Ralitsa AquaClub Hotel & Aquapark in Albena

I have been to this location more then 12 times during the last 9 years. Sometimes twice a year. I traveled with my wife and kid and for the last 4 years I brought other friends with their families to experience what I thought was a very good overall experience. I have always been happy and content with the choice because it used to be a sure bet for a successful, troublefree, experience. That is untill this year!

The rooms were the same as ever...fine. The entertainment staff was better this year than the last few( really made an effort to keep vacationers happy)

However...they have increased the cost and they have decreased the value by a huge amount. You do notice differences if you travel year on year but it does not bother you if they are small. This year they decided to change the staff with people from Asian countries and the guys from Kazakhstan were excellent, smily and ok. But they also changed the kitchen staff with Turkish chefs and whatever they were. Also a change in menius combined with a savings policy made the all inclusive vacation a run for your life affair 3 times a day.

The food was horrible looking, horrible tasting and the Turkish preparators made sure you do not eat too much of the good stuff since there was very little. It was poverty line food lines . You hardly had any meat that was from an animal you recognise. Most of it was the meat grilled the meal before or the day before cut in small bits and mixed with leftover potatoes from the day before. I have had to have only chips and some salads with occasional fish. Plenty of boiled veggies but they were looking clearly not fresh, mostly freezing stuff. On the fruit front disgusting. Apples, pears plums. Nothing exotic or partially exotic but plentiful in Bulgaria at this time of year like watermelon or garapes. You have to bare in mind that I compare with service received over 10 years! The chefs looked dirty and very arrogant. The Turkish style was a disaster and they have obviously been brought to make cuts in wages and savings in a cusine that was neighther Turkish not Europeean. More like shelter leftovers. Disgusting. On the 3rd day my boy picked up some light food poisoning with some vomiting and temperature rise. That was a first in Albena and also the cut off for our future holidays in this resort and moreover in this hotel complex. I would not advice anyone going there until management comes back with their feet on the ground to basic hospitality. The resort is an 80's look and it looks like at the moment they are heading for the 80's services.