Hotel Leipzig in Plovdiv

Location is in no doubt the best when it comes to that hotel. The city center and its major tourist sights are easily accessible, we had a stunning view towards Bunardjika hill, which is also 5 min away on foot. One of the city's shopping malls is situated just in front of the hotel. Obviously the hotel was meant to stand out as a business hotel but its interior design leaves an impression of a place with questionable reputation. At first my husband and I received only one key and they firmly refused to provide a second one. We had to explain we have a small toddler who would be going to bed early with me, while my husband was attending a rock music featival and didn't want to bother us knocking at the door or phoning. After some more negotiating we finally received a spare key but still I find it weird that on a 4* hotel the key is only one per room and not per person. Breakfast is nothing special- three days in a row there was cold Bulgarian banitsa that tasted like last week's leftovers, and this didn't even change. Eggs and bacon were ok, some fresh fruit, average and cold pancakes and low quality jam in small hotel portions. Our room was not cleaned 3 days in a row although I asked the staff. We have a 2 year-old toddler having a strict daily routine including afternoon nap, so I regard it as normal thing to come and clean the room before noon while we are away. Eventually we ran out of toilet paper and we even had to through our own garbage. The reception stuff was very polite on the third evening when I asked her to provide some tissues but couldn't explain why this had happened. Most frustrating of all was our attempt to have dinner in one of the restaurants - L Garden. I had to wait 25 min. for a small plate of simple tomato, cucumber and pepper salad together with a nervous and hungry toddler. I could have understood if the place was super busy but we were the only clients together with another young couple. All on all I doubt if I would visit the same hotel again- the price is compatible with other 4* big names in the city center.

Despite its convenient location and attractive scenery, the hotel room's condition falls below expectations given its advertised 4-star status. Renovations have been unable to fully erase reminders of its Soviet-era history.