Grand Hotel Union Executive, Ljubljana

This really is an exceptional hotel. Built in the last days of the Austro-Hungarian empire it has survived the communist years to emerge,recently totally renovated, to be by far the best hotel in Slovenia's capital Ljubljana.

Rated 4 stars its likley to go to 5 stars following the Queen of England' s recent state visit to Slovenia when she stayed two nights at this hotel.
The rooms are very large and ,as mentioned above, recently ...
...the usual hotel room design with a central island holding the TV above and the mini bar below.
The room lighting is worth a mention, all types of light were available from soft mood to bright working light, wall lights , hidden lighting and bed side lights .
Only thing missing from the room was a tea and coffee service,but in my experience this is often the case in 4 star+ hotels where they tend to push you towards room service rather ... more

This really is an exceptional hotel. Built in the last days of the Austro-Hungarian empire it has survived the communist years to emerge,recently totally renovated, to be by far the best hotel in Slovenia's capital Ljubljana.

Rated 4 stars its likley to go to 5 stars following the Queen of England' s recent state visit to Slovenia when she stayed two nights at this hotel.
The rooms are very large and ,as mentioned above, recently renovated, The one we stayed in was pleasently different from the usual hotel room design with a central island holding the TV above and the mini bar below.
The room lighting is worth a mention, all types of light were available from soft mood to bright working light, wall lights , hidden lighting and bed side lights .
Only thing missing from the room was a tea and coffee service,but in my experience this is often the case in 4 star+ hotels where they tend to push you towards room service rather than making your own coffee in the room.
The hotel has retained its Edwardian elegance both inside and out and the lobby is a joy to walk through.

There is a coffee lounge and bar as well as two restaurents, the latter are first class but expencive and its worth noteing that there are dozens of good eating places in close walking distance.
The hotel service is first class and is what you would expect from a first class hotel,any complaints were delt with quickly and with much concern, my only complaint was that the room maids were too noisy too early in the morning, talking and crashing about in the hall ways at 7am. (interestingly they did not do it on the days the Queen was staying).
A good selection of tours and business services are are available as well as a very good airport shuttle service which can be booked in advance ,before you travel, without having to pay up front, this is very useful as the airport is a good 30 min drive and it was very helpful to have a private car waiting for you when you arrive in a place you are not familiar with.
Car hire is simple and quick and there is a Buget car hire office in the hotel
The hotel is perfectly placed for weekend breaks, set in the old part of the town close to the castle, the restaurents, the really good street cafes as well as the museums and places of interest. This old town is very nice indeed, full of deco style buildings all cleaned and well lit ,it a joy to just stroll about and take a coffee by the river.

Three days is enough to see the city and we hired a car for 2 days to vistit the coast (only 100 miles south and very warm in Oct!) the incredibale cave system where you ride an underground train for a 5 k trip through the best caves ive ever seen (40 miles south) and of course Lake Bled, the prettiest spot in country and a MUST see ( 30 miles north)

The hotel is not the cheapest around but at about £80 for a 4 star inc a first rate buffet beakfast its cheap for what you get,and what you get is a great place to stay,just ask the queen!

Tip:- The hotel Union Executive and the Hotel Union Business are joined by a walk way ,be sure to book for the Executive, the other hotel is an old holiday inn bought up and added on for business users and it quite poor. The superb indoor swimming pool is situated in the second hotel ,on the ninth floor and is well worth useing. 

...less