Spa Hotel Calista

Maybe this hotel was "4 star" in another era, but I am unsure what qualifies it as such now. Though some parts look very nice, the facilities are quite dated and in need of some work. In the spa there was mold and mildew everywhere, and just seems like it is in need of a deep cleaning. Most of the jets or fountains in the pool are broken. It smelled of cigarettes everywhere, even though smoking was "not allowed". But, everywhere you turned, even in the spa and restaurant, they were allowing people to use electronic cigarettes (the Bulgarian version vapes a real cigarette somehow and still smells exactly like a cigarette, so what is the point...🤔). The bed in our room was very old and uneven. The pillows very lumpy and uncomfortable. The refrigerator barely cold at the highest setting. The cigarette smell would casually seep into our room if we had the heat on. The breakfast food was exactly the same every morning and not that great and not much to choose from.
The best parts about this hotel were the features of the spa facility, the a la carte restaurant food, and the Porter. The Porter was extremely professional, helpful, funny and friendly. He was great. He made our day, every day. Dinner at the restaurant was probably some of the best food we have ever had in Bulgaria. So thoughtful and delicious. The servers were awesome. There were some functions going on and only 2 servers for a very large restaurant. Service was a little slow, as it often is in Bulgaria, but they were working hard and hustling and doing a great job. We really loved the features that the spa offered: 2 different scented steam rooms; infrared sauna; traditional sauna; laconium sauna; tepidarium sauna; ice room; relaxation room with heated lounges; foot spas with heated seats; cold plunge pool; and a fitness center.
Our stay was not terrible, by any means, but just not really worth what they charge for a supposed "4 star" hotel that needs a deep cleaning and to stop allowing people to smoke indoors.