BLACK SEA GREEN OASIS
LOCATION
Kranevo resort is located in the immediate vicinity of the Albena seaside resort, created fifty-three years ago on the endless stretch of sand in the north of Varna Bay. Albena was long considered the more prestigious of the two, with 43 hotels, while Kranevo mainly catered to family tourism and vacation homes. Although both places share the same beach, climate and sea, they could not be more distinct. In Kranevo, you can still feel the spirit of vacation homes. Today, they are a fading memory, replaced by hotels, luxury camps and apartment buildings. Many pioneer visitors of this Bulgarian resort would not recognise the outpost today. They would be shocked by the tourist infrastructure that would barely remind them of the former zeitgeist. Right next to the beach, the superb and centrally-located hotel Casa di Fiore has become the resort’s flagship. As the heart and centre of the new tourist development of Kranovo, the hotel is in the thick of the action, incredibly close to the beach. Guests appreciate that, right?
ACCESSIBILITY
Kranevo is set in the immediate vicinity of Albena resort, 36 kilometres from Varna and 10 kilometres from the nearby town of Balchik. You will reach the five-kilometre stretch of the Gold Sand Bay in half an hour from Varna Airport. The airport is improving its connections annually, becoming connected to most of the world. In the summer season, especially, reaching Varna is easy. In the off-season, you must be resourceful to reach the city. Still, even the accessibility in winter months is perpetually advancing. The hotel offers its own transfer service, which works flawlessly. Public transport is up and running in the high season. In the winter, though, you will have to resort to taxis, which are luckily accessible, affordable and found all over Varna. Plenty of parking spots are available, and the professional and immensely kind concierge will assist you. Walking down the sandy beach to Albena is a must if you have time. The hour-long walk is perfect for your health and mood.
COLD STARTER - Architecture and aesthetics
Nomen est omen: the hotel is strewn with flowers. They dominate the hotel balconies and the magical garden and adorn the areas surrounding the pools. Otherwise, the hotel is not cluttered with kitsch elements. Even the antique pieces fit the ambience on the sandy Black Sea coast. The antique design is most prominent in the central lobby, boasting a high ceiling and luxurious furniture. Other areas, including the room, are less eye-catching, boasting a timeless classic design beautifully envisioned by the architects. The materials, too, exude quality. Surrounding the hotel pool, the gracious lobby extends towards the beach. Here is where the magic happens. We were greatly impressed by the horticulture outside the hotel. Altogether, the design appears utterly functional, and it seems all paths lead to the beach, which guests certainly appreciate. Authentic structures, quality materials and natural colours characterise Casa di Fiore Spa & Medical Hotel. The ingenious interior and the subtle designer interior pieces form an inseparable combination that satisfies every guest.
WARM ENTRÉE - The staff and the culinary experience
When you have zero expectations, you can often be positively surprised. That is undoubtedly the case in this hotel. The self-service dinner was extraordinary. Its diversity, locally sourced ingredients and mouthwatering flavours made it truly memorable. Everything, from the cold appetiser to the dessert, can be compared to the cuisine in restaurants in the best hotels in Dubai. All dishes were presented, labelled and decorated beautifully. What caught our eye was the sustainable reminder to take only as much as you can eat. We were also amazed by the staff and the phenomenal front cooking show. Breakfast was just as impressive, with a thought-out design, apart from the coffee machine that must be better in such a superb restaurant. The employees and the utterly kind and professional receptionist thrilled us the most. She solved even the most demanding situations with a smile. Perhaps a raise in her paycheck would be wise. In our opinion, the quality cuisine in the hotel is one of the trump cards. The staff elevate the entire experience.
MAIN COURSE – The meetings offering at the hotel
Hotel rooms
As the name suggests, the deluxe Lavender room features hues of blue. The room, with an accompanying balcony, stretches 32 square metres. It features a neoclassical style that never goes out of fashion. Elegant grey shades marking the walls pair brilliantly with glossy white furniture. The room is adorned with slick chairs and a quality sofa. We admired the wooden flooring coupled with Carrara marble tiles. The designers went the extra mile in the bathroom, which boasts dark tiles that make it stand out. The hotel has its own line of pleasantly-odoured cosmetics. Our only remark concerns the toilet, perhaps too close to the shower. Undoubtedly, the room is fantastic and lives up to the five-star standard. We were also impressed by the pillow menu and digitalised hotel guide.
Meetings centre
The conference hall in the hotel has a capacity of 150 square metres and can seat up to 100 attendees. With plenty of light, the hall is spacious and climatised. It is also suitable for organising business events and boutique conferences. Casa di Fiore Spa & Medical Hotel also seems ideal for organising teambuilding programmes on its exterior surfaces. Not least, congress attendees will appreciate the all-inclusive, spectacular culinary offer.
DESSERT – The extras
The spirit of the hotel is represented by healing thermal water guests can relish in the spa centre. With a broad array of pools, guests will easily find something suited to their taste. For those seeking medicinal therapy, the hotel is a perfect choice, too, as it is a member of BUPS, offering the best service around.
FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES
It is challenging to find flaws in this hotel. Still, the meticulous eye of our hotel assessor found a drawback here and there, such as the awkwardly placed toilet next to the shower. Yet, even this is only a trivial observation.
TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES
The tidy private beach is a must-visit in the summer months. In the off-season, it is a perfect recreational starting point for walks along the seemingly endless sandy beach or winter volleyball.
SUSTAINABLE ACTIVITIES
We were very impressed by the promotion of local ingredients, the story of the hotel’s own farming production and the advocacy of local wines. Undoubtedly, the hotel opted for the best possible form of advocating sustainability. They walk the talk in sustainability, and we congratulate them on their sustainable initiatives.
FINAL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY
The hotel thrills guests year-round. Event organisers cherish that in particular. Casa di Fiore Spa & Medical Hotel’s spa offer gives it added value. It is a hotel that belongs to a unique category and, as such, cannot cater to all event organisers. Nonetheless, the hotel meets and exceeds most criteria that organisers of corporate events consider before selecting a meeting venue. The exquisite cuisine plays a crucial role in guests’ satisfaction. We were greatly impressed by the hotel, and we do not doubt event attendees will enjoy their event here.
FINAL GRADE: 4.87 GOLD Spa Meeting Hotel
GOLD final score from 4.81 to 5.00
SILVER final score from 4.61 to 4.80
BRONZE final score from 4.41 to 4.60
