An interview with Teodora Mihaylova, General Manager of Sunny Castle Hotel, Kranevo
Sunny Castle has been recognized by guests as one of the best four-starseaside hotels with up to 99 rooms in Bulgaria for 2025 – what is the key behind this recognition?
Our greatest strength has always been our attitude toward our guests. The combination of personal attention, consistency in quality, and the desire to improve what we do year after year lies at the heart of this recognition. For us, it is the result of years of dedicated work and a team that works with heart.
How do you combine a boutique atmosphere with a very high standard of service?
A boutique atmosphere allows us to truly know our guests — to remember their preferences and create a more personal experience. At the same time, we maintain clear standards and discipline behind the scenes. The hotel’s smaller scale gives us the advantage of flexibility, while our experience in hospitality helps us consistently maintain a high level of service.
What most clearly distinguishes Sunny Castle from other hotels in the region?
Our location — but also our sense of hospitality. As the first hotel on the central beach of Kranevo, we were part of the beginning of the area’s new development. However, what we most often hear from guests is that they feel “at home” with us. Our boutique character, home-grown fruits and vegetables, tranquility, and personal approach clearly set us apart.
What remains “behind the scenes” for guests but is crucial for quality? Is there a moment that best captures the spirit of Sunny Castle?
Guests see the final result — a clean room, good food, smiling staff. But behind that are early mornings, delays, various challenges, constant coordination, and quick reactions that keep everyday issues invisible.
Our team is like one big family. We face challenges daily — our days are dynamic — but what matters most is that at the end of the day and the end of the season, we part with friendly smiles.
The strong team spirit naturally transfers into the atmosphere of the hotel — and guests feel it. That is the spirit of Sunny Castle.
To what extent do online reviews influence your management decisions?
To a great extent. We read everything — both praise and criticism. Online feedback is the most honest indicator of what guests actually experience. It helps us see things that we might overlook in our daily routine.
Can you give an example of a real improvement made based on guest feedback?
Over the years, we have implemented a number of small but important improvements — mainly expanding the variety of buffet dishes, upgrading the quality of all-inclusive beverages, improving hotel cosmetics, offering a wider pillow selection, and refining various details in room equipment.
What is the most valuable compliment you have personally received from a guest?
The greatest recognition is when guests tell us, “We come back every year because this is our place.”
One especially memorable gift from returning guests was a handmade card featuring the Sunny Castle hotel and filled with such warm and beautiful words that it will remain in our hearts for a long time.
Compliments are important, but the trust that we have become part of someone’s tradition is truly fulfilling.
What is the main guest profile during the summer season, and how are bookings developing compared to previous years?
We are mainly visited by families with young children and couples seeking tranquility close to the sea.
There is strong interest for the upcoming summer. Bookings so far are significantly higher compared to the same period last year.
What new or different experiences can guests expect this year?
Each year, we strive to build upon what we do — whether through service refinements, environmental improvements, or small new conveniences. Our focus remains on food quality, tranquility, and a sense of personal space.
What is your long-term vision for Sunny Castle over the next five years?
This year we celebrate the hotel’s tenth anniversary. Over the past decade, we have grown, evolved, and maintained our position as one of the Top 10 seaside hotels in Bulgaria with up to 99 rooms.
In the future, we will preserve our identity as a boutique family hotel and continue developing what makes us different — personal attention, a stable team, and strong guest relationships.
We believe in sustainable growth — not becoming bigger, but becoming better. Our goal is that five years from now, guests will continue choosing us not only for the location, but for the emotion.
See the Sunny Castle profile at BestHotels.bg here.
