Zvarac Hotel, Bratislava

Bratislava has no end of top quality hotels with all the major international chains represented; many of them are superbly located and command terrific views over the Danube. However, such splendid surroundings are beyond the reach of the average backpacker and it is a much more humble accommodation I describe here.

We found ourselves at Zvarac when the accommodation we'd booked in advance over the internet had let us down. After much wrangling about return of deposit and assistance to find alternative accommodation we set off for Zvarac. Full of bravado and wincing with embarrassment that my assertiveness had not resulted in the hostel manager organising a complimentary taxi to the other accommodation, I decided to cut off my nose and spite my face by making the journey on foot, carrying a heavy rucksack. My partner was not so keen on the spiting ones face idea but wasn't allowed the option of taking the tram which we had been advised would get us there in minutes.

You see, Zvarac could not be classed as central. However, if one is less stubborn than myself, you can be there in a matter of minutes from the city's main train station or main shopping street in a matter of minutes by taking the tram (3, 5 or 11) for only a few Slovakian Crowns (just pence really).

It is situated just off a huge road intersection which is so "Soviet bloc" its unreal. A confusing maelstrom of traffic lights, crossing points, tram lines and trolley buses, and surrounding those apartments blocks so typical of eastern Europe. Zvarac, though, it set back from the road, at the end of a leafy approach. It is an mnay storeyed building with not much to remark upon; if you saw it in the UK you would assume it a 1970s public building or office block.

"Zvarac" is Slovakian for "welder" and this building is actually the Slovakian Welding Institute - how eastern European is that - where else would you stay the night at a welding institute? Nowhere! The "reception" was just a small counter inside the main door, where we were able to communicate, mostly by sign language and mime that the other hostel had telephoned to reserve us a room. However an English speaking staff member arrived soon after and cheerfully helped us locate the nearest bank, gave us a map of the city and showed us where to catch the tram into town.

The rooms are of the cell type, which means that you get two keys; the first is for the "flatlet," for want of a better word, and this gains you entry to the hallway. From here there are two doors and one is your room. The other is another bedroom and the two rooms share a bathroom which is off the hallway. When we stayed there there were a handful of higher standard rooms with own toilet and shower and also a radio, a televisoin and a fridge in the room. There has been much work of late, according to a Slovakian friend of mine and there are now more of these rooms available.

Our room contained two single beds, made up with crisp, fresh linen, a small wardrobe and some drawers. The colours were somwhat drab (mosses, rusts, etc) but nonetheless clean and tidy. There was also a selection of fresh, fragrant clean towels. There was a huge picture window which looked out on some pretty woodland to the rear of the building but, unfortunately, there were no curtains or blinds, just thin nets, so we were woken earlier than we would have liked when the sun rose.

The bathroom, too, was clean, although the water pressure was not great (and this makes rinsing your hair a real nightmare job!). There was a small selection of complimentary toiletries and being the first there we got to swipe them! My only complaint was that the door to the shower room was mostly a bark effect, tinted perspex which I'm sure was see-through.

The best thing about this place was the massive corridors, which had huge archaic TV sets at the end but seemingly nothing on which to sit to watch them! This too screamed "eastern Europe" at me (you'll have picked up by now that I have a finely tuned idea of what constitutes eastern Europe!)

Prices have increased since slightly since our stay when a double room cost roughly £14.00 for wo people in a standard twin room. However, prices now include a continental style buffet breakfast which I am told is very good. The most expensive room is an A grade double priced at 34.64 Euro, inclusive of breakfast. Cheapest is a standard single priced at 17.96 Euro. Full price details can be found via the website listed at the end.

This accommodation was fantastic value and while we had hoped to stay closer to town, was only a couple of minutes by tram or bus from the major sights. Think about it - a budget flight to Bratislava, cheap but very cheerful accommodation - it leaves a lot extra in the wallet for a trip down the Danube or a slap up meal in one of Bratislava's fantastic restaurants. Look after the pennies....

"Zvarac"
Pionierska 17
83259 Bratislava

tel - ++421 24924 6600

www.bratislavahotels.com/hotel-zvarac-br​atislava