Smolyan constructs resorts- satellites nearby Pamporovo

Smolyan constructs resorts- satellites nearby Pamporovo

24 hours, 28.07.05, Valentin Hadjiev

What can ally Hristo Stoichkov and the mayor of Moscow Urii Lujkov except the love of sports? It turns out to be the investment in property in Bulgaria. The coach of the national football team is already owner of a huge terrain nearby Smolyan and started the projects. These days the Russian information sites announced that the government of Moscow decided to buy a complex in the region. Pamporovo has been determined as of the most perspective zones in Bulgaria. The candidature of the country for the winter Olympics will raise the interest. The yearly turn of the investment is minimum 8%. Thus Pamporovo, which seemed to stay back from the huge investments, especially comparing it to the mass construction works in Bansko and the seaside suddenly came out in the news. A reason for this is one project which is about to start is a sport- tourism center- “Perelik”. The free terrains for construction of hotels are not many. This year the investments are directed to the vicinity of the town. The most wanted regions are the lakes, Haidushki polyani, and Raikovski lyvadi. The municipal plans to turn them in satellites of the resort and to start the construction of the mega project “Perelik”, which will welcome the tourists. This winter to use the lift tourists had to wait half an hour and sometimes even more. The interest towards the satellite resort became bigger during the last months. Haidushki polyani are 20- 30 minutes by car to Pamporovo and the price per square meter reached 18 euro. A hotel and a holiday village are now being constructed there. This region is very attractive for the firms who received the concession project for Trakia highway. The municipal started a procedure of establishing “Haidushki polyani” as a separate site. The other two sites- Raikovski lyvadi and Ezerata are already included in the town’s plans, and have restrictions on the construction works. They will be transformed into resorts. No residential construction will be allowed. From the total number of 79 applied permissions for construction of hotels and other types of sites for recreation more than 30 are for Raikovski lyvadi. This site includes the lands within Pamporovo to the northern parts of the town. The price per square meter land is 30- 40 euro. The already applied plans are mainly for hotels and villa sites. “The municipal’s goal is to prepare the plan of the site as soon as possible, so that the construction process can be regulated. Apart from that a regular infrastructure, water supply and sewers will be provided to the properties of the investors”, explained Rumiana Yanchevska, vice mayor of Smolyan. The interest towards Ezerata is lower at the moment because of the lack of free land on the market. However the coach of the national football team- Hristo Stoichkov got 16 decares land for the construction of several vacation villas right next to St. Spirit Chapel north of Smolyan. The football star lately announced his intention personally in front of the mayor of the town Dora Yankova. Stoichkov together with two of his friends hired a team of specialists to make the future project. The land is next to the first station of the lift of “Ezerata” chalet to Snejanka peak which is connected by lifts to the different pistes of Pamporovo resort. The road distance is 10 kilometers. Sought of it is the picturesque neighbourhood Ezerovo and Smolyan will be 4-5 kilometers below Stoichkov’s villas. The famous Smolyan lakes are right next to Stoichkov’s property. These are 7 land sliding lakes. Stoichkov is still considering the type of construction he will use, but it is very likely to be small villas. The Ezerata is one of the few sites in the world with negative ionization of the air. This air is proved to have positive impact on the human organism and helps to recover from respiratory and skin diseases. Competitors of Stoichkov in the region are several private hotels, huts and holiday homes and lodgings in Ezerovo with 300 beds. The region is very close to the future sport- tourism complex “Perelik”. It will be on 2193 ha 1500- 2130 meters above the sea level. The snow in the Perelik part of Rodopi Mountain and Kozuyatak peak lasts 45 days longer than the one in Pamporovo. The high plateaus possess incredible terrains for almost all kinds of winter sports. The zone is also visited during the summer. Smolyan municipal is looking for investors for the mega project since May. The main condition for those who wish to invest is to have previous experience in the construction of such equipment and to have already invested at least 50 million euro in such projects. The future complex will have 16 lifts, 8 drugs, just three refreshing sites and a parking lot for 3000 cars. There won’t be any road to the pistes; tourist would just be able to climb them by lift. “Perelik” was planned to be like the reputable Alpine resorts with a lot of equipment and never ending pistes. The construction of hotels is still not planned. The main reason is to keep the nature virgin, and tourist to use the already existing base in the nearby situated villages- Shiroka laka, Stoykit, Gela, Sticle, Solishta, Mugla. The investment can only be covered if the complex welcomes 10 000 skiers. The hotel base in the sites of the municipal is not enough and that is why Raikovski lyvadi and Ezarata will be separate resorts, explained the mayor of Smolyan Dora Yankova. Smolyan, Pamporovo and the villages west of the town form a magical triangle below Snejanka and Perlik. Each of the villages has incredible history, individuality and charm. That is why they are turning into favorite sites for holiday. In contrast to many sites in the even places, these are live villages with good infrastructure, unique nature and captivating calmness. They are very close to the major resort and the huge interest towards them and the new projects are guaranteeing their development. Shiroka Luka Shiroka luaka village is 21 kilometers away from Smolyan and 10 kilometers from Pamporovo. It is situated on the major road from Smolyan to Devin and all of the waste waters are flowing into Skirokolashka River. The streets are with asphalt covering and are in good condition. The small streets to the houses are very old and are made of cobblestone. The specific of the village does not allow them to be reconstructed and will stay like that. The main road is well kept during the winter because it is heading from Devin and Dospat municipals to the Smolyan regional centre. Shirocka Luka is electrified and does not have problems with electricity. All mobile phones are working in the village. There is also a stationary telephone network. There is a doctor and dentist office in the village. The internet connection is quite good. The village has enough shops, restaurants, cafes and even a disco. There are no industry manufactories in the village, which would endanger the ecology in the site. The hotels in the village offer 120 beds. 140 of the houses in the village are cultural monuments. There is an ethnographic museum several Roman bridges and 2 churches. One of them was built 170 years ago for just 38 days. There are 4 more chapels in the village. Shiroka Luka is a crossroad to almost all of the walking routes to the middle Rodopi. The village hosts the National musical high school. There is one school and 2 children’s homes. Shiroka Luka is known to be one of the safest sites in the country. The specific of the village explains the fact that properties are rarely being sold. An old house which can be bought just for the land and is not suitable for living can be bought for 25- 35 euro per square meter. The land is about 10- 25 euro per square meter and depends on its locality.
     
  • Mario DomГ­nguez From EspaГ±a
    Sent on 23 December 2022
    I have received the best service imaginable, with great flexibility, I have never received such excellent attention as that received with this company
  • Ana Whitton From UK
    Sent on 06 March 2019
    I wanted to write a proper review of our hotel and experience while in Pamporovo, so this is the addition to my email. We flew to Sofia and the pre booked taxi transport was waiting for us. The driver (Kosta) was wonderful and we felt really safe with him driving. Our flight was late and we arrived to the Dafovska hotel after midnight. The reception was open and they were waiting for us. We were given sandwiches and water and shown to our room. The rooms were spacious and warm, the beds comfortable, bathroom lovely and clean. Plenty of hot water, the towels were changed every day and bins emptied. The hotel has Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room which is 12 leva per person with towels. I would have liked the water in the Jacuzzi to be a bit warmer. We went in every day after skiing, apart from one when we tried a different hotel. Snezanka hotel has a swimming pool too. Its ok but it was too busy for us and we decided to stick with ours. Their changing rooms are very very small and you have to pay extra for the towels. We chose half board. There was many things to choose for breakfast, hot food, pancakes, fruit, cereal & toast. Apple & orange juice as well as many teas and coffees. I have to admit I always take my own tea bags . Not having to cook dinner after a day skiing was very welcome. There isn’t really a great choice for strict vegetarians, but I always managed to find tasty food to eat. You can buy drinks from the bar, or bring your own. There is a free shuttle bus that takes you to ski centre Malina. Very busy ski centre. We met with the representative Nelly there. I would have preferred to have the information on what time to be where when we arrived. Nelly organised our helmets (you need to rent this separately, 5 leva per person), ski equipment and our instructor. Well! I cannot give more glowing review for our instructor! Alex was amazing, very patient, very friendly and knowledgeable. We had lessons in the morning, then lunch, which he was very good to organise with the local bar, then another set of lessons. The food in the bars by the ski school and at the top of the slope was very good. Big portions, quickly delivered. I only needed soup at lunch time which were homemade and delicious. Staff, at the ski centre and gondolas, didn’t always speak a lot of English or smile enough but they were never the less very helpful especially with children and beginners. We skied on our last day too and we were picked up from the hotel by a taxi to be taken to the airport. This taxi driver was not so careful and good at driving and we could not wait to get to Sofia and get out of his car. The whole organisation of our trip with BulgariaSki was excellent! Thank you all
  • Richard From England
    Sent on 10 February 2019
    Have just spent 5 nights at the hotel for the second year. Still same high standards. Had a after ski massage with Kateriua, spot on girl knows her stuff. Highly recommended her.
  • Tommyboy From Scotland
    Sent on 07 April 2018
    5th time skiing in Bansko, have been here over Xmas period and Easter break, hasn't always been a lot of snow but enough to ski for five days. It is a good value for money skiing holiday for those on a budget, food very good value and varied depending on taste, some restaurants better than others, again depending on personal taste. Not to sure what the nightlife is like as we stay in our timeshare resort The Balkan Jewel which is 3 > 4 miles out of Bansko, they operate a free shuttle bus but the last one back from town is at 4.30pm therefore going back into town would require the use of taxis. I am sure we will be back in the future.
  • Mitko From Bulgaria
    Sent on 28 February 2018
    Dear all, Borovets is a nice place to be, but it is risky to ski there. The slopes for advanced skiers are crossing the slopes for beginners and the slopes are negligently prepared with icy spots and snow heap places. This all is a precondition for accidents. The ski lifts are maintained all on the surface, they stop frequently and the gondola had to be scrapped years ago. So be careful when skiing in Borovets!
  • Lene willsea From N.i
    Sent on 28 February 2018
    I love Pomporova. Its our home from home.We first went in 2008, the airport was a portacabin and the lifts were a dangling wooden chair.. The place improves year on year. I would highly recommend it. VERY CHEAP once ur there. But with all upgrades the prices to travel are clinbing. Jumped 200 in two yrs.
  • Neo From United Kingdom
    Sent on 15 February 2018
    The hotel it’s a brilliant idea however there are aspects you would be surprised to stumble upon We arrived late at night about 10pm. Greater by a very polite hostes she kindly provided us with prepacked sandwiches as the restaurant closed at 9pm ( we called in advance to ask if such is possible especially when you have young ckranky from long travel hours in multiple travel vechicles The room very spatious. Bed cover had some suspicious sticky stains that absolutely horrified me at the thought that my children could possibly put their tiny hands on to that. One of the bath robes provided had a black stain on its back, the other bath robe had its pocket thorn out and just hanging. There was a massive flaky, mouldy, damp patch in the corner on the ceiling. The toilet was leaking on the floor. Breakfast food was cold and rancid with a queue for pncakes quite long and very impatient as pancakes was the only food that you could have still warm. Boiled eggs were cold and so hard the yolk was dusty . Fried eggs were dry... won’t even go to details about the rest of the food. As the drinks offered to be purchased by the restaurant aren’t the healthiest of choice for children (all the juices on choice contained added multiple preserving agents and colourants) we asked if possible to have some tap water. It proved to be a terrible mistake, we were told that yes but we would have to pay for it, then told that if they bring a jug for us everyone else will be asking for it, then he brought a manager who was more rude than the server and plainly put it that even if we have children asking for water we would have to buy bottled water and she is not prepared to give us water for free, unnecessarily often stressing the �free’ word. There are far more many good things that are good about this hotel. It’s main let down it’s restaurant staff who are poor hospitality professionals and frankly plain rude.
  • Nigel Buckle From United Kingdom
    Sent on 17 December 2017
    I have stayed at the Orlovetz for 6 out of the last 8 years and will be returning in 2018 for another week. It has become my 'Winter retreat'. A modern hotel that stands out due to its prominent position and its design. The rooms are comfortable and warm with plenty of wardrobe space and an area to relax. The safe is in the wardrobe, which is really useful for your valuables. There is a decently equipped gym, a small pool (though you can also use the larger pool in the Perelik as well) a Sauna and massage treatments, great for those aches from the first days of skiing ! The restaurant was made larger a couple of years ago and now accommodates more guests. Both breakfast and dinner are buffet style, the food, in general, is of good quality and there usually at least four different options at dinner. There is a small bar in the lobby area and a Piano Bar on the top floor that has stunning views across the surrounding district. As it is the sister hotel to the Perelik there is a tunnelway that links the two and saves you going out in the snow if you choose to use the alternative facilities provided there. One of them being 'The Pub' (previously known as the Pampi Bar) plus a couple of night clubs and a bowling alley. Also as the Orlovetz is just across from the Schnezanka it is only a short walk to Daks Bar, often used as the first mornings meeting place for your ski passes etc.,which is a lively night spot with live music and very popular. In all a great Hotel within a great small town, try it , Pamper yourself !
  • Liz From England
    Sent on 19 November 2017
    I went with my daughter January 2018. I was a cheap half board flights included and we wasn’t expecting much.... but what a fantastic week we had!! Stayed at the Lion hotel which is about a 10-15 minute walk to the slopes/town. A free shuttle is provide by the hotel. The hotel and staff are lovely. The food was always varied and hot. My daughter and I are vegetarians and in only two nights were we disappointed with the choice - but we heaped up on pudding so didn’t go hungry. Am lucky enough to be going back in 2018.
  • val From United Kingdom
    Sent on 15 February 2017
    group of us just back from borovets.we arrived 4th feb 2017 and departed 11th feb.had a great time.hotel rila was fab.great gym and spa.food was good.ski school was great.we had a really good instructor Martin Hristov.he was really good with everyone took time to try and learn everyone.we all had a great time thankyou.will be back next yearx
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