Sofia

This friendly 3-star art hotel—it is full of paintings and drawings by Bulgarian artists—enjoys a convenient location just a few hundred yards north of the main sights. — Fodor's

Offering excellent value and a good city-centre location, Niky has comfortable rooms and gleaming bathrooms. — Lonely Planet

Right in the heart of the city, the Grand is a swanky, 109-room, glass-and-granite affair looming over the southern edge of the City Garden. — Lonely Planet

A welcoming mid-range deal, the Iskâr's 11 rooms are tough to beat. — Lonely Planet

Rooms are comfy and spacious and top-notch facilities include a gym, sauna, pool and shops... It’s convenient for the train and bus stations, though not for anything else. — Lonely Planet

If large hotels are not your thing, this small, family-run B&B, conveniently close to the downtown sights, could be for you. — Fodor's

Certainly one of Sofia's best-located hostels, this welcoming American-run place has 12 smart rooms... Apparently, it's the only place in Sofia to serve kosher breakfast. — Lonely Planet

Occupies a renovated 19th-century house, and has six- and eight-bed dorms, with either shared or private bathrooms, as well as a single and a couple of doubles. — Lonely Planet

On a side street near the National Palace of Culture (NDK), the Kolikovski offers a range of elegant rooms, including ‘business class’ (with a free bottle of wine thrown in) and some spacious suites. — Lonely Planet

This well-kept hotel in a renovated 19th-century building is one of the smarter establishments in this area. It’s handy for the central train and bus stations, but not so convenient for the sights. — Lonely Planet

Facing the Lions Bridge, this is a grand old building in a lively location. Rooms are large, modern and a variety of shapes and styles. — Lonely Planet

Friendly and informal B&B in a central location, housed in the upper storeys of the Red House Cultural Centre... Rooms can be simply furnished or plushly decorated, with TV and antique wardrobe. — DK Eyewitness

Marble floors, glittering chandeliers and large, plush rooms provide a level of comfort that should please the most demanding of guests at this landmark hotel. — Lonely Planet

Feels a little overpriced for its value - but its clean rooms and back courtyard make a nice base amidst Sofia's centre. Rooms... have a few extras not seen in most budget or mid-range hotels. — Lonely Planet

The first upscale design hotel in the Bulgarian capital, the contemporary glass structure by Lazzarini Pickering Architetti is innovative, yet sits sympathetically within its grand surroundings. — Wallpaper

A salmon-pink '30s-era home with its own bistro, the Residence has nine rooms and sumptuous suites with cherry-wood flooring, antique-style furnishings and lots of space. — Lonely Planet

A beacon of light in a depressed (but safe) part of the city that offers excellent value. — Lonely Planet

Built for business, this 245-room chain hotel - just south of Sofia's National Palace of Culture and Yuzhen Park - is a well-run hotel with personable English-speaking staff. — Lonely Planet

The Central is a clean-cut business hotel sitting on a busy main road just west of the city centre. — Lonely Planet