Astera Hotel & Spa with Free Private Beach

Firstly it may be an idea to read the reviews on Google. On arrival at hotel, approx 3am we were given our cards, 2 staff in reception sitting on phones and drinking beer. Nothing was explained to us just a bit of paper given. First morning we attended breakfast, a big room with no windows and nowhere to eat outside. There was no cutlery on the table to I had to stop one of the foreign waiters who didn't know what I was asking but eventually pointed to a drawer, I took the place mats and cutlery from the same area and put on our table. Again looking around, staff standing using their phones, for the whole two weeks only one or 2 of the staff could even make eye contact with us? Same day, evening meal, I attempted to ask in Bulgarian about cheese for the soup, one of the chef ignorantly pointed at the card which advised what the soup was, and after angrily looking at me then just ignored me. I found cheese for soup which was at the opposite end of this small area where everyone walks around like wild animals, anyway, I asked another chef if he could help me use the microwave, he just stood laughing at me, I had to go and look for another staff member who assisted me but I was so angry at this I could hardly eat. In the 2 weeks we never attended this dull restaurant for lunch, after eating anything from here, 10 minutes later we were hurrying to the toilet and I mean every time. Many staff all seem to be from Azerbaijan, they don't speak English or even Bulgarian. At the beginning they were uninterested at doing their jobs, on phones, one girl on the terrace bar was constantly petting with the boys, kissing and hugging in front of everyone, was uncomfortable to watch and so unprofessional. After one of the Azerbaijan staff asked my husband for a cigarette, my husband went to manager to complain, after this their manner was slightly more pleasant or maybe it was the tips we were giving even though they didn't deserve but that's the kind of people we are. Cleaning, my husband was annoyed the room had no been cleaned, that's when he went to reception to complain and was told this was NORMAL? We arranged a meeting with rep who wasnt much help, always full of poor excuses and unable to give straight answers Indoor pool, not heated. Outdoor pool, not once did I see it being cleaned, no help even getting mattresses for the sunbeds, pool staff absent for long periods while umbrellas blew over or where on their phones. Beach - no toilet, pour your own drink and uncomfortable, broken beds. Hand sanitizers - most of them empty No diet cola or sweetener for tea/coffee, apparently, according to rep, people on diets or with diabetes don't exist in Bulgaria???? When we asked Balkan holidays about what the REP said she denied it. Animation and shows - in the 2 weeks we were there we say 3 shows, 2 the same which was flamenco and one magic show. First week we saw the animators on one day only doing something by pool and some music on for half an hour. No interac

The hotel is clean, the staff are friendly and helpful. Location is great, food was good and varied. Beach was lovely free sun loungers, parasol and refreshments. Hotel had a spa, steam room and sauna all free of charge. We would definitely return. Thank you very much.

I am very pleased with my stay. The rooms are clean. Rooms are cleaned daily. The outdoor pool is sufficient and clean. Hotel service was nice. When it comes to food - it is diverse and everyone will find something for themselves. Snacks could be better. You can feel that all this is unfrozen from ready-made products. Close to the beach. A bar on the beach. It's a pity that there is no toilet on the beach (or tokens to use the public toilet in the street).

This is a really honest review from a hard working person wanting to blow some steam in a hotel i visited 10 years ago and I really enjoyed but now it was like a roaler coaster, food was teribble and carbonized fries, old sweets tasting like cart board but the cherry on the cake at 23:30 i wanted to buy some drinks but i only had money on my card and did not exchange much as i planned to stay in the hotel. They have told me its only cash and they were not wiling to provide any solution only to bring cash. I gave up but they deserve this review. Dissapointing

The hotel looks good, but it frustrates us in several aspects. The staff seems not so friendly, it was very big and only 2 elevators (one was broken for one day) and it took around 10 minutes to get in the room when it was quick. We were with other friends in the same hotel, we asked for rooms nearby each other, but we were on the 5th floor and they were on the 8th floor, they didn't consider our request and of course, they said the hotel was fully booked. The restaurant was ok, but the food was terrible sometimes, compared to other hotels I think this one was not good, and the appearance of the food is not good also. Also, we noticed a lot of repeated dishes, some dirty plates and glasses. Also, the coffee machine is very bad, the coffee is not good, they have an expresso machine also but it was broken for half of the time we were there also, but the coffee was not good either when we tried in the beginning. The bar by the beach is open only until 5 pm, but the sun is up until 8 pm, so non-sense, also you cannot use the umbrellas after 7 pm, it is insane, it seems they are not considering they are offering a service in the beach, for me it is a lame excuse. The location and the beach are good but really packed with people. The swimming pool is good, but always the sun beds were reserved, so it was not enough for almost no one. The indoor pool is cold, the gym doesn't have a treadmill machine and other equipment was broken. Also, the spa/gym area opens very late, like 8:30 am and closes very early. If you plan to go to the gym early in the morning or after the beach forget about it, it is like working hours, again it seems they don't treat it as a vacationing place where people are there with free time to use this kind of stuff when they want.

I strongly advise not to go to that hotel. It is mostly it’s location that is the worst feature because there is no calm spot in the entire building- there is a constant loud music and sounds of entertainment from around. That means that the room is literally shaking from house/techno/ other music with dominating bass banging till late at night 3 am 4 am and starting around noon so no siesta either to catch up the lost night’s sleep. Apparently it is the local idea of fun and lively resort. The hotel is closely surrounded by such loud&lively facilities like the neighbouring hotel with the swimming pool parties, beach bars, disco club etc so no escape. I literally had no sleep for days. The personnel denies the knowledge about the issue- but does not come to check. So they deny the info if this is the permanent state. So they refused at first to find another room for me - fully booked. Who rated this hotel so high as you indicate?

Very nice hotel, top location with amazing seaside and beach view, cool design and the most important - professional, helpful and kind staff. The rooms are clean and cozy. The pool is very nice too. The hotel has its own part of the beach which is clean and drinks included for the hotel guests.

Arrive late at night lovely welcome by reception ,snacks and drinks in restaurant while paperwork was completed ,Room large clean and water in fridge,The seaview was perfect ,The hotel is spotless ,we loved the food and drinks something for everyone,we have a greAt holiday and met some lovely people