Borovets, Rila Hotel Review

Borovets and the Rila will be the Ski Holiday Aiya Napa of the world before long.

The sad thing is that the holiday was spoiled by the couldn't care less attitude of the staff. Ask a question and the answer is a shrug or 'I don't know' before they walk off. Couldn't help feeling they were worked like dogs and were depressed.

Many scams, one that I had read about on a site like this, after I had booked: if you get a safety deposit box pay at the end of your stay because if you pay at the beginning and they don't give you a receipt they will make you pay again - I saw them withhold someone's passport until they paid up again- in the review I read, the receptionist got some of the security guys over -of which there are many all over the hotel.

Don't expect change when you pay for something - they never have it and it's a scam. I always tip but was never given the choice.

I too had a bad stomach (previous review) as did some people I met - who is monitoring this?

I have never seen so many walking wounded. So many accidents - wrists, hand, knee legs - mostly I am sure done in the town where the floor streets are not treated and it is impossible not to fall - who is monitoring this?

The excursions made people feel ripped off and the reps were only interested in pushing them - changing the subject back to them continually when you wanted to talk to them about something.

In some of the rooms the heating wouldn't turn down or off so my friends felt ill every morning.

The ski groups were large - twelve or so. This means if you are not waiting for your turn - you are waiting in the queue to go back up the slope. Arrange private lessons when you get there- about £20 for two hours- much better value for money. For snowboard lessons try Peter


Never any information on which lifts were open or closed.

The Ski Depot was robbed while we were there - another half a day lost, as we couldn't get our equipment. Trust me - the hire skis / snowboards weren't touched - you can imagine why not!

The food was just like school dinners. No 'canteen' management and my guess was that the bread that ran out every morning just after nine was probably slipped out the back door and sold off.

Had to vacate areas when VIP with bodyguards were around. Told to clear corridors and go into your bedrooms.

Last but by no means least had to listen to house/ disco music morning noon and night - at breakfast, in reception everywhere. It's not about the guests at all.

Prostitutes and Go Go bars discos unsuitable for a family resort.

What a waste of what could be a lovely resort.

The tour operators are either ignoring all this or don't care. They are responsible for not encouraging and condoning all the above and miss selling the holiday. They should be insisting on improving standards for both guests and staff. Its all totally unprofessional and they should be ashamed for not helping the Bulgarians retain their culture and encouraging them to take advantage of each other and us because they have no choice but to join in.

Swimming Pool was nice though!