Everything was almost perfect, but a little dull (food, programe, staff) and same routine. And yes, there is something bad about it: I had a little food poisoning.

Just returned from 2 weeks in the Arabella. Would recommend this to anyone. the hotel is spotless, the food fantastic, entertainment great, the hotel is situated in the best location, staff very friendly and helpful. First time in bulgaira and with the Riu hotel chain but will not be my last. a+++++++

Stayed at this hotel June 15th 2005 for 14 nights. Our room was beautiful, huge double bed and a lounge. No english television (BBC world service only on intermittantly). Predominantly German guests, with a smattering of French and Dutch. English guests very much in the minority at this time of year. Food was OK but very repetative, chicken or pork and fish for every meal, although you could also get pizza and pasta, but it wasn't up to much. Most people in other hotels had really shocking food and had to eat out most of the time, but there was always at least one thing you could eat at the Arabella. The food for children consisted of chicken nuggests ([+]view more) and chips at almost every meal. Very helpful staff. Lack of sunbeds when hotel is full. You have to be up about 6.30am to get one. There is a small pool which gets the sun most of the day, and a larger pool more geared up to families with children (noisy). We did not book this hotel originally, but the Riu Bolero which we had booked was not completed and we transferred to the Arabella and made the best of it. Entertainment was reasonable considering everything was presented in several languages. The Salon Bar was claustrphobic but I imagine that in high summer the entertainment would be outside. A pleasant holiday so long as you don't want to stay in the hotel all the time and are prepared to get out and about. Varna (30 lev in taxi return) well worth a visit as is St. Constantine, a quite small pretty resort also 30 lev return in taxi. Bulgarian people are very friendly, but shopkeepers decend upon you the moment you stop to look at anything. Golden Sands beach is very clean and sunbeds and umbellas are reasonably priced. It is very cheap to eat out and drinks are also very cheap. Watch out for buy one get one free cocktails at the Hotel Admiral Cocktail Bar (about 14 lev - £5), too many and you forget which hotel you're in! By the way the Arabella is very central but the design make access difficult for wheelchair users and strollers have to be carried up and down small amount of steps, but his didn't seem to be a problem. I would go back to this area and look forward to trying the new Bolero hotel once it is completely finished.

Arabella hotel what can i say, it has been the best hotel me and my family have stayed at, its the first time in bulgaria and they made it a great holiday for us. The entertainment is great plenty to do. Also the food was brilliant lots of variety never the same and the hotel its self was very clean dont have to worry about crepy crawlies unlike spain, its been a great stay in the arabella hotel and the staff are brilliant too. there is nothing i can say bad about it.

just had 2 great weeks and wish to return next year for weeks

Accomodation excellent. Food good. Entertainment good. Amenities excellent. Staff very friendly and accommodating. Animation team very good. Kids club good. All in all a very friendly and comfortable hotel providing a relaxed holiday.

We usually stay at Varnenchik Hotel (like all Scandinavian youngsters), but a very good friend of mine always stays at Arabella Hotel (shes from Sofia and we meet every August in Golden sands), so Ive been staying overnight there many times.

Its a really beautiful hotel, get a room with a view, ull be just amazed! Bulgarian seaside is GORGEOUS!