Four Seasons Retreat
Momchilovtsi, near Pamporovo, Bulgaria

Alan Boase

FOUR SEASONS RETREAT Guest Recommendations, Reviews & Comments

We had a fantastic holiday – the house was just perfect and fitted the 12 of us easily – we used 2 of the living rooms and it was great to be able to leave the youngsters downstairs playing ping pong while we moved upstairs to watch videos and drink very acceptable Bulgarian red…….Comfortable spacious rooms with fantastic views it was a pleasure to return from the slopes in the evenings. We didn’t make it into the village to eat… Ali came to cook for us 3 times, the food was excellent – loads of it and really reasonable – we also visited a favorite restaurant in Chepelare a couple of evenings........ Jordan (airport transfers and car hire) renamed “Jordan the Hero” by the kids was fantastic – nothing was to much trouble for him, he introduced us to the ski school........ He and his drivers were always cheerful and really made the holiday. The staff at Ski School Steve were also brilliant – I have skied on and off for the past 25 years and I have never had this kind of service – they remembered who we were, did up our ski boots, took our skis outside daily and allowed the kids to swap between skis, boards and blades, always with a smile and at no extra cost – the lessons were really good quality and excellent value for money. We all ended up having private lessons and wished I’d done it years ago! Didn’t think I would get down The Wall and while I wouldn’t go so far as to say it was easy at least I managed it…………Our instructor, who shopped in his village for us to get his local Rekia cheaper, also gave us a couple of litres of local red wine on our last day to toast our last night in Bulgaria (wouldn’t get that in France) !! All in all a brilliant time, thank you for the house and for sharing all of your local contacts – they really made it a pleasure to be back in Bulgaria – back to the real world now…….but already planning for next year !! Janice Greenhill janice.greenhill@ntlworld.com

Had brilliant time in Bulgaria. House is really amazing. Toshka, who is lovely, lit the fire every morning for us and made sure we were ok and had organised snow board lessons for the morning after our arrival, which happened to be my sons birthday. Toshka's brother taught us all and made sure there was a birthday cake sorted for the evening in his restaurant. Wouldn't get that treatment in England. Spent most of the time at the snowboard park, a couple days at Chepelare and one at Pamporovo. Visited two lots of caves near Devin and tryed to find natural hot springs which ended up being not open to the public and ended up at a hotel spa getting pampered,what a shame! We are all really pleased we found your accommodation, we had a wonderful time in a beautiful place, thankyou very much. Terisa terisa@tstabb.orangehome.co.uk

Comments: Great house, fabulous views. Close to Pamporovo for skiing. Very friendly neighbours and village. We would definately recommend Four Seasons and Nigel was very helpful and efficient in arranging our trip. I have attached a picture (top) of the youngest member of our party two year old Alan Boase who looked such a cool dude in his ski wear! Antonia Woolley antoniaandnigel@hotmail.co.uk

Myself and a few friends stayed over at the Four Seasons just before the Christmas period in December 07, the snow was deep and the village was very picturesque. All the villagers were busy getting ready for the ski season but still had time to welcome tourists. The hotel was perfect with magnificent views over the Rhodope mountains,extremely clean rooms with good ensuite facilities and 3 large Kitchen/lounges on each floor.We only stayed for a couple of nights as I had business in other parts of Bulgaria but when arriving back in the UK I immediately booked the hotel for a family and friends ski holiday in February 08 John Dixon john@dixonsworld.orangehome.co.uk

What a fantastic place to stay! Momchilovtsi is a wonderful place to be in the summer, with stunning views, great walks, and lovely people. The villagers are all very friendly and the house itself is stunning. We had lots of laughs, lots of sunshine and saw lots of wild and wonderful nature during our stay. We will never forget this great holiday and hope to be back sooner rather than later. John & Anna Mason john.anna96@btinternet.com

Four Seasons Retreat is a very comfortable and welcoming house with log fires and all amenities. The peaceful surroundings, beautiful scenery and views over the mountains all added to the enjoyment of our stay. Everyone in the village was so helpful and friendly and our airport transfers and sightseeing trips to nearby Pamporovo were arranged for us by the owner. I stayed at Four Seasons Retreat again in April 2007 with my two sisters and we would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone. Andie Musson andiem@ukonline.co.uk

I was fortunate in spending the winter season at the Four Seasons Retreat. I was asked to welcome guests ( provide breakfasts + a twice weekly evening meal if requested) + oversee the running of their stays. My main reason for going was my love of skiing + I wasn't disappointed. The house was wonderful, modern, well equipped + magnificent views. The people in the village were very friendly ( it would be unfair to mention people by name for fear of missing people out)+ helpful even though my Bulgarian did not progress very well. There were a few English speaking people. The little shops were adequate for food provisions (shopping is always an amusing experience)+ there is a choice of 3 eating places, all different but well worth a visit (Kotsi's bar is a must for a meal on Friday nights as there is live music + dancing!) The internet cafe cost pence for an hour but opening times were a little erratic + it was closed at weekends. The bus to Smolyan was cheap + a shopping trip is a must - you have to change buses at the bottom of Smolyan + get a second bus to take you to the top end as Smolyan is the longest town in Europe. Skiing at Pomporova was wonderful but we needed slightly more snow. I compared it to living in a town as opposed to a city. It was not motorway skiing + you soon made friends with people in the ski hire shop, the ski instructors + with the staff in the ski slope restaurants. I would certainly return next year. Sue Daddy drsuedaddy@hotmail.com

We had a great time over the new year in Momchilovtsi, it was our first time skiing, and we were both hooked! Four Seasons Retreat with its stunning mountain views and cosy atmosphere made a great base, as we had good restaurants and shops in the village, and just a short drive to Pamporovo. We were back in March, just as all the spring flowers were appearing, and enjoyed a few glasses of wine in the garden at Four Seasons as we watched the beautiful fire red sunset, will be back again in May, cant wait! Annette and Derek Parker. annettespirited@btinternet.com

We had a great stay at the four seasons retreat. Its in a lovely mountain village with great views. The accommodation is in a well designed new traditionally styled property, lots of space with well equipped kitchens and comfy, bright bedrooms. We go there for the skiing at Pamporovo, but have been there in the late summer and the terrace was great for the sun and pleasant sitting outside in the evenings. Carol & Simon Churchman cazimon@hotmail.co.uk

We had two wonderful weeks in Bulgaria. The first week we toured from Sofia to the Black sea and then drove down to the Four Seasons Retreat in Momchilovtsi. What a fantastic house, and we were made so welcome. The house is lovely and bright and the view from all windows amazing. There are lovely walks all around with or without your car. All the villager’s really try, and make you welcome and you feel at home very quickly. We had no idea what to expect but so glad we have seen the country in its early stage of development, well worth a visit. We definitely will be going again. Lynn and David Kerswell LynnK@NMR.co.uk