Whether you’re heading to Bansko in the winter for the slopes or to enjoy the beautiful nature in the summer, one of the most important things to do is to find somewhere to stay. There are some great hotels in Bansko, so I thought I’d write a blog of the best ones.
Being close to the Gondola (ski lift) is important in my view, whether you’re going to ski or to hike. You’ll want to be close to the Gondola to access the slopes or hiking trails.
I spent 3 months in skiing in Bansko for a season (it’s where I learned to ski!) and then a month over the summer too. It’s one of my favourite places ever.
The thing I like best about it, is that it blends ski resort with Bulgarian town really well. You really get a taste of both worlds in Bansko.
Here are some of the best hotels in Bansko.
1. Kempinski Hotel Grand Arena (one of the best hotels in Bansko)
The Kempinski hotel is the only real ski-in and ski-out hotel in Bansko. It’s located right at the bottom of the ski road, in the heart of Bansko ski resort. The Kempinski is also just a 2-minute walk to the ski lift.
It’s a fantastic hotel to stay in for skiing, but it’s also great in the summer. In the summer, the ski road is beautifully green, which makes for some lovely views and walks. They also have a very lovely pool for relaxing and soaking up the sun (yes, it does get hot in the mountains!).
It has a beautiful spa, with everything you’d expect including a few saunas, steam baths and hot tubs. There is even a snow room which is pretty cool!
If you’re travelling with kids between 3 and 12, the hotel offers complimentary childcare for guests with a daily programme of activities and games. The kids can enjoy and socialise whilst you enjoy the slopes. Perfect!
In terms of food, you’re right in the middle of the ski zone, so there’s plenty of options to eat out. Some of my favourite restaurants are in the area, including Five Points and Egur, Egur. However, if you want to stay in, the Sushi & Teppanyaki Grill serves amazing food.
The Kempinski is one of the most popular hotels in Bansko, so you should book as far in advance as possible. Read more about the hotel and view the photos here!
2. Belvedere Holiday Club
The Belvedere is a great winter or summer choice. It’s around 500m from the ski lift so just under a 10-minute walk. It’s right on the edge of the resort, so away from the noise of the bars and clubs, but close enough to walk to the lift.
If you don’t want to walk, like many other hotels in Bansko, they offer a shuttle service to the lift.
While we haven’t stayed at the Belvedere, our friends have during the summer/autumn. Their one-bed apartment was really modern and cosy and came with everything you needed, even for a long stay.
The pool area is really nice and there is also a spa with a steam bath, sauna and hot tub which you have to pay extra for, but it’s a nice spot to relax.
If you’re staying in winter, there is an Aldo supermarket next door which will be useful and by the river, is my favourite coffee shop, Wake Up where you can get a juice, coffee and some pastries. It’s amazing in there.
3. Amira Boutique Hotel
The Amira is a little further from the ski lift, at around 400m, so not far, but not ski-in, ski-out.
You can walk to the ski lift, but the hotel does offer a shuttle service for free which takes you to the gondola lift to save you the journey with your gear!
It’s definitely one of the most modern hotels in Bansko, with a gorgeous spa centre which is great for soothing the muscles after a hike or a day of skiing. There’s also a terrace with a beautiful view of the mountains.
The hotel also offers a baby sitting service at an additional charge.
There is a choice of hotel rooms, studio and one-bed apartments. All are beautifully decorated and super spacious. You’ll not want for anything if you stay at the Amira.
In terms of budget, during the ski season, it’s going to be a luxury option, but in the summer and off season, you can get some affordable rates. Check it out here.
4. White Lavina
Another hotel which is close to the ski lift, but on the other side is White Lavina. It’s around 3 minutes from the ski station and there is ski storage available at the hotel.
The hotel is made up of self-contained apartments which are really modern, clean and fresh. There is also an on-site spa and large gym if you’re that way inclined, although maybe not if you’re on a ski holiday.
If you’re visiting in the summer, White Lavina is a great shout because they’ll arrange mountain biking, trekking and other mountain excursions too.
Finally, one of my favourite restaurants in Bansko is part of this hotel. It does amazing traditional and Italian dishes. The fish is great, but the pizzas are also fantastic. Last time I went, I had the salmon burger, which I really enjoyed! The interior is really cosy too.
If you’re into sport, it’s really close to my favourite Sports Bar in Bansko (only open in winter), Morris Bar!
Guests seem to love this hotel. Judging it by the restaurant and location, I’d not hesitate to stay here. Check it out for yourself here.
5. St George Ski & Holiday
St George is a 4-star hotel which is just outside of the main ski area. The ski lift can be reached within 5 minutes and there is a free shuttle which takes you to the lift.
It’s a lovely contemporary hotel in Bansko. It has a great pool and spa area, which are free of charge to use for guests. The indoor swimming pool is a salt water pool rather than chlorine, which feels a little more spa like! It definitely has a more luxurious feel to it.
In terms of location, it’s not far from the ski area and within 5-10 minutes of bars and restaurants. It’s a great option for winter or summer. The area is nice and quiet at night. The lobby bar has an open fireplace for a cosy drink before bed.
If you’re staying for a ski holiday, you can buy ski passes at the hotel.
This is a great choice for skiiers who don’t want to be in the midst of the resort, and would prefer a more cosy and relaxing ski holiday. Have a look at the hotel here, it looks gorgeous inside.
6. Lion Hotel
Lion Hotel is not too far from White Lavina, so if you stay here, make sure to visit their restaurant!
It’s around a 7-10 minute walk to the ski lift. There is a shuttle service from the hotel to the lift, so this shouldn’t be a concern. The rooms are nicely done and there is a restaurant, which has an excellent breakfast.
Prices are very reasonable for what you get. There’s also an indoor pool and spa to use and is included in the room rate.
There is a lovely open fire in the lobby and very relaxing to chill out in front of after a strenuous ski day.
It’s far enough from the ski area to get a good night’s sleep and relax, but close enough to walk in and join in.
Read more about The Lion Hotel here.
7. Grand Hotel Bansko
One of the best hotels in Bansko is undoubtedly the Grand Hotel Bansko. This is the first hotel on the list to NOT be located in the ski lift area.
It’s all the way down the other end of town, so it’s not within walking distance and you’ll need to get the shuttle bus to the gondola. If you want to walk, it’s around a 20-25 minute walk. To Old Town area it’s around 10 minutes, which is good for summer.
If you don’t mind walking, this is an amazing hotel worth considering. Because of the location, you get luxury at quite an affordable price.
One review I read said “you’d have to remortgage your house to get anything like this type of accommodation in Italy, France or Switzerland”. It made me laugh because it’s so true!
It’s super modern and feels luxurious from the lobby, to the rooms, to the beautiful spa.
The spa is incredible, it has multiple saunas, pools and aromatherapy pools. There is a pool across the street where you can cool off on a hot day. It’s one of the nicest spas I’ve ever been to. Just check out the photos. There is a no kids policy after 7pm.
Read more about this lovely hotel here.
8. Strazhite Hotel
The Strazhite Hotel is a little further towards Old Town. I call this area Mid Town, as it’s not quite in Old Town but isn’t really in the Ski Lift area either, it’s inbetween!
That said, it is just a 4-minute walk to the ski lift so it’s a great location for skiiers and hikers (in the summer).
It’s located in a lively area, with one of my favourite bars in Bansko just on your doorstep, Pirin 75 which is super cosy. There are also some great restaurants within a few steps, including Veziova House Mehana, and Hadji Georgi.
I like that it’s kind of traditional in it’s decor. It feels cosy and warm which is great for the winter, but it’s also modern with a great fitness centre and spa on site.
Have a close look at the Strazhite here.
9. Boutique Hotel Uniqato
I love the Boutique Hotel Uniqato because it’s a little different to the others in the area.
Firstly, the location is excellent, and very close to the ski lift which is conveniently just 150m away. There is also a ski closet that you can use for any equipment if necessary.
The decor is really cool with lots of green and wooden furnishings to reflect the surroundings. It’s very spacious and a relaxing place to return to after a day of skiing, exploring or hiking.
Guests also have free access to the sauna and steam bath which is a real treat after a tough day of exercise.
Finally, on the first floor is Victoria Restaurant, which serves great food. We ate here a few times during our visits to Bansko, even on Christmas day. There is a huge range of dishes on the menu and it’s super cosy inside. I’d definitely recommend eating there.
Finally, the Wi-Fi is excellent and works throughout the hotel. Read more about this trendy hotel here.
Want to know more about Bansko? Check out my other articles:
- My Complete Guide to Skiing in Bansko
- My Favourite Restaurants in Bansko
- The Best Bars in Bansko
- Bansko Ski Pass Prices 2022/23
- The Best Ski Rental in Bansko
10. Vihren Royal Palace
Another fantastic option is the Vihren Royal Palace Hotel. It’s a very popular hotel for its proximity to the ski lift, which is a little confusing online, but I can tell you it is within a stone’s throw. You’ll be there within a couple of minutes, as it’s just on the other side of the road to the car park for the gondola.
It’s in a fantastic location, just minutes from some fantastic restaurants and the best bars for apres.
You’re also on the same road as a brilliant place for ski rental, Tsakkiris Ski. It’s run by a lovely Greek family, who are previous Olympic Champions! Everyone that works there is super friendly, and I wouldn’t rent anywhere else.
They also own one of my favourite restaurants in Bansko, which is right next door to their rental shop. Station serves the best gyros and souvlaki and also has a bar. It’s the best place for a post-ski lunch or dinner with a pint.
Besides the epic location, the hotel accommodation itself is on the luxury side, with use of a swimming pool, sauna, steam bath and gym all included in the room rate. You’ll also enjoy some epic views of the mountains.
It’s a great option, I definitely recommend it. You can view the photos and have a look what others have said about this great hotel here.
11. Lucky Bansko Aparthotel SPA & Relax
I love the Lucky Bansko Hotel, particularly the incredible spa. The Hotel is made up of spacious, modern apartments and studios, most of which come with a fully-equipped kitchenette and bathroom with free toiletries.
It’s a great hotel for the Summer as it is closer to the Old Town, which is a lot busier than the ski resort. The hotel also arranges mountain trekking hikes which are organised free every Wednesday and Saturday with a guide.
The hotel isn’t close to the ski lift, you certainly wouldn’t want to walk there in all your ski gear!
If you do stay here in winter, the room rate includes transportation to and from the gondola station every 15 minutes from 7.45-10.30am and then from 14:00-17:30pm AND every 30 mins between 10:30-12pm. So you don’t need to worry about getting to and from the lift.
Babysitters are free of charge throughout the winter season in the kids club so you can get a few hours in on the slopes!
Finally, the spa. It’s amazing. There’s a salt water pool, relax room, hot tub, ice room, steam bath, fitness center, salt pools…the list goes on. This is all included within the price of the room, which for the quality of the spa, is a fantastic deal.
You can visit the Lucky Bansko Spa (I did and loved it). The price list is here if you fancy it. In summer, they have an outdoor pool with loungers (which is an additional cost to the spa).
Check out Lucky Bansko Hotel here!
12. Regnum Bansko Ski Hotel & Spa
The Regnum Hotel is located around 10 minutes walk from the gondola station and has incredible panoramic views of the Pirin Mountains. As usual, there is a shuttle which will take you to the lift in the morning and bring you back.
In addition to the pool and spa in the hotel, you also get access to the Regnum Thermal Complex in Banya (which is one of my favourite Bansko Hot Springs). The hotel will organise transport and both this and access is included in the price, which is fantastic.
It’s a fabulous option for families travelling with children as there are waterslides and a children’s pool outside in the summer and kids entertainment in the evening too.
Close by, you have the lively bars like Happy End, Euphoria and Jacks for those that love the apres side of skiing. There are also some great restaurants on the same road as the hotel, including Casa di Papi and Five Points.
Check out more about the Regnum Hotel here.
13. Zara Hotel
My favourite thing about the Zara Hotel is the free access to the wellness center and gym (it has an amazing indoor and outdoor pool!), and the relaxing contemporary decor.
It’s in a quieter area of Bansko, on the opposite side of the river to the old town. However, on the next road is a brilliant pub and restaurant called the Irish Harp, which is a great place to have on your doorstep.
Across the bridge is the brilliant restaurant George & Mary and Steak House Lazur, a couple of my favourite restaurants in Bansko.
On site, there is a games room and playground so it’s great for families with young children and there are also professional animators to keep them entertained.
Read more about the Zara Hotel here.
14. Parklands Hotel & Pool
The Parklands Hotel & Pool is another hotel that is within walking distance of the ski lift. There is free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour reception at the property to help you with anything you might need.
There is a beautiful view of the mountains and lovely gardens. For those who are staying here during the ski season, there is a ski rental shop onsite which makes things easy. After skiing, there is a bar to grab a drink or a spa for a little recuperation.
There are lots of amenities right on your doorstep including a supermarket, a brilliant coffee shop and lots of fantastic bars and restaurants.
Check out the Parklands Hotel here.
15. Greenlife Resort Bansko
Greenlife makes the list because it’s a fantastic choice for a summer stay in Bansko. It’s right at the bottom of the mountains, close to the National park so it’s very pretty.
There are two separate buildings, with the main building including a host of facilities including a wellness centre with an indoor pool, sauna, aroma sauna and steam bath. There’s also a lovely restaurant with an a la carte menu and lobby bar to relax in.
Whilst I say it’s great in the summer, the hotel do arrange free transportation to the lift during the whole season, so if you want to be somewhere peaceful on your ski holiday then Green Life is definitely an option.
Greenlife is in a beautiful area, with lots of trails and walks in the woods around, and the cold water pool close by (just off the ski road) in the summer if you’re brave enough to give it a go.
Read more about Green Life Ski & Spa Resort here.
Ski Lift Area
The ski lift area is a great place to be both in winter and summer.
In winter, it’s where most things are happening, as it’s where all the skiing action is. It’s where the chair lift is located and there are lots of bars and restaurants here for those ready for apres ski!
It’s busy, bustling, noisy and loads of fun. I would always choose to be in the ski lift area to enjoy the best of the bars and restaurants after skiing. My favourite place is Happy End. It’s right at the end of the ski road, you won’t miss it, trust me, it’s where people are dancing on tables!
There are also some great restaurants close to here, like The Log House, Five Points, Casa di Papi, Castello and Station…the list goes on. You can read about my favourite bars in Bansko and Restaurants in Bansko in my blog posts.
If you’re visiting Bansko in summer, it’s also ideal to be by the lift if you want to hike and head up to the mountains. However, many of the restaurants and bars in the lift area are closed, and this becomes the quieter end of town.
In the summer, Old Town is where most people are at. It takes around 25 minutes to walk from the ski area to Old Town, so it’s not too far, but it’s not around the corner.
Mid-Town
Midtown for me is roughly from Pirin 75 to Five M. It’s around 10-15 mins from the ski lift station. The Strazhite Hotel is located in ‘Midtown’.
Again, there are some fantastic restaurants in the vicinity including Steak House Lazur, George & Mary and Five M. That’s just naming a few off the top of my head!
It’s a great location as you’re close to lots of great bars and restaurants and the buzz of the ski zone, and within walking distance, but far enough to not hear it kicking off in Happy End!
Old Town
Old Town is great in summer. It’s kind of quiet in winter where everyone is enjoying the skiing fun in the resort area.
However, there are some fantastic places to be explored in Old Town. A new craft beer place has opened, Pivoteka Mountain Base which has a brilliant selection of craft beers and ciders. There are also some fantastic traditional mehanas, for a proper taste of Bulgaria.
In the summer, there are festivals in the square, and it’s a lovely place to walk around and enjoy.
And those are some of the best hotels in Bansko!
There are so many great hotels in Bansko, whether you’re skiing or enjoying the amazing scenery and sunshine in the summer.
I hope this helps you choose where to stay and which area will be best for you.
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