Every summer the gossip columns of Bulgarian papers regale us with stories about the summer destinations of the country’s most influential people. Prime ministers, ministers, presidents and MPs are often photographed in one of the several state-owned residences on the Black Sea, a legacy from communist days when all individuals were equal but some were more equal than others.

The preconception still lingers today that Bulgarian statesmen exploit their status by enjoying half-price holidays at luxury seaside hotels, funded by taxpayers’ money but cordoned off to the ordinary public. Two of the most popular places are the state residence of Evksinograd, near Varna, built by King Ferdinand and widely used by communist leader Todor Zhivkov. The other is the Council of Ministers’ hotel in Slanchev Bryag (Sunny Beach) seaside resort.   

As with many other public myths, that of the state residence used only by the powerful has little basis. Many people would be surprised that anyone can stay there provided they can pay for it and have the sense to book in advance. A website even provides detailed information about destination, cost and availability. The site can be found at http://travel.government.bg.

Unfortunately, information is only available in Bulgarian. The hotel management falls under the jurisdiction of the State Administration Ministry which newly elected Prime Minister Boiko Borissov decided to shut down as a cost-cutting measure.

Some of Bulgaria’s showbusiness elite have already exploited this opportunity to holiday in Evksinograd where they can enjoy a nice, wide and clean beach almost entirely to themselves. The only problem is that a fishing pier is nearby, enabling the paparazzi to snap the rich and famous in their swimming suits.   

A sign that top government officials are residing at Evksinograd is when police officers are dispatched along the beach and patrol boats appear. It is probably one of the few places in Bulgaria where access is limited only to those who have pre-booked, hence its popularity with Bulgarian and foreign VIPs.

Proof of the residence’s popularity is the message on the website, proclaiming in big red letters, that it is fully booked throughout August. According to commercial national bTV channel, this year Evksinograd has already welcomed Russian deputy ministers and foreign diplomats as well as Bulgarian President Georgi Purvanov and former prime minister Ivan Kostov.     

The most expensive feature in the residence is the luxury apartment in the Ferdinand house,  costing 700 leva a night in August. Second best is a night in Chinar house, costing 600 leva, followed by Kiparis house at 500 leva. The cheapest offer in Evskinograd in August is to rent a beach house for 120 leva a night or a room in the residence’s Manastira hotel for the same price.

Other prices vary from 130 leva to 300 leva, matching some of the prices charged by four and five-star hotels along the Black Sea coast.  
In the other Black Sea state residence, near the northern town of Shabla, rooms are still available to the public. The most expensive lodging in the remote holiday hideaway is the villa, costing 450 leva a night, while hotel rooms cost 100 leva in high season. Two more state residences are open for private viewing but they are both in Sofia.

These are Lozenets, which operates as a spa club, and Boyana. The website also offers accommodation in three other cheaper hotels: one is in the mountain resort of Pamporovo in the Rhodope mountains, another is in Hissarya resort town in central Bulgaria and the third is in Slanchev Bryag Black Sea resort. As in the case of Evksinograd, the Slanchev Bryag hotel is fully booked for August, the website says. The 110 leva a night apartment is the most expensive feature in the hotel. A room costs between 40 and 70 leva.

Affordable prices have made the place extremely popular among state administration employees who traditionally go there with their families. Hence Evksinograd continues to enjoy the interest of those who are higher up in state hierarchy.