If you are looking for a Sofia, Bulgaria hotel with personality that’s in the center of the action but not too noisy, The Moon Boutique Hotel is an excellent choice. This small bed-and-breakfast hotel is set back from the street, shielded by other buildings, but is walking distance to attractions and right by metro and tram stops.
I had only visited Sofia briefly during past trips to Bulgaria so this time I added on some extra days to go exploring the country’s capital. I was pleasantly surprised by two things. The first was how relatively compact the center of the city is, easily navigable on foot.
The second was how great the public transportation system is in Sofia. The metro, tram system, and buses connect the whole city conveniently and you can pay by just tapping your credit or debit card. The system is easy to navigate, with signs displaying when the next car is coming.
When you stay at Moon Boutique Hotel you may be able to walk everywhere you need to go, but within a block there are all three other options: a bus stop, a metro stop, and a train stop. The second will get you to the airport, the third will get you to the train station or bus station to head in or out of the city.
So this Sofia boutique hotel is a great choice for location, first of all. Right around the corner is a gorgeous Orthodox church with a park in front. Three blocks away is the large park surrounding the National Palace of Culture. The National Theater, St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and pedestrian-only Vitosha Street are all within 15 minutes on foot.
There are plenty of places to drink and dine nearby as well, including a pub with craft beer around the corner and lots of bakeries and pizza shops on the main drag where the tram runs. Breakfast is included at Moon Boutique Hotel though, so you’ll get your day off to a good start before you head out.
When you check in, a staffer will ask you to fill out a form with what you want for breakfast, as well as a time. Then it’s ready for you when you sit down except for any hot items like toast or eggs. It’s all presented on a pretty silver platter and the ingredients are high quality, from flaky croissants to Bulgarian yogurt.
An impressive staircase that dates back to the building’s start in 1916 circles around a hanging light fixture set with bulbs at different levels. Then when you approach your room, you find your room number projected on the wall in a way that might make you feel like you’re in a noir film era movie–in a good way.
Room options on the three floors range from singles with a small bed to various layouts of double rooms in varying sizes. Unusual for Europe, the beds for two are really for two: they’re not just two twins shoved together. There’s even a real top sheet under the duvet so you can adjust your temperature to stay comfortable during the night.
Rooms are not all that large, but they have extremely comfortable beds, an adjustable heating/cooling system, and nice bathrooms. Amenities include an electric tea kettle, a minibar/fridge, and a smart TV with Netflix loaded.
The two top choices are the deluxe double, with high ceilings and skylights, and the “penthouse suite” that is like a duplex apartment. Downstairs in that one is a small living room and the bathroom, while stairs lead up to the cozy attic-style bedroom pictured above.
There are two places to spread out downstairs: a small sitting room adorned by artwork and the main cafe area. After breakfast time is done, the cafe has drinks and bites throughout the day. During my stay there were serving a decadent garash cake of walnuts and chocolate which is a time-consuming special occasion item usually rolled out at weddings or celebrations. Moon Hotel’s version comes via a grandma who makes it using the original recipe from the late 1800s.
Rates for a double at The Moon Boutique Hotel start at around $100 depending on the current exchange rate and max out at around $120, so it’s an easy upgrade decision. If you’re traveling alone though, they offer a smaller single room that’s still quite comfortable for less. All options include a nice breakfast in the sunny cafe on the main level that’s pictured at the top.
See more info and check rates at the official hotel site here or compare online at Booking.com.
Review and photos by editor Tim Leffel. He was hosted at The Moon Boutique Hotel for purposes of review and as always, all opinions are his own.
