Borovets Hills Ski & Spa, Borovets, Bulgaria

· 9 minutes' walk to the Yastrebets red run · hotel-run shuttle bus to the Yastrebets gondola (approx. 10 minutes, runs three times in the morning and twice in the afternoon) · 6 minutes' walk from the Yastrebets gondola to the ski school meeting point · 10 minutes' taxi ride to the resort centre

If relaxation is top of your wish list, the Borovets Hills puts you in a peaceful spot surrounded by fir trees and has a top-notch spa too. The hotel’s classic style starts with its wood-and-stone walls and continues inside to rich red carpets and lamp-lit rooms. To get to the slopes, it's a short walk to the red Yastrabets piste and you can ski down to the Express chair lift from there. Or for gentler runs, you can hop on the hotel’s shuttle bus and get dropped right next to the Yastrabets gondola in the centre of town.

When your ski day’s wrapped up, you can grab a drink from the bar and cosy up by the fireplace in the lounge. Or take some time to re-energise at the hotel’s spa – it’s got three saunas, including a traditionally toasty Finnish sauna and a bio sauna that runs a little cooler, as well as steam rooms and a salt room. Prefer swimming to spa-going? There’s a heated indoor pool too.

As for the food, your half-board stay makes meals easy. Mornings start with a buffet breakfast so heap your plate with eggs and sausages, or go for lighter bites like dried fruits and cereals. And there’s an evening buffet where you can try all kinds of Bulgarian dishes. The hotel takes pride in their homemade cakes and baklava – a layered pastry filled with nuts and drizzled with honey.

· heated indoor pool · bar · lounge · spa with saunas, steam room and salt room · extra charge for hot tub · extra charge for massages and treatments · fitness room · games room with pinball and board games · extra charge for supervised kid's play area (for kids aged 3-10 years, open Monday – Friday from 10am – 8pm) · ski room · free WiFi · lift to all floors

All rooms are non-smoking and have a satellite TV with English channels, free WiFi, telephone, hairdryer, safe, a minibar, bathrobes, slippers, and tea and coffee making facilities.

Twin room - sleeps 2-3 (max 2 adults and 1 child of up to 11 years old): Double bed or twin beds, single chair bed, private shower, WC and balcony.

Single room - sleeps 1: Single bed, private shower, WC and balcony.

Studio - sleeps 2-5 (max 4 adults and 1 child of up to 11 years old): Double bed, extra bed when booked for more than two adults, chair bed, private shower, WC and balcony.

Cots are available to hire, free of charge, on request.

Half Board

· hot and cold buffet breakfast · tea and coffee in the afternoon · buffet evening meal with a choice of main course (including one vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free option) · Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve gala meals are included

Please note: this hotel does not serve free tap water with evening meals. Mineral water, juices and other drinks are available for an extra charge.