Enjoy a long spa weekend in Bansko!
Photo by Luís Lança on Unsplash
If you dream of complete relaxation, fresh air and mineral water, a SPA weekend Bansko is exactly what you need. The long holiday weekends in May and September are a great occasion to escape from everyday life and enjoy peace in the heart of Pirin. In recent years, it is Bansko and the neighboring village of Banya that are my choice for long holiday holidays – and with each passing year I am more and more convinced that this is one of the best SPA destinations in Bulgaria.
The main reason for this choice is the good prices offered by the spa hotels in the area. May and September are already low seasons for a spa hotel, but still with a good enough time to spend a wonderful holiday.
For me, even this time of year is preferred, as the big heat in the summer is avoided. Another advantage is that in most cases SPA weekends are not affected by the weather, because the main part of the time is spent indoors in the spa hotel.
Another good reason to choose Bansko or the village of Banya (Bansko) is the wonderful location. This area is easily accessible from both Plovdiv and Sofia. The road to Bansko and Banya is very good. Yes, it’s not a highway, but for a mountain road, its condition is pretty good.
And last but not least, I have to mention the nature in the area – it is stunning. The view of Pirin and the mountains around just takes the breath away. There are so many options for hiking, excursions and other activities to diversify your time.
The only downside may be that during this period you do not have the opportunity to ski. Alas during the winter periods we do not have national holidays to allow a long SPA weekend in Bansko or Banya.
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Why choose SPA weekend Bansko in May and September?
- Better prices – outside the active winter and summer season, SPA hotels in Bansko and Banya offer bargain holiday packages.
- Perfect climate – there is no heat of summer, the weather is mild and pleasant, and the spa experience is wonderful even on cooler days.
- Convenient location – the road to Bansko is convenient both from Sofia and Plovdiv (about 2.5 hours).
- Independence from the weather – even if it rains, the SPA weekend does not fail – pools, saunas and steam baths are waiting for you.
- Nature and views – Pirin is impressive at any time of the year, and in May and September the colors of nature are magic in themselves.
FIND THE BEST HOTELS IN BANSKO
What to do during a SPA weekend in Bansko and Banya?
One of the advantages of this destination is that you can combine SPA holiday with outdoor activities. In addition to enjoying the mineral water and spas, you can:
- make a short transition in Pirin;
- visit the old town in Bansko with its Renaissance houses and taverns;
- stop by Dobarsko and its unique church;
- immerse yourself in the outdoor mineral pools in the village of Banya, working all year round.
Thus, your SPA weekend Bansko will not be just a holiday, but a full experience.
Hotels I recommend for SPA weekend Bansko
⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Rating: 9.3 (5500 Reviews) – Check price and book
The best choice for mineral water lovers. The spa is spacious, with three types of saunas, steam bath, hammam, ice and salt room. The outdoor pool with mineral water is a real pleasure – especially when the view is to the snowy peaks of Pirin. The hotel is clean, the food is delicious and prepared with products from your own farm. The only minus is higher prices, but quality justifies value. This is a top choice for SPA weekend Bansko.
Just an amazing hotel. An example of good hotel management in Bulgaria. The most impressive thing for me in this hotel is how all the additional amenities and equipment for calculated on the basis of the maximum load of the hotel (number of rooms). I’ve been to this hotel quite a few times and I’ve seen it both quite empty and absolutely full of people, but even with full load it doesn’t feel like the hotel is crowded. There is always a place at the pool, in all saunas and spa facilities – Jacuzzi, which is located in the pool itself, 3 types of saunas, steam bath, hammam, ice and salt room (free of charge). Indeed, this is probably the only hotel in Bulgaria I have been to and has given such a feeling.
Needless to say, the hot mineral water all year round. To immerse yourself in the hot water of Hot Springs Medical & Spa Hotel with an eye to the snowy peaks of Pirin is something that everyone should experience. The hotel is clean, the SPA Center is extremely maintained, the food is extremely tasty and varied. The hotel has its own farm where it raises vegetables and animals. Of course, the rooms at the hotel are spacious and equipped with everything you need. Of course, the hotel also has a children’s center.
The only minus of the Hot Springs Medical & Spa Hotel I can think of is the rather high price. The hotel holds quite high prices throughout the year, but this is understandable somewhat for the standard that is maintained in the hotel. And yet its prices are lower than Kings’ Valley Medical & Spa Hotel to Kazanlak, where the stay/number of facilities ratio I would say is not so good.
If you are looking for a hotel for a long weekend in Bansko and the area with two hands in recommend Hot Springs Medical & Spa Hotel in the village of Banya (Bansko). Although the hotel is 4 stars, the 5-star experience is guaranteed.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Rating: 8.1 (890 Reviews) – Check price and book
Hotel with spacious apartments and peaceful atmosphere, suitable for families. The spa is nice but small for capacity. Minus is the lack of mineral water and outdoor pool in May and September. Big plus – bargain prices and frequent promotions. Excellent option for a more budget SPA weekend Bansko.
This is a 4 star hotel located in the Betolovoto area near Bansko. The area is slightly remote from the city itself and it is preferable to have your own ride if you are going to stay there. It is located next to the Pirin Golf Hotel And Spa. The hotel is generally good, and is deployed in several sections, which is typical for the large hotel complexes in Bansko and the region. The hotel offers mainly apartments that are very spacious and comfortable. It has a beautiful garden with a children’s playground in the center of the complex. However, a big minus is that in May and September the outdoor pool does not work, as the hotel does not have a warm mineral spring, and these months are still cold for the region of Bansko.
The spa center of The Balkan Jewel ResortTM collection by Wyndham has a lot of facilities – 2 indoor pools – a rather small and large, but not enough. With a large load, it is difficult to find a place in both pools. They are definitely not enough for the capacity of the hotel. The hotel has a steam bath, sauna, fitness and relaxation corner, which are again quite small. Also a big minus is that not all the hulls of the hotel are connected by a warm connection and to access the spa you have to go outside, which is not very pleasant especially in the cold winter months.
The food in the hotel is at a good level, breakfast is varied and well organized. The price of the room is quite good (below the average for the region), and the hotel also offers quite a lot of promotions during the year. This is the main advantage of The Balkan Jewel ResortTM collection by Wyndham.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Rating: 9.0 (3360 Reviews) – Check price and book
The hotel with the best price-quality ratio. Spacious apartments, comfortable terraces and mountain views. The spa offers a large pool and several saunas, and in the near future it will have an outdoor pool. The food is delicious and affordable – often cheaper than restaurants in Sofia and Plovdiv. Perfect choice for an affordable but complete SPA weekend in Bansko.
4 star hotel located in the town of Bansko itself, 900 meters from the gondola lift. Perhaps the hotel that offers the best price-quality ratio in which I have farted and this includes the hotels outside the region of Bansko. The price for accommodation in an apartment is extremely affordable for the services offered by the hotel. The apartments are spacious and provide everything you need for a pleasant stay, even with a microwave, which is rare for your hotels. The spacious terraces with mountain views also predispose to complete relaxation. The furniture is not the most modern but not outdated – it is definitely functional and convenient.
The spa center of the Grand Royale Apartment Complex & Spa has an indoor pool, jacuzzi, steam bath, standard sauna, aroma sauna, infrared sauna and relaxation room. Soon the hotel will have an outdoor pool, the construction of which was visible from the terraces. He was 50% ready. The water in the pool is warm – about 32-33 degrees. In general, the spa is well arranged, the indoor pool is large, but the jacuzzi for only 4 people is definitely not enough for the capacity of the hotel. The saunas are also small and when the hotel is full there are crowds, but for a short time.
The food is varied and delicious, and the prices are again extremely good. Some of the dishes offered are much cheaper than the restaurants in Plovdiv and Sofia, which is a very big surprise for a resort like Bansko.
For me, this hotel offers an excellent price-quality ratio, which is rarely found in Bulgaria, and not only. I would definitely stay here again, especially when the outdoor pool opens.
Tips for a perfect SPA weekend Bansko
- Book in advance – the places for the long weekends end quickly.
- Choose a hotel according to the budget and preferences – mineral water and luxury (Hot Springs), space and tranquility (Balkan Jewel), affordable holiday (Grand Royale).
- Combine SPA with activities – a walk in the mountains or dinner in a tavern will make the weekend even more pleasant.
- Do not forget the swimsuits – the outdoor mineral pools are active all year round and bring real relaxation even on cooler days.
Whether you’re choosing the luxury of Hot Springs, the cozy Balkan Jewel or the affordable Grand Royale, one spa weekend Bansko is always a good idea. The combination of mineral water, mountain air, delicious food and hospitality makes the area ideal for a holiday.
If you are looking for a place that will energize you and help you break away from everyday life, then your next long holiday weekend should be exactly a SPA weekend in Bansko.