Kempinski Hotel Grand Arena Bansko

Location wise it doesn't get much better than the Kempinski - which you will discover on the first morning as you roll out of the boot room onto the snow facing the Gondola directly in front of you which makes this one of the few ski in - ski out hotels in Bansko.

As you enter the Kempinski you are met with a huge lobby and bar which is the real heart of the hotel and a perfect place for a drink before dinner (they happen to do one of the best White Russians known to man. The rooms certainly provide everything you would expect from a 5 star resort and if you are lucky enough a balcony with views over the Pirin Mountain. There are 132 rooms in total, 25 suites decorated in Alpine style and the Presidential suite with 240sqm of space!

The breakfast at the Gallery restaurant sets you up for the day nicely and also does themed buffets in the evening. The other in-house restaurants you can choose from include the Sushi Bar and Teppanyaki grill and Come Prima their fine dining Mediterranean restaurant. For a few drinks after you should retire to their Piano Bar for some live music. 

The highlight of the hotel for me however was the Kempinski Spa which was one of the best I have ever seen in terms of amenities. They have a huge indoor and outdoor pool, two Jacuzzis, hot beds for those tired muscles, two different types of steam bath and two different types of sauna and of course - no spa would be complete without a snow room! Other facilities include an outdoor tennis court for the summer months, table tennis, a gym and 12 treatment rooms including a couples massage room.

Overall this has to be the finest hotel in Bansko and worth the extra money to go there. It is not just the facilities of the hotel that puts it a level above but the staff- nothing is too much trouble and they make the Kempisnki the place to be.