An Angel in the Park
LOCATION
Varaždin, Photo: croatia.hr
The name of the hotel also describes its location. Park Boutique Hotel is located alongside one of the most beautiful city parks, named after Vatroslav Jagić, a Croatian linguist. The hotel and the park are both part of the city centre, which is famous for its baroque appearance and many cultural monuments. Namely, between 1767 and 1776, the city was the capital of Croatia, and many palaces and buildings were built at that time, that still make an impression on us today. The hotel is an interesting combination of modern and traditional, which could also be said for the city of Varaždin. The many stories told by the buildings contribute to the interest and the symbols of angels, which can be found on many buildings, add charm to the city.
ACCESSIBILITY
The city lies 81 km north of Zagreb, Croatia, and only 40 km from Ptuj, Slovenia. Varaždin is well connected as it lies right next to an important traffic route on the way from the port of Rijeka to Budapest. A city of approximately 47,000 inhabitants is friendly from a traffic point of view. You can easily reach all the city’s attractions on foot, and this makes it especially pleasant. Due to the flat terrain, we also recommend cycling. The city’s parking system is exemplary; it only requires keeping track of parking hours. A small parking area is available right next to the hotel, otherwise you can park in the well-marked blue zones.
COLD APPETIZER - Architecture and Aesthetics
Renovations in the historic city, where many monuments are protected, are always delicate. However, in case of the Park Boutique Hotel, the architects from Biro Brakus managed the renovation with excellence. The old building, which was the basis of the project, remained practically unchanged and it elegantly rounds off the street. The new extension is unobtrusively complemented and seems to be built in with tall trees. The structure of the facade with iron lamellas (Corten) is reminiscent of the structure of trees, and the rusty colour does not disturb the surroundings. The crafty interior is modern and conceptual. Here and there you can find some inconsistencies, but in any case, it is an urban hotel and the people of Varaždin can be reasonably proud of its architecture.
WARM APPETIZER - Personnel and cuisine
As befitting a boutique hotel, the staff are professional and very friendly. It is easily noted that the hotel owners are experienced caterers. The company Gastrocom has been operating since 1993 and owns several restaurants in Varaždin and also provides catering services. Logically, the main part of the hotel are consequently a restaurant and a café, which are both very popular among the townspeople. The quality of both is solid and breakfast is satisfactory with some room for improvement. The most room for improvement is in the promotion of the local culinary tradition, which is very well implemented by the project Taste the Tradition of the Varaždin Region.
MAIN DISH - The hotel's congress services
Hotel rooms
Some of the 19 rooms are partly decorated in a modern minimalist style, and the remainder in a more traditional style. We tried a minimalist room, in which the veduta of Varaždin wallpaper above the bed first catches the eye. The overall result, with furniture pieces of the Croatian brand Prostoria and superior lighting, excites and satisfies the soul with its aesthetics. Additionally, wooden wall cladding in lighter tones, contrasting walls in dark shades and unusual geometric ceilings attract the eye. Pleasant and very elegant.
Meetings Centre
The smaller meetings centre, which is functional and modern, is located in the basement. The hall can be partitioned into two smaller ones and can accommodate up to 120 people.
Vatroslav Jagić Park, Photo: www.tourism-varazdin.hr
DESSERT – Extras
The city park also serves as a hotel garden. If you wish to get some fresh air, prepare a reception with a view or an innovative break with coffee, Hotel Park has excellent conditions.
FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES
Some inconsistencies in the rooms, such as a poorly working hair dryer, glass bulkheads above the bath and not the best dimming with curtains. Minor details that would place the hotel in a higher category.
TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES
The choice of food in the restaurant that goes beyond the classic choice offered in hotels of a similar category.
OVERALL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY
At the current time, it is hard to find a better hotel in Varaždin. We are convinced of this by the concept of the hotel and by the highly professional staff. The trademark of the hotel is its restaurant, which is reasonable considering the structure of the owners. The hotel is a superb story, which fundamentally changes the hotel scene in the city. And this is a hidden jewel, waiting for event organisers to discover its stories. Among them, we can imagine various incentive programme organisers, who can take guests to numerous undiscovered gems of Croatian Zagorje and neighbouring Slovenia.
