No. The capital no longer has a hotel from that group. The former one, beside the Rotunda of St George in central Sofia, still trades in the top official category under a new name and is no longer part of the international chain that ran it. Several other top-category hotels in central Sofia offer alternatives.
The short answer on the Sheraton Sofia
There is no Sheraton hotel in Sofia today. The building many travellers still call the Sheraton Sofia Hotel Balkan now operates as Sofia Balkan Palace, which is also its name in the national tourist register. It holds the top official category, and the hotel gives 184 rooms and suites.
The change is more than a new sign. The hotel left Marriott on 1 January 2023, so if you are looking for a Sheraton in Sofia, Bulgaria, to earn or spend chain loyalty points, this building no longer fits. If you want the historic hotel itself, book it under its current name.
History of the building
The building's story runs over several decades:
- 1956: it opens as Sofia Hotel Balkan.
- 1986: it becomes a Sheraton, the first hotel in Eastern Europe run by a Western company.
- Before 2023: its final international affiliation is with Marriott and The Luxury Collection.
- 1 January 2023: it leaves both and takes the name Sofia Balkan Palace.
The name today
The hotel's name is Sofia Balkan Palace, listed in the national tourist register as СОФИЯ БАЛКАН ПАЛАС. Use that name when you search or book, and treat any listing that still presents it under a Marriott label as out of date.
What has not changed is the building and its address. On site you will find a Technogym fitness centre and ballrooms, and the hotel is not adults-only, so families can stay too.
Where it is and what is next to it
Sofia Balkan Palace stands at 5 Sveta Nedelya Square, 1000 Sofia. The building sits on the remains of a Roman fortress, right beside the Rotunda of St George, and forms part of the President's building complex.
The other hotels in the table below have their own central addresses, on Narodno Sabranie Square, Vasil Levski Square, Gurko Street and Bulgaria Blvd. For help choosing between parts of the city, read where to stay in Sofia.
Other top-category hotels in central Sofia
If you wanted the Sheraton for an international name, Sofia still has several in the top official category; read more about international hotel brands in Bulgaria. All five hotels below are listed in the national tourist register, which also supplies the room counts.
| Hotel | Address | Official category | Board | Rooms | Suits | Page | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sofia Balkan Palace | 5 Sveta Nedelya Square | 5-star | BB | 184 | History fans, events | View hotel | Check availability |
| Grand Hotel Sofia | 1 Gurko Street, Sredets | 5-star | BB, RO | 122 | A mid-sized city stay | View hotel | Check availability |
| InterContinental Sofia | 4 Narodno Sabranie Square | 5-star | HB | 194 | Spa-goers, travellers with a car | View hotel | Check availability |
| Hyatt Regency Sofia | 1 Vasil Levski Square | 5-star | Not published | 183 | Wellness breaks | View hotel | Check availability |
| Hilton Sofia | 1 Bulgaria Blvd | 5-star | Not published | Not published | Families, pet owners, business trips | View hotel | Check availability |
Not published by the hotel
BB means bed and breakfast, RO means room only and HB means half board. Where the table says ask the hotel, check the meal plan before you book.
- InterContinental Sofia has the Hexaya Health & Wellness spa, a 24/7 fitness centre, two restaurants and on-site parking.
- Hyatt Regency Sofia has Ortus Wellness, with an indoor hydrotherapy pool, a hammam and saunas.
- Hilton Sofia has a Health Club with 24-hour Technogym fitness, a sauna and a steam bath, plus an executive lounge and EV charging. It is family-friendly and pet-friendly.
- Grand Hotel Sofia is in the Sredets district and is not adults-only. Ask the hotel about facilities.
For the full choice in the capital, see Sofia hotels.
Questions
Is there a Sheraton in Sofia?
No. There is no Sheraton-branded hotel in Sofia now. The building once known as the Sheraton Sofia Hotel Balkan, beside the Rotunda of St George, trades as Sofia Balkan Palace. Other international names in the top official category in the city include Hilton, Hyatt Regency and InterContinental, each with its own hotel.
What is the old Sheraton Sofia called now?
Sofia Balkan Palace. That is the name it took after leaving Marriott on 1 January 2023, and it is also the name in the national tourist register, where the hotel holds the top official category. The hotel gives 184 rooms and suites. Search for that name when you book.
Is Sofia Balkan Palace still part of Marriott?
No. The hotel left Marriott on 1 January 2023 and took its current name at the same time. Treat any listing that still presents it under a Marriott label as out of date, and check the hotel name and terms on your booking confirmation before you pay.
What is next to the hotel?
The Rotunda of St George. The hotel stands right beside it, on the remains of a Roman fortress, and forms part of the President's building complex. Its address is 5 Sveta Nedelya Square in central Sofia, so ask the hotel for walking routes to the other sights on your list.
Which international brands have top-category hotels in Sofia?
Several. Among the hotels above, Hilton Sofia, Hyatt Regency Sofia and InterContinental Sofia all carry international brand names and hold the top official category. Sofia Balkan Palace, the former Sheraton, holds the same category but no longer belongs to Marriott.
