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164 USD
Hotel Marinela Sofia in Sofia
🌍 Bulgaria, Sofia, 100 James Bourchier Blvd
● Center: 2.8 km
☎ Phone: +359 2 969 2222Show
✅ Five restaurants on site praised for excellent food, including Japanese and Italian cuisine ✅ Spacious and comfortable rooms with mountain and city views available ✅ Japanese garden and elegant lobby noted as unique architectural features ✅ Fitness center and indoor pool accessible to guests ✅ Breakfast generally regarded as good or excellent in several reviews ❌ Numerous reports of poor service with unhelpful, unfriendly staff and language barriers ❌ Frequent maintenance problems such as non-adjustable air conditioning, dirty rooms, and broken fixtures ❌ Parking described as expensive and confusing, with unclear payment instructions only in Bulgarian ❌ Complaints about unreliable Wi-Fi and non-functional room phones ❌ Security concerns including incidents of unauthorized room access ❌ Rooms and bathrooms considered outdated by many guests, not matching five-star expectations
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Rooms and prices
2 guests
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Premium Double room
Wireless internet, air conditioning and minibar
Beds:
217 USD
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Junior Suite with mountain view
Wireless internet, air conditioning and minibar
Beds:
237 USD
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Vice-Presidential Double Suite
Private bathroom
Beds:
895 USD
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Standard Double room with city view
Air conditioning, bath and private bathroom
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Standard Double room with mountain view
Air conditioning, minibar and bath
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Deluxe Double room with city view
Air conditioning, bath and private bathroom
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Deluxe Double room with mountain view
Air conditioning, bath and private bathroom
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Premium Double room with city view
Wireless internet, air conditioning and minibar
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Premium Double room with mountain view
Wireless internet, air conditioning and minibar
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Presidential Suite with mountain view
Wireless internet, air conditioning and minibar
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2 Bedrooms Presidential Suite with mountain view
Kitchen, wireless internet and air conditioning
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Kitchen in the room
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Description
Hotel Marinela Sofia is a five-star establishment known for its striking architecture designed by renowned Japanese architect Kurokawa. Built in 1979 and renovated in 2008, it features a 19-story building with 442 rooms spread over 30,000 square meters. Guests can choose from a variety of room types, including Standard, Deluxe, Premium, Junior Suite, and multiple Presidential Suites with city or mountain views. The hotel offers extensive facilities such as 5 restaurants, 2 bars, a Japanese garden, and 13 meeting rooms. Free Wi-Fi is available in the lobby, though some reviews report unreliable internet in rooms. The property also includes amenities like a fitness center, indoor pool, sauna, and paid spa and massage services. Despite its upscale setting and diverse dining options, recent guest feedback points to inconsistent service levels and maintenance issues.
Location
Hotel Marinela Sofia is located on 100 James Bourchier Blvd, approximately 2 km from Sofia's city center. The Sofia Airport (SOF) is about 8 km away, offering convenient access for travelers. The hotel is just 300 meters from the James Bourchier metro station, facilitating easy transport around Sofia. The main railway station is 4.5 km from the hotel. Nearby dining options include the highly-rated Restaurant «Кабуки Сакура» (47 m), Restaurant «Табиет» (136 m), and Restaurant «Ниагара» (237 m).
Tips
- If you plan to use the parking facilities, prepare for additional fees and possible language barriers at the payment machine.
- Check with reception about Wi-Fi availability in your room upon arrival.
- For dining, try the hotel's restaurants which receive positive remarks, but manage expectations regarding room condition and service quality.
Policies and conditions
- Child policies: Children of all ages are welcome at this property. Additional fees may be charged for children using existing beds. Add the number of children to get a more accurate price.
- Cribs and Extra Beds: Extra bed and crib policies may vary according to room type. Please refer to the room type details for more information.
- Breakfast: Buffet [Mon - Sun] 07:00-10:00 Open Additional breakfast fees are not included in the total and need to be paid at the property.
- Pets: Pets are allowed on request Fee: €20.45 (approx. US$24.09) per pet per night
- Service animals: Service animals are allowed on request
- Age Requirements: The main guest checking in must be at least 18 years old
- Paying at the hotel: Visa, MasterCard, AmericanExpress
- Check in time: 14:00. Check out time: 12:00.
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Services and facilities
General
- ATM
- Shopping on site
- Computer
- Air conditioning
- 24-hour reception
- Elevator/lift
- Currency exchange
- Smoke-free property
- Heating
- Security guard
- Newspapers
- Ticket assistance
- Gift shop
- Express check-in/check-out
- Garden
- Television in lobby
- Terrace
- Fire Extinguisher
- Outdoor furniture
- Electric car charging
Rooms
- Bridal suite
- Non-smoking rooms
- Room service
- Family room
- VIP room amenities
- Smoke Detector
- Cable TV
- TV
- Hairdryer
- Shower/Bathtub
- Bathtub
- Wardrobe/Closet
- Bathrobe
- Laptop safe
- Slippers
- Toiletries
Accessibility
- Accessibility features
- Wheelchair Accessible
Services and amenities
- Ironing
- Luggage storage
- Laundry
- Safe-deposit box
- Concierge services
- Dry-cleaning
- Luggage storage
- Telephone
Meals
- Bar
- Coffee/tea for guests
- Diet menu (on request)
- Breakfast
- Buffet breakfast
- Breakfast in the room
- Cafe
- Restaurant
- Snack bar
Internet
- Free Wi-Fi
Transfer
- Shuttle
- Car rental
- Airport transportation
- Transfer services
Languages Spoken
- Russian
- English
- Multi-language staff
Tourist services
- Tour assistance
Recreation
- Casino
- Nightclub
- Sun Deck
Parking
- Parking
- Garage
Pool and beach
- Swimming pool
- Indoor Pool
- Beach/pool towels
Business
- Business center
- Event facilities
- Fax and copy machine
- Meeting and presentation facilities
- Conference Hall
Sports
- Fitness facilities
- Gym
- Yoga
Beauty and wellness
- Massage
- Steam room
- Beauty services
- Sauna
- Spa
- First Aid Kit
Kids
- Children swimming pool
- Family/Kid Friendly
Pets
- Pets allowed
Street view
Video: Hotel Marinela Sofia - City Withing the City
Map
Reviews
09.02.2026
DISGRACEFUL EXPERIENCE FOR A SO-CALLED 5-STAR HOTEL
Let me be very clear: this is supposed to be a 5-STAR hotel, and yet it delivers an experience that wouldn’t even qualify as 2 stars.
I am staying here with my parents, and everything has been a complete failure from the beginning.
The ventilation system in the room NEVER stops. When we went to reception to ask for help, we were told — without any effort to assist — that it cannot be adjusted. It is either fully ON or fully OFF. No control, no regulation, no alternative solution. For a 5-star hotel, this is simply unacceptable.
The staff situation is shocking. Most of the staff do not speak English at all. Not even the basics. They constantly speak Bulgarian among themselves while guests are standing there, confused and frustrated. For an international 5-star hotel, this is unprofessional and honestly embarrassing.
Now let’s talk about the parking disaster, which perfectly sums up the level of incompetence here.
To exit the parking lot, there is a payment machine (guichet) with instructions written ONLY in Bulgarian. No English. No symbols. Nothing. I had to translate it myself. The translation said to pay at the cashier or scan the QR code on the ticket.
I scanned the QR code. It did not work.
There is a help button — we pressed it several times. No answer. No assistance. No one came.
We were stuck in the parking for over 10 minutes, unable to leave, with no idea what to do.
I finally got out of the car and went to reception to ask for help. And unbelievably, there was a staff member standing nearby the whole time, who had clearly seen us struggling. Instead of coming to help, he stayed where he was and shouted at me “you pay here”. Once again — no English, no explanation, no professionalism.
So this so-called 5-star hotel offers:
No control over basic room comfort
Non-working Wi-Fi
A non-working room phone
A parking system that traps guests
Staff who cannot communicate or be bothered to help
This is not luxury, not service, and not hospitality. It is pure frustration.
I am extremely disappointed and angry.
Avoid this hotel at all costs, especially if you are an international guest. Calling this place a 5-star hotel is misleading and honestly offensive to real 5-star establishments.
Let me be very clear: this is supposed to be a 5-STAR hotel, and yet it delivers an experience that wouldn’t even qualify as 2 stars.
I am staying here with my parents, and everything has been a complete failure from the beginning.
The ventilation system in the room NEVER stops. When we went to reception to ask for help, we were told — without any effort to assist — that it cannot be adjusted. It is either fully ON or fully OFF. No control, no regulation, no alternative solution. For a 5-star hotel, this is simply unacceptable.
The staff situation is shocking. Most of the staff do not speak English at all. Not even the basics. They constantly speak Bulgarian among themselves while guests are standing there, confused and frustrated. For an international 5-star hotel, this is unprofessional and honestly embarrassing.
Now let’s talk about the parking disaster, which perfectly sums up the level of incompetence here.
To exit the parking lot, there is a payment machine (guichet) with instructions written ONLY in Bulgarian. No English. No symbols. Nothing. I had to translate it myself. The translation said to pay at the cashier or scan the QR code on the ticket.
I scanned the QR code. It did not work.
There is a help button — we pressed it several times. No answer. No assistance. No one came.
We were stuck in the parking for over 10 minutes, unable to leave, with no idea what to do.
I finally got out of the car and went to reception to ask for help. And unbelievably, there was a staff member standing nearby the whole time, who had clearly seen us struggling. Instead of coming to help, he stayed where he was and shouted at me “you pay here”. Once again — no English, no explanation, no professionalism.
So this so-called 5-star hotel offers:
No control over basic room comfort
Non-working Wi-Fi
A non-working room phone
A parking system that traps guests
Staff who cannot communicate or be bothered to help
This is not luxury, not service, and not hospitality. It is pure frustration.
I am extremely disappointed and angry.
Avoid this hotel at all costs, especially if you are an international guest. Calling this place a 5-star hotel is misleading and honestly offensive to real 5-star establishments.
11.01.2026
I stayed at Hotel Marinela in Sofia, which is rated as a five-star hotel, but my experience did not reflect that standard.
When I arrived, the toilet in my room was not clean. After I complained, housekeeping came to clean it and referred to it as an “already clean room,” which was disappointing and unprofessional. The shower water temperature was also very unstable, suddenly becoming too hot and then returning to normal.
Overall, the housekeeping service felt very unprofessional—something I have never experienced before, despite staying in many hotels.
In addition, the hotel feels quite old-fashioned and outdated, which further detracts from the five-star image.
The breakfast was good, which was one of the few positives. 😉
When I arrived, the toilet in my room was not clean. After I complained, housekeeping came to clean it and referred to it as an “already clean room,” which was disappointing and unprofessional. The shower water temperature was also very unstable, suddenly becoming too hot and then returning to normal.
Overall, the housekeeping service felt very unprofessional—something I have never experienced before, despite staying in many hotels.
In addition, the hotel feels quite old-fashioned and outdated, which further detracts from the five-star image.
The breakfast was good, which was one of the few positives. 😉
06.01.2026
used to be the best in the past , but especially the rooms need renovation , otherwise the facilities , the Restaurants are one of the best in the city
06.01.2026
Very fancy hotel
16.12.2025
I went to the panorama restaurant. Gread food, pricey but worth it. A few things were dated but I was impressed they got dishes such as geese liver and veal cutlets correct. I've been to many fancy dining locations in Bulgaria where they got the cooking techniques very wrong and still charged an exorbitent price.
The hotel itself felt way too busy and yucky. Very interesting characters and the hotel staff were very unhelpful and unresponsive. I would not want to stay there. This hotel definitely attracts a certain type of person
The hotel itself felt way too busy and yucky. Very interesting characters and the hotel staff were very unhelpful and unresponsive. I would not want to stay there. This hotel definitely attracts a certain type of person
16.12.2025
overall the stay was nice, but the stuff and the parking area responsible are not friendly at all.
the room was very good and the entire facilities.
but need to check very deeply the stuff and the responsible of parking area
the room was very good and the entire facilities.
but need to check very deeply the stuff and the responsible of parking area
02.12.2025
Excellent breakfasts, good facility for sports teams.
Great restaurant Burrata in hotel, which does excellent cocktails.
Heating in room was on high and couldn't be adjusted.
Not overly friendly.
Great restaurant Burrata in hotel, which does excellent cocktails.
Heating in room was on high and couldn't be adjusted.
Not overly friendly.
23.11.2025
The window in the room was extremely dirty and underneath it there were cracks on the very “countertop” under the window. There was some kind of heating convector in the room, but no change, it was extremely cold in the room! I expected more!
28.10.2025
Ok hotel. Service is beyond disgusting, they need training. Staff seem depressed not helpful at all and can be rude and dismissive. The Gym and swimming pool is not exclusive for hotel residents and is used by schools who take up most of the space. Appearance is nice. I have recently stopped smoking but the whole place smells of strong cigarettes. Some things do not work in the room and they dont fix when you report it. They do not seem to want reviews. Regarding the restaurants they are excellent and have great service but are separate from the hotel so you can clearly see the standard difference. Room cleaning, they do not tidy or clean the room or bathroom even when you ask them to. Certainly not a 5 star. Should be a 3 star max.
16.10.2025
All good but the breakfast is not good for this important hotel … orange juice must be fresh not in cartoon bag… and others particularity …
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Think about what you would like to know if you were looking for a review about a place to relax. Please describe in detail what you liked and what you didn't. What would you advise to other guests and to the hotel owner. The more fully you tell about the hotel, the easier it will be for other people to make a choice and they will be very grateful to you!
POIs near hotel
Roman Wall (1.6 km)
Remains of fortifications from Roman Serdica, preserved along Sofia's medieval core. These ancient walls trace the city's defensive perimeter from the 2nd-3rd centuries CE.
Memorial Monument to the Victims of the Communist Regime in Bulgaria (1.6 km)
Sofia's central memorial honoring those who suffered under Bulgaria's communist rule from 1944 to 1989, featuring symbolic sculptures and inscriptions.
National Literary Museum (2 km)
Sofia's premier museum dedicated to Bulgarian literature, housing manuscripts, first editions, and personal effects of renowned authors spanning centuries of literary tradition.
Saint Euthymius of Tarnovo (2 km)
Memorial to the medieval Bulgarian Patriarch and cultural figure.
Petko and Pencho Slaveykov Monument (2.3 km)
Memorial dedicated to the 19th-century Bulgarian writers and activists Petko and Pencho Slaveykov, key figures in Bulgaria's national revival movement.
Cafe and Restaurants near hotel
Restaurant «Кабуки Сакура» (1 min)
Restaurant «Табиет» (2 min)
бул. „Джеймс Баучер“ 76, 1407 ж.к. Лозенец, София
Restaurant «Ниагара» (4 min)
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Frequently asked questions about Hotel Marinela Sofia
What types of rooms are available at Hotel Marinela Sofia?
The hotel offers Standard Double rooms with city or mountain views, Deluxe Double rooms with city or mountain views, Premium Double rooms with or without views, Junior Suite with mountain view, Vice-Presidential Double Suite, Presidential Suite with mountain view, and 2 Bedrooms Presidential Suite with mountain view.
Is parking free for hotel guests?
The hotel has parking/garage facilities. However, reviews indicate that the parking is managed by an external company and charges approximately €20.45 per day. Nearby street parking is limited-time municipal parking.
Are pets allowed at this hotel?
Pets are allowed on request with an additional fee of €20.45 (approx. US$24.09) per pet per night.
Does the hotel provide free Wi-Fi in the rooms?
Free Wi-Fi is available in the lobby, but some guests have reported unreliable or non-working Wi-Fi in the rooms.
What dining options are available on site?
Hotel Marinela features 5 restaurants and 2 bars, including a Japanese restaurant and a panorama restaurant known for quality dishes. Nearby, there are also well-rated restaurants like «Кабуки Сакура» and «Табиет» within walking distance.
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Hotel prices for: June - July 2026 calendar
The average hotel price this month is 705 USD The best time to book is June 6, with rates starting from 133 USD
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