Bulgaria
Bulgaria Beyond the Party Scene: My Stay at Secrets Sunny Beach
When you hear “Sunny Beach,” you may immediately picture lively bars, bustling nightlife and a non-stop party atmosphere. However, my recent trip to Bulgaria showed me a much more peaceful and luxurious side to this popular destination.
I stayed at the wonderful adults-only Secrets Sunny Beach Resort & Spa, situated in the quieter St Vlas area. It proved to be the perfect choice for a relaxing holiday, while still being close enough to enjoy everything Sunny Beach has to offer.
Adults-only relaxation with a sea view
The hotel has several beautiful infinity pools overlooking the Black Sea, including one with a swim-up bar. There was something especially satisfying about cooling off with a cocktail after getting a little too warm on the sunbed!
For even more relaxation, the hotel also has excellent spa facilities and an indoor swimming pool, giving you somewhere peaceful to retreat to whatever the weather.
Was the Preferred Club upgrade worth it?
We chose to stay in a Preferred Club room, and I was so pleased that we did. The upgrade gave us access to separate sunbathing areas, which felt more peaceful and exclusive, along with reserved tables on the terrace at the buffet restaurant.
Sitting outside and enjoying our meals with the sea as a backdrop was a lovely addition to the experience and made the upgrade feel worthwhile.
Plenty of dining choices
The food throughout our stay was excellent, with plenty of variety available in the buffet restaurant. We also had a choice of two à la carte restaurants—Italian and seafood—as well as another restaurant in a beautiful beachfront setting.
Whether we wanted a relaxed daytime meal, dinner overlooking the sea or something a little more special in the evening, there was always a good option available.
Sunny Beach or St Vlas?
The livelier centre of Sunny Beach is approximately a 25-minute stroll away along the promenade. Alternatively, you can hop aboard the land train for a more leisurely journey.
Once there, you’ll find a much busier atmosphere with plenty of bars, shops, casinos and entertainment. Personally, I preferred the serenity of the St Vlas area, where the hotel is located, but it was lovely to have the option of experiencing both.
My tip would be to take the land train in one direction and walk back. There are some fantastic beach bars and beach clubs along the route which you could easily miss if you travelled both ways by train.
Falling in love with Nessebar
A firm favourite during our holiday was Nessebar, a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site which we visited twice by water taxi.
Its delightful cobbled streets are filled with character, while the harbourfront restaurants and little shops make it a wonderful place to wander at your own pace. We experienced Nessebar during the daytime and again in the evening—and although it was lovely by day, it truly came alive at night.
The glittering fairy lights, waterside restaurants and wonderful atmosphere made it feel incredibly special. I would definitely recommend allowing time to see both sides of Nessebar if you can.
More than just a beach holiday
There were also plenty of watersports available along the beach for anyone looking to add a little more activity and adventure to their stay. Equally, there was no pressure to do anything at all!
That was what I loved most about this holiday: it allowed us to unwind completely and enjoy each day at our own pace. We could relax beside an infinity pool, stroll along the promenade, visit lively Sunny Beach or take the water taxi to historic Nessebar.
The only small downside at the hotel was that the lifts could be rather slow during peak times. However, we were never in a rush and often took the stairs instead—an easy way to get a few extra steps in after enjoying all that lovely food!
My final thoughts
Secrets Sunny Beach is an excellent choice for couples looking for an adults-only escape combining relaxation, good food and beautiful sea views. Its quieter location offers a peaceful retreat, while Sunny Beach and Nessebar are still within easy reach whenever you fancy exploring.
Bulgaria genuinely surprised me, and I would happily recommend this area to anyone wanting an affordable but luxurious European escape with the freedom to do as much—or as little—as they please.



















