When we arrived the porter appeared with a glass of Bucks Fizz, nice touch.
The hotel cleanliness was excellent the cleaners work so so hard, to a really high standard, I dont know how they clean in such heat!
The food was excellent, bit repetative, but of a really good standard.
The location was excellent, right on the busy strip. Although if you get the chance to book a sea view before you book, I strongly recommend you do, there were a few complaints from people overlooking the bars on the other side of the hotel, because of the noise.
The hotel staff were excellent, nothing was too much trouble. We loved the entertainment team especially Ellios, the rifle shooting man! it was his birthday while we were there, and he spent all day in wet clothes,every time he got dry someone pushed him in the pool again! He made our holiday.
The entertainment team worked really hard but some of the nights were a bit lacking like Bulgarian night, but you dont have to stay in the hotel, theres plenty to do nearby.
I would go back to this hotel again, if it were in a different country! We had a lovely lovely holiday but found Bulgaria far too busy for us. As its only 36p a pint in the bars! theres a lot of 18-30s there now.

My boyfriend and I flew out to Bulgaria just right at the end of May for two weeks... I was at Bulgaria last year at Hotel Laguna Park... which was okay but I enjoyed Bulgaria and decided to return and I am glad I did... we had a fantastic time .. On arrival we were welcomed with a glass of champagne and then the porter took our cases to our room, the staff are really nice... the animation team are always working day and night they work really hard trying to entertain everyone they are a good laugh .. Its a great location only a VERY short walk to the beach and also to walk along to the main strip (which means you can still get a nights sleep) everything you really need right at your door step... recommend a pool view its a nice wee sun trap in the afternoon .. Hotel is absolutely stunning very clean. The cleaners work very hard... rooms are beautiful and big and it

Just returned from 2 wk stay at this hotel, found hotel room and communal areas always kept very clean.

Domestic/bar /restaurant staff all very pleasant.
found the food to be enjoyable with fresh fruit and salad available,sunday night cocktail display by bar staff was good, animation team worked very hard but
entertainment was not brilliant.

Hotel in great location bars/shops/beach on your doorstep and all very cheap what more do you want,stood no chance of a sunbed as the towels are put on early morning (same faces on same sunbeds every day sad or what)but we had a brilliant holiday,our last day we found that
restaurant staff where being too friendly and in your face asking did we work/good money etc, as they would soon be out of work did everything but ask us outright for money.

All in all an excellent holiday though and would definitely go again to resort and hotel.

Arrived early hours of morning, and porter was there with a trolley to take our cases to our room. Given wristbands to wear to show all inclusive, and porter will show you all the facilities such as air con and how to use it when you arrive at your room.

Rooms very clean and spacious, with decent size balcony and chair and table. Good for those with disabilities as there are no stairs, lifts take you to each floor. Shower room huge, plenty of room to shower at least 5 or 6 people.

Food is of good variety, cooked in front of you along with fresh salads and bread. Self service Pepsi, red and white wine and also lager (own brand) at lunch and dinner time. Two sittings for dinner, and you have to see the maitre de to book a table, which is your table to use for each evening meal, but free to use any table for breakfast or lunch.

Entertainment is marvellous, being 25 and 22 we thoroughly enjoyed it!! Things for children and adults alike!

Bulagarians are very friendly and the hotel staff will make you feel very comfortable. Deserves all the 4 stars it has, and we are looking to book another holiday with a Riu hotel!

Helios Palace - what can I say?. Booked with some reservations as we had not 'done' a package holiday for many years, and with 2 teens we were a bit nervous about Bulgaria.

All fears soon went from arrival onwards, we arrived late at night and the staff were friendly and welcoming.

The hotel was immaculate and when shown to our rooms our view was lovely overlooking the main pool and the sea.

The meals were excellent when catering for so many, and the choices available at each meal were very varied with something for every taste with wine (both red and white), lager and soft drinks on tap. Great to see food prepared in front of you add confidence to your meal. Catering staff more than happy to cook meat etc to your liking.

The entertainment team worked exceptionally hard from 10am to midnight very interactive with all nationalities. Lots of various activities during the day. Bar staff also very friendly.

We have already booked to go back this summer 2007

Great Holiday !!!!!!!!

The hotel was spotless, the food was 1st class, the location of the hotel was right in the middle of Sunny Beach. All you need on your doorstep.

The staff must be the best around, the animation team was the icing on the cake.

Next time we go to Bulgaria we will stay at this hotel.

We thought this Hotel was immaculate. The staff were excellent from the cleaners to the entertainment. The hotel was in a great location surrounded by shops bars and restaurants.

The food was excellent, cooked freshly on the spot although as in every hotel did get a bit repetitive after a while. We thought the entertainment staff were the best bunch we have ever come across, so friendly and eager to get everyone to join in with the activities. They also put on some entertaining shows in the evening. We would definitely return again in the future.

The hotel is very clean and in a very good location close enought to the centre without it being too noisy unless you end up at the front of the hotel we were told by several people it was very noisy on the front but at the back its lovley especially overlooking the family pool as here you get a sea view too.

The rooms and hallsways are all carpeted so you don't get the endless clip clop of heels at 2am in the morning or the scraping of furniture. The shower is massive you could get several people in if you were so inclined.

The food well i've had better but it wasn't bad it was very repetitive I didn't realise how many different ways you could serve up chicken and beef and if you love chips you will be well suited as there on at nearly every lunch and evening meal times but on the whole the food is ok.

The entertainment is very geared up for families with parrot shows and the animation team miming to music and dance its like spain was 20 years ago the kids seem to like it but as this was our first holiday away without the kids as they've grown up now we found this type of entertainment boring so despite being all inclusive we went to the neptune bar most nights.

The entertainment staff at the helios are a nice bunch and the entertainment they put on through the day is very good theres excersises, shooting, pool bar games, water polo, french boules so theres enough to keep most people amused.

As for the sunbed wars yes they do exsist here with the Germans winning the battle but some of the brits are putting up a good fight I recomend the stretch of loungers between the pool bar and the resturant as it sunny there from quite early till around 5pm in June and its protected from the wind by the shape of the hotel. Across on the other side it gets very windy and I got quite cold there especially when id just got out the pool.

Overall the hotel is brill I would go back if I went to Bulgaria again but I have been in better hotels if they wanted some tips on what a hotel should really be like then they should look no further than the Asteria in Belek in Turkey there all inclusive makes this one look rubbish.

The hotel was very good. Very clean and modern. The staff were excellent from the hotel manager down to the chambermaids.

For an all inclusive hotel the food was very good. Plenty of choice with lots of fresh salad and fruit.

The entertainment staff were very good and very hard working with games throughout the day and shows at night which were always packed with guests.

I stayed at the hotel RIU Helios Hotel and I have nothing bad to say about it. It was brilliant and I enjoyed it sooooo much!!

The hotel was very clean, with maids coming to your room everyday - and if you didnt want them to go into your room, all you do is hang a please dont disturb sign on your doorhandle.

The food was good, with a fair bit of variety, but, like all all-inclusive hotels, it got to the point where it was a bit of the same. That was ok though because the hotel is so near to the town, that you can go out to eat in one of the many resturants out there. And its so cheap yet so delish!

The hotels location is the best, you go out the gates, cross the road, and Hey! your at the beach!! Your near to the town, so its always easy to go out whenever. Plus, unlike many of the hotels, it is quite private so no passer-bys can just look it at you all.

The hotel staff are brilliant and lovely people. They always had a smile on their face, even when they were doing awkward hours. They work so hard for so long for hardly any money :(:(

The entertainment was excellent. During the day, kids, teens and adults had the oppurtunity to join it all the activities, like waterpolo, frech boules and airgun shooting.

And in the evening, there was a show, acted out by 5 people, who are the animation team. They are the nicest people ever and they work 15hrs a day for 500lv a month! Thats like nothing :(

I'd definately would and hopefully will visit this hotel again because its the best one in Sunny Beach!