulations, there are no ironing boards or irons provided, though a pressing service is available for a charge. Other perks are available at different room levels, like various levels of access to the wellness center, airport transfers, tea- and coffee-making facilities, and L'Occitane toiletries. 

The Grand Hotel's Shades of Red restaurant is decidedly formal, with burgundy and gold carpet, white linens on the tables, and tall, tapered candles. It overlooks the garden and serves lunch and dinner from a menu featuring fine-dining dishes like lobster bisque, caviar, New Zealand lamb, and steaks alongside traditional Bulgarian food and seasonal specials. A truly excellent buffet breakfast, with continental choices and Bulgarian specialities, is available for a fee. There's a more casual option for breakfast and light dishes, too: the delicious Grand Cafe, with a beautiful conservatory-style dining room and a terrace that extends into the adjacent park. Downstairs, the hotel's bustling Lobby Bar is open around the clock. 

The hotel's health center incorporates a full-service spa with treatment rooms that provide aromatherapy, massages, and facials. Guests can also use the sauna, hot tub, infrared cabin, and solarium -- free for those staying in upper-tier rooms and available as a day pass to other guests for a reasonable fee. A small but well-equipped fitness center is also available, but it has limited hours (9 a.m. to 9 p.m. during our visit). Guests can also get a yoga mat and DVD delivered to their rooms for free. 

Additional features include an in-house florist, hair salon, art gallery, and an accessories shop inside the hotel.  Meeting rooms and a business center are also on-site. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property, and self parking in the garage is free.