Bulgaria Hotel Crush: Guest House Old Plovdiv

It’s always exciting to visit a new city and stay at a new hotel — especially when it surpasses your expectations. I had heard from many people that Plovdiv was one of the gems of Bulgaria, so when I added this ancient city to my itinerary, I started searching for a hotel.

You can easily find plenty of nice modern hotels for under $75, but I wanted to stay in the Old Town (Stari Grad) where the hotels and surrounding streets have a little more character. One affordable hotel stuck out when I began looking at reviews on Booking.com and TripAdvisor — Old Plovdiv Guest House. The enchanting neighborhood is also great for exploring Plovdiv with a good location for visiting the ancient Roman theater, the lively Kapana district, and one of the best views in the city.

Related: A budget travel guide to Plovdiv

I was happy when I walked up to the front door and found a handsome historic house. After a quick snapshot of the front entrance, I stepped into the lobby and was greeted by a sweet little cat on the rug. A self-described “boutique hostel”, Old Plovdiv has a friendly staff running the show. The clerk behind the front desk pointed out the handmade sign they had made for me that I totally missed on my way in. As we sat out on the patio to talk about the details of the hotel, she grabbed me a glass of cold lemonade. Later on, I met the very friendly owner and we exchanged tales about New York. He also told me how the hotel was once the home of a wealthy tobacco merchant and dates back to 1838.

Spacious rooms with historic touches

The private single room I stayed in cost €30 (including tax) for the night. It was more than spacious with two twin beds on either side of the room, hardwood floors that are over 130 years old, and free Wi-Fi. I was traveling on my own, but if you had two people, there was more than enough room to spread out and enjoy a bit of privacy. The shared bathroom was clean and right outside the door which was very convenient for washing up at night or an early morning shower.

True to its name, there were old furnishings and touches everywhere you looked. I loved the antique details such as the old-time radio and period sitting chairs. On the walls, there were framed historic photos and newspaper clippings from years ago.

When I visited Plovdiv in June, there was a big heat wave across the country with temperatures soaring over 100 degrees. Luckily, my room had one amenity that was very modern — efficient air-conditioning! It came in handy as I popped back in and out to cool down throughout the day.

Cheapo tip: If you want to save even more, you can get a bed in a dorm room for around $10.

Beautiful common spaces

The 2nd-floor common room felt more like an elegant library in a private club than a space in an budget hotel. Spending a few minutes during the heat of the day reading about Plovdiv was an excellent use of my time. You can also connect to the free Wi-Fi from here.

Free breakfast on the outdoor patio

Your stay comes with a traditional European breakfast that offers a Bulgarian twist. The nice spread of items included your basic meats and breads but also local delicacies like feta cheese and olives. The coffee machine is always on, so you can grab an espresso or latte at any time of day. When I first arrived in the afternoon, it was nice to get a little shot of caffeine before heading out to explore Plovdiv.

If you have time, it’s worth ordering a beer or glass of wine at the bar to sip on the leafy patio. It’s just one of the many features that makes this hotel an excellent value for your money. Yes, I have a major crush on Guest House Old Plovdiv!

Want to enjoy your own adventure in Plovdiv Old Town? Search for available dates and book a room at Guest House Old Plovdiv.