Martim Hotel Amelia – Ultra All Inclusive

I stayed at both Maritim Amelia Albena and Alua Helios Bay Obzor for 7 days each within the past year, so I had a recent point of reference and wanted to keep my opinion as objective as possible. Overall, this is not a bad hotel, but the experience did not live up to the expectations created by a 5-star “Luxury Ultra All Inclusive” label. What disappointed me the most was paying more for a hotel that promised more, while the actual experience felt below expectations in several important areas compared to a 4 star hotel with just a fair All Inclusive label. Maritim Amelia does have some very good aspects: large rooms, a double bathroom typical of a 5-star hotel, daily room cleaning, regular towel and bed linen changes, and the food quality itself is good. The hotel also has its own private beach area with sunbeds, which is a nice advantage. However, the overall experience did not justify either the price or the “5-star Luxury Ultra All Inclusive” label. Around the pool area there are no small tables between the sunbeds, although there are some on the beach. You end up placing drinks on the floor, and I personally spilled several by accident. The sunbeds are placed extremely close to each other, with almost no privacy and barely enough space to comfortably walk between them. The cleanliness around the pool area also leaves room for improvement. I noticed the same trash remaining on the ground for several days, along with rusty drainage grates. On the last day I noticed what appeared to be mold on the mesh backrest of the sunbed I had frequently used, and several other sunbeds seemed to be in a similar condition. The ice cream freezer also had visible dirt and residue resembling mold. The room itself is spacious, but the “sea view” was more like a thin strip of sea visible between rooftops, which again did not seem to justify paying around 10% extra. The food is good, but fairly basic and not particularly varied or Luxury... Every day felt very similar with limited changes. The difference becomes even more noticeable when it comes to snacks between meals. Instead of having a dedicated snack area, there was only a small corner inside the restaurant with a few available items. For an all-inclusive concept, the expectation is to easily grab something sweet, a snack, water, or a soft drink without having to wait or go out of your way. The pool bar was probably the biggest disappointment, one of the smallest I ever see. It looked rather neglected and there was only one person serving drinks, which regularly created queues of 7–8 people. While writing this review, the bartender had already been absent for several minutes while guests were waiting. There is also no beach bar.

We booked a Luxury Ultra All Inclusive package at Maritim Hotel Amelia, expecting a premium experience. Unfortunately, the reality was quite different and did not match either the "Luxury" or the "Ultra All Inclusive" promise. First, we discovered that "Ultra All Inclusive" apparently meant only local drinks, with no imported brands included. Even more surprising, bottled beverages were not included and had to be purchased separately. We were a family of four (2 adults and 2 children) and specifically paid for a larger room designed for four guests. However, almost everything included seemed to be calculated for only two people. Upon arrival, the room was prepared with just two towels, we received only two pool towels, and only two sunbeds were included on the beach. The minibar was also stocked as if the room was occupied by one or two people at most: one can of beer, one Pepsi, one juice, and just one 1-liter bottle of water per day for the entire room. When I asked about this, I was told that this was simply the hotel's policy. It was difficult to understand how one liter of water was considered sufficient for four people, especially during the summer. Housekeeping was another disappointment. Cleaning often started around noon, which is inconvenient for families with small children who may be resting at that time. On one occasion, housekeeping came around 4 PM, cleaned the room, but failed to replenish towels, drinking water, minibar items, shampoo, or shower gel. After visiting the reception, we received only a small bottle of shower gel and nothing else. We even had to bring two glasses from the hotel bar to have water available overnight. Unfortunately, another recurring issue was the attitude of the staff. While there were a few exceptions, most employees we interacted with seemed indifferent and, at times, outright rude. Combined with the various shortcomings of the "Luxury Ultra All Inclusive" package, this created the impression that guest satisfaction was not a priority. The swimming pool is shared with the neighboring Maritim Paradise Blue hotel. While Paradise Blue guests have access to a larger and much better-equipped pool bar, Amelia guests cannot use it and are restricted to a much smaller bar. To make matters worse, on one day our pool bar did not even open until 11 AM because there was no bartender available. Food quality was acceptable, but the selection was rather repetitive and far less varied than expected from a luxury ultra all-inclusive resort. The coffee, however, was genuinely poor and far below what one would expect from a 5-star hotel claiming to offer a luxury experience. To make matters worse, several of the coffee machines in the restaurant appeared visibly dirty and poorly maintained (see attached photos), which was both unpleasant and concerning from a hygiene perspective. Another surprise was the beach setup. Although we had purchased an Ultra All Inclusive package, sunbeds in the first two rows on the beach required an additional fee. Once again, this felt inconsistent with the concept that had been sold to us. At times, it seemed that the word "Ultra" was used mainly for marketing purposes, while many services came with restrictions or additional charges. Finally, at the end of our stay we were informed that parking costs an additional €15 per day, something that increased the overall cost of the holiday. Overall, the experience was average at best. The hotel has potential, but the service, inclusions, attention to detail, and value for money fell well below expectations. The recurring theme throughout our stay was that, despite paying for four guests and booking a Luxury Ultra All Inclusive package, many of the included amenities appeared to be designed for only two people—or required extra payment. Unfortunately, based on this experience, I would not recommend this hotel and would not return.

​We had an amazing stay at Amelia Albena and loved everything! A huge special thanks to Melis at reception for the warm welcome and fantastic service. She made our stay truly memorable. Highly recommended!

Extremely Disappointing Experience – Stay Away from Hotel Amelia I am writing this review to warn others about our terrible experience at Hotel Amelia in Albena. This was, without a doubt, the worst hotel stay we have ever had in Bulgaria. Calling this place a 5-star hotel is completely false advertising; the service and quality are barely at a 2-star level. Key Issues Encountered: Horrible Check-in Process:We were forced to wait in the lobby for two hours because our rooms were not ready, despite arriving at the scheduled check-in time. Hostile and Rude Staff: The staff’s behavior was unacceptable. To make matters worse, they mishandled our wristbands, cutting them off unnecessarily. *Discrimination and Unprofessionalism: A tall male receptionist was particularly aggressive toward us. He explicitly told us, "You are not in Romania, you are in Albena, Bulgaria—do not speak Romanian here, Capiche?!"This level of xenophobia and disrespect is absolutely shocking and unprofessional. Poor Room Quality: The rooms were in a terrible state, falling far below the standard one would expect for the price paid. Lack of Food Variety: The dining experience was equally disappointing. There was almost nothing to choose from at the buffet, and the food quality was very poor. Comparison If you are looking for a high-quality, luxury experience in Bulgaria, do not waste your time here. This hotel does not compare in any way to Reina del Mare which is a truly splendid hotel that earns every single one of its stars. Hotel Amelia is on a completely different (and much lower) level. Verdict: Do not book this hotel. It is a waste of money and a ruined vacation. I strongly advise potential guests to look elsewhere.Overall the worst experience ever.

Avoid at All Costs: A Nightmare Stay at Hotel Amelia** My stay at Hotel Amelia in Albena was an absolute disaster from start to finish. I feel compelled to share my experience because the reality of this hotel is a far cry from the photos and claims online. This is a classic case of **false advertising**, as the hotel barely qualifies as a 2-star establishment, let alone the rating they claim. ### **The Highlights of Our Frustration:** * **Unacceptable Delays:** Upon arrival, we were forced to wait in the lobby for two full hours because our rooms were not ready. No apologies were offered, just total indifference. * **Abusive Staff:** The level of rudeness was staggering. During our interaction, a tall receptionist made a xenophobic and insulting comment . I have never encountered such hostility in the hospitality industry. * **Mishandled Procedures:** They also mismanaged our wristbands and cut them off without cause, adding even more stress to our arrival. * **Substandard Rooms:** The condition of the rooms was appalling—dirty, outdated, and severely lacking in basic maintenance. * **Inedible Dining:** The food was a major disappointment. There was almost no variety, and the quality was incredibly poor. You will struggle to find anything worth eating. ### **A Clear Contrast** There is no comparison between this place and actual luxury resorts in Bulgaria. If you want a top-tier experience, look at **Reina del Mare** instead; that is a hotel that truly understands service, quality, and hospitality. Hotel Amelia is not even in the same league. **Final Thought:** Save your money and your peace of mind—book literally anywhere else. This was the worst hotel experience I have had in Bulgaria.