| There is quite a bit of difference between the hotel | | | | been renovated and converted into hotels. In addition |
| industry in Bulgaria and that in the U.S. Whereas the | | | | to accommodation, the hotels also often feature |
| U.S. market is dominated by large chains such as | | | | small cozy restaurants where the owners try to be |
| Sheraton, Hilton, Days Inn, and numerous others, the | | | | inventive with delicious local dishes. The terms of |
| work horse of Bulgaria's tourism industry is the small | | | | accommodation are flexible and the atmosphere is |
| to medium-sized family owned and family-operated | | | | personal. |
| hotel. As of now, although some successful hotel | | | | One hotel in Abanassi exemplifies this. Arbanassi is a |
| owners are making investments in that direction, | | | | small historic village overlooking the old capital of |
| there are in fact no hotel chains. This is quite | | | | Bulgaria Veliko Turnovo. It is one of the most famous |
| remarkable since Bulgaria is one of the most visited | | | | tourist destinations in Bulgaria, partly due to the |
| holiday destinations in Europe. | | | | types of hotel where tourists can stay. Villa |
| The lack of chains is sometimes a problem as tourists | | | | "Tvorcheska (Artistic)" is a three story spacious |
| are not sure what to expect - different owners and | | | | house with stone foundations and beautiful arches. It |
| managers have different ideas about what | | | | sits in a large and sunny garden with a shaded area |
| constitutes good service and facilities. Booking is | | | | and fruit trees. It has 11 guest rooms, each furnished |
| more cumbersome as the tourist has to call the | | | | and decorated in a different style: 2 Italian rooms, 1 |
| hotel, make a reservation and pay upon arrival as | | | | French room, 1 Bulgarian room, 1 Oriental room, 1 |
| opposed to using a centralized booking system. | | | | mansard studio with a round bedroom, 1 Japanese |
| However, the lack of uniformity also has an | | | | room, 1 African apartment, 1 Roman room with a tub |
| important charming side - there are hundreds of | | | | for hydro massage, and 1 room with Jacuzzi. What a |
| hotels and guest houses with very unique character. | | | | variety! |
| These are sometimes large old houses that have | | | | |