HIDDEN GUEST: Hotel Intercontinental Ljubljana

The “northern gates” of Ljubljana, where the northernmost traffic artery runs to the city centre, is perhaps the most picturesque part of the city. Following new urbanistic plans, the location became the home of two skyscrapers and two hotels, heralding a new age for Ljubljana’s hospitality industry. The first to open its doors was Intercontinental Ljubljana in 2017. We first evaluated the hotel before the pandemic, when its vis-a-vis counterpart was still under construction. Today, this part of Ljubljana is hard to recognise. The two towers represent Ljubljana’s symbolic gates, a stone’s throw away from the iconic Bavarski Dvor bus station. Many locals cultivate a fondness for this area because of what the two towers represent: the entry to and from the city centre, accessible by foot or bicycle. Bavarski Dvor is also the most frequented bus stop in Ljubljana. Buses roll in and out of here year-round between 4:30 and midnight. It is thus unsurprising to learn the location is so popular among hotel guests. All of Ljubljana’s most important institutions are nearby.

Ljubljana boasts one of the most extraordinary geostrategic positions in Europe. Hotel Intercontinental has an outstanding location within the city, as it is within spitting distance from the main bus and railway stop, currently undergoing extensive renovation. The new bus and train station in Ljubljana will radically transform Ljubljana’s multimodal accessibility. Even now, accessibility is one of the hotel’s advantages, with a dedicated parking garage for guests. Alternatively, guests can park in a spacious underground parking garage across the street. Opinions clash regarding Ljubljana’s air accessibility. Some advocate that accessibility is poor, others argue it is improving. Be that as it may, nine airports scattered across a 100-mile radius offer connections to over 230 destinations with 115 airlines. You are thus bound to make your way to the hotel somehow. Once you arrive, test our claim that Ljubljana is a pedestrian-and-cyclist-friendly city. Numerous urbanist projects and interventions have rendered Ljubljana a walkable and, more importantly, a cyclable city. That said, you will neither hear loud honking nor breathe polluted air in the city centre, meaning your attendees will likely have a memorable experience.

OFIS Architects designed the hotel building. Its facade is among the city’s most recognisable silhouettes. Since its inauguration, the building has gained acclaim as one of Ljubljana’s most luxurious high-rises. Only the Crystal Palace in the shopping district on the edge of Ljubljana eclipses it by a few metres. The metal plates adorning the facade act as a natural light reflector during the day, while at night, the dim, discreet lighting, the brainchild of Arcadia Lightwear, exudes luxury. We wish the architects had designed the hotel so as to seep into its surroundings, connecting it with the urban heartbeat. Still, we understand their idea of making a safe hideout, a home away from home. The nocturnal city centre, never asleep, is close yet far enough from the hotel next to a busy traffic crossroads. The interior is elegant, featuring spacious organically shaped loungers in the lobby. Ornate black details and exceptional lighting bedeck each area, appearing luxurious because of the motifs on each hotel floor. The colour palette, though classic and seen in countless Intercontinental hotels across Europe, is pleasant. Black and copper hues dominate the walls, and small details such as the stylish bee in the B Restaurant add an intriguing twist. Timeless elegance.

B Restaurant on the 20th floor has been a culinary must-visit for hotel guests and locals alike. Want to charm your guests and make an impression with superb cuisine? Look no further. The restaurant revolves its menu around Mediterranean fusion food, highlighting Slovenian dishes. To start your dining experience, we recommend the Isonzo Trio, including incredible beef tartare, a pâté made from Slovenian trout and fresh truffles. Another must-try Slovenian classic is the pearl barley soup. For the main course, do not overlook Slovenian pork combined with hummus from white beans and a green pepper sauce. The seasoned chef, Komnen Bakić, is a dessert master, too. His ice cream and sorbets are otherworldly. He spent years honing his knife and skills in various restaurants, including the legendary Ritz in London. The menus change according to season, giving guests another reason to return. When dining at the B Restaurant, you can savour the flavours, marvel at the cityscape views or be dazzled by the show kitchen, where the chef and his team create mouthwatering dishes. The breakfast is just as impressive and perhaps the best among Ljubljana’s larger hotels. We must praise the staff, who add value and instil life into the hotel. They are partly to blame for the excellent final mark of Intercontinental Ljubljana. Each is a top-tier ambassador of the Intercontinental hotel chain. The staff epitomises the meaning of hospitality with their professionalism, kindness and willingness to help.

Hotel rooms

Rooms in this hotel measure almost forty square metres on average. That is beyond any other hotel in Ljubljana. We stayed in the Superior Room, which boasts exceptional views of the Slovenian Alps. The room, dominated by hues of pastel brown, is complemented by intriguing flooring. The quality-made work desk, where hotel guests can work remotely, caught our attention. The wi-fi works flawlessly, as expected of such a hotel. The furniture in the room appears modern, even timeless, as does the bathroom with a separate shower and bathtub. We were very impressed by the cosmetics and shower. The bed was top-tier. Seven years have passed since the hotel opened its doors, yet everything feels almost brand new thanks to world-class maintenance. Due to the spaciousness, you will not feel confined even in the smallest room. If you want a royal stay, we suggest booking the King Deluxe Room or the Junior Suite. Also, ask the receptionist to book you a room on the upper floors. The views are stunning.

Meetings centre

The heart and soul of the conference hall is the Emona Hall, accommodating up to 300 participants for plenary sessions. Unfortunately, the hall is not flooded by daylight, as it is located on the basement floor. Still, the hall boasts modern equipment and a spacious foyer. Two smaller meeting rooms on the same floor are great for conferences. Two captivating halls, Ekorna 1 and 2, on the 19th floor, compensate for the lack of daylight in Emona Hall. They offer perhaps the most picture-postcard views of Ljubljana from any hotel hall in the city. For boutique meetings, there is also an adjacent executive boardroom. Club Intercontinental, also on the 19th floor, offers guests a tailored experience of staying in a hotel within a hotel. Although event organisers would love to host events on the terrace of the B Restaurant on the 20th floor, that is impossible because of the restaurant’s working hours. The terrace is undoubtedly breathtaking, though. Another possibility to host prestigious events in the hotel is to book the Presidential Suite, stretching 155 square metres and overlooking Ljubljana Castle towering over Ljubljana. Unforgettable!

DESSERT – The extras

Often, hotel spas are hidden in some secret corner of a hotel or tucked away in the basement floor. Not Spa Serenity in Intercontinental Ljubljana, though. The spa stretches the entire eighteenth floor and offers guests a superb selection of massages and treatments. You will long remember swimming in the hotel pool with views of Ljubljana.

FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES

We struggled to find any drawbacks. Even when the staff made occasional mistakes, they promptly intervened and corrected the impression. If we have to remark, managing the lights within the room is not very intuitive.

TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES

The utterly kind and professional staff help put this hotel head and shoulders above other hotels in Ljubljana. The entire experience of staying here was a pleasant surprise.

SUSTAINABLE ACTIVITIES

Intercontinental Ljubljana is a pioneer in sustainability among Ljubljana’s hotels. The hotel also acquired the Green Key certificate. To uphold the strict international standards for environment-friendliness, the hotel uses water and energy responsibly, manages waste and incorporates green cleaning processes. The hotel was rewarded with the Slovenia Green Accommodation and Slovenia Green Cuisine certificates for its efforts. Both accolades recognise the hotel’s aspirations to be sustainable, both as a hotel and culinary institution.

The most prestigious hotel in Ljubljana is far more than your run-of-the-mill five-star luxury hotel. It represents a quantum leap for the hospitality industry in Ljubljana for several reasons. First, the hotel service is without question among the best in Slovenia. Second, the functionality is unmatched. Everything is where you expect it to be, apart from the meeting halls on the basement floor. The hotel meets every expectation associated with the Intercontinental hotel chain. If not the most funky or outlandish brand, Intercontinental is most definitely the most earnest and passionate in fulfilling its ultimate goal – satisfying guests. Lastly, the hotel deserves a bow for its pioneering sustainable initiatives.

Although the hotel may seem reserved in design boldness, its array of design solutions will surprise any guest. The hotel’s details are synonymous with quality, comfort and prestige. We were delighted that the hotel advanced in all segments compared to our first evaluation. Indeed, this hotel in Ljubljana has a bright future.

FINAL GRADE: 4.92 GOLD 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