Family Hotel "Markoni" — Hotel in Smolian

This was the first time we had been to a ski resort. Didn't know what to expect. We are not skiers but just wanted to see the snow. My sister has been to Pamporovo for several years and always stayed in the town but used the Markony for drinks and lunch so this year decided to stay there and asked us to go with them. So we did. And was very pleasantly surprised. The hotel is a family run business and the owners had built it themselves. A lovely rustic Bulgarian building. We had a very warm welcome and asked if we wanted anything to eat as we arrived at 10PM. Was given our key to room 4, which has 2 single beds in the main room and a double in the next room. With a small but adequate showeroom. All very clean. Had fresh towels and beds made every day. Although came back to our room and found the cleaner had been smoking in it, which isn't nice if you dont smoke. Room 4 does not have a view but is very dark of a night so easy to sleep as there are only net curtains. We were half board and the food was amazing. Proper Bulgarian food. Breakfast was continental and plenty of if. The evening meal were huge and had to ask them to make the meals smaller, as one meal would have done the both of us. Alway 3 corses, but no choice. Although i am sure they would do something you wanted. The owners and there family were extremely friendly and would came a sit and talk to us, which was nice. Altogether made us feel very welcome and at home. The Markony hotel is in a perfect location for skiers. No busses or taxi to get you to the ski lifts as you are there already. Just walk out of the door, ski and boot hire right under the hotel. Thats it, a short ski the the main lifts. Couldn't be easier. The only thing we could have done with is tea and coffee in our room, but it didn't spoil anything. Hope to be back next year. Thank you Dani and family for...

Spent a week at the Markony Hotel and had a fabulous time!! Some friends of ours had stayed there for many years and always spoke highly of the facilities. We had previously had drinks there on other years, so knew some of the staff. We were made to feel very welcome indeed. Staff are very helpful and willing to please. Thank you to everyone!! We had wanted to stay in Room 2 but it was already taken on the Saturday night, so we were in Room 4. However, when we came back from ski-ing on Sunday, the manageress, Diana, had moved all our stuff into the new room. Everything was exactly where I had put things (don't know how she did it!!). it was very spacious, especially the bathroom, and had a wonderful view across to the slopes and the tower. Balcony was a sun trap if you wanted to sit outside with an Apres Ski glass of wine. Rooms are very warm and clean with plenty of towels and crisp bedding. Beds were very comfy after a long day on the slopes.||If you want to go into town, there are lots of free ski buses to jump on and it is easy to get a cab back for 15 lev. There is also a small supermarket a short walk away from the hotel, to stock up on a range of snacks and drinks.||Food for dinner was very tasty with very generous portions....we often ended up sharing a main course. There was a good choice of food and our friends had asked for certain things for their daughter and that was not a problem. We don't eat breakfast, but it looked very good. Coffee was great though, according to my husband.||Would really recommend this...

Excellent location to the slopes. Approximately 2 mins walk, but unfortunately that’s about all the positives. ||The rooms are clean but cold and very basic. Not true to the brochure photos. ||We booked half board and would strongly recommend against. There was no choice of food and what we were given was unpleasant at best. ||The portions were small and the left overs recycled for the next meal. The best meal was the last night when we asked for pizza and chips. ||You could request food from the menu but there was no discount offered. And these prices were inflated compared to other establishments. ||There are many excellent restaurants very close for breakfast, lunch and dinner. ||The staff were helpful at times as long as you didn’t want to sit by the fire which was saved all day everyday for their family and friends. It felt like we were intruding in someone’s house, not a paid hotel.||All in all, this hotel needs to move with the times. It’s a great place for access to the slopes, but...