Just spent 2 weeks at Helios Park Hotel which is adequate as a base but the use of the facilities at the Helios Spa which is actually attached to the hotel is great. The lift is on the outside of the hotel and is all glass-not ideal if afraid of heights- and we were stuck between floors 3 and 4 for an hour during a power cut on our way down to reception after unpacking just having arrived. Not a good start to the holiday but it was Friday the 13th!!!!! We were in Golden Sands twice last year and so were returning to meet friends made last year and to relax so no sight seeing this time but more time on the beach which is great but a bit pricey. You have to pay for a parasol if you want to be near the sea otherwise you have to stay at the back of the beach. Beware of having to pay to use the toilet-in some places the charge is 1lev which is almost 50p! All the bars are more or less the same with the same sort of music except for the bar opposite the Mimosa hotel which has rock music by two musicians Dian and Orpheus. Try this bar out it is great and has a great atmosphere. It is the only bar which seems to have any atmosphere at all and also has the use of a toilet free of charge!!! Dian and Orfy put on a great show and are very entertaining for about 3 hours but play longer if requested.
A couple of things to be wary of. A restaurant called Fisherman's Village near the open air theatre is pricey. We were charged 105lev for a skewer, a salad, 2 large beers and a small beer!!!! Ripped off and then they demanded a tip which we refused to pay. Also make sure that the taxi fee is agreed before getting into the taxi. A driver tried to charge us 26 lev for going about 200 yards to our hotel after I'd twisted my ankle but he gave half back when we asked for the receipt. It is only 25 lev to Varna which is a twenty minute drive away.
All in all Golden Sands is a great place to relax, have fun, enjoy the sun, walk, socialise, eat, drink and be merry and no doubt we shall be going back soon. We went with Balkan holidays and had no problems whatsoever. The flight although long because no inflight entertainment the cabin crew were very pleasant and willing to help and the take off and landings on both journeys were perfect, which is not always the case.