The Emporium is the city's flagship luxury address and part of Accor's MGallery collection of boutique hotels. It occupies a former department store on Kapitan Raycho Street, and the conversion keeps a grand, urban feel, with design touches that nod to Roman Philippopolis, including meeting rooms inspired by the Roman forum. The hotel has two restaurants, Premio for upscale international cooking with reinterpreted Bulgarian classics and Torro Grande for relaxed international dining, plus a Champagne Bar and Cocktail Lounge that serves as the social hub, with drinks inspired by local flavours. Guests also have a fitness and well-being zone with modern equipment, a sauna and a steam room, and massage and body treatments are available. Rooms range from Superior rooms with king or twin beds, some with balconies, to Deluxe Suites, the Executive Suite Philippopolis and the Presidential Suite Evmolpia, and connecting rooms suit families. Breakfast is served daily.
Location and getting around
The hotel stands in central Plovdiv, about fifteen minutes on foot from the Old Town and a few minutes by car, with the Bishop's Basilica and the Roman Forum each roughly seven hundred metres away. The central train and bus stations are about two kilometres away, a ten-to-twelve-minute drive, and the airport is fifteen to twenty minutes by car.
The hotel arranges transfers on request. Most of the sights in this guide, from the Roman Stadium and Kapana to the Roman Theatre, are within a comfortable walk, and the walk into the Old Town is uphill and cobbled at the end.
The rooms and who it suits
Expect a polished, contemporary look and plenty of space in the suites. Superior rooms with balconies are the best way to enjoy the city air, and families or groups can use the connecting rooms. The hotel suits couples looking for a special stay, business travellers who want a gym and meeting rooms, and anyone who appreciates a proper cocktail bar and a serious restaurant after a day of walking.
Children of all ages are welcome. The spa zone is a fitness and well-being area rather than a large resort spa, so manage expectations if you are after pools and treatment menus.
Good to know
Breakfast is a highlight, and the hotel has enclosed parking on site, though you should confirm whether parking is included in your rate. The central location means some evening noise from the street is possible, so ask for a quieter room facing the courtyard or an upper floor if you are a light sleeper.
Rates sit at the top of the Plovdiv market and rise during festivals and summer weekends, so book early for the Opera Open season. For a stay that combines comfort with an easy base for wandering, it is the obvious splurge.
Why stay here
- ✓Gourmet restaurant Premio
- ✓Champagne bar and cocktail lounge
- ✓Fitness zone with sauna and steam room
- ✓Massage and body treatments
- ✓Superior rooms with balconies
- ✓Connecting rooms for families
- ✓Enclosed on-site parking
- ✓Transfers on request
Good questions
How far is The Emporium from the Old Town?+
About fifteen minutes on foot, or five minutes by car. The Roman Forum and the Bishop's Basilica are each roughly seven hundred metres away.
Does the hotel have a spa?+
It has a fitness and well-being zone with equipment, a sauna and a steam room, and massage and body treatments are available. It is not a large resort spa.
Is parking available?+
Yes, there is enclosed on-site parking. Confirm with the hotel whether it is included in your rate when you reserve.
