It's summer!
During most of the day, the temperatures outside are higher than normal for this time of the year, and for walks in nature it is even unthinkable.
And yet there are corners in Bulgaria that retain their coolness, greenery, freshness and beauty even in summer.
That's why I felt the call of the mountains, I prepared my luggage, loaded everything into the car and rushed headlong into a new series of adventures - each one weirder, more interesting, slightly extreme and impressively beautiful.
Recently, I had the great pleasure to be a guest with my family in such a place, which preserved the coolness of the mountain even in August, and now I will share with you about my wonderful stay here.
Dear friends, I am happy to present to you the hotel complex "Mountain Lake", located a few minutes northwest of the town of Smolyan and south of the ski resort of Pamporovo, in the middle of the green and fresh heart of the Rhodopes.
The charming hotel complex "Mountain Lake" is located 1500 meters above sea level. and is completely surrounded by centuries-old spruce giants and graceful firs.
The area around the complex is extremely beautiful! The beautiful and fresh Smolyan Lakes are very close by.
The evenings and nights are filled with incredible coolness coming down from the mountain, and the mornings here are even cold!
Since "Mountain Lake" is built on the southern slope of Mount Snezhanka, looking north from the complex you can enjoy a majestic view of Orpheus Rocks.
Looking southeast, the impenetrable rock teeth of the Bride will enchant you with their beauty.
As soon as I park in front of the hotel and open the car door, I feel the exceptional mountain freshness surrounding the place.
Followed by a quick check-in with a smile!
Reception
The reception is cosy, bright and spacious. The decoration is entirely based on stone and wood.
Here you can sit while checking in to relax with a smile on your face after a long journey.
Abundant light streams through the panoramic windows, and along with it comes the mood and greenery from the garden.
Just a minute and we are outside again, where the sun generously gives rays.
I breathe in this crystal and cool air with a deep chest and my senses thank me for the opportunity in the middle of summer to feel the freshness of spring again.
The hotel complex, with its inherent elegant Rhodope style, perfectly blends with the unadulterated and authentic nature that surrounds it on all sides.
Dear friends, I have collected fantastic exterior photography of Mountain Lake Hotel Complex in a special photo album that is completely at your disposal.
By pressing this button, you will be redirected to a special photo album of unforgettable photo moments of the Mountain Lake Resort, thus giving you an excellent idea of the scale of the place.
Did you know that the area of the beautiful Smolyan Lakes, where the "Mountain Lake" hotel complex is located, has a unique natural feature - negative ionization of the air, which has an extremely beneficial effect on human health?
Did you know that dense coniferous forests produce phytoncides that make the air especially healthy for people suffering from allergies and chronic diseases of the upper respiratory tract?
The park
I had heard and read a lot about the unique, well-maintained, extensive, green park of the Mountain Lake Resort, but nothing compares to walking on the freshly cut grass, while the sound of flowing water of the man-made waterfall falling into the beautiful pond, pleasantly tickle my hearing.
The park of the "Mountain Lake" hotel complex is huge - as many as twelve acres of green areas with preserved groups of beautiful fir trees between the villas and has many corners for relaxation and sincere children's fun.
Want to play basketball? No problems! Or are you in the mood to bounce after the ethereal feather of a game of badminton? Yes, it does! Oh, and maybe - football with small holes? Well, that's great! Look, isn't this Grandma Yaga's house?!
Or do you just want to sit with a drink in hand by the barbecue with a built-in fireplace? Come on over!
The summer bar with outdoor seating, as well as the outdoor marquee, beckon guests to the Mountain Lake Resort.
What a delight it is just to relax your sea bodies on a deckchair in the middle of greenery, freshness, coolness and silence - with a book in your hand and draped with a thick Rhodope blanket, just in case, because a nap may overtake you.
Countless colorful corners and all the wealth of the mountain!
It's obvious that the place is kept in this fresh look with a lot of love!
Dear friends, I have collected fresh photography of the park of the hotel complex "Mountain Lake" in a special photo album, which is completely at your disposal. Visit it to get a detailed and complete idea of the park's possibilities.
Later on, the park at Mountain Lake Resort inevitably became one of my favorite places to hang out in again and again.
The fire is pleasantly burning and crackling and it's probably time for chevrem!
Rhodope cheverme
In the middle of these lush green meadows, from July to mid-September, the hosts from "Mountain Lake" organize every Saturday the Rhodope chevermeta, through which the guests of the hotel complex can reminisce about the old Bulgarian traditions, while enjoying the beauty of the mountain, the crystal clear air, the peaceful natural atmosphere, the home-cooked food and the devastating red wine.
The event takes place during lunch with a start time of 1:30 p.m.
An additional and extremely pleasant surprise is the rich folklore program.
And so – the sounds of the bagpipe gently caress the ears, the ringing voice of the singer sings Rhodope songs, the calm breeze coming down from the mountain cools the atmosphere, and by the time the fire burns down, everyone has already eaten to their heart's content.
Main restaurant
In case you're still thirsty or hungry after this wonderful outdoor feast, Mountain Lake Resort's main restaurant is sure to satisfy anyone's most discerning culinary whims.
The opening hours of the main restaurant of the "Mountain Lake" hotel complex are daily from 08:30 to 23:30 without interruption.
IMPORTANT! Due to the huge interest in the restaurant, it is necessary to make a reservation in advance for every lunch and dinner here.
The main restaurant of the "Mountain Lake" hotel complex is designed in the ethno-style of an old town house.
A portrait of the Deacon of Freedom - Vasil Levski - hangs on the fireplace, located in the corner, and a Bible is spread out next to him.
Numerous vats are lined up near the ceiling, while a number of curious historical photographs can be seen on the walls.
Everything here is arranged with a lot of love and attention to detail.
The main restaurant of the "Mountain Lake" hotel complex has 90 seats and up to 50 seats outside in the summer.
The garden of the main restaurant is extremely pleasant and offers freshness combined with a view of the mountains.
The kitchen naturally relies on traditional Rhodope specialties, but all dishes are freshly prepared, with ecological products from local producers.
In two words – a delight for every foodie and connoisseur of real food.
Breakfast for champions
Our reservation included an extremely rich breakfast, which the hosts of this wonderful place tirelessly prepared for their guests every morning.
Fresh eggs, croissants and doughnuts, jams and marmalades, pancakes and home-made pie, perfectly filled with freshly squeezed juices - were just some of the amazing treats to start our day off right.
To recreate in the most exquisite way the gastronomic record-setting atmosphere of the main restaurant of Mountain Lake Resort, the impressive and selected dishes and drinks that every guest of this wonderful place will have the pleasure to taste while relaxing in the deepest delight in comfortable and soft furniture, I captured wonderful photo moments for you and collected and arranged them in a special photo album for you!
And you, dear friends, follow the link and enjoy the main restaurant of the "Mountain Lake" hotel complex in a particularly unique way!
By pressing this button, you will be redirected to a special photo album with unforgettable photo moments from the main restaurant and outdoor garden area of the Mountain Lake Resort.
Indoor relaxation and spa area
The indoor relaxation and spa area of the "Mountain Lake" hotel complex offers a variety of options and procedures for the complete comfort and complete relaxation of each guest.
The working hours of the internal relaxation and spa area of the "Mountain Lake" hotel complex are every day from 09:00 to 21:00 without interruption.
Here is the pool!
A warm pool with a smaller section for children
The pool is spacious enough, and the room is spacious, bright, warm and cozy.
There are 8 comfortable deckchairs, two swings, several chairs and a table by the pool.
Everything is decorated with style and attention to detail.
Finnish sauna
The temperature in this type of saunas is 80°C with a humidity of 30% and they are made of aromatic wood, and in combination with cold water and fresh air, they are very favorable for improving tone, blood circulation and strengthening the immune system.
The sauna is a traditional, efficient and safe method for removing toxins from the body.
Infrared sauna
The room is heated by infrared rays. The temperature is from 40°C to 60°C and acts directly on the skin. The rays penetrate from 2 centimeters to 7 centimeters and do not affect people with heart problems and those with high blood pressure.
An infrared sauna removes seven times more toxins than a Finnish sauna. Significantly improves the process of skin healing and cell regeneration.
Roman steam bath
The temperature is around 40°C to 45°C with humidity 90% – 100%.
A steam bath is an excellent way to detox, while also having an anti-inflammatory and hydrating effect.
The most important health benefits of a steam bath are the improvement of blood supply, detoxification and purification of dangerous toxins.
Steam bath therapies have a relaxing effect and are extremely beneficial for the nervous system.
Aroma steam bath
She is an absolute favorite in therapeutic procedures. The temperature is in the range of 45°C to 55°C, and the humidity is 90% - 100%.
The aroma steam bath has all the benefits of a regular steam bath, adding to this experience an incredible abundance of aromas, which is one of the most popular means of relaxation, restores the balance, biorhythms and self-regulation of the body.
Shock bucket
The ability to use a shock bucket near the warm saunas and steam rooms is a wonderful option in spas, as they are a type of cooling shower.
The purpose of this type of shock shower is to create interest and a sense of adventure in spa guests. To some extent, they are favored by thrill seekers because of the large amount of cold water that is poured over their warm bodies at any given moment.
Shock buckets have a very rapid cooling effect, unlike shock showers, where the process of cooling the body occurs a little more smoothly.
The next button will take you to a special photo album containing all the splendor of the Mountain Lake Resort's indoor relaxation and spa area.
Follow him and immerse yourself in the internal relaxation and spa area of the "Mountain Lake" hotel complex.
Well rested from the numerous spa treatments, we headed home for a well-deserved rest in our spacious two-bedroom apartment, which offered us comfort, coziness and a wonderful homely environment.
Two-bedroom apartment
The two-bedroom apartment includes an entrance hall, two bathrooms, a living room and two bedrooms separated by intermediate doors.
The rooms are spacious and bright.
There is an additional table and chairs on the balcony where you can enjoy your morning coffee complemented by the perfect mountain view.
One bedroom is equipped with a large double and extremely soft bed, and the other - with two separate and also extremely soft beds.
The bathrooms are bright, clean and spacious.
Dear friends, I have collected a wonderful photo of the two-bedroom apartment of the "Mountain Lake" hotel complex in a special photo album with exceptional interior photography. Enjoy!
By pressing this button, you will be redirected to a special photo album with unforgettable photo moments of the Mountain Lake Resort.
For the children
Our children are already grown up and we miss the children's areas in the hotels for a long time, but for all families with little ones, these corners are a real charm and add minutes of much-desired peace to the dream vacation.
The children's corner in the "Mountain Lake" hotel complex is a place where you can completely relax and let your kids have fun as they please.
There will definitely be crazy fun here!
How to get to the city of Smolyan?
Smolyan is a city in southern Bulgaria, located in the Perelik-Prespa division of the Western Rhodopes at a high average altitude of 1035 meters, which makes it the highest regional city in Bulgaria.
It is located about ten kilometers from one of the largest winter resorts in Bulgaria - Pamporovo and Mechi Chal.
The city was formed on June 18, 1960 as a result of the unification of the cities of Smolyan and Ustovo, as well as the villages of Raykovo and Ezerovo. It is the administrative center of Smolyan municipality and Smolyan district. Smolyan is also one of the longest cities in Bulgaria - nearly 25 kilometers, which is due to its linear development along the Cherna and Byala rivers.
Smolyan stands for:
244 kilometers (about 3 hours and 36 minutes by car) from the capital
98 kilometers (about 2 hours and 03 minutes by car) from the city of Plovdiv
428 kilometers (about 5 hours and 56 minutes by car) from the city of Varna
321 kilometers (about 4 hours and 04 minutes by car) from the city of Burgas
How do you get to Mountain Lake Resort?
Hotel complex "Mountain Lake" is located northwest of Smolyan, just a few minutes from the city.
What can be seen nearby?
Хотелски комплекс "Маунтин Лейк" е разположен в района на Смолянските езера. Северно от комплекса, буквално на минути от него (пеш) се намира езеро Лагера, което може да разгледате по време на престоя си тук.
На около километър и половина (на около 3 минути с автомобил) в североизточна посока от хотелски комплекс "Маунтин Лейк" се намира началото на екопътека "Трите Смолянски езера", която също ви препоръчвам да извървите по време на престоя си тук.
Тревистото езеро е разположено на 1540 метра надморска височина. Наречено е така, защото половината от площта му е покрита с еднометров торфен пласт, по чиято повърхност растат буйни треви. От тук при ясно и слънчево време се открива прекрасна гледка към Орфееви скали.
Най-високо разположеното от трите Смолянските езера е Мътното езеро. То се намира на около 1590 метра надморска височина. Дълбочината му е 4,5 метра, което го прави най-дълбокото от Смолянските езера.
На 8 километра в източна посока от хотелски комплекс "Маунтин Лейк" (на около 8 минути с автомобил) се намира началната стартова точка на екопътека "Невястата".
На 16 километра северно от хотелски комплекс "Маунтин Лейк" (на около 25 минути с автомобил) се намира връх Снежанка, върху който се издига кулата "Снежанка".
Съветвам всеки един от вас да се изкачи чрез асансьорите до върха на 156-метровата телевизионна кула, издигаща се на 2082 метра височина. От уникалното кафе-панорама, оформено на 2019 метра н.в. се разкрива феноменална 360-градусова панорама.
В южната част на подножието на върха се намира началната стартова точка на пътеката към Орфееви скали.
В град Смолян може да посетите Смолянски водопад.
В град Смолян ви съветвам да посетите Регионален исторически музей – Смолян.
Виден експонат в РИМ Смолян е посребрената казашка сабя на полковник Владимир Серафимов, с която той не се разделя до края на живота си.
На 25 километра югоизточно от хотелски комплекс "Маунтин Лейк" (на около 40 минути с автомобил) се издига Паметникът, посветен на Двадесет и първи средногорски полк, на връх Средногорец, близо до село Полковник Серафимово, известен като Родопската Шипка.
Съвсем наблизо се намира и село Полковник Серафимово.
Само на 31 километра източно от хотелски комплекс "Маунтин Лейк" (на около 51 минути с автомобил) ще откриете Момчиловата крепост.
Само на 18 километра северозападно от хотелски комплекс "Маунтин Лейк" (на около 26 минути с автомобил) ще откриете мястото, където е родена родопската песен – земя, опазила автентичната родопска душа, скътана между така красивите зелени склонове на планината и край шума на реката, средище на родолюбие и познание, място, което дарява свобода, тишина, спокойствие и увереност за едно по-добро утре – Широка лъка!
В Широка лъка задължително посетете достолепния храм "Успение Богородично" – символ на вярата, издигнат за 38 денонощия.
В Широка лъка е роден екзарх Стефан I Български, ето защо аз ще ви разкажа за спасяването на българските евреи.
Само на около 8 километра южно от село Широка лъка (на около 15 минути с автомобил) ще откриете Гела – усмивката на Родопите.
В село Гела препоръчвам да си направите несравнима по красота разходка и да удивите на величествените красоти, заобикалящи селцето.
В село Гела непременно посетете интересните руини на ранновизантийска базилика – най-високо разположената в югоизточна Европа (1480 метра н. в.).
На около 24 километра западно от село Широка лъка (на около 34 минути с автомобил) се намира началото на екопътека "Струилица", край която може да се насладите на чудното Самодивско пръскало.
На 14 километра североизточно от ски курорта Пампорово (на около 22 минути с автомобил) се намира Националната астрономическа обсерватория "Рожен".
На 36 километра североизточно от ски курорта Пампорово (на около 53 с автомобил) се намира град Лъки и началната стартова точка на екопътека "Комин дере".
В близсот се издига храм "Възнесение Господне" над село Борово, община Лъки.
На 38 километра северно от ски курорта Пампорово (на около 55 с автомобил) се намира друго китно селце, съчетаващо тишина зеленина и родопско спокойствие – Забърдо.
Точно преди селото се намира отбивката към природна забележителност "Чудните мостове Еркюприя" – впечатляващ скален феномен в Западни Родопи!
На 44 километра североизточно от ски курорта Пампорово (на около час и 4 минути с автомобил) ще откриете поредното симпатично родопско бижу – Белица, община Лъки.
От селото стартира екопътека "Белица – Пещерата", по която ви съветвам да поемете.
Навлизане в Белица ще станете свидетели на този чуден скален мост – природна забележителност "Скален мост".
Очарователният водопад Гюмбертията се намира също край красива Белица, така че посетете го и му се насладете.
На 55 километра североизточно от ски курорта Пампорово (на около 1 час и 20 минути с автомобил) ще откриете един от претендентите за най-високо разположеното село на Балканите – Манастир.
В близост се намират 604 стъпала към свободата – към връх Свобода и чудни гледки към океана от Родопи.
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