Is the Dafi Hotel a Lame Duck! (Hotels in Bulgaria)

Member Name: Praskipark

Product:	Hotels in Bulgaria
Date:	22/05/08 (107 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good location within walking distance of the town centre

Disadvantages: Had to go next door for breakfast.

Dafi Hotel is a three star hotel in Plovdiv. I had seen it advertised on various websites and as we were spending a few days in Plovdiv we thought we would check it out. The reason for our trip to Plovdiv was house hunting with the intention of buying. We were also visiting other parts of Bulgaria like Karlovo, Sofia and Veliko Turnovo but Plovdiv and The Dafi were our first port of call.

Leaving Krumovo airport, a very small airport which seemed at the time like a shed in the middle of nowhere, we decided to get a taxi as neither my husband or I could speak any Bulgarian. Although it is much easier than Polish! Now as every traveller knows you should really negotiate a price for the taxi before sitting in it but as it was wet and cold, being February, we thought we would risk getting ripped off. From what I can remember the hotel isn't too far from the airport but it seemed a very long journey and yes we were ripped off. Anyway, the nice, helpful taxi driver (do you sense a hint of sarcasm here) dropped us in front of the hotel and begrudgingly got our cases out of the boot.

The front of the hotel was exactly like the picture on the website. On entering the hotel foyer it felt like a renovated apartment block which is what it may have been in another life. everything seemed brand new, very clean and smart.

Now a little more info....

Location

The hotel is located on a tree lined street, in the very centre of Plovdiv, close to the Old town and Djumaya Square. The Roman stadium is 300 metres away.
It is very easy to walk into town where you are close to many cultural and historic monuments, museums and art galleries but be careful at night as the street lighting is dim and the paving stones are upturned and crooked.

Hotel Details

21 rooms on 4 floors. Single, double, studio and suites. All rooms have cable TV, free Internet access telephone and mini bar. Decor is very bright and modern but colour co-ordinated. Bathrooms are smartly tiled and what I call a 'wet room' which personally I am not keen as water goes everywhere. There are lots of free bottles of shampoo, shower gel and soap which is a nice touch.

Dining Room is in a seperate building next door which I think is a bit strange. I think also this is used as retaurant in the evening but whenever we returned it was always closed. For breakfast you could choose from ham and eggs (but boiled ham not bacon) or a huge piece of feta cheese with salad. The feta cheese was really strong tasting and after a couple of days I had had enough of it and ended up just having coffee.

Rates for 2008 are: (info taken from the brochure)

Single room 42 Euro EUR
Double room 54 Euro EUR
Studio (2 persons) 68 Euro EUR
Apartment (2 persons) 78 Euro EUR
Extra bed 22 Euro EUR

Hotel staff were very helpful and friendly. If you need to rent a car they will organise it for you and book taxis back to the airport so you pay the going rate instead of a highly inflated one!

Summary

If you are staying a short time in Plovdiv then this hotel is adeqaute. It feels like a business hotel to me or a posh version of a french Formule 1. It is exceptionally clean and tidy and the staff are very professional and friendly. The location is well situated being in the cente of this very ancient town and at the junction of Bulgarias main tourist routes.

Summary: Recommend because of location and cleanliness.