Piry

The booking process was straight forward and questions were answered swiftly. The owner also recommended a transfer (Bansko Express) which was very helpful and slightly cheaper than other transfer quotes at the time. We arrived on a Sunday (along with another family using Bansko Express) and the guy on reception at Alpine Lodge was unsure which flat we had booked - even though our details had apparently been forwarded to them a week earlier. A couple of calls later confirmed the flat number - but do make sure that you have all possible info to hand including the apartment number before you go. If you are there at the week-end, then communication may be a problem, however Vanya - who was there during the week - speaks English really well and is very friendly. Situated around a 15min walk from the Gondola, Alpine Lodge has its own car park and reception/bar area, along with good laundry room facilities, a steam room, sauna and jacuzzi (with three good power showers). The jacuzzi's lid is plastic/polystyrene and needs to be removed before use but is old and leaks polystyrene in the process - no matter how careful you are - which can be annoying. This is bookable in advance, but we were told if there are less than 6 people in your group, you may be joined by others who are waiting. The wi-fi was good to start with at the apartment, then became fairly intermittent and then non existent on the last evening. This was the same for other apartments so I assume that it was the ISP at fault. We had wifi for approx. 75% of the time that we were there. When working, it was fine. On arrival there was a mix up with the towels (only hand towels for everyone) which was thankfully sorted by the following day. The apartment was fairly spacious and although the kitchen is equipped for most cooking situations, some of it is now looking tired and in need of replacement. The condiments and various foodstuffs that were there already was on a use and replace basis. After buying washing powder, we noticed that a box had been left in the laundry room, so worth checking first. There is also spare tea towels, bed linen and blankets. The separate WC is really useful and the bath shower seemed to be on a combi-boiler set-up which meant that using the shower and drawing water from elsewhere at the same time i.e. the kitchen, resulted in a cold shower, but once we were aware of this, then the shower was fine. The apartment was very warm and comfortable. We did not need to use the fireplace. Like many Bansko apartments that I looked at on TA, the TV is somewhat dated, so no HDMI/usb connector. I did not check the channels so not sure if there is Freeview/Satellite. There is a hi-fi and I believe a DVD player (none of this was used due to exceptional weather all week). There is a small supermarket a 3 min walk from the apartment for most emergencies and ALDO supermarkets around the Gondola area. There is a wide choice of restaurants within a 10-15min walk. If you are there to ski peak season and the weather is good, then I would recommend leaving at 07:20am to get skis etc. and be at the Gondola by 07:45am. The rental shop we used opened at 07:30am and was a 3min walk from the Gondola. In February, the Gondola starts at 08:00am - sometimes slightly before. The upper slopes are really quiet at this time too, until 11:00am. If you are unfortunate to be in the queue for the Gondola after 08:30am, expect at least a 50min plus wait during peak times (school holidays etc.). I believe the queue dissipates by around midday. We all had an enjoyable stay at Pirin Lodge and hopefully will return soon.

We were delighted to return to Pirin Lodge and apartment 48. About 500 metres from the gondola in upper Bansko this 2 bedroom apartment is ideally located and offers superb views of the mountains . Complete with wifi the kids were happy in the well equipped accommodation which has a bathroom with wc and separate wc. The apartment has access to a jacuzzi, laundrette and bar. Thoroughly recommended, we will be back again.

My girlfriend and I stayed at pirin lodge in bansko in march this year. We stayed in one of the apartments. The complex itself was excellent. It's only a few minutes walk from the gondola. The staff were extremely helpful and pleasant. The complex where very clean and had great facilities including sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and massage. The apartment itself had great views of the mountains, was very clean and very well equipped with free Internet access. Bansko had alot to offer with many bars and restaurants within easy walking distance. The skiing was also very good with runs to suit all. Would definitely recommend a holiday here