Kashmir Wellness & Spa Hotel

With nearly a hundred naturally occurring mineral springs, the mountain town of Velingrad, Bulgaria is considered the spa capital of the Balkans. Even its simplest guesthouses offer wellness treatments, and its best hotels lean fully into the theme with vast mineral pools and state-of-the-art spas. Among these is Kashmir Wellness & Spa Hotel, a sophisticated retreat tucked into a centuries-old pine forest on the edge of town. The spa complex, like the hotel itself, is modern, light-filled, and built of native wood and glass, offering an impressive array of indoor and outdoor pools, Jacuzzis, salt rooms, and saunas, many of which face views of the woods and the Rhodope Mountains beyond.

Rooms and suites are rustic-chic, with wood-paneled walls and ceilings, exposed stone details, customizable lighting systems, tufted leather headboards, gray and white plaid accents, and whimsical contemporary art. The stylish cabin aesthetic works especially well in the larger suites, with two levels connected by a floating wooden staircase, but every room has a balcony with forest views. Elsewhere at the hotel are an open-air poolside bar and a stylish whiskey club, and the alpine-styled Pashmina restaurant has an expansive terrace with views over a small lake.