Hotel Alpin - 91 Bansko

The family running this small guesthouse were warm and attentive, and it’s a handy spot for a night or two. You’re just off Bansko’s main promenade and nightlife area, with the ski lift about a 10-12 minute walk away. For a longer holiday, though, I’d look elsewhere if comfort and relaxation matter to you. There’s no breakfast, and the kitchen is closed. The area that may once have been a restaurant or bar hasn’t had guests in a long time, so meals mean heading to the nearby cafés and restaurants. Rooms are basic and oddly furnished. The bathroom is an open wet room, with no division between the shower, toilet, and sink, so showering leaves the whole floor wet. Your razor, toothbrush, perfume, and anything else left there get damp too. There’s no housekeeping, so airing it out overnight is the only way to dry it. Socks and wet floors don’t mix if you need the toilet afterward. If you arrive by car, plan ahead. Parking in the old town’s narrow streets is very limited, and you may need to budget for a privately run lot three minutes away. With no breakfast or in-room extras, it feels more like a pension or guesthouse than a hotel. For a short, budget stay it does the job.

The owner came into our room late at night without knocking, shouted “shut up,” and slapped me across the face. I was staying there with two female friends, and we were all in shock. I’m disgusted. The night before, young men had been yelling and playing music, and nobody slapped them for being loud.

ASSAULT My friend was slapped in the face when the owner barged into our room in the middle of the night without being invited. There’s no excuse for putting your hands on anyone, especially a hotel guest. The showers are awful too. The water doesn’t drain, and the hook is broken, so you have to hold the showerhead.

For a short stay, this little hotel or guest room has what you need. The rooms are small but warm and cozy. There aren’t other useful facilities, but it feels safe and secure. I’d recommend it.