“Gela” Family Hotel
village of Gela, Rhodope Mountains
Embraced by nature
The first landscape hotel in Bulgaria was created as a place where architecture and nature meet in harmony. Comfort goes hand in hand with environmental care. The hotel was built in accordance with modern Scandinavian principles of sustainability.
Designed by Norwegian studio Gartnerfuglen with a characteristic minimalist, functional and sustainable approach, the hotel fits naturally into the terrain: rooms are partially dug into the ground, and green roofs follow the line of the landscape. Light enters generously through precisely positioned windows.
Natural materials such as oak, stone, low-emission glass and exposed concrete create a direct connection between indoor comfort and the beauty of the mountain. Sustainable solutions include green roofs, a drainage system, solar panels, pellet heating, high-efficiency insulation and its own wastewater treatment plant.
The interior spaces welcome you with spaciousness, panoramic views, natural materials and handmade details. The common areas invite privacy and sharing - a fireplace, a hearth, a library of local history and cozy corners for conversation.
Here the mountain begins at the doorstep: With more than 50 marked routes of varying difficulty, picking herbs and mushrooms, picnics and barbecues in the forest, a barbecue in the yard. Nearby are cycling routes and a bike park, winter slopes and resorts, alpine trolleys and eco-trails, climbing walls, rope parks, panoramic platforms and impressive caves, mineral waters, etc.
Hotel Gela is more than a place to stay. It is a gateway to authentic Bulgarian traditions and a sustainable lifestyle.
Meet your hosts:
Petko Nikolov and his family are the hosts of the Gela Hotel
Our rooms, apartments:
Deluxe Mezzanine with Veranda
- Two bedrooms + possibility of an extra bed – 32 sq m
- Bed linen – double mercerized Egyptian cotton
- Lightweight duvets, pillows – certified anti-allergic goose down
- Wardrobe
Chalet
- Bedroom + two single beds – 65 sq m
- Bed linen – double mercerized Egyptian cotton
- Lightweight duvets, pillows – certified anti-allergic goose down
- Wardrobe
Apartment Attic
- Bedroom + two single beds – 45 sq m
- Bed linen – double mercerized Egyptian cotton
- Lightweight duvets, pillows – certified anti-allergic goose down
- Wardrobe
Deluxe with veranda
- 2 single beds or bedroom + possibility of an extra bed – 32 sq m
- Bed linen – double mercerized Egyptian cotton
- Lightweight duvets, pillows – certified anti-allergic goose down
- Wardrobe
Deluxe Superior Apartment
- Two single beds + bedroom – 50 sq m
- Bed linen – double mercerized Egyptian cotton
- Lightweight duvets, pillows – certified anti-allergic goose down
- Wardrobe
Attic with fireplace
- Bedroom + possibility for an extra bed – 36 sq m
- Bed linen – double mercerized Egyptian cotton
- Lightweight duvets, pillows – certified anti-allergic goose down
- Wardrobe
Deluxe Double Room with Terrace
- Bedroom – 30 sq m
- Bed linen – double mercerized Egyptian cotton
- Lightweight duvets, pillows – certified anti-allergic goose down
- Wardrobe
Apartment with terrace
- Two single beds + bedroom – 40 sq m
- Bed linen – double mercerized Egyptian cotton
- Lightweight duvets, pillows – certified anti-allergic goose down
- Wardrobe
Standard Room with Terrace
- Bedroom – 30 sq m
- Bed linen – double mercerized Egyptian cotton
- Lightweight duvets, pillows – certified anti-allergic goose down
- Wardrobe
Standard Attic Room
- Bedroom + extra bed – 30-36 sq m
- Bed linen – double mercerized Egyptian cotton
- Lightweight duvets, pillows – certified anti-allergic goose down
- Wardrobe
village of Gela, Rhodope Mountains
Churches and fortresses
For adventure lovers, the surroundings reveal the hidden secrets of the Rhodope Mountains. Along ancient paths, guests can reach Thracian sanctuaries, walk to the Byzantine Basilica and the Church of the Holy Trinity, or climb the picturesque path to the Chapel of St. Elijah, which offers breathtaking views of Mount Perelik. History lovers will find inspiration in the Gradishte Fortress, which dates back to the 9th century BC and tells ancient stories through its stone ruins.
Eagle eye
Just a short distance from the hotel, the Eagle’s Eye platform awaits the bravest. Dramatically perched above the valley, it offers one of the most impressive panoramic views in Bulgaria – a place where one feels as if they are on top of the world. The magic of the Snezhanka Cave invites visitors to explore its depths, where thousands of years have shaped unique formations into an incredible show. For moments of peace, the Gela Monastery offers a spiritual retreat, filled with religious heritage and silence.
Orpheus Peak
More adventurous guests can climb Mount Orpheus for panoramic views that reach all the way to the horizon, or explore the surrounding area by mountain bike or horseback. The area's natural beauty even attracts EnduroSat, who hold their annual space camp here, where young talents study the secrets of space under billions of visible stars.
Wide open field
Just a few kilometers from Gela is the architectural reserve Shiroka Laka, one of the most visited tourist sites in the country, known for its magnificent Renaissance architecture and musical folk traditions. Don't miss the Zgurovska, Uchikovska and Grigorovska houses, as well as the church of the Holy Assumption, which, according to legend, was built in 1834 in just 38 days.
The Devil's Throat
Only 16 kilometers from Gela is the Devil's Throat cave, which is associated with the legend of Orpheus and Eurydice. It takes its name from the shape of its exit, which resembles a devil's head. Its main part is a huge hall, in which the highest underground waterfall in the Balkans is located. The largest colony of cave long-winged bats in Bulgaria and on the Balkan Peninsula winters here. If you have reached the Devil's Throat, it would be a sin not to stop by the Trigrad Gorge - a unique natural formation above the cave.
Time for a break
After you have filled your day with meaning and beauty, it is time for rest. Afternoons bring peace and time for relaxation in the hotel's relaxation area. Qualified therapists offer restorative massages, and the sauna and steam bath are always at the guests' disposal. The hotel's courtyard offers an ideal place for meditation, surrounded by the gentle sounds of nature.
As night falls, the magic at Gela Hotel reaches its peak. Guests gather for intimate dinners under a sky dotted with stars so bright and numerous that they seem to be at arm’s length. The personalized menu combines flavors of local cuisine and Rhodope culinary traditions, complemented by homemade red wine, grown and created with care and attention. Whether by the warmth of the fireplace or under the starry sky, every meal is an unforgettable experience.