Kempinski Hotel Grand Arena

From the outside, the Kempinski Hotel Grand Arena looks every bit the traditional ski lodge, with its vaulted wood roofs, stone porte-cochere, and stucco exterior accented by wood. The vibe continues inside with the lobby's wooden coffered ceilings, mounted deer heads amid leather furniture, and old-fashioned rugs in welcoming colors. Don't expect anything stark or modern here, as it's full-on traditional winter luxury. The property itself is surrounded by open landscape and fields, with mountains in the distance, which is great for those heading there to embrace the great outdoors. This is one of the area's top-rated properties for well-heeled couples, families, and groups, particularly skiers looking for a bit of luxury to come back to after a long day on the slopes. 

Set practically adjacent to the gondolas and main cable car, the property has objectively one of the best locations for visitors coming to Bansko to ski its excellent slopes. It's also a quick five-minute walk from the city center, where inexpensive restaurants and bars await. Sofia International Airport is a two-hour drive from the hotel, which might make the route tricky during the winter for those inexperienced with driving in-country.  

The hotel's 157 rooms are cozy, with walls of wooden boards behind the beds, burgundy or purple patterned carpets, headboards, and bed frames, and faux-fur throws. Furniture is made from knotty wood in sort of a statement configuration replicating beams on one wall of each room, and homey artwork decorates the walls. The overall look isn't quite modern, but it's sophisticated and charming. Furnished balconies or terraces have scenic vistas. Bathrooms are large, and each has a deep soaking tub, separate shower, hairdryer, and hotel-brand toiletries. Some add a jetted hot tub. Each room offers tea- and coffee-making facilities, a pillow menu, free bottled water, a well-stocked minibar, and a 27-inch flat-screen TV with cable channels. Housekeeping comes daily. For those looking to splurge, the various suites are particularly high-end, with dining nooks and larger terraces. Kids stay free with existing beds, but rollaways and cribs require an extra charge.

Although the adjacent slopes might take up most of the day, there's no shortage of things to do at the property itself. The hotel has a big indoor pool and two outdoor pools, all of which are lovely. A shallow pool for kids is outside as well. The spa is fairly expansive, with 12 treatment rooms, hot tubs, an ice room, saunas, and hammams. Treatments include the standard menu, as well as Thai massages. The wellness program at the hotel also includes fitness classes, plus there are a well-equipped gym and tennis court on-site. Besides a playground, a kids' club and supervised childcare are available for free, so parents can enjoy a day on the slopes (or in the spa). The free breakfast buffet is high-quality and varied, with items like fresh-baked pastries, smoked salmon, and cooked-to-order omelets. Three restaurants specialize in different types of cuisine: Mediterranean lunches and dinners at Come Prima, sushi at the eponymous Sushi Bar and Teppanyaki, and an internationally minded Gallery Restaurant, which offers a poolside buffet and one of two poolside bars. Wi-Fi is free and available throughout the property. The meeting rooms were renovated in summer 2017 and have ample space for large conference tables. On-site parking is a bit on the pricey side.