Festa Winter Palace Hotel

Nice hotel close to the slopes and to the restaurants, rooms are big and comfortable, the hotel has a beautiful SPA compare to other surrounding hotels where the Spa’s can be very crowded, overall the decent hotel but it is not a 5 stars international standard, i would say its a 4 stars with everything needed to spend a good ski holiday, the only downside is that the ski shop which is hotel owned do charge you for leaving your skis with them which is not fair compare to the rooms rate and as someone who stayed in Rila for example, they don’t charge you, i felt it was a bit of rip off.

We booked this based on its 5* rating. Couldn’t have been more inaccurate. We booked a week in the Junior Suite with balcony (for us with our two teenage kids) on half board. The room: First room we got put into had a double bed and a sofa bed. The sofa bed had a mattress which was about 4cm deep and sloped downwards towards the head. It was extremely uneven and terribly uncomfortable, and absolutely stank of body odour. Plus, the two kids (boy and girl) would not want to sleep in same bed. I understood when booking that it would be two singles for the children. We asked them to move us on the first night, they said that was all they had. We then discovered the main double bed was two singles pushed together, so the kids slept there, and we “lay”(didn’t sleep!) in the sofa bed as it was so awful. The TV wasn’t working, the curtains were hanging off by a thread, the electric plug sockets were hanging out of the wall, and the bathroom tap was broken. The next day we complained again to our Crystal Ski rep, who spoke to the hotel and got us moved to another room, which which was much better but still nowhere near a 5* standard. (So, there WAS a room available!) The hotel staff kept telling us that this room was not included in our contract, and ensuring we knew how much of a favour they were doing us. Hah! New room: curtains still broken, tv broken, shower head broken (kept falling down every time we turned the water on). The glasses in the room were only cleaned twice during the week. The rest of the time, I had to wash them myself. The empty toiletries bottles were left on the side of the bath, never tidied up. My gown got dirty on day 3, so I put it in the bath with towels to be washed/ changed. They ignored that and just hung it back up. Food: Be warned, no drinks with dinner are included in half board, not even a glass of water or juice. You have to pay extra for that. When you do order these, please allow an entire evening for them to arrive (you will be finished eating by the time they do), and then you won’t get everything you ordered. The breakfast was just about the minimum standard acceptable, if you want toast every morning. The rest of the food was awful, greasy, and the coffee machine was only working for about 3 mornings. The rest of the time, the coffee or the milk had run out. The dinners - well, despite paying for half board, we did end up having to eat out eventually. I have no idea if it was a money saving exercise, or the chef was just awful, but the food was the worst I’ve ever come across. Everything was cold, all the time. The food looked like it had been left out all day, crispy and dry at the edges. Terrible quality and the restaurant got emptier each night as people realised they couldn’t do this, and slowly left to find other restaurants to eat in. There are PLENTY of other restaurants in Borovets, so I implore you to NOT get half board for this hotel. You will regret it. The only reason to enter into this hot

Stayed for a week, had 5 rooms half board between our group. Check in was good, rooms were warm and spacious. I have to say it is the best place I’ve stayed in Borovets. The breakfast was worth getting up for and the evening meal always had things to choose from albeit Luke warm so get in there soon as it opens! We dined out a few times as it was so cheap. We all used the facilities, pool was a little cooler than expected but ok if kept moving about. Had a full body massage which was okay, had better elsewhere and totally missed my face which I was told was included. Spa facilities were nice and clean and relaxing to use, hotel provides Bath robes and slippers so don’t forget your bathing suits! Russian sauna was lovely and relaxing and the steam room was great too. I had incident with my family while there and the hotel night reception man was extremely helpful and called the doctor out, he also helped translate documents so I am very happy about the service provided. Masks and gloves to be worn at mealtimes, a lot of covid notifications around and social distancing reminders. Was charged for a film that wouldn’t load but wasn’t arguing over 8lev with the receptionist. On the whole I would return with my family and any kind of group to this hotel. The location was great as well right next to the ski runs and 4 man chair lift. Thank you for a great stay and experience

Clean and decent sized rooms but miserable staff and cold breakfast every morning. The staff all need to go on a customer service training scheme. Shouty man in the spa, depressed faces on reception and restaurant. We weren’t sorry to leave.

We, a family of 3, two adults and a 15 year old, have just spent a week at this beautiful hotel. A perfectly situated hotel for the ski lifts, and just far enough away from the hustle and bustle of the evening pubs, bars and restaurants, of which all are fabulous, I would recommend Pappa Mia, the barman Vlad the lad is a star. The staff and the hotel are a credit the hospitality industry, really. Anna the lady who met us and booked us in at reception couldn’t do enough for us, full of very useful information about the ski resort, and all the hotel had to offer. A very professional lady without doubt. The spa is a superb place to go to after a day on the piste, it does get busy though, but the guy at the spa is a most kind and helpful man, nothing is too much trouble for him. We had a junior suite on a Bed and breakfast basis. Breakfast has everything for all tastes, eggs, bacon very streaky, and sausage of a European appearance, scrambled egg, beans, toast, cereal, and croissants etc. Tea, coffees, juice the works, it’s a grand feast. Sets you up ‘till lunch time. The rooms are delightfully furnished and hark back to an era from the Victorian times, or old style Italian, by design apparently. They are basic, functional, and a decent size, but beautiful nevertheless, and as you are only in them for a while it matters not. Fresh towels and sheets everyday. I would certainly recommend this hotel for your stay, it is very peaceful and tranquil just what you need if you’ve popped down the road enjoying all Borovets has to offer in the evening.

We really enjoyed our stay at Festa Winter Palace. We stayed in a suite and had plenty of room for two adults and an older teen. There was a large double bed in one room and a separate bed in the other room. Breakfast was plentiful with lots of options. We really enjoyed the spa which was in good condition and very friendly staff. There is a good sized pool (often busy in the afternoon, steam, sauna, salt room and relax room. We hired ski equipment from the hotel, it was of a good standard and the facility was well managed. Great to be able to store equipment at the hotel. Very good location, quiet but very close to the four man chair lift. The gondola was about a 15 minute walk when fully kitted up for skiing!

Lovely hotel, wasn't sure what to expect as there were some mixed reviews. The hotel decor is perhaps a little dated, the furnishings may not be perfect. But the rooms are spacious, clean and comfortable. Breakfast plentiful the staff helpful and friendly.. Pool and spa facilities well maintained..

This hotel is absolutely amazing From start to finish .. spotless clean staff are so helpful and friendly We ask you ge move to a room with 2 singel beds it was done right away . The spa is amazing and staff there are excellent This hotel in my opinion is the best hotel hear for family and couples.. the food is outstanding I never write a review but as this place was so amazing I had to

Clean, warm, large bedrooms and lovely bathrooms if a little dated decor. Lovely spa and pool with very attentive staff. Convenient location for skiing and accessing the Centre of the resort. However… Poor bar facilities (no Bulgarian beer, no draft drinks at all, and very little atmosphere). Waiting staff were inattentive to guests needs… slow to bring orders and not bringing all meals at the same time, taking plates away immediately before everyone has finished eating, and leaning over in front of us to collect empty glasses etc. Didn’t hear ‘Thank you’ ‘excuse me’ or see many smiles. Reception staff didn’t appear interested in helping us when we asked and did not greet/acknowledge us in the morning or on our return from a day out which I found rude. I know it’s a different culture, but is still the service industry. Convenient base but I wouldn’t stay at this hotel again.