Hotel Lion Borovets

Features

The superior Hotel Lion Borovets is a smart, elegant hotel appointed in a contemporary style, with all modern comforts. Situated in a peaceful, scenic setting; 1.3km from the resort centre, hotel’s courtesy shuttle service provides swift access to and from the slopes throughout the day.

Bedrooms: 157. Comfortably fitted with bath, satellite TV, telephone, minibar and hairdryer. Family rooms are larger with double sofa bed in the lounge area. Safe at reception.

Meals: Hot and cold buffet breakfasts and very good buffet style dinners.

Facilities: Open plan lounge area with fireplace; American bar; dining room with à la carte menu; traditional taverna; indoor pool, jacuzzi (free), sauna and massage treatments (payable locally); lift.

Special Attractions: • Welcome drink • Christmas and New Year’s Eve gala dinners included

Official Rating: 4 stars

Borovets Resort Info

Eastern Europe's biggest ski resort (58km), Borovets suffers from many of the usual complaints about this finance-friendly region. Most commonly associated with budget-conscious skiers and beginners, Borovets has an excellent ski school, a fine snow record, cheap prices (especially for beer and spirits), lovely scenery - and it's only 90 minutes from Sofia. On the downside, there are unattractive buildings, skiing for better intermediates and advanced skiers is no more than average, the lifts and piste are kept poorly and there is the constant threat of theft, boring food and bad queues.

But, many people regularly return. Why? Most veterans talk of the great teaching they have received and the low prices, as well as the varied nightlife available. You'll have to forfeit western creature comforts, but it can be well worth it. It's skiing in a very different culture and is, joy of joys, half the price of the Alps. If the skiing doesn't interest you, there are always site-seeing trips to Sofia and other historic sites to keep you busy, although the archaic transport systems can make this rather time-consuming.

Overall, Borovets is a place to go to learn if you have a tighter budget. You also need to have a sense of humour and adventure, as it is very much the poor relation to Western European skiing. It isn't going to replace Val d'Isère as your venue of choice, but it does successfully cater to a completely different clientele.