site.btaKempinski Hotel Grand Arena Bansko Named Bulgaria's Best Winter Resort Hotel

The Kempinski Hotel Grand Arena Bansko has been recognized as the best hotel in Bulgaria's winter resorts in the latest Top 50 ranking by Travel & Lifestyle, the magazine said. The award was presented to the hotel's General Manager, Rene Detzen.

According to the 2025/2026 ranking, Bansko has the largest number of high-end properties in Bulgaria with excellent reviews. The Kempinski Hotel Grand Arena is part of the global luxury hotel chain Kempinski, which is represented in Bulgaria solely by this property in the mountain resort.

The hotel also received, for the seventh time in a row, the title of Bulgaria's Leading Lifestyle Hotel 2025 from the World Travel Awards (WTA), the highest accolade in the travel and tourism sector, the magazine said.

The hotel in Bansko has been awarded the title of Bulgaria's Best Ski Hotel 2025 by the World Ski Awards. In the Top 50 ranking, Villa Sokol in Borovets took second place, followed by Lucky Bansko Spa & Relax in Bansko in third.

The ranking is compiled impartially based on customer reviews on booking platforms such as Booking.com, Hotels.com, Agoda, Tripadvisor, Facebook, Google, and others, as well as the number of reviews, pricing, hotel category, and journalists’ personal visits over the past year. It features properties noted for their exceptional comfort, furnishings, and service.

The ranking is compiled impartially based on customer reviews on booking platforms, including Booking.com, Hotels.com, Agoda, Tripadvisor, Facebook, Google, as well as on the number of reviews, pricing, hotel category and journalists' personal visits over the past year. It features properties noted for their exceptional comfort, furnishings and service.

Hotels in SPA resorts near ski complexes were not included, as they fall under a separate specialized ranking by Travel & Lifestyle, the magazine said.

On December 13, the 2025/2026 winter season opened officially in Bansko, with ski legends Giorgio Rocca and Marc Girardelli on the slopes beneath Todorka Peak (2,746 m).