Chalet Balkan

Pros: the staff member (Peter) was incredibly nice and helpful. The food in the restaurant was very high quality. The atmosphere in the forest is beautiful! They have a tennis court, and right next to the property (east direction) is a lovely circular forest hike path where you can view many deer. Cons: they lost our reservation, done through Booking, which has never happened to me before. We turned up and they had no knowledge of our booking and told us they were booked out, with no explanation as to how this could happen. They could only fit us in to a small room with single beds and a slit of a window at the roof line - not the premium room with a balcony we’d reserved. Also the walls are paper thin - I could hear the man next door blowing his nose, talking, everything. Breakfast was okay but no eggs, no berries - just a continental type meal.

A great place for a weekend getaway or why not a whole week! We visited this establishment in the days of the pandemic when the second lockdown was in place. The staff was very polite and was always there when we needed them. Since all the food places were closed in the vicinity, 5he restaurant of the guest house was the only one available to us and they did not disappoint. The menu list was not long but everything was delicious and worth tasting. The double rooms were a bit small but beautifully decorated and the hunting trophies adorning the facade and the interior really brought about a sense that you are in a cozy mountain lodge. Spa services were not available due to the pandemic restrictions. Most people will find the gym to be well equipped, rubber flooring and all. I would definitely plan another stay here as my expectations were met and exceeded!

Nice Hotel/Housing Complex, especially great for families, because of the outside area and the animals they have (deer, bunnies, chicken). Decent Spa area and a small but functional gym. Staff is friendly and professional. The only downside was that it's the priciest "normal" food we ever had in Bulgaria. It was good and made with care, but it's simply overpriced if you compare it to other hotels and venues in the entire surrounding region. If you stay here, do visit the deer area 15 minutes drive up the valley. It's gorgeous scenery! Note that you can NOT go toward Peeshti Skali with a normal car. You need a high 4 by 4.