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The setting
This hotel is in the Borovets ski resort, in the high-altitude region of the Rila Mountains, about 9 km from the town of Samokov. It is situated right at the foot of the ski slopes, allowing guests to access the slopes directly from the hotel. The hotel features a bar, a restaurant, and a full-service spa. Among the recreational facilities, the Olympic-sized indoor pool is particularly noteworthy; the atmosphere here is more reminiscent of an Alpine style and geared toward family holidays rather than a party resort.
What to expect
Following a major renovation, guest rooms are now in the east and west wings. All rooms are decorated in a consistent, modern Alpine style, and the rooms on the upper floors of the west wing feature balconies. On the ground floor, in addition to the spa, indoor pool, restaurant, and bar, there is also a staffed children’s play area. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel, and free parking is provided for guests arriving by car.
Things to do nearby
The Sitnyakovo Express Ski Lift ski lift is just a few minutes’ walk from the entrance, and since the Borovets ski resort itself is also in the immediate vicinity, the only obstacle on the way to the resort is not travel time, but simply the wait time at the lift. A four-person chairlift is also located nearby, and it’s about a 5-minute walk to the cable car leading to the higher slopes and the summit.
Best for
It’s perfect for anyone who wants to start skiing or snowboarding as soon as they arrive at the hotel, as well as for families. The hotel features a game room, a children’s playground, a children’s pool, and a kids’ club, so children can play in areas set aside just for them while their parents ski or enjoy the wellness centre.
How to get to the hotel
Sofia Airport is your arrival point; from there, it is about 75 km or about a 90-minute drive by car toward the Rila Mountains. You can also arrange a special shuttle service when you make your reservation. If you rent a car, free parking spaces are available at the hotel. If you arrive in Sofia by train, you’ll need to take an intercity bus or a taxi, as there is no train station in Borovets itself.
Choose your room
✓ Your selectionSignature Twin room Resort View
Room with contemporary Soho décor, a mini fridge, a TV, a balcony, and tea and coffee-making facilities.
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+£180Superior Double room Park View
Spacious room featuring a sitting area with a sofa, a balcony, and tea and coffee-making facilities.
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+£190Premium Connecting room Slope View
Elegant room located on a high floor, with all the amenities for a pleasant stay.
View room →- Free Internet
- Parking
- Ski storage
- Ski school
- Swimming pool
- Sauna
- Spa tub
- Gym
Property, in pictures
Latest reviews from TripAdvisor
2025 August experience
Hotel is very good, excellent position, rooms modern, nicely designed. Parking in front of hotel included in price. SPA one of the best in region, big pool. Food was… Read full review on ZenHotels →
Great hotel
Very good hotel. Everything was good and clean. The only thing is that twice during our stay the room was not cleaned and trash not taken out and towels not replaced… Read full review on ZenHotels →
Wonderful stay
Wonderful hotel. Staff were excellent, very helpful and accommodating. A wonderful relaxing and highly recommended hotel.
A week, loosely planned
Suggestions, not orders. Tour ideas to mix and match for your trip.
Arrival, transfer and first look at the snow
Upon arrival at Sofia Airport, please take the shuttle bus heading toward the Rila Mountains. The trip will take about an hour and a half. After checking in and dropping off your luggage, you should purchase a ski pass before it gets dark. Walk over to “Sitnyakovo Express Ski Lift” to see how close the ski lift is, then return to the hotel, have a cocktail at the bar, dine at the hotel restaurant, and turn in early.
First tracks on the Borovets pistes
Hop on the lift at the entrance and head down the blue run on the 4-person chairlift or the “Sitnyakovo Express” to warm up. Spend the morning, you can rediscover the joy of skiing, and after lunch at the mountain lodge, when the crowds have thinned out a bit, it’s worth venturing onto the longer runs. When you return to the hotel, book a spa treatment to soothe your tired legs, and before dinner, take a leisurely swim in the indoor pool.
Gondola day up to the higher runs
Walk the about five minutes to the chairlift and head up to the summit to enjoy the longer runs at the top of the mountain and excellent snow conditions. Take a break between runs, have a coffee while admiring the scenery, and, if conditions allow, try your hand at a red run. Once back at the ski resort, take a stroll down the main street with a glass of mulled wine in hand, and before dinner at the hotel, make the most of the sauna and pool.
Off-ski day around Samokov
Give the legs a rest and head 9 km down to Samokov for a change of scene. Look around the old bazaar area, stop for a lunch of grilled meats and shopska salad at a local mehana, then head back up for an afternoon in the spa. A long swim in the Olympic-size indoor pool and a sauna round it off nicely before a quiet dinner at the hotel.
Family day with the kids' club
How about leaving your young children at the playground under adult supervision or at the kids’ club in the morning, while the two of you spend a few hours on the ski slopes? Meet up again for lunch, and then switch roles. While the little ones have fun in the kids’ pool or playroom, parents can enjoy treatments at the spa. To wrap up the day, you can host a table tennis tournament in the hall over a cup of hot chocolate.
Long ski day and a proper Bulgarian dinner
Set your alarm, hop on the first lift, and enjoy the empty slopes and freshly fallen snow with a perfect surface. Take the “Sitnyakovo Express” and then the gondola to make the most of your morning—and to warm up, consider a cup of “Bob-horba.” In the afternoon, ski right down from the slopes to the hotel, book a massage at the spa, and end the day at a tavern in Borovets, enjoying rakia, salad, and slow-braised lamb.
Snowshoes, snowboards or a lazy spa day
Pick your pace. Keen types can hire snowshoes and walk a marked trail in the Rila foothills, or try a snowboard lesson if you've only skied so far. If the legs have had enough, spend the whole day between the pool, sauna and relax zone, with a long lunch in between. Pack in the evening and toast the week with a drink at the lobby bar.
Where you'll be
Samokov, Bulgaria
FAQ
What is the best time of year to visit Bulgaria?
It depends on the specific purpose of your trip. For skiing in Borovets, the best season is from mid-December through March, as snow conditions are consistent during this time and the lifts are operating at full capacity. This reservation for late December falls right in the middle of peak ski season and also gives you the chance to enjoy the Christmas market in Sofia. Summer, from June through September, is perfect for hiking, relaxing on the Black Sea coast, and exploring cities.
What is the prettiest place to visit in Bulgaria?
Opinions differ, but the Rila mountains around Borovets are hard to beat in winter, with snow-loaded pines and long ridge views. Rila Monastery, a couple of hours away, is the country's most photographed building. Plovdiv's old town, the painted houses of Koprivshtitsa and the Black Sea town of Nesebar also draw a lot of admirers.
What are some lesser-known places to visit in Bulgaria?
Venture away from the well-known tourist spots and visit villages in the Rhodope Mountains, such as Shiroka Laka and Kovachevitsa, to admire the stone houses and tranquil valley landscapes. The rock formations of The Belogradchik in the northwest are a truly breathtaking sight. Melnik—Bulgaria’s smallest town—is known for its sandstone pyramids and red wine. And the Seven Rila Lakes in Rila, accessible from the vicinity of Borovets, are an ideal place for hiking in the summer.
What are the top things to see and do in Bulgaria?
Enjoy skiing and hiking in the Rila and Pirin Mountains, visit the Rila Monastery, stroll through Plovdiv’s Old Town, explore the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia, stroll along the waterfront in Nesebar, try rakia and Shopska salad at a village tavern, and take a dip in the mineral springs—and at this hotel, enjoy the indoor pool, wellness centre, a gym, and table tennis.
What is Bulgaria most famous for?
Rose oil from the Valley of Roses, yoghurt, Thracian gold treasures, Orthodox monasteries such as Rila, and a strong folk music tradition. It's also known for good-value skiing in resorts like Borovets and Bansko, Black Sea beaches in summer, and wines from regions such as Melnik and the Thracian Lowlands.
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