ŠIŠKA DE LUXE
LOCATION
Šiška is a part of Ljubljana with a distinct identity. The charm of this city quarter is a consequence of the former politics of decentralising the city. It is characterised by the traffic artery Celovška cesta, along which one can find the hotel ONE66. It is also intriguing that this part of Ljubljana was once renowned for numerous restaurants and diverse gastronomic offers, cultural activities and hotels. The newly-opened hotel has integrated all of this in an eclectic concentrate of Šiška’s history. Above all, the successful transformation of the formerly degraded township into a guest-friendly environment is remarkable. ONE66 Hotel is a self-proclaimed rebel against classic hoteliers, and we can confirm they succeeded in their endeavour.
ACCESSIBILITY
Albeit ONE66 does not have a location in the city centre, one can walk or cycle to the heart of town. The hotel will provide you with a bicycle, and a four-kilometre ride will take you right to Prešeren Square. Celovška cesta is one of the main city traffic arteries, meaning that public transport is excellent. Arriving by car is easy as the city bypass is only a shot away. Parking is free of charge for guests, with 35 parking spots and two electric charging stations available. The path from the hotel is shorter to the airport than from the city centre. The airport is 17 kilometres away or about fifteen minutes by car. ONE66 also offers transport by electric car. Altogether, the location is superb, while the excellent accessibility is complemented by well-managed public transport that enables one to get around Ljubljana in no time.
COLD STARTER - Architecture and aesthetics
The architects had to renovate the original building dating to 1967 and give it a new look. They excelled in their task. The once grey modernistic building shined in a new light with its brick facade and architectural interventions. In the interior, the owners developed an eclectic architectural style familiar from their bars across the city, most notably Čin Čin. Loft, the social area, is the heart of the hotel and bears the author’s signature. It is where the functions of the space intertwine in a friendly and unobtrusive manner. The reception area is, likewise, brilliantly thought out. Although small, its copper ceiling makes it appealing and highly exclusive. All industrial design lovers will be undoubtedly astonished by the remarkable details.
WARM ENTRÉE - The staff and the culinary experience
As suitable for a hotel of its type, the staff is casual. The youthful easy-going does not affect professionality a bit. All employees are top professionals. In a hotel of this type, we do not seek Michelin stars but authentic local cuisine. That is why one is thrilled upon learning that the legendary team of Dobra Vila is behind gastronomy. In practice, this means tasty pizzas, burgers and much more. As a result, the Loft has become a household name among locals who quickly adopted the offer and ambient. Although we did not try the breakfast, according to the opinions of satisfied guests, it is world-class and served a la carte directly from the dandy Airstream due to current epidemiological restrictions. The entire hotel’s maintenance is exemplary, and its clinical cleanliness is an additional advantage.
MAIN COURSE – The meetings offering at the hotel
Hotel rooms
The hotel offers five types of rooms whose common denominators are colourfulness and the use of quality materials. The wooden floors appear pleasant whilst the walls are reminiscent of rough industrial design. Their opposite is the selection of retro pieces of furniture and unmistakable posters. On top of the offer are apartments with a small handy kitchen. The most basic room type is charismatic single rooms that amazed us with the innovative bathroom solution. The rooms, and particularly apartments, are ideal for longer stays. It is no surprise the hotel has become sought after by digital nomads whilst athletes are in love with the bed dimensions.
Meetings centre
Have you ever organised an event below a basketball hoop or played a game of table tennis during a coffee break? All of that is available at one of the most unconventional congress halls in Ljubljana. The hall can indeed capacitate only up to 100 participants or less according to restrictions. Nonetheless, the whole package with the Loft and the smaller conference room is convincing. If you are looking for a special venue instead of classic congress capacities, the Loft is unmistakeably the right address. Ljubljana needed such an intriguing offer.
DESSERT – The extras
The 166 Gallery is dedicated to lovers of posters from different periods of Slovenian history. Your tour across hotel corridors thus might take longer than expected. The posters are classified according to periods. It would be fantastic if the hotel sold them, as they would make stand-out pieces in home offices.
FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES
Even the most hairsplitting guests will hardly find any drawbacks the hotel might have. Perhaps only a note on the size of the parking. If you organise your event here, the parking can be quickly full. Luckily, there are alternative options for parking in the vicinity.
TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES
The hotel will promptly receive the Green Key certificate and is endeavouring to be sustainable. Hotel ONE66’s sustainable aspirations are manifested in their “Eat as a local” concept and their ludicrous shop featuring local products, a sanctuary for abandoned plants and whatnot.
FINAL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY
The hotel’s slogan “Your best friend in Ljubljana” is affirmed by satisfied guests. Everyone was eager for this hotel with a story to open its doors. Driving across Celovška cesta, one can easily overlook the hotel at first glance. However, upon close examination, we fell in love with the hotel and were convinced by its attributes. The idea is not entirely new, and we have seen similar hotels in other European cities. Still, it is a content-and-design-wise brand new story in Ljubljana. From the viewpoint of the city’s congress offer, the hotel is a welcome addition to the market. We do not doubt that they will not run out of work once epidemiological restrictions are lifted. Superb!
FINAL GRADE: 4.82 SILVER City 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
