Bulgaria Ski discussion board

samokov
MY oppinion, having stayed at a lot of 4* hotels in france, austria and the states whilst skiing over the years is as follows;
dont rate the stars you see as British, its Bulgarian and dont expect the Ritz etc.
I am not fussy and looking to find fault, there again I take two small kids with me so I expect the hotel to be up to a certain cleanliness standard etc.
I was a little concerened about reports I had read about the food etc, thinking I would be having to take them to eat out every night, cos kids are more fussy than me!
I went second week in Jan to the Samokov, arriving late in the evening. after checking in we were asked if we would like to come down for a late evening meal to which the kids were keen.
We were presented with rather warm odd looking mashed potatoe with a "pork" ball and veg. one kid ate the lot no complaints, the other(older) was more sceptical about what was presented saying, "im not eating this all week!" (i thought neither am I but didnt say so!)
However the staff were really friendly and tried to make you feel welcome.
the next morning there was a more than acceptable breakfast available (typical of most 3* or 4* Spanish hotels), cerials, hot buffett Smoked local Bacon & Sausage, rather imitation scrambled eggs but eadable etc, though you could order omelets made to your liken at the corner of the restuarant.
Plenty of bread selection, jams etc and fresh fruit. (this was the same all week and quite acceptable by my standards, the kids too!)
The evening meal was quite a supprise, this was again a buffett selection (get down for 6pm, its hot then, warmer later).
There was plenty of choice, Soup selection, Salad buffett, at least 4 choices of main course (I allways avoided any meat dishes I was not sure of buts thats a personal choice, plenty try the local cuisine). Lots of cream cakes for desert (kids favourite!). there was Pitza slices to put through the toast griller to warm up which the kids quite liked!
This continued all week.
Personally we never felt the need to eat out of the hotel on an evening, and we would have done if the kids were slightly not happy cos its so cheap to do so!
There is live music playing during the evening meal and again staff are friendly.
The hotel itself, well there was a couple of moans like little hot water after 7pm (but if you get ready before your meal and plan to eat at 6 your ok), and only BBC World on Satalite tv (providing you want to watch tv!), but seriously little else to worry about.
The saftey deposit boxes are available at reception, and ohh yes use the telephones at reception to phone home, they are cheeper than in the room!
The ice rink (nearby) used to blast out music until about 9pm, but it did not stop the kids falling asleep after a long day on the slopes!
We enjoyed the Bowling at 7 Lev each if I recall, lasted ages and was good fun. The poolside bar was quiet on an evening, the disco (nightclub) downstairs was popular but obviously soundproofed cos i didnt hear it (only the girls along the corridor coming in every morning at 4am!)
The pool was COLD!!!, I lasted about ten mins before taking he kids out (im soft!), and there is plenty of space around the bars to have a quiet drink.
There is a resident doctor and dentist, a games room with pool tables and game machines, and a cashires (bank) for exchange of cash.
all in all, facilities 5*, food 3*, frienlieness 5* going again? Yes Ive booked for March cos I get 2 hollidays there for the price of 1 in France!
Go with an open mind and you will enjoy it no end, and im honest enough to say if it was crap believe me.
I hope you have a good holliday Julie