LOCATION
The most recognisable Bled hotel has always been inextricably linked to the development of tourism in the area. Even before the hotel was built, hot springs with healing properties were popularised and written about by Janez Vajkard Valvasor as early as at the end of the 17th century. At the site of the former Hotel Lousienbad, a hotel was created in 1875 with its own swimming pool, boathouse and hotel annexe. The hotel was richly furnished with treasures from around the world. Along with the development of the hotel Bled was also becoming a fashionable resort, so the Hotel Toplice (Spa hotel) is more than just a hotel – it is a proper institution, that in its long history has been visited by many celebrities. In 1931, the local Jula Molnar completely renovated it and thus built the most modern hotel in the then kingdom, of which the exterior has since remained virtually unchanged.
ACCESSIBILITY
The construction of the railroad in 1870 gave greater access to Bled, with visitors arriving as far as Lesce. After this period, a rapid tourist development of the town began. Bled is located in the north-western part of Slovenia, 47 km from the border with Austria and Italy. Today, you can access the town by highway and rail, with railway stations at Bled Jezero (lake). The Ljubljana Jože Pučnik International airport is 36 km away and only 4 km from Bled in Lesce is a sports airport. Around the lake there is an arranged footpath, which is 5.5 km long. There are also other walking paths and bike trails around the town and its surroundings.
COLD APPETIZER - Architecture and Aesthetics
The hotel is classic, sophisticated, restrained and elegant. During construction, they really knew how it should be done and were able to make a charming hotel at the best location on the lake. For over 80 years the hotel has been synonymous with luxury, prestige and quality. Although the glory days may have long gone, it is still a concept of a classic historic hotel. It is therefore also included in the Historic Hotels of the World and Small Luxury Hotels of the world chains, where it rightly belongs.
WARM APPETIZER - Staff and catering
The hotel belongs to the top of the Sava offer and throughout its history has trained many of Bled’s tourism workers. Its employees have for many years kept it on an upward trend and brought it its fame. A part of that spirit and charm has remained at Toplice to this day, the staff is extremely friendly and professional. There is a very diverse range of dishes for breakfast, with an interesting story of green food breakfasts with a traceable local origin. The offer is complemented by the top restaurant Juliana. Probably the most special place of all is a cocktail bar with one of the most beautiful views of the lake, which is also suitable for smaller, more intimate receptions.
MAIN DISH - Conference hotel service
The hotel rooms are arranged in the hotel’s spirit of grandiose and famous times. This means that in the rooms there is historical furniture, classic parquet flooring and a range of interesting ‘nostalgic’ furniture pieces that were restored in the recent renovation. The congress centre is appropriate for Slovenia’s most demanding protocol events. Events are mostly held in the multi-purpose Grand and Panorama halls, and particularly sympathetic are the Presidential Lounge and Bridge Room boardrooms.
DESSERT – The extras
Special meeting rooms with beautiful views of Lake Bled and Bled Island, which you will not find anywhere else in Slovenia.
FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES
Location by the main road to Bohinj. We are waiting for the promised Bled bypass…
TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES
Valuable stylish furniture for lovers of a historical convention experience.
OVERALL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY
In Slovenia, there are only a few hotels with such a long tradition and regular guests who like to return to Bled. The Hotel Toplice (Spa) remains one of these, regardless of the change of ownership and renovation of a hotel CLASSIC that gets under your skin. Changes since the last renewal have been welcome, but they did not deprive the hotel of its soul. This is the right hotel for sworn lovers of historical locations and a place where time slows down and almost stops. It is reminiscent of the period that many people long for.
FINAL GRADE: 4.35 BRONZE RESORT MEETING HOTEL
GOLD final score from 4.81 to 5.00
SILVER final score from 4.61 to 4.80
BRONZE final score from 4.41 to 4.60
