Balkan Holidays Reviews

Only gave one star as no option to leave none. To keep it brief and constructive we lost £2.688, were refused a refund or a change of dates when my husband and I ( who are both public sector front line workers) were unable to take 4 days extra annual leave when the 2 day PCR rule was applied to our holiday in December 2021. We booked the original holiday well before the pandemic and foolishly changed the dates when the original holiday was cancelled due to the lock down. In my opinion we have been penalised for being honest and hardworking front line workers- unable to work from home or take extra leave. Will never book with Balkan again and want to warn others.

us as a family would like to thank ever so to the balkan reps an especially steve at the pomorie-sun for helpin us in every need no job too hard to do and made our stay of 14 days very nice .

Would have given this 5 stars if it wasn't for the fact we didn't get the plane seats we had PAID for on our return journey, and our party was split up.
Other than this I have found the customer service excellent. The phone is answered quickly without being on hold for ages.
We also had a situation at our hotel where they were trying to make us pay a city tax before leaving. I spoke to our rep in the resort Dinko who sorted it out for us and we didn't have to pay it.
It is just a shame it was spoilt by paying to reserve seats we didn't get.

Just returned from Hotel Laguna Park in Sunny Beach. Travelled with Balkan. We were a party of 14 including children. This was our 1st time to Bulgaria and with Balkan. Cant fault anything. 2 weeks before we were due to travel I realised I needed to take my mobility scooter. Rang customer services and it was no problem to book it on the flight free of charge.

I have used Balkan Holidays for the past 6 years with no issues. However, I will never use these again. We had absolute chaos on our flight from Bourgas to Cardiff on 4th June 2022. The cabin crew were so rude and the customer services team don't give a monkeys!!
They have really gone down hill!!!!

Absolutely disgusted by the service I have received from this company! changing our flight times - which was fine as we know they are subject to change, they then added a stop over - not very happy but we got over it for the sake of the holiday and then now a completely new hotel which they refuse to agree is a downgrade from our original booking despite my proof of it being cheaper, and having no money offered back to us for this, after speaking to around 4 -5 different customer service staff about these issues me and my family all got completely different answers from them, none of them seem to have a clue what they are doing.
They then informed me to email them, which I did and I received an immediate reply which shows me they clearly didn't care to look much into my email or the proof I provided, they also relied with a snotty email saying they only made "minor changes" they couldn't change any more about our holiday if they tried! so I have no idea how they can class that as "minor" - terrible service - poor communication and clearly have no regard for their customers whatsoever, we will not be using this company again

We have had a terrible experience with them, caused a great deal of upset to me and my family!

Absolutely gob smacked by the customer service
Due to fly to Bulgaria next month with my 2yr old for his first proper holiday.
1st thing, flight gets changed, the time and we also have to stop at Hull on the way home get off and re board 50min later to fly to Doncaster!
Not good with a toddler ,
However now they have just changed our hotel. (Saying it’s like for like! I have seen the hotel & the price difference so beg to differ)
I have made contacted on the phone to be advised they could not authorise a full refund and that I would loose my deposit, so to send an email.
I’ve done this to now be told, basically if I cancel I will loose 70% of my money..! And I should have taken the refund without my deposit refunded !! What a lovely company,
I would think that a total hotel change is a significant change to our booking so should be offered a refund.. I’m angry and upset that we have been treated like this. Very poor
We booked this last year and have saved to pay for it like many people as we couldn’t afford to do it any other way, feels very unfair

We have used Balkan for a number of years to fly to Bulgaria for family holiday. We booked and paid for our flights for August 2022 in November and then built our holiday apartments, transfers etc which took some time to organise but happy it was sorted. Then we get an email in March telling us our flights are cancelled due to operational reasons throwing all our booking transfers, apartment into chaos. Took 2 weeks to sort out as couldn't get in touch by phone but eventually did by hanging on line for 55 minutes!
Rebooked flights, reorganised transfers both ways then to recieve another cancellation 15 minutes ago. Flying same day but much later flight out and returns. Now got to reorganise apartment arrival and departure, transfers etc. I will never again book flights with Balkan. We have just been messed about from start to finish. I will accept the first change but why book second flights a few days ago only to cancel them again? Very shody service to loyal customers.

I’ve travelled with Balkan holidays to Bulgaria 3 or 4 times before the pandemic. However this week I have been wanting to contact them regarding a booking. We are unable to get through on the phone, just constantly on hold. I have emailed them and sent messages through Fb messenger. Nobody is responding. Very poor customer service and I have to say I’m very disappointed. ?

So not for the first time Balkan let me down, it will be the last time! Today they cancelled my flight to Bulgaria in June yes June what the hell? Inviting me to rebook later in the season really? They only have a 4 month season in Bourgas as it is and in the past they have changed my flight to other airlines changed the day and times prior to travel. Awful service that has now broken any trust I might have afforded them. Plenty if other airlines now go to Bg from UK my advice is use one of those, I will be.

Just returned from Bansko, Bulgaria on a Balkan holiday skiing trip, everything ran smoothly, the reps were very helpful at airport,on bus and in resort, couldn’t of asked anymore from them, highly recommended.

Hotel samakov, Bulgaria, what a dump! Don't go here, no hot water, no hot food, breakfast was stale, no facilities in the room, nothing is plumbed in correctly, bath not mastic to wall, toilet on a concrete block, smell of poo up the basin due to no trap. Carpet crunches, room full of dust and someone's chips. Lights hanging off the wall and sockets It's a complete dump... stay at the rila up the road..

Booked our first ski holiday with Bulkan as we wanted a family room in a good hotel, which another leading holiday company could not offer. I had not heard of Bulkan before so was a bit nervous however everything was excellent and very well organised! We were so happy with everything, hotel, flights and transfers were all very good. We also went on and excursion from the Hotel which was good. Would highly recommend and will be booking next year!

Refused check-in at Bristol Airport even though double vaccination last one being may 21and told they were outside their cut off by 2 days when I asked at the rep where does it state that she blatantly lied when I phoned customer services the lady had no idea their was a cut off date she then got her manager who blatantly lied thanks for destroying my first holiday in 2 years totally un professional