We went for two weeks. They were happy to take our money and then tried to run the hotel 'on the cheap' scrimping and scraping the basics, and then we feel as if they just gave up. 2 days into our holiday they ran out of ice-creams, snacks and alcohol. Meaning we had to dress to visit another bar for refreshments.

The pool pump broke and even after many complaints they failed to fix it, so we had to arrange to use the pool next door for a small fee. As the holiday progressed they ran out of food choices on the breakfast buffet and didn't replace them so the table selection got smaller and smaller.

No entertainment, the interior snack bar was permanently closed and shuttered, and the chef had left a week before so one of the cleaners made the breakfasts each day. When we complained they lost the ability to speak English. Had to spend several days complaining and looking for the Balkan rep who eventually came to view the rancid, green, scum layered pool. When he knew we were using the pool next door, he viewed the problem as solved and took no further action.

Other guests that were staying on after we left, were informed that the hotel was closing early and they would be moved with only 2 days of their holiday left to another hotel opposite a night club in the centre of town. Being pensioners they wern't pleased. When they complained, they were told Balkan had the right to move anyone at their discretion to any other Balkan run establishment at any time during your stay. Apparently it's in the small print somewhere.

Upon complaining at home, Balkan took the responsibility for arranging use of the pool next door (which we had done ourselves) and said we should expect resorts and local suppliers to wind down when booking so late in the season and we should expect things not to be available for use due to repair or low stock, apparently also in the small print and were very snotty about our complaint.

My daughter was ill for several days with severe stomach cramps after swimming in the pool before we realised it was not self cleaning and we had to take her to an emergency first aid centre for treatment.

We will not be using Balkan again. Two weeks of fun and relaxation turned into an endurance event.

The main advantage of this hotel is its location. It is located almost on the beach, so you may enjoy the sea view anytime you want. It takes about 10 minutes to get to the centre of the resort. Next time we will spend our vacation only there.

We stayed at the Carina hotel on a self catering basis with breakfast.

First impression of the hotel on arrival was very clean and new.

Our apartment was a lot bigger than anything we have had before. Rrooms were cleaned every day.

The only complaint we had was the breakfast was very basic.

The hotel is located at the north end of the bay right on the beach which is the better part of the bay.

The hotel staff were very friendly and helpful.

We would definately go back to the hotel and resort again.

We stayed in a 1 bed apartment. The carina is at the end of the beach really and it is in a quieter part. The view from the balcony was lovely, straight onto the sea. The room was very large with an ajoining bedroom. Both air conditioned. We only had a couple of probs 1)it smelled fusty in the room when we went in,coming from the bathroom drain, we reported it and it was cleaned straigt away. 2)the fttings in the bathroom were somewhat .loose.,a shelf over the sink and the sink itsefl, a bit rushed in my opinion.

The only other minor gripe was the pool wasnt cleaned on one occasion and was a bit grubby.

Didnt bother with breakfast, is wasnt much cop. So we only had it once.

We did have a meal in the hotel but again nothingh special.

A visist to the justi noshti next door is a must, a fab show is on there, free entry, but the meal not great but worth seeing the show for def!

Overall, it was about 20mins - 4o mins walking to the more lively pubs, if you wanted them, but we mainly went to the lovely beach bar opposite the fish restaruant and that was fab with nice hammocks. Also try the piano bar right outside the carina..open til 4am! But nice and quiet with live pianist, bit humphrey bogart!

Bulgaria/sunny beach itself, i found it like one long road and the same every nite really, the shops sold all the same thing etc.. Got a bit bored towards the end of the 2weeks stay...not very tropical but ok.