HIDDEN GUEST: Hotel Maribor

At first, it was just a house, old and abandoned, like many others in Maribor. It was waiting for its dusty story to be rediscovered and rewritten. On the place, where the main city square narrows and continues into the Koroška Ulica, a famous brewery was standing already in the 18. century. Today, as the main square shines in a brand new look and the cars have been replaced by pedestrians, we can state that the Hotel Maribor has a great location. Just a stone’s throw away down the narrow cobbled street, leading to the Drava river, the Garden Rooms are situated, which are part of the Hotel Maribor and also share the reception and dining room with the Hotel Maribor. In one or the other part of the hotel, you will be in the very heart of Maribor and its vibrant city life.

Maribor, the second largest Slovenian city, lies close to the border with Austria and is well known to Austrian and German guests. Unfortunately, the Maribor Airport never reached its full potential, and that is why the Graz Airport, a half-hour drive away, is the closest one to Maribor. From the Ljubljana or Zagreb Airport, you will need around an hour and a half. The airport connectivity has been improving in the past years, but this atypical year is best to be quickly forgotten. Although the Main Square has this year become a pedestrian-only zone, the atrium of the hotel, serving as a private parking, is still accessible for hotel guests. There are also a few parking houses near the hotel. Your walking trip around Maribor can be eased by sitting in the back seat of the electric mini-vehicle “Maister”, which can seat 6 passengers and take them through the city centre.

The complete renovation and repurposing of the old buildings is certainly a challenge for investors and architects, who must follow the cultural heritage regulations and at the same time think of the guests’ needs. Five years of careful renovation and attention to every historical detail ended with the opening of Hotel Maribor in 2017. Particularly praise-worthy is the owners’ sense of aesthetics and history, which can be felt from the moment you step into the Gostilna Maribor. With so many kept details and objects from a former time, the guest gets the pleasant feeling of being at home and a respect for tradition. In this sense, the guests will also be amazed by the restored staircase and cellar, which is home to the Apoteka, a pleasant space for smaller groups. In the other part of the hotel – The Garden Rooms, you will be for sure amazed by the atrium, which is the centre of the action and with its aesthetics and greenery invites guests to relax.

The added value for the guests is Gostilna Maribor with genuine local hospitality. The whole concept is based on combining traditional Styrian cuisine and adding an urban culinary twist. In the morning you can enjoy the breakfast, featuring home bread with no additives, and at any time you are invited to come back for a typical Styrian lunch or dinner. Maribor is mostly known for its quality wines, but as part of the brewing tradition, Gostilna Maribor also has its own house beer.

Hotel rooms

The urban chic is the silver lining, which you will encounter in the City apartments and in the Garden Rooms. The special touch is the select lights, some coming from the time when the Elko factory was still active in Maribor. The apartments with a modern kitchen are also suitable for longer stays. Judging by the plans of the investor, Hotel Maribor will soon be joined by another location and become a distinguishable brand in the heart of Maribor.

Meetings centre
Four elegant and aesthetically perfected spaces all with the daylight offer complete privacy and modern infrastructure:

• Czeike room for up to 20 persons
• Tappeiner room for up to 80 persons
• Apartma 302 for up to 20 persons
• Apoteka (Pharmacy) for up to 60 persons (standing reception)

Coming soon
Žički dvor is a historical building from the 14th century, located on the bank of the Drava river that is being renovated and will serve as a spectacular venue for larger events and conferences.

DESSERT – The extras

Two other restaurants are inseparable from Hotel Maribor, as they are part of the Gosposka group. The multiply-awarded fine-dining restaurant Rožmarin has been delighting guests with modern Mediterranean cuisine and a wide range of wines since 2006. The second one is the next door restaurant SteakHouse, where the offer is based on beef and creatively-made burgers. The hotel guests are awarded a discount in the restaurants.

FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES

We expected the apartments, especially the ones with terraces on the higher floors, to be offering beautiful views of the city and the surrounding green hills. The hotel’s facade was built following the regulations set by the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of Slovenia. By following these rules, the hotel, unfortunately, cannot have open terraces.

TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES

A tiny detail such as a glass of the incredible local wine can make the first impression when entering the room, even more memorable. Just as impressive is the high-quality Danish natural cosmetics Meraki, which can also be bought in the hotel.

If you are looking for accommodation for a smaller group of business guests, history or gastronomy lovers, the Hotel Maribor will be the best choice. The location in the city centre with quick access to the city’s green oasis – Pohorje, the excellent conditions for meetings and smaller conferences in the hotel, the culinary experience and the authentic hospitality are Hotel Maribor’s biggest advantages. We are certain that guests will appreciate the owners’ efforts to give a new purpose to the decaying houses in the city centre.

FINAL GRADE: 4.81 GOLD Boutique 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