Helena Park - Ultra All Inclusive

1st time in Bulgaria. Just got back from a 10night stay at Helena Park Hotel. We travelled as a family of 6 adults and 2 teenagers. (Half travelled with TUI & half travelled with Jet2) Arrival: The transfer bus drops everyone off on the public footpath/bus stop at the front of the hotel. The gates at the front of the hotel appear to be all locked however only the middle one is. This is confusing after a 3.5hr flights and 60 minute transfer. Check In: Spotless with a straight forward check in process. Shown to the room by a bell boy. Rooms: We all had twin rooms which were very large and spacious. The bathrooms were a good size with beautiful smelling toiletries and nice toilet paper. Our 2 pillows were lumpy so we requested an extra 2 each. They were promptly brought to the room. The mattresses were quite hard and after 10 days were very uncomfortable. Mini Bar had drinks included which were part of the AI. If you requested a refill of the moni bar, that would have been a recharge to us. Pool: The pool was freezing however this did not stop us from enjoying it. (Tip - the sea is warmer!). Sunbeds were plentiful and comfortable and the pool towels could be changed as often as necessary. The showers by the pool are warm, most people used them after using the pool to warm through. Lifeguard: Very grumpy. Entertainment staff: Fantastic and very engaging. We found them all continuously happy and worth every penny they get paid. Daytime activities ran every day except for Mondays and included darts, archery, aqua aerobics, beach volleyball, pool games etc. Evening entertainment could be improved. Bar staff: Very grumpy and spoke little English and could be very abrupt at times. Sometimes slamming drinks down on the bar etc. Bar saloon was open until midnight. After 11pm the staff would serve drinks in paper cups. We complained about this as we felt that it was not appropriate and preferred to drink from glasses on an evening. The staff would still.give out paper cups to everyone but not us after we had complained. When the bar closes at midnight, the lights are promptly switched off and in come the cleaners - you pretty much get kicked out whether or not you are finished your drink. Restaurant Staff: Very quick at tidying away plates. No table service for drinks. Spoke very little English. Restaurants: Snack bar: kept spotless but food was quite often only warm. We had to complain several times about this to the woman supervisor. Main buffet restaurant: Food always hot and always something to eat although, as per buffets, they become repetitive. Themed Restaurant: We went on the Bulgarian Themed Evening. The food was cooked well but not really to our liking. We all tried it and enjoyed the experience. Beach: Free sun loungers (grey ones on each side of the paid red ones). Not easily to spot but ask if you're unsure. Sand hot in the afternoon so wear suitable footwear. Sea is lovely - clean and warm but beware of the

We had a wonderful stay at this beautiful hotel for one week. Clean, nice rooms, big beautiful pool, amazing food and very friendly staff. But the best thing was definitely the Animation team. They are very talented people who really know how to entertain guests. They have really good programs and especially evening shows - amazing. The boss of the animation team Tsetso is a specially experienced professional who led his team in a perfect way. Would come back for sure

Just returned home from a week at this fantastic clean hotel, staff are so friendly in all areas from cleaners to reception to restaurant to chefs.Nice food choices every day something for everyone fish, meats, salads, freshly made pizzas to name but a few & lovely desserts & ice-cream’s. The pool is lovely once you’re in it as the waters a little cold, good for cooling down in the heat we had some 35 degrees day so was well needed.Never once had a problem getting a sun bed & parasol plenty round the pool to choose from.Clean pool towels every day just change them daily with the pool attendant/ lifeguard. The friendly & talented animations team at this hotel are brilliant working day & night entertaining guests with different activities is you wish to join in. Two minute walk to the lovely beach, 20 -25 minute slow walk to “Flower Street “or 5-10 minutes on the land train which starts just outside the hotels beach exit & drops you right in the centre, cost 6 lev each, each way, but have the right money or they’ll tell you they haven’t got any change & it could end up costing you more. Had a lovely day trip out to beautiful Old Nessebar a place well worth a visit, then got the sea taxi back to Flower Street which was also brilliant. A great week Thankyou