A Mixed Experience - Borovets (Hotels in Bulgaria)

Member Name: Peter_Ahern78

Product:	Hotels in Bulgaria
Date:	11/07/02 (2068 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap, Great Food, Its an experience you wont forget

Disadvantages: No snow!, Prostitutes, Unfriendly waitresses

I recently went skiing in the resort of Borovets in Bulgaria. We went as a school party (but thats another story) and this opinion is written based on my own personal needs.

We stayed at the Hotel Rila which is classified as a 4 star hotel, however knowing the economic plight of the country I didnt hold out with much hope and went with low expectations. This was probably the best strategy in the end as when I arrived I was more than pleasantly surprised. The hotel is huge. It hosts a very large bar/lounge area, a TV room, a nightclub and numerous small gift/convenience shops.

The rooms are more than basic, they are indeed spacious, tidy, clean and modern looking - the four things that I judge a room by initially. All in all this was looking very good and started the trip off well.

Unfortunately the snow was lacking as there had been a turn in the weather for the 2 weeks previous to our arrival and snow had not fallen in a long time. This changed after two days but alas did not help in my dire attempt to sail down a mountain on two planks without hitting anyone or anything!

When I did attempt this I stopped in Borovets again, removed my skis and found it to be quite a quaint little place. It has a very party like atmosphere and the streets are lined with shacks selling all kinds of tat. Yes tat is the word - copied CDs, copied sportswear, in fact everything you can imagine is available in fake form. Be careful walking down the street though - thieves are rife and do not under any circumstances change your money with anyone on the street, go to a authentic exchange shop as Bulgaria recently changes its currency and there are some who will change your sterling for the old, invalid currency.

The food in general is superb....but then having been compared to Homer Simpson in the past it is fair to say I am easily pleased, so if you are remotely fussy about your food it may be difficult to get used to. The food in the hotel
(for our party anyway) was buffet style and although you may not recognise everything it was quite tasty. If that doesnt appeal to you then walk down the main street in Borovets and a bar owner will invite you in to their place in no time (probably offering you a free beer to coax you as well). If all else fails try a kebab from the hut across from the Rila - these are no regular kebabs. Id never liked kebabs before until I tried a fresh chicken, onion and salsa variety. Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous...but remember what I said about Homer!

In general the people aere very friendly but I always got the impression (and this may be unfair) that they aere friendly because they are relying on the industry, not because they liked you! The waitresses in the hotel incidentally did not have this ability to pretend - they were just down right rude!!

And that brings me onto the final point - prostitution. Prostitution is perfectly legal in Bulgaria hence the reason there are numerous heavily made up girls in the Hotel Reception looking at all the men. Occassionally they will approach you and ask you if you are interested in sex. The answer is not yes! Their pimps (the three largish men with shaven heads in the centre of the room) watch keenly waiting to take 75% of their earnings apparently. Ill let you judge as to whether you should risk it or not!! Oh and talking of sex Borovets is crawling with sex shops, erotica bars, strip joints - in fact in the Hotel Rila pole dancers enter the stages in the nightclub at 11pm every night so beware (especially those on school parties!!)

So to summarise the trip was extremely enjoyable with excellent facilties in general - it really is an experience so if you want something classy dont choose this country, nevermind the resort. However the prostitutes and never ending sex joints made it very uncomfortable for the staff! That may well be a plus point for some though! And it was VERY CHEAP!

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