Bulgaria Ski discussion board

A few years ago I went with my then girlfriend to the Edelweiss hotel in Borovets. Exactly opposite us in the corridor was another couple of similar age and ability. We loved the place, they hated it. Fair enough, I had paid a wee bit extra for a refurbished room, but that was the only difference ... we ate the same meals, skied/boarded the same slopes, travelled in the same coach, had practically the same holiday. I think it has something to do with your expectations and your first impressions ... all it takes is a few things ... ie dead dog and stained sheets to colour your view of the whole place for the rest of the week. Had you had a smile from the bus driver, a hello from the receptionist and a clean bed, you might have viewed the place in a whole new light.

OK, that doesn't account for the lap dancers, but personally I'd have paid extra for that!

Hi Steve,

We too have returned from Rila. I must say IF we hadn't read any reports on this site before going then we would have been shocked that it was a four star hotel. It was only the fact that we were pre warned about the place that we budgeted for eating out everynight.

Our ski instructor was very nice but also wanted to arrange different trips. We did skidoh and buy the DVD of us. He said it would work on any DVD player or computer but not the XBox. However it doesn't play on out Region 2 or our computer. Luckily we've just purchased a multi region and it works on that (be warned all future visitors). He also arranged a outing for 'better snow'. We didn't go. Decided to call in sick. Not forgetting the 'bulgarian night' which we also didn't attend. (beauty of having small children)

The bath water was funny. A loverly brown colour I thought my kids were filthy until I realised the water came through the taps with dirt in it...

Waiting for a lift................gave up. A woman who hurt her foot waited 15mins and then called down to reception.

I was on the coach which the ski's fell out. (must say, HUGH over reaction on the coach) a lot of swearing at the rep helpers and driver. I have a 5 and 3 year old and the person in question had an F word between every word.



But as I said before, we were prepared for it and we did enjoy the ski experience, however we will pay extra for somewhere else. I do believe that Inghams should state a few things in there brochure. If you stayed in a four star hotel in America and it was the same standard as the Rila, I think we'd all be complaining!!!!

Fraser and Lynn

Not too sure about the Ingham brochure but the Balkan Holidays one clearly states that the star rating at Bulgaria resorts cannot be compared to other countries - they name Spain and the UK - so clearly the United States could go into that.

Also I am sure that what you paid for your Bulgaria 4 star would be a great deal less than you would have paid in the US - people must remember this.

They also must remember how poor a country Bulgaria is. It is certainly much better looking than 10 years ago so the country is trying

YT
@barmy-army.org.uk

Hi YT

I've read the Inghams brochure and they state that "Inghams ratings at the top of each hotel description are classified from * to *****. Lots of other things about apartment keys. On the bulgarian page is goes on about value for money and very popular for the brits............the Rila is described as follows.

4*
The Upgraded Rila is a modern complex where guests can enjoy SUPERIOR accommodation and an excellent range of facilities, including a pool etc etc

The studios where we stayed are described as " Recently renovated etc etc"


If you read our report when we returned " Back from brovetts on a family hol".

We realised what bulgaria was like but only thanks to this site

We paid brochure price including full price for a 5 year old and 3 year old In Canada it would have worked out a little more expensive but only a little as the children are cheaper and the 0-5 yr olds get free lift passes and free ski and boot hire when an adult books for the same duration...

We enjoyed our stay in Bulgaria but as stated before, only because we were pre warned. If we had gone out there on the basis of our brochure information then we believe we would have not been prepared for "1st impressions". We would have arrived tired, hated the hotel food, hated the accommodation etc. But being prepared made us budget for eating out and taking everything in our stride (hot wine helped!).

Cheers