Lion Borovetz

The restaurant served a good buffet with plenty of choice, and beer and wine were included while we ate. The bar area was comfortable too. Our room was reasonably sized and worked fine for three adults. There was a mini fridge, but no kettle or cups. The restaurant could provide paper cups.

The half-board dinners were good, and I enjoyed the saunas and outdoor jacuzzi, even though it was always crowded. Our room was cleaned almost every day, and the ski shuttle was fine, just a little small. Robes cost extra. I also found some of the staff a bit rude. We were a couple but got a twin room, which I didn’t like. The pool felt a little cold after a full day skiing, though it might be fine on a summer day. There is a lobby area where you can sit with family or friends, but it has very few seats, so finding a free table is hard. You also have to order food or drinks from the bar there. You can’t just bring your own and stay to chat or play cards or board games, and it’s the only place available for that. We celebrated New Year’s Eve at the hotel, but I wouldn’t really recommend it. Prices were almost double, about 90% higher than another time in January or February. The dinner came with a limited number of drinks. The shared starters, a few fruits, bread, nuts, cured meats and cheeses, were small portions for everyone at the table. Then we each got a salad, a small but good piece of fish, pork steak that was raw inside and I couldn’t eat, and cake topped with frozen berries that made it really hard to eat. The half-board dinner was better. The music was okay but nothing special, while the fireworks were amazing.

The rooms were comfortable, and the bar and restaurant felt welcoming. The pool, hot tub and sauna are relaxing in a nice forest setting. It’s well located, around a 20-minute walk from the lifts and shops. The main problem was our airport transfer and how reception handled it. We emailed beforehand to ask whether the hotel could arrange a taxi from the airport, and they confirmed they could. We have the email thread and booking confirmation. But when we arrived at Sophia airport around 10 pm, no transfer was there. Reception was unhelpful and kept ending our calls. After a lot of back and forth over a fare that wasn’t fixed, we managed to hire a taxi ourselves. We were more than an hour late getting to the Lions hotel, Borovets, while a coach load of crystal passengers arrived. They were given food and snacks, but we were told we weren’t entitled to refreshments. It was 11.38 pm. When we asked where we could get basic water and snacks, the receptionist said she didn’t know. The hotel bar was advertised as open until 12pm but had already closed. We searched online and found Lucky Duck restaurant just before midnight. They were absolutely fabulous and agreed to serve us. Over the next few days I asked reception what had gone wrong with the transfer booking. They said we hadn’t confirmed it, despite the email thread. Things can go wrong at management level, but I was disappointed by the lack of accountability from the Lion Horel Borovets and the way the feedback was brushed aside. A clear apology and communication would have gone a long way. The late-shift receptionist also seemed overwhelmed, and reception staff need some kind of procedure for handling complaints. An update: when we left on Christmas Eve, the management of the Lion Hotel, Borovets apologised and acknowledged that our transfers hadn’t been booked. They also apologised that Crystal customers had received food on arrival while we had not, saying that shouldn’t have happened. Christian from management kindly waived our bar drink bill for the three days as a goodwill gesture, which we appreciated. There was ultimately an acknowledgment, so thank you. I hope the feedback helps going forward. Best wishes.

This was my fourth visit, and the facilities have improved, with a big outdoor jacuzzi and Finnish sauna alongside the pool, steam room and wellbeing areas. There’s a regular bus to and from the slopes, and the walk is pleasant too. The ski area has something for everyone, and Borovets costs a fraction of French resorts, so your euro goes a long way. Snow is snow 😀 You also can’t fault the food, with a huge selection and complimentary drinks throughout the evening meal.