Bulgaria Ski discussion board

If you are looking for good skiing then Borovets will fit the bill, some excellent ski runs and ski schools and equipment can be booked for a reasonable price, even with the £ against the lev exchange rate....a handy tip do not bother changing money before getting here, just carefully choose your money exchange outlet (of which there are many) but many of the money exchange booths on the streets offer better exchange rates than in England either via Post Office or Bureau de Change. Just make sure that they are giving no commission charges and some of the booths give much better rates than Britain. If you are staying at the Hotel Samakov then just make sure that you eat elsewhere during the holiday as the food is absolutely shocking, both the food and drink is always either cold or luke warm and is most unappetising The holiday companies who use this must realise that the food is of such a poor quality, school dinners used to be better and I am not joking. We found that generally even in the cafes and bars the food was of a very poor standard and surprisingly nearly always cold! A Cafe/Bar near to the Samakov was excellent doing well cooked food and for a reasonable charge..do look it up,thy deserve full marks. The place is called Katy's and they do good breakfasts as well. Borovets needs to take a close look at the catering skills which is obviously still in the days of Communism and needs to be catapulted into the 21st Century!

Calvin

The Bulgarians prefer their food only warm and think we are odd to like hot food. I think it's because they take hours eating a meal so food would get cold anyway.

Never stayed at the Samokov but the hotels usually have a microwave for the English to heat their food up and I've heard there's one at the Samokov.

Hotel food is usually better for breakfast but all offer choices including salads for dinner so you won't go hungry unless you are very fussy. Mind you, my kids usually want to eat out in the evenings.

There's plenty to choose from and most of them will serve hot food knowing it's what we like. Check prices before ordering as prices vary. Restaurants on the slopes or on the main drag are usually the most expensive. Other threads on here list other people's favourite places and prices.

Calvin, the food was foul and I am not joking. We went on 27th December with First Choice and were half board..the breakfasts are dire warm at best and not very nice, the evening meals are also a joke and an insult to humankind, I have written to First Choice and they are 'investigating!' I am not a food snob, but everything is cold...or if you are lucky warm and so unedible they need a rocket up their 'derrier' You will see why because it is in a large dining hall and you help yourself against 200/300 other diners. Best of luck but do try Katy's just over the road you will not be disappointed they do excellent food and you will see 'if you do not like it you do not pay for it' you will not be disappointed. Get your complaint forms ready for the food at the Samokov..it is dire

Calvin, in fairness to the Samokov they are clean but dated rooms, there is copious amounts of hot water..they do provide enough loo rolls, but there is no tea and coffee making facilities so yes do take a kettle, tea bags and coffee. The hotel is a 1970's communist build pile that would have been outstanding for those dark times, it is a very large building with lots of facilities, but just outdated. I am going to go back to Borovets but will be staying at a private Chalet where the food is cooked by an Engish lady knowing what we want, just good honest hot food..and I do not mean fish and chips and other english delicacies but just good hot food and drink when you come back from a long cold day of skiing. have a good time Pete