Hotel Rila and Apartments

Features

Half board

Next to the main lift, this ski in/ski out complex offers fantastic facilities, ideal for families and groups. With a lively atmosphere, there are plenty of Wellness amenities, including a whirlpool, gym and large swimming pool. With the best ski in/ski out location in resort, this complex is home to some fantastic winter wellness facilities.

Accommodation

Child prices apply to ages 2-12 years inclusive.

Both the hotel and apartments are on half board basis. Breakfast is buffet style and dinner is also a buffet with different main courses and an occasional traditional Bulgarian dish. Early mealtime is available at 6pm. Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve Gala Dinners are included in the price of the holiday.

Hotel: Standard rooms have twin beds, private facilities, hairdryer, telephone, radio and satellite TV (limited channels). All rooms can take a third bed (sofa bed). Rooms for sole occupancy are available at a supplement. Apartments: Studios for four are basic and functional and have private facilities, hairdryer, twin beds and bunkbeds, satellite TV (limited channels), telephone, balcony and kitchenette with two cooking rings and a fridge.

Activities

Sports centre,

Gym*, Sauna*, Whirlpool*, Steam room*, Hairdressing salon*, Solarium*, Massage*,

Nightclub,

Ski kindergarten* and nursery*,

Facilities

Large indoor Swimming pool, Two Buffet restaurants, Large lobby Bar (with non-smoking area),

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.