Coliving Bansko · Bansko
in Bulgaria 🇧🇬
→ colivingbansko.com book at cloudbeds.com
✉️
a coliving community · since March 2024
Part of the oldest digital nomad and entrepreneurial community in Bansko, having a coworking space plus the coliving hub. Events happen every day — there's always something to do at Coworking Bansko!
Formerly the Park/Hermes hotel. [–Ed.]
Reviews please interpret other's opinions per your own needs and values
The quality in the lobby is not in the rooms. Beds, bathroom and everything else is very old and outdated. However, the staff is very helpful and friendly. The location is very good. Lobby staff, breakfast staff were very helpful. They even prepared a sauna and jacuzzi at midnight.
BEWARE DO NOT STAY HERE DIGITAL NOMADS
I stayed here about 1 month and although I wanted to stay for longer I just couldn't.
During my stay, here were my issues:
- The hot water would randomly turning off with no updates from staff even when I asked them time and time again
- Included was access to the two coworking locations and both were not maintained properly (no coffee, coffee machine broken, no wifi [yes no wifi at the coworking one day])
- The shared kitchen was downsized by about 80% with a one day notice and no compensation or reduction in prices
- The shared kithen (before it was closed) was infrequently cleaned
- The coworking area is very busy/loud at all times and people are always passing through
But you know what really got to me?
There was a rule where you weren't allowed to eat "messy" food in the office chairs. One day, I was on my computer in the common area and Emil himself comes to the table and proceeds to eat what I thought was a rotisserie chicken. I let it slide and didn't mention it, but I put that memory somewhere in the back of my mind so that I don't forget. That's because this double standard ruined the potential of a community. You literally could not exist in the common area with food. AHHH BUT WAIT. Some days there were SANDWICHES for sale provided by the staff and apparently THOSE WERE NOT MESSY? What about the snacks from the automated market? For some reason we could not eat in those chairs. This was particularly bothersome for me because I liked to organize board game nights. I like to use ergonomic chairs for that but living here I was faced with the decision to either play a board game or eat, never both. And by the way, the ergonomic chairs that they provided only have adjustable height. They do not have adjustable lumbar, arm rests, or head rests. Literally 2/10 when it comes to ergonomic chairs so why do they care so much about them?
After Emil took over coworking bansko, the community dispersed. Fortunately, there are many other options for both coworking and coliving in Bansko where you'll find these people.
Oh yeah, the pros:
- The community managers organized great events (who no longer work there)
Well, the place has potential, but since the ownership changed, it’s clearly being managed poorly. Currently, it’s more like a mediocre hotel than a co-living space. Loud music plays in the office, dogs are running around, and screaming children can be heard everywhere. Construction work is also ongoing inside the building. The spa is old, dirty, smelly, and neglected. Community members are left to fend for themselves and have to organize everything on their own. This place is basically a scam when comparing actual conditions to what’s described on the website. The owner refuses to issue refunds. Moreover, the chef wanders around the hotel, harassing people and bothering women. I strongly advise against staying here, especially considering the price.
Coliving Bansko welcomed me in tough times and for this I will always be grateful to the owners. I lived here for 3 months and met beautiful travelers.
However, I cannot recommend the place for coliving or coworking. I believe it functions well as a hotel.
This is mostly due to the owners' brutal people treatment and lack of professionalism and transparency.
Since most clients of the coliving spend weeks here, it becomes their home. As such, we expect to co-exist in a community where communication, support and comfort are valued. While most staff members behave on point and support the community, my friends and I were treated extremely poorly by others. Many days, it did NOT feel like home due to the owners' super rude behavior.
A staff member was harassing the female visitors. Everyone was vocal about it, but the management ignored it. It kept happening again and again, throughout my whole stay.
A friend of mine broke his arm and had to leave early. The owners promised him a refund for the remaining of the stay. Later, when he asked for the money, he was ignored.
A former community manager who was loved by the community was fired disrespectfully on the spot with no given reason. 3 months later, she is still looking for her unpaid salary and she is blocked by the owners.
There are many similar examples of the owners prioritizing money over basic human treatment.
After December, the place started to co-function as a hotel. The hotel guests were prioritized over the coliving members. This turned the "coliving and coworking" into a noisy hotel lobby filled with strangers and crying babies. When we raised concerns, one of the staff members called the nomads "a bunch of lazy, complaining rats".
When we approached the owners with the idea to dedicate a quiet coworking area with no calls allowed, they chased us away, telling us it's none of our business.
Regarding the amenities, there is false advertising and hidden costs about the kitchen, laundry usage, spa, and others.
Honestly, most visitors were showing understanding towards the imperfect or missing amenities, since it's a starting business, but the way people get treated sickened us.
I chose to stay at Co-Living Bansko based on the great reviews, expecting a vibrant and social space for digital nomads. However, it seems the ownership has recently changed, and unfortunately, it’s not at all what the reviews suggest.
If you’re a remote worker looking for a social, community-driven space, this is not the place for you. The atmosphere is much more like a hotel, with little sense of community or interaction between guests.
A few key issues stood out:
• The communal kitchen is now a restaurant, and the remaining shared kitchen is small and not well-equipped, making it difficult to cook for yourself.
• The co-working space was loud and disruptive, especially during the holidays when the place filled up with short-term guests. It didn’t feel like a dedicated work environment.
Overall, if you’re expecting a true nomad-friendly co-living space with a strong community, I’d recommend looking elsewhere. The shift in management has changed the experience significantly, and it no longer lives up to its past reputation.
Last week, I stayed at this wonderful hotel and was incredibly impressed! The staff is absolutely top-notch: caring, friendly, and always ready to help. Here, you don’t just feel like a guest but part of a big family. This isn’t just a hotel; it’s a true home where they know how to create comfort. Every day, they organize unique events that make the stay even more enjoyable. A huge thank you for the warm welcome—I will definitely come back again!
Alexey Chuprynin
We came without any expectations as we didn't know anything about Bansko. And we were very very surprised!
There are lots of events, parties and activities.
You never feel alone because there's always someone there!
It's like a little family!
We stayed at coliving for 1 month and we had a great time!
The coworking area is great, we were very productive and the chairs are very comfortable.
There is a supermarket nearby where you can buy everything and the town is within walking distance.
Thanks to the hosts for the great time, we will definitely be back!
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