Royal Bay Resort - All Inclusive and Free beach accsess in Balchik

the room doesn't look like the pictures on booking.com;
missing shower door;
cleanliness = dirt moved from place to place with a mop;
sewage smell;

A Royal Disappointment at Royal Bay Resort

If Royal Bay Resort were in the business of redefining “hospitality,” they’ve certainly nailed the opposite. From the moment we arrived, the answer to every reasonable request was a resounding, unwavering “no.” It’s almost impressive how consistently unhelpful the staff managed to be.

Yes, we had a sea-view room—technically. That “view” was mostly of the restaurant’s roof, courtesy of our glamorous first-floor location. I asked at reception if we could be moved, but was told they were fully booked and maybe tomorrow something might open up. When I suggested checking availability, the receptionist said his colleague would do it the next day. Apparently, checking a booking system requires a special license no one on duty possessed.

Next, we discovered the luxury of a towel-less experience. When I asked, I was told they were overwhelmed with tourists and simply hadn’t had time to wash any. That’s comforting. Eventually, towels appeared—but not without a lecture. We were warned to guard them like family heirlooms and return them on departure, lest we be branded as towel thieves. Honestly, what kind of guests are they expecting?

As for the food—ah, the cuisine! A rotating menu of déjà vu. The dishes looked as though they’d been recycled from previous days, perhaps waiting to fossilize for historical preservation. I didn’t snap photos, but trust me, my appetite took one look and declined to participate. Cheap ingredients, bland taste, and a clear absence of pride in the kitchen.

And don’t expect to enjoy a proper drink either. The beachside bar serves alcohol in flimsy plastic cups. I asked for a proper glass to take to my room and was told it wasn’t allowed. Eventually, I got one—under the strict condition that I return it, like it was some sort of priceless artifact. Seriously?

Oh, and smoking? Not allowed—even in open-air dining areas. While Bulgaria doesn’t ban outdoor smoking, Royal Bay has taken it upon themselves to be stricter than the law. It’s a customer service masterclass—in alienation.

Communication is another game entirely. Most staff members don’t speak English, which made every interaction feel like an elaborate game of charades aided by Google Translate.

All in all, Royal Bay Resort might be by the sea, but it’s a hospitality desert. Between the dismissive service, questionable food, and bizarre rules, I left with one certainty: I won’t be coming back

To the Management of Royal Bay Resort Balcik,

Subject: Complaint Regarding Services Provided

Dear Management,

My name is Ella and I recently stayed at your hotel for a week. Unfortunately, my experience at Royal Bay Resort was far from the expectations I had for a 4-star resort.

Firstly, I would like to highlight the very poor quality of the food offered in the all-inclusive package. The menu was repetitive, lacked variety, and was of questionable quality, significantly affecting our dining experience.

Moreover, I was extremely disappointed by the complete lack of entertainment programs. At a resort of this caliber, I expected activities and events that would provide us with enjoyable and relaxing moments, but these were entirely absent.

Another unpleasant aspect was the weekly parking fee. I found this fee unjustified, given that the parking area was neither properly arranged nor guarded, creating a sense of insecurity regarding our vehicle.

I believe that all these aspects seriously affect the value for money of the services provided by your hotel and do not reflect the standards that a guest should expect from a 4-star resort.

Please consider this complaint and take the necessary measures to improve these aspects for future guests. I also expect a response from you regarding the actions you intend to take to address these issues.

Thank you for your attention

Below are some details in regards to our review:

PRO'S: Amazing landscapes, the resort is pretty big and it has a lot of space
CON'S: The staff was not wearing masks
Not that many cleaning and disinfecting measures were taken
Food was tasty but not that diverse
Small beaches and staff allowed the tourists to let their towels on the sun beds overnight so they would have the same ones everyday

It's a resort with a great view but overall the experience was not a good one.