Where to Stay in Bansko

First-timers book Bansko because it's incredibly cheap — they've heard you can ski for £800 all-in. To maximize savings, they book the cheapest apartment in old town (£35/night, looks charming in photos). Mistake: they're now 1.5km from the gondola, relying on free shuttles that run irregularly and get packed. The apartment is freezing (old Bulgarian buildings, minimal heating), and they're self-catering to save money when restaurant meals only cost £12. They're saving £40-50/week versus booking a 4-star spa hotel near the gondola but having a miserable time. The correct move: book the £95/night 4-star spa hotel with half-board (add £15/day). You're still spending under £170/night for 4-star luxury with spa and meals — that's absurdly cheap by ski resort standards. In Bansko, you can afford to splurge on accommodation because everything is cheap. Don't penny-pinch your way to discomfort when comfort costs basically nothing here.