One of the big advantages Bulgarian ski resorts have is an abundance of warm thermal mineral springs. In the valley below the Bansko ski area, there are dozens of spa complexes, which use these naturally occurring and healing waters. In this article, we’re going to present Villa Victoria, a nice little hotel located in the village of Banya (just 5km away from Bansko). It has 16 rooms, a restaurant, but most importantly, it has a big outdoor thermal mineral pool and spa center. It’s also a great alternative to the other more popular (and more crowded) complexes located in the town. In this review, we’ll be focusing on services offered to outside visitors, which are free for guests of the hotel.
Villa Victoria in the spring.
Villa Victoria is one of those places that obviously hired a good architect to design it. Everything looks great, even the surrounding walls are interesting and built to look authentic. The first thing you’ll see when you enter through the main entrance is the huge mineral pool. It’s divided into two parts, a shallow area for young children and a deeper area for adults. The pool is big enough to do laps in, but hot mineral water is not the most accommodating for swimming long distances. The temperature of the main pool is just over 37°C, which is warm enough even on the coldest of days. If that’s not warm enough for you, there is also a separate jacuzzi, with much warmer water. The main pool has two buttons at the side, with which clients can activate a small “waterfall” and nozzles on the sides of the pool that do a jacuzzi effect. Both of the cool features do a nice massage on the muscles. Around the pool, there are plenty of beach chairs and places to relax outside the water. In the springtime, the staff reduces the temperature of the water, making the pool much more inviting when it’s 10-15°C outside.
The changing room for outside guests is located right next to the pool. Included in the price of admittance is a separate locker for your stuff. The changing room is unisex, but there are separate cubicles in which you can change in privacy. The showers are divided into male and female. Nice touches are the built-in hair dryers you can use and the floor is heated, so you don’t get cold feet.
For outside guests, the entrance fee is 10lv*, which is the average price in Banya. Children under 3 years of age can go in for free, and kids 3-12 years of age are half price. If you would like to use the spa center as well, the price is 25lv*. You can also get a towel or bathrobe for an additional few leva. If you’re looking for a place to stay as well, prices for a double room start at 110lv*. There is also a restaurant, which serves outside guests as well, the food is good and well-priced. You can also get a drink for the pool from there.
*Prices stated are for the 2018/19 winter season when reserving/paying through the reception directly.
When in the water, the outside cold doesn’t bother you.
Ski & Board Traventuria is a leading provider of lift passes, equipment rental, airport transfers and ski school for the Bansko area. To book your next ski vacation in Bansko with us, please check our website – www.skibansko.bg
