Bulgaria Ski discussion board
Borovets - Overview
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posts : 13 (Beginner)Date : 01-28-05 09:31Borovets - Overview
Myself and group of 8 others stayed in Borovets for a week commencing 15th January 2005. A great time was had by all, but here are a few pointers with regards to the resort:
Hotel Rila
Found the hotel great and was superbly located with easy access to the slopes and chair lifts. The hotel staff were very helpful and the rooms spacious. Be aware of the food within the Rila newsagents as it was commonly identified as being past the specified sell by date. Furthermore, if you are ...
Hotel Rila
Found the hotel great and was superbly located with easy access to the slopes and chair lifts. The hotel staff were very helpful and the rooms spacious. Be aware of the food within the Rila newsagents as it was commonly identified as being past the specified sell by date. Furthermore, if you are ...
Myself and group of 8 others stayed in Borovets for a week commencing 15th January 2005. A great time was had by all, but here are a few pointers with regards to the resort:
Hotel Rila
Found the hotel great and was superbly located with easy access to the slopes and chair lifts. The hotel staff were very helpful and the rooms spacious. Be aware of the food within the Rila newsagents as it was commonly identified as being past the specified sell by date. Furthermore, if you are unable to provide the correct money, rather than provide you with change they will round the bill up by putting i.e. sweets in your basket to prevent them from giving you any change. It appeared that the shop closest the bar was generally ok, the above mainly applied to the shop situated close to the lifts. It is also worth noting that the leisure facilities (steam room, gym etc) are FREE, however they will attempt to charge you for it, stand your ground and refuse to hand over any Levs.
Hire Shop
The equipment is very poor, major problems were experienced with the snow boards, in particular the bindings being worn or very loose. Although Sunday mornings is busy as every one is keen to get their equipment and hit the slopes, it is worth taking additional time to ensure the equipment is acceptable. (BEWARE ON THE WEEKENDS AS LOCALS ARE APPARENTLY REKNOWN FOR STEALING THE HIRE EQUIPMENT FROM VUNERABLE PLACES).
Eating Out
The best thing to do is to find one place that serves good food and stick to it! We would heavily recommend the Red Lion.
Nightlife
The nightlife is what you make it. Loads of bars at ridiculously cheap prices. Everyone will be drawn to the Buzz Bar which is an experience in itself. You will soon identify that there is a drug culture contained within this little resort.
Skiing
The slopes are great when there is snow! The slopes accessed by the chair lifts are ideal for intermediates with the gondola proving better for beginners. Plenty of black slopes to keep the advanced boarders and skiers interested. (Watch out for the ski show which is held Thursday nights!).
General
Borovets is a unique place, quite different to any other ski resort I have visited. You’re guaranteed a good time with the ale being so cheap. The way of life over there is an eye opener, it is obviously gangster run with the heavies often seen collecting extortion from the pubs and restaurants. You’ll get fed up of PA people requesting you to come into their bars and the vagabonds asking you for doe at night. The clothes are fake as well so avoid the Georgio Amandy!
Enjoy!
Hotel Rila
Found the hotel great and was superbly located with easy access to the slopes and chair lifts. The hotel staff were very helpful and the rooms spacious. Be aware of the food within the Rila newsagents as it was commonly identified as being past the specified sell by date. Furthermore, if you are unable to provide the correct money, rather than provide you with change they will round the bill up by putting i.e. sweets in your basket to prevent them from giving you any change. It appeared that the shop closest the bar was generally ok, the above mainly applied to the shop situated close to the lifts. It is also worth noting that the leisure facilities (steam room, gym etc) are FREE, however they will attempt to charge you for it, stand your ground and refuse to hand over any Levs.
Hire Shop
The equipment is very poor, major problems were experienced with the snow boards, in particular the bindings being worn or very loose. Although Sunday mornings is busy as every one is keen to get their equipment and hit the slopes, it is worth taking additional time to ensure the equipment is acceptable. (BEWARE ON THE WEEKENDS AS LOCALS ARE APPARENTLY REKNOWN FOR STEALING THE HIRE EQUIPMENT FROM VUNERABLE PLACES).
Eating Out
The best thing to do is to find one place that serves good food and stick to it! We would heavily recommend the Red Lion.
Nightlife
The nightlife is what you make it. Loads of bars at ridiculously cheap prices. Everyone will be drawn to the Buzz Bar which is an experience in itself. You will soon identify that there is a drug culture contained within this little resort.
Skiing
The slopes are great when there is snow! The slopes accessed by the chair lifts are ideal for intermediates with the gondola proving better for beginners. Plenty of black slopes to keep the advanced boarders and skiers interested. (Watch out for the ski show which is held Thursday nights!).
General
Borovets is a unique place, quite different to any other ski resort I have visited. You’re guaranteed a good time with the ale being so cheap. The way of life over there is an eye opener, it is obviously gangster run with the heavies often seen collecting extortion from the pubs and restaurants. You’ll get fed up of PA people requesting you to come into their bars and the vagabonds asking you for doe at night. The clothes are fake as well so avoid the Georgio Amandy!
Enjoy!
re: Borovets - Overview
Sounds like you had a good time Mike.
We have been twice as a family with young children.
In general we have eaten out in different restaurants and enjoyed them for different reasons. The prices are fairly equal in each one but we actually found the Red Lion to be the most expensive. We go there each year as the kids love George who is the chap outside asking you in! Is he there this year?
Never been to the Buzz Bar - as I said small one's in tow. Neither have we seen ...
We have been twice as a family with young children.
In general we have eaten out in different restaurants and enjoyed them for different reasons. The prices are fairly equal in each one but we actually found the Red Lion to be the most expensive. We go there each year as the kids love George who is the chap outside asking you in! Is he there this year?
Never been to the Buzz Bar - as I said small one's in tow. Neither have we seen ...
Sounds like you had a good time Mike.
We have been twice as a family with young children.
In general we have eaten out in different restaurants and enjoyed them for different reasons. The prices are fairly equal in each one but we actually found the Red Lion to be the most expensive. We go there each year as the kids love George who is the chap outside asking you in! Is he there this year?
Never been to the Buzz Bar - as I said small one's in tow. Neither have we seen
evidence of drugs, gangsters, prostitutes etc but again I imagine 2 under 9's are protection enough for us! Also apart from the last night we have been tucked up in bead before the real nightlife gets under way!
With regard to touting, fake goods and lack of small change that is commonplace in similar countries such as Turkey. The smaller units of currency can't buy you anything and they are valueless - they could after all give you nothing, a packet of sweets for the kids always seemed a kind gesture to us.
We love the character of Borovets and would agree that it is very unique. Glad you enjoyed it and out of interest would you go back?
Ellie
We have been twice as a family with young children.
In general we have eaten out in different restaurants and enjoyed them for different reasons. The prices are fairly equal in each one but we actually found the Red Lion to be the most expensive. We go there each year as the kids love George who is the chap outside asking you in! Is he there this year?
Never been to the Buzz Bar - as I said small one's in tow. Neither have we seen
evidence of drugs, gangsters, prostitutes etc but again I imagine 2 under 9's are protection enough for us! Also apart from the last night we have been tucked up in bead before the real nightlife gets under way!
With regard to touting, fake goods and lack of small change that is commonplace in similar countries such as Turkey. The smaller units of currency can't buy you anything and they are valueless - they could after all give you nothing, a packet of sweets for the kids always seemed a kind gesture to us.
We love the character of Borovets and would agree that it is very unique. Glad you enjoyed it and out of interest would you go back?
Ellie
re: Borovets - Overview
Good report mike, and follow up from Ellie, Im like Ellie having little ones in tow ,restricts the Buzz bar and the culture around there to the imagination!Borovets certainly is an appealing place with its own unique culture.
