Hotel Lifehacks

The ‘City of 100 Winds’ Factor: Known also as the city where a strong wind called Bora constantly blows, Sliven will demand from you while packing for your trip-even if it takes place during summer months-a windbreaker or at least a light scarf. More up on the hillside, the hotel is more exposed to this breeze which brings fresh air into town in July and makes evenings quite cool; therefore, sitting in the garden would be best enjoyed with a jacket!

Do not just take the lift up to Karandila, walk around and come back down. There is a secret "Furna" (Bakery) at the top near the Karandila hut that not many know about or bother to visit because it is slightly off from where most people walk. They bake traditional bread and "milinki" (cheese pastries) in a wood-fired oven. People have been known to drive all the way up just to buy this bread! Get yourself a loaf of warm bread with some packet "sharena sol" (colorful salt spice)-later-on-the-hotel-balcony meal.

Room Selection for Views: During booking, specifically request a room either with ‘View to Rocks’ or ‘Panorama to City’. The back garden and mountain facing rooms are generally more silent and have the dramatic view of Blue Stones right above you. The city side rooms offer a sea of lights at night. Do not take ground floor rooms if you are totally particular about privacy as guests in the garden might be visible.

Water Quality: The tap water in Sliven comes from mountain springs. It is generally excellent and safe to drink. In fact, Sliven is known for its high-quality water sources.[7] Fill your bottles directly from the tap in your room before heading out on a hike, saving both money and plastic waste.

Currency & Cash: The hotel accepts card payments, but only small shops, the lift station ticket office, and mountain huts unlock their doors to a smiling customer with cash all in Bulgarian Lev. Make sure you hit an ATM while still downtown before heading back to the hotel for some sleep since there are no ATMs on any of the quiet residential streets near Kredo.

If you have flexibility, book your stay in late October. The Blue Stones Park explodes with color—the beech forests turn bright orange and red, contrasting with the grey/blue rocks and the green pines. The view from Hotel Kredo’s garden during this season is photographer-grade perfection.

Taxi App Alternative: There is no Uber, but the local taxi operators are quite prompt. Ask the hotel receptionist to note down for you a good reliable taxi company’s number or better still call one for you 10 minutes before you need to leave. They always respond very fast.