Park Hotel & SPA Vella Hills

Overall very nice hotel and one of Velingrad's best value-for-money propositions. The breakfast is both varied and delicious, providing an excellent start to each day. We also appreciate the ample and convenient parking facilities. While the SPA area is on the smaller side, it was not crowded during our visit; however, it could potentially feel a bit cramped if the hotel were operating at full capacity. It's worth noting that while the service is generally friendly, it might not always be on par with the highly refined standards found in Western European hotels. Regarding the value for money in Velingrad generally, it's a more complex picture. The overall trend in Velingrad has seen prices rise considerably, especially in the larger, more modern spa hotels. This upward trend can make one question the value, particularly when comparing rates to established European spa destinations like San Pellegrino. It seems that if you're looking for significant savings, you might need to seek out smaller, less flashy guesthouses or consider visiting during the off-peak season

In terms of the rooms, our room was a studio with one king-size bed, and everything was clean and nice. Also, the little gifts that they give you, like the shampoos and the little comb, were very flattering. They were cleaning our room every day, which was nice, and the view from our apartment was super cool. We were seeing the mountains and the mist they were covering, so we can't complain. However, there was no proper hairdryer, and the only one was hanging on the wall, the little one where you can't really regulate the intensity of the heat. So, having in mind that they have a spa center, I would say that it's an absolute must to either have good, strong hairdryers in the rooms, or keep a few pieces of good hairdryers at the reception desk, so that guests can take them and then return them. The restaurant was perfect for a lunch meal. We didn't get to have dinner there. However, the buffet in the morning was really badly organized. So, first of all, you start from one circle, then you do another circle, there were queues. It took a lot of time to actually get what you need. In terms of the reception and the service, everybody in the hotel was pretty nice. I would only say that it's not worth it to actually get a drink from the lobby bar, because our water costed $3.50, which is absurd. There were games there, which is good for children. The spa center is pretty small. However, it had everything you need, like the sauna, the Turkish bath, the pool, and also the outside warm pool. However, at times children were allowed into the spa wellness slash calm zone, and they created some noise, which was disturbing. We also tried the massage, the masseuse. It was okay, but I really expected a bit gentler handle and more professionalism. Overall, a very nice hotel. We would definitely go back. The view is amazing. The location is a bit stranded from the main part of the city, so the city center, but it was pretty nice.

I came here expecting hospitality — I paid for it — but instead, I got hostility. The manager flat-out insisted I’d received more access cards than I actually had, essentially calling me a liar, and then demanded I pay for one I never got. Absolutely unacceptable treatment from someone in the business of welcoming guests. I won’t be returning, and I suggest you think twice before booking.