Rikli Balance Hotel

Location is the main reason to consider this hotel. It’s in one of the better spots in Bled, and if that’s your priority, it’s fine. The staff seem well trained and generally do a solid job, and the hotel is above the basic hygiene standards I’d expect at this level. Still, for this price, I’d look closely at other options and the extra charges. The hotel says it was renovated in 2018, which I believe, but the work seems to have been done on a tight budget. Rooms are very basic, the double bed has separate mattresses that make sleeping uncomfortable, and the bathrooms are below what I’d expect from a 4-star hotel. The walls and floors in the stairwells are badly worn, giving the place a rustic, or really rather run-down, feel. Breakfast has lots of food but feels like a large mass-market family resort in Greece or Turkey. It’s all very basic, more like something for a children’s excursion group than a 4-star hotel. The breakfast process and hotel bar also need significant improvement. Guests pay €10 per day to park in front of the hotel. Sauna use in the wellness area costs €20 per person, despite what Booking.com said when I booked. It wasn’t hard to find that information, and this approach seems somewhat characteristic of Bled generally. We’d only encountered similar practices in places like San Francisco and Switzerland (Basel). It doesn’t match the standards we’re used to in most European countries or Asia, especially at this hotel’s price range.

The room was average in size and had the essentials, including coffee, tea, and a kettle. There was also a refrigerator stocked with drinks for purchase, though there was no toothbrush or toothpaste, as many hotels are moving in that direction. Some rooms have very good views, and the location is good. Service was good too, and the food was great. We had dinner in the hotel restaurant. The buffet had a great selection, with excellent seabass and really good lamb. I had breakfast the next morning, and the choices were perfect. It’s one of the few hotels in Europe where I’ve been happy with the breakfast menu and options. I’d recommend staying here.

Bright and clean, with a comfortable bed and a beautiful buffet offering plenty of food choices. The modern style includes natural details and touches of Slovenian culture in the decor.

The views were lovely, especially from a lakeview room, and the hotel seems to have had some renovation. Its location is good, but the overall stay was mediocre because the service had gaps. During our three-night visit, the room wasn’t made up on two nights, which is unacceptable. Housekeeping didn’t understand English, and the front desk staff didn’t seem to care much about our issues. Only one elevator was working. There’s no gym at the hotel either; you have to go to a sister hotel ten minutes away, and its gym is very basic. So it’s a hit-and-miss place, despite the lovely views.