The Grand Hotel, Varna
SS Constantin & Helena Resort
Tel: 052 / 361 089; 052 / 361 491

Summer on the Black Sea coast is fun-packed and offers something for everyone, from sun worshippers to those who cannot sit still and crave excitement. Children and adults alike are spoilt for choice. However, when holidaymakers return home, one venue still maintains the momentum of all year round fun and relaxation.

The Grand Hotel, Varna, in SS Constantin and Helena, is one of the resort's oldest hotels and has recently undergone a complete renovation. A firm favourite with locals and tourists, the modern-looking hotel building is something of a landmark in the area. Its 11 floors make this hotel stand tall, only 350m from the shimmering Black Sea. The recent makeover has also given this hotel some added attractions and unique selling points, ensuring that guests will keep on coming in and out of season.

The Grand Hotel has 296 rooms and 35 suites. All rooms are furnished in a clean, modern style and come equipped with satellite television, telephone, air-conditioning and mini-bar. Each room's balcony offers magnificent views to the clear blue sea or the picturesque park.

The perfect antidote to life's excesses is the new wellness spa, a treatment centre dedicated to offering the latest relaxations as well as health treatments. In the UK alone, asthma and respiratory illnesses appear to be increasing. The wellness spa offers some very impressive treatments including an asthma and bronchial programme, herbal inhalations, respiratory gymnastics and hydro massage, all of which need to be pre-booked. Alongside these cutting-edge treatments are more traditional forms of healthy relaxation including a mineral water swimming pool and sauna.

The centre combines the healthy environment of Varna's mild climate with seawater and hot mineral springs and contemporary physiotherapy and balneology. There are many facilities to help you unwind including sea water and mineral water baths, as well as pearl and galvanic baths, aromatherapy, underwater gymnastics, traditional anti-aging and anti-stress treatments, cosmetic packages and mud applications. The hotel offers a wide range of weight loss programmes as well as relaxation treatments and recreational and invigorating activities.

You don't need to stay at the hotel to enjoy its facilities. In fact, it's one of my regular out-of-season haunts for coffee, cake and an occasional light lunch. There are two supervised children's play areas. One is for young children and has a ball park and appropriate toys. The other takes children from the age of seven and offers action-packed games like table football to keep them occupied. Adults can exploit these comprehensive child-friendly facilities and grab some quality time to indulge in some of the many luxurious treatments on offer or simply bask in the beautiful surroundings of one of the hotel's bars and restaurants.

The unique children's clubs presents a whole new world of fun and excitement for all young people aged between four and 12. Children have the opportunity to play crazy games, experience many adventures, try out their artistic skills with amazing craft lessons and get close to nature. The club is open everyday from 9am to 9pm. It closes for a short time at noon and 3.30pm, respectively, for lunch and coffee breaks. While the children have fun, parents can pamper themselves by relaxing in a restaurant, bar, pool or spa centre. These clubs are extremely popular with the children and a great way to meet new friends.

The Grand Hotel takes dining seriously and food and drink are likely to be one of the high points of your stay. The hotel's Belle Epoque gourmet restaurant, Italian-themed restaurant Dolce Vita and the barbeque restaurant have given The Grand a reputation for serving great food, a point noted by hotel reviewers. Evening entertainment offers something for everybody. In the restaurants live bands play a range of music from traditional Bulgarian to pop music. In the conference rooms every Friday and Saturday there is a party with live music played into the early hours of the morning. Buffet food and bars are available and tickets can be purchased for the party at the reception.

A wide range of sport facilities can be found within the hotel. There is something to entertain even the most demanding visitors. The sports facilities are ideal for young children and include football and rugby, supervised by entertainment staff for three hours a day, so giving parents a chance to escape and relax. All round family sport is available at the hotel's (five) bowling alleys. Here you can play a game of bowls while enjoying a drink and cigarette. Yes, this is one of Europe's few venues where smoking is permitted! There are also snooker and pool clubs in this area. A pool competition is held each weekday night where guests can play for a free meal within the hotel. A multi-purpose sports ground at the side of the hotel plays host to sports such as basketball, tennis, netball and hockey, leaving everyone amused for hours. Competitions and sporting activities occur daily on the pitch supervised by an entertainment team who ensure that little children as well as families will never get bored.

Inside the hotel there are five swimming pools, all of different depths. One pool is designed solely for small toddlers and babies. There are also slides, balls, floats and a play area inside the pool giving children lots of entertainment. Children must be supervised by an adult even though the pools are monitored by qualified lifeguards. 

This is a venue not to be missed, with something to suit every family member. The best thing is that it is open all year round to non-residents and hotel guests alike.