Four Points By Sheraton Bansko

“Great holiday, great facilities at hotel - shocking reception staff”

After reading the reviews about the hotel we were quite concerned about staying at the hotel, however we were very pleasantly surprised and had a fab holiday. The good points:- Perfect location Rooms were big, airy and warm, gowns and slippers provided Hotel was spotless Lovely comfortable bar/… more

After reading the reviews about the hotel we were quite concerned about staying at the hotel, however we were very pleasantly surprised and had a fab holiday. The good points:- Perfect location Rooms were big, airy and warm, gowns and slippers provided Hotel was spotless Lovely comfortable bar/lounge area (drinks prices were cheaper than bars across the road) Spa area was great - excellent facilities and all included Plenty of choices for breakfast and dinner - not particularly hot but on a par with the other hotels we have stayed at in Bulgaria Bar staff, waiting staff and cleaners all very friendly particularly if you took the time to just say hello and thank you Bad points:- The reception staff were incredibly unhelpful and rude and really let the hotel down. We arrived at 2 am with a party of 10 including a baby and were not given any directions to our rooms. We spent 15 minutes trying to find them before returning to reception to ask where they were only to have the blonde receptionist wave her arms in one direction which incidentally turned out to be the wrong way. Not all our party were given a dinner bag and by this time we were too intimidated by the receptionist to do anything about it. There is no easy route to the rooms and impossible to get to the ones allocated without having to take 2 flights of stairs which with a pushchair is not ideal, the lifts do not stop on each floor. Such a shame that a lovely hotel is let down by the first member of staff you meet - clearly it was all a bit too much trouble for her and we were an inconvenience when she was trying to watch tv and play on her phone.

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“Oh, If only they could sort the kitchen out”

Well, Just had a weeks skiing here in Bulgaria - in itself, that review alone could cover enough pages to warrant a novel - but here I will stick to our accommodation. The Strazhite was well researched before we booked with Crystalski - but I have to say that the fears we had, having read several … more

Well, Just had a weeks skiing here in Bulgaria - in itself, that review alone could cover enough pages to warrant a novel - but here I will stick to our accommodation. The Strazhite was well researched before we booked with Crystalski - but I have to say that the fears we had, having read several of the lesser constructive reviews, were certainly not realised. The Strazhite is centrally placed in the town and is reasonably close enough to the main Gondola up to the piste area. We walked it in ski boots and it is do-able, trust me, especially if you stop off for some apres-ski in the myriad of bars on the way back!! But, back to the hotel. It is large spacious, reasonably well laid out and perfectly acceptable as a base for a ski trip. The rooms were large, clean and warm - plenty of hot water and no issues with anything at all. The balcony onto the main street was never an issue either. The facilities here are exceptional, the pool, the saunas, the gym kit was first class and exceeded anything that we have ever experienced in France - add to that a 6 lane bowling alley underneath (though you do have to pay for that) what more can you want. The bar was staffed by a cracking Local who has worked extensively in Manchester, speaks great English and was a pleasure to chat to - the drinks? well, at 4 lev per pint, I reckon its the cheapest I've had since the early 1980's!!! So onto the kitchen - here is the only place I could level any criticism. The meals were self service buffet style with a massive choice at every mealtime and there was plenty on offer to temp the adventurous into a bit of the local fare. But (yes you heard it coming) I have to admit that the 'hot food' never quite cut it, nonetheless, the taste of it all was great, but it was never "piping hot", if you will. I was there when a full tray of chips was delivered by the chef but even though they had just come from the kitchen, they were only luke warm - maybe it is a Bulgarian trait - I don't know, but I reckon if they upped their game in the kitchen this would qualify as a fully paid up 4 star hotel without doubt and, considering the prices we paid it is fantastic value. BTW the boot room has to be the biggest I have ever seen with great storage facilities and heated boot racks for dozens of pairs of boots. The actual resort is another issue which I recommend you research carefully. The hour plus wait for the Gondola every morning is ridiculous and the ski schools are not a patch on the ESF ones I am used to for the little 'uns. Would I go back - maybe?, as a cheap last minute weeks grab for the pistes - but for a main Ski holiday, naw, the whole resort needs to just move it up a tad before it can be classed as a serious contender. As for Hotel Strazhite - I would stay here anytime!

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