site.btaSt Ivan Rilski SPA Resort in Bansko Reports Year-Round Interest, Introduces Herbal SPA Menu

St Ivan Rilski SPA Resort in Bansko, Southwestern Bulgaria, is reporting steady year-round interest from both domestic and international visitors and will introduce a new SPA menu based on herbal therapies in April, General Manager Dimitar Kolev told BTA on Saturday.

April has been designated as a SPA month at the complex, with the new menu offering treatments using specially selected herbal essential oils. These are chosen for their effects on the nervous and musculoskeletal systems and aim to provide full-body relaxation.

A new device for facial and body treatments will also be introduced at the renovated SPA centre. In partnership with Skeyndor, the resort is developing a concept that will allow visitors to explore therapies focused on recovery and regeneration.

In 2025, the resort won the award for Best Four-Star Mountain SPA Hotel from the Bulgarian Hotel and Restaurant Association for the fifth consecutive year. It was also recognized as the Best Mountain SPA Hotel in the 100-200 rooms category in the Top 100 Best Hotels in Bulgaria ranking. Kolev said these accolades are both recognition and a responsibility towards guests.

The hotel operates year-round. During the winter season, around 60% of guests are foreign tourists and 40% are Bulgarian, while in the rest of the year the focus shifts primarily to the domestic market.

To maintain interest throughout the year, the resort organizes themed months, including a Bulgarian music month featuring popular performers, a stand-up comedy month and the "Bansko Balkan Style" initiative in November, which is the second strongest month in terms of visitor numbers after February.

The complex benefits from its location near Pirin National Park and surrounding forest areas. Its SPA centre spans a large area and includes indoor and outdoor pools with year-round heating.

The hotel also offers family-oriented services, including daytime entertainment for children, while its restaurants use products from certified suppliers, with a significant portion of meals prepared on-site in front of guests.

BTA presents news from certified SPA, wellness, and medical SPA centres in Bulgaria in its BG SPA: Salus per aquam, Health Through Water feature. Their total number exceeds 200. The initiative, organized in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and the Bulgarian Union of Balneology and SPA Tourism, is linked to Europe’s leading health tourism event, the HEALTHXCHANGE SUMMIT, which will be held from May 11 to 13, 2026, in Varna, Sts. Constantine and Helena, Golden Sands, and Albena. BTA will be the event’s main media partner.