Popular Sunny Beach is the largest seaside resort in Bulgaria. Located on the Black Sea coast, 35km north of Burgas airport, its 8km golden sand beach attracts thousands of tourists each year.
This modern purpose-built resort is packed full of clubs, restaurants, hotels and apartments, boasting lots of activities for all ages. Only 4km away from the ancient town of Nessebur on the southern tip of the bay, Sunny Beach is a great location for families or those wanting to sample the nightlife.
There are over 200 hotels to choose from, most of which stretch along Sunny Beach's semi-circular coastal peninsula. From all-inclusive to self-catering, boutique to basic, there's a fantastic range to suit everyone's needs whatever your budget.
Budget
A wide range of budget accommodation is available, many benefitting from just a short walk away from the Sunny Beach. The area is mainly aimed at people on package holidays but it is possible to find B&B accommodation for solo travellers.
For those looking for peace and quiet, the good quality Friends Family Hotel is in the northern part of the resort just 1.5km from the popular Restaurant Bolero. This family-run hotel is just a 5-minute walk from Sunny Beach and offers an outdoor pool with a pub on site serving Bulgarian and international dishes.
If you're looking for something a bit more central, Hotel L&B is only 400 metres away from the golden sands of Sunny Beach, and a 20-minute walk from one of the resorts most popular restaurants, Djanny. Opened in May 2007, this modern hotel has family rooms, a children's playground, outdoor pool, restaurant and on site shop. The Hotel Aurelia is also worth considering, as it's only 200 metres away from the beach.
Self-catering
For those with a bigger budget and looking for luxury, Barcelo Royal Beach Apartments has its very own shopping centre with 99 shops. Sunny Beach is situated right on the doorstep. A luxury stay awaits you but at a higher price tag.
The recently built Silver Springs Apartments is a good low to mid-budget choice. Located in a quiet part of the resort, Sunny Beach and the shops are still easily accessible. The Irish bar on the ground floor has been highly recommended by reviewers on TripAdvisor.
Other good alternatives include Hotel Palazzo (located in the western part of Sunny Beach resort and more suited to younger travellers), and Poseidon Apartments (15-minutes' walk to the resort centre).
All inclusive
All-inclusive properties at Sunny Beach are mostly priced in the mid to high range although cheaper options are available.
Iberostar Sunny Beach Resort is a high-priced hotel offering all-inclusive options and located just 80 meters from Sunny Beach. Featuring a fitness and wellness area, an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, a children's playground, and babysitting service.
The Helena Park Hotel is situated in-between the Balkan Mountains and the ancient town of Nessebur. This high-quality hotel is surrounded by acres of gardens and offers an all-inclusive package of entertainment and dining. The Barcelo Royal Apartments is 2km south from the popular Action Aquapark , and offers an all-inclusive service that is more than worth its value.
The Hotel Laguna Park is a good mid-range all-inclusive hotel. They offer sporting activities from water polo to card games. The children's club gets high reviews on TripAdvisor. Another alternative worth considering is the Evrika Beach Hotel. Boasting three buffet-restaurants, a couple of gift shops, an a la carte restaurant and a well stocked mini-market on site.
Top end
For anyone looking for a luxury stay, there are hotels of an excellent standard at a higher price range. Most of these come with spa facilities and panoramic sea views.
The Helena Park Hotel is a luxurious 5-star hotel set in a beautiful location overlooking Sunny Beach resort. The hotel offers spacious rooms most with sea views as well as an entertainment area for children.
For those looking for relaxation and sunbathing, the Hotel Majestic Beach is one of the largest hotels in the area with over 700 rooms. It plays host to two large swimming pools and Sunny Beach is just a stone's throw away.
For families wanting to travel in style, the Riu Helios Hotel comes highly recommended. Recently renovated for the summer of 2013, part of the new look is the acquisition of two new restaurants (one serving Bulgarian dishes with the other Asian themed). Its main selling point is the huge curved pool with a shallow-end for children.
With a spa
Most of the high-end hotels have spas within the vicinity, offering a wide range of treatments and facilities. Some hotels offer their spa services as part of the original price.
The Helena VIP Villas and Suites are within the complex of Helena Park Hotel. This 5-star accommodation has a spa centre, where guests can enjoy relaxation and massage. There are also swimming pools and a fitness studio which offers various classes.
Less expensive is the Planeta Hotel located in the heart of Sunny Beach. Its fitness centre, sauna and steam bath are all included in the price, while it also offers other treatments at an extra cost. Also highly recommended is the Imperial Hotel in the southern area of Sunny Beach, just a 20-minute walk from the old town of Nessebur. Its spa facilities include a hot tub, medical therapy and a Finnish sauna.
Family friendly
There are numerous family-friendly hotels that come highly recommended in Sunny Beach. A lot of hotels centre their entire ethos to a fun family atmosphere with baby-sitting services available in some.
A luxurious option that comes at a slightly higher price is the Villa Maria Revas Hotel located on the southwest area of Sunny Beach. This guest house has themed rooms suited for families with children and adult swimming pools.
The Rose Garden Hotel is only 70 meters from Sunny Beach's waterpark, Action Aquapark. A babysitting service and children's play room is available at the hotel, and its grocery store sells baby food.
In the northern region of Sunny Beach is the Sunny Day Club Hotel, situated 100 metres from the beach. This child and family-friendly hotel plays host to a daytime nursery and children's playground, as well as a children's section in the outdoor pool with water slides.
Romantic retreats
There are a select few romantic hideaways for couples seeking an intimate holiday experience. They are mainly in the high-end price range.
The high-end hotels tend to offer the best option for romance. The luxurious Helena Park Hotel comes highly recommended due to its picturesque views and beautiful setting.
Also worth considering is the Barcelo Royal Hotel, that benefits from a huge garden and swimming pool complex. The spa features a heated indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi and massage treatments.
Boutique & B&Bs
Most hotels offer a B&B service and there are a couple of boutique hotels worth considering. These offer luxury facilities in an intimate setting.
The MPM Orpheus Boutique Hotel is situated in the northern area just 50 metres from Sunny Beach. It offers a relaxed, luxury and private atmosphere with the main hotel restaurant set in a beautiful garden.
The charming Boutique Suites Rainbow 4 is set near Cacao Beach in the southern historical district of Sunny Beach resort. The hotel features a swim-up bar and has full BBQ facilities.