The Russian Bath is the newest amenity of Hotel Gela. It is situated at the far end of the hotel yard and could be used by guests and outsiders. You can even hire the whole thing and have it for the required by you and your company time, without being disturbed by other visitors. And even sleep upstairs in the little cozy bedroom overnight. So long as you pay the applicable charges.
As in any other authentic Russian bath, appart from the ritual bath taking, you can relax in the designated living room with friends or other visitors, while having chilled beer or vodka. Actually, anything your little heart desires! The hosts will serve anything what's on the menu of the restaurant.
The owners use a wise approach and use the bath living room for food and drinks tasting. thus you can savour local cheeses, dried meats and rakia (Bulgarian national drink, similar to brandy) and have a nice chat with the hosts. They will tell you stories about the village history, traditions and the local Bag-pipe festival.
I have tried all of the above and must tell that I liked it so much that I am comming back at the first opportunity.
Among facts that impressed me was that the building materials, e.g. the wood (and it's made 100% of wood) was delivered straight from Russia. It's called Ossina (a type of Aspen) and is what all the Russian baths in Russia are made of. The other impressive thing is that the whole of the roof is covered by forest grass and flowers.
Just amazing.
As in any other authentic Russian bath, appart from the ritual bath taking, you can relax in the designated living room with friends or other visitors, while having chilled beer or vodka. Actually, anything your little heart desires! The hosts will serve anything what's on the menu of the restaurant.
The owners use a wise approach and use the bath living room for food and drinks tasting. thus you can savour local cheeses, dried meats and rakia (Bulgarian national drink, similar to brandy) and have a nice chat with the hosts. They will tell you stories about the village history, traditions and the local Bag-pipe festival.
I have tried all of the above and must tell that I liked it so much that I am comming back at the first opportunity.
Among facts that impressed me was that the building materials, e.g. the wood (and it's made 100% of wood) was delivered straight from Russia. It's called Ossina (a type of Aspen) and is what all the Russian baths in Russia are made of. The other impressive thing is that the whole of the roof is covered by forest grass and flowers.
Just amazing.
By Patric OKelly