hotel reviews by travellers:

+ by Martin Moll
05.05.2009 04:43

Rodina is quite a big hotel at half 45 minutes walk from Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. For the rest it's acceptable, but I wouldn't recommend it too enthusiastically. Too big and anonymous, not that cozy that i tought.
I was in a room on the 12th floor, really a great view of the town and to the magnificent Vitosha Mountain. I know there is a swimming pool, a nightclub, a sauna and a fitting centre as well, but I did use none of them. The night restaurant is good, a diversity of dishes, even if I tried it very early in the morning. Breakfast is fine, continental is my favourite. Good service at the bar next to the reception, hotel staff is kind, but not too courteous. a good choice hotel for a couple of days

+ by Ron Byrd
20.07.2008 11:16

We 2 couples stayed there for 3 days of sightseeing. The hotel is a bit dated and the rooms on the small side but was clean and the staff, for the most part, were friendly and helpful. The included breakfast buffet, set in a dated but fancy Eastern block ballroom, had a good selection and was reasonably good (one can get expresso's and cupachino's, if you ask.)
To get downtown, where tourist sites are, walk across the street to the #5 trolly. Buy your ticket from the driver and take to end of line...about a 10 minute ride.
A previous reviewer raved about a Lebonese restrurant. We went there and had an outstanding meal (go left out the hotel, cross traffic light at major intersection and look for 2 story purple building. Go to 2nd floor.)
They were friendly to us when approached with questions.
It met the needs of us 60ish American tourist, being a good value for the price.

+ by Rob
15.05.2008 06:25

Spent 4 days there on a trip from Kosovo. Its not a five star but had a great time, rooms are adequate. Staff is very nice and helpful. Love the PR room, good view of the city.

+ by Simon Bolt
02.03.2008 03:01

We don't go on a citybreak to spend a lot of time in the hotel, so it doesn't have to be great. However, it was snowing out, and pretty cold, so in between sightseeing and eating dinner we did want a comfortable place to come back to.
The room was fine, big enough, warm enough, comfortable bed, everything worked, bathroom stuff changed each day, beds made, not a bad view of Mount Vitosha in the distance. There was a TV that worked, but we're not big TV watchers even at home. The little we saw of Bulgarian TV looked bad - worse than in the UK, even. No matter. The breakfast was fine, too - lots of it if you wanted.
Funny enough, there WAS a smell of smoke when we checked into the room. I guess the cleaner must have been smoking the noxious weed just before our arrival. A window open for 10 minutes cleared it.
The pool was good - not too cold at all. We didn't use the gym, but we saw plenty of other people doing so, as it's open to the general public, I think. There didn't look to be any shortage of gear.
The front-of-house staff were great, very helpful and friendly, even the very large security men, and all spoke English well. We liked the downstairs bar for a last drink late at night. There is a penthouse bar, but we didn't go up there, as the receptionist said it was basically a strippers bar. I didn't think my wife would like it much... and I'm really not crazy about that kinda thing myself.
Some of it was a bit dark here and there, and some of it looked like it needed decorating... and lo n behold they WERE decorating some of it. There was some grim Soviet-satellite era decor in some places, the bar, for instance, and the breakfast room, but I think that'll go in time. And so what if it doesn't?
With so much security around, who do they keep out of the place? We couldn't always work that one out. Some of the "businessmen" hanging around, with their big pals and dodgy-looking women, whispered conversations and huddled conferences, didn't always look very legit... but hey, none of our business. At least it had an interesting atmosphere, and not a threatening one, because, at the end of the day, no matter what kinds of deals may be done there, it's still a hotel catering for travellers, business people and tourists, and we were made to feel very welcome.

+ by Michele Gaudiuso
08.11.2006 08:52

I stayed at Rodina for 7 nights in october and I did enjoy this place. If you expect standard international 4 stars you will be a bit disappointed but keep in mind that 50 €/night is a bargain. The room was clean and quite comfortable. The staff is very kind, polite and helpfull! I don't need more and I'll surely stay again at Rodina next time I'll be back to Sofia.

Michele Gaudiuso

+ by jerryk
02.11.2004 03:05

I stayed in Sofia at the Rodina in May of 2004. The pictures are very old on there website. The hotel was pretty rundown and not updated in a long time. The rooms were pretty small and were all very smokey. The pool was large and clean but very very cold. The weight room was very disappointing. There was one stationary bike and free weights that didn't match along with a punching bag, that's about it! The person that I thought gave massages looked sketchy. The room service food was pretty good and very affordable.The resturants weren't bad either. The location was pretty good, and within walking distance to some fun spots. It is not so bad, but don't expect it to be like something you would pay equally for in the US.

+ by blue
17.07.2004 08:52

One of the most amazing views of night and lighted Sofia can be seen from the top of the hotel so I strongly recommend you to go there and you will fell yourself like a real bird on the top of a tree. Believe me it is amazing!

+ by brian
09.08.2003 08:52

The centre of Sofia is in easy walking distance, straight up Makedonia. There is a tram stop nearby with trams to the centre and up to the train station. There are shops all over the place.

+ by CliffClaven
24.08.2002 10:16

The Rodina Hotel is a cheaper alternative just outside the busy city centre. The last time old Cliffie was there, it seemed to be popular with busloads of Greeks and Arabs, some of whom were less interested in Bulgaria's artistic heritage and more attracted to some of the country's, er, contemporary beauties. An interesting place to down a few bottles of anonymous Bulgarian beer