The Best Boutique Places to Stay in Sofia, Bulgaria

This sharp, minimalist base is tastefully but simply decorated – think exposed brick walls, black anglepoise lamps and grey fabric headboards. It’s a five-minute walk from central Vitosha Boulevard, and some of its rooms have swirling wrought-iron balconies on which you can sit and watch passers-by. A chic little cafe downstairs sends you on your way for the day, complete with strong coffee and a continental breakfast.

Fancy living it up like Sofia’s jet-setter crowd? These glossy apartments are the place to do it. Each one features pitch-perfect decor, generous living spaces and all the perks of a hotel, including a minibar, room service, slippers and a hairdryer. Book either the spacious deluxe, superior or president option, complete with an oven, hobs and a washing machine, for extended stays.

There’s a young, trendy vibe at the R34 Boutique Hotel, with its industrial-chic styling, bric-a-brac stuffed bar and 24/7 check-in. Rooms feel huge for a city pad, with whitewashed brick and forest-green feature walls, softened by thick rugs and sofa-stuffed nooks, and the odd ceramic cactus. It’s surrounded by bars and restaurants and just as handy for the sights – it’s a short walk from the Serdika II metro stop.

Built around the crumbling honeycomb walls of the Roman amphitheatre of Serdica, this 63-room base strikes a good balance between a smartly run business hotel and a characterful city-break stay. The high-ceilinged, light-flooded lobby has the most wow factor, but the warm-hued rooms are just as pleasant. Also, the neighbourhood is pretty, surrounded by leafy avenues and squares, close to the sprawling Borisova Gradina and the multi-domed St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.

A cloud of suspended, liquid-looking metal blobs greets you at the entrance of the first design hotel in Sofia. At the Sense Hotel, rooms feature architectural flair – think floor-to-ceiling windows framing the domes, spires and treetops adorning the city. Get high and go low to see the best of it – in the glass-fronted, sheltered rooftop restaurant and the luxurious basement spa with its pool lit by pillar candles.

If you love a bit of cosy character – and don’t mind a touch of chintz – the Sofia Residence, with its silky upholstery, oil paintings and fireplaces, will add lustre to your city experience. A bijou bistro serves steak tartare and salads with a well-curated range of Italian and Bulgarian wines, and there’s even a mini spa on-site, complete with a sauna and a treatment room where you can indulge in a traditional honey massage.

There are no frills and no hidden extras at Antim Boutique Apartments; each one features Ikea-esque pine furniture, a self-catering kitchenette and a living area. The two-bedroom option is of top value for families or groups of friends. You’re just north of the city centre, but you may have to hop on the metro to find the best nightlife and sights. There’s a front desk, but as it’s not staffed at all times, these apartments will suit independent travellers best.

This low-key, affordable guesthouse is in south Sofia, near the outdoorsy Yuzhen Park, where the city’s jazz festival takes place. While it’s out of the tourist centre, the Meg-Lozenetz Hotel is only a 20-minute walk from it and has a simple, traditional feel – think upholstered headboards, gilded mirrors and red carpets. It’s old-fashioned in the best way possible, complete with a hearty breakfast, hands-on service and airport pickups available on request.

Lime-green curtains, oversize seagull murals, wall-mounted bamboo sticks and incongruous Marilyn Monroe portraits – the decor may be eclectic at this art hotel, but it’s never boring. On the west side of town, a metro ride away from attractions and the nightlife-packed Studentski Grad, it has a pleasant little bistro specialising in grilled meats and seafood. Meanwhile, the triple and quadruple rooms cater to groups of budget travellers as well as couples.

The arresting glass facade of Les Fleurs Boutique Hotel, adorned by a chunky flower motif, means it’s always easy to find your way back. This floral theme continues in the interior, from luxurious embroidered headboards to an eye-catching mosaic-tiled staircase. Mood lighting and blush colours make rooms a romantic rather than trendy place to be, and its location on central Vitosha Boulevard, close to many restaurants and bars, is spot on.

The Crystal Palace Boutique Hotel lies in the heart of Sofia, near Sofia University, but you wouldn’t guess it when you arrive here. It sits adjacent to the lovely Doctors’ Garden, and the area is surprisingly quiet. The hotel’s old-world wooden style juxtaposes nicely with its contemporary design.