Vila Bojana

This was the worst experience of my vacation in Slovenia. I strongly recommend choosing another hotel, even if it’s farther from the lake. It’s a disgrace to the other very good Slovenian hotels and to pretty Bled and its lake. Good luck if you stay here. They call it a four-star hotel, but apart from the sign on the wall outside, the only thing that feels star-rated is the very old-fashioned style. It looks like a two-star place near my home, and the owners are 80 years old. It probably hasn’t been renovated since Yugoslavia. They don’t accept credit cards, though at least they did switch from Slovenian tolars to euros. My room wasn’t clean. I found chips by the bed. Maybe they were meant as a gift, but they should have been put on the table or bed like in a standard hotel. The bathroom was a damp, moldy mess, with moisture on the walls that could practically be sold as a business. The curtains were so thin they could be used for cigarettes. With the sun coming up at 6 a.m., I hope you didn’t spend the night at the casino, or your sleep will be short. Have you seen The Shining? This place felt like a terrible remake, with the same oppressive atmosphere, noisy floors, and heavy decor. Thankfully there’s no elevator, so you won’t see any blood, and there’s no maze or anyone chasing you with an axe.

There was a strange smell in the room, and the bathroom was dirty. The shower curtain had mold, and the bathtub, especially around the window, had thick limescale. I can only hope the sheets had been changed. Definitely look under the bed. This is not a four-star hotel. The location was fine and breakfast was alright, but the coffee had no taste at all.

I booked seven nights and regret spending my money here. I normally read reviews first, and wish I had this time. It’s not an awful place, but it’s definitely not four stars, or even three. The hotel is very old and smelly, though the room did seem clean. It was warm, and the heating worked very well, which is the only reason I’m giving it three stars. Breakfast was the same every day: eggs, ham, some cheese, and a few other things, plus yogurt and cereal if you wanted something sweet. Don’t expect anything delicious. As someone who likes breakfast, I was disappointed. The website says an iron and toiletries are included. I brought my own toiletries, but they should provide them as stated. There wasn’t even soap to wash my hands. After a few days I had to ask for toilet paper, and nobody brought any, not even the person cleaning the room. The WiFi was a disaster, so keep that in mind if you’re visiting from another country and have limited phone data. The rooms are right next to each other, with thin walls, so I could hear my neighbors clearly and struggled to sleep until I bought earplugs. It felt overpriced for the standard, unless they offer better rates for larger groups. I traveled alone and wouldn’t recommend it. The location was nice, and one staff member spoke English very well and was friendly. The rest of the staff were a bit rude.

It’s a quiet, comfortable hotel right in downtown Bled, with a peaceful feel for exploring the town and nearby area. The rooms are large and the beds are good quality. Staff are friendly and smiley, and even a check-in after midnight was welcomed. Breakfast starts early and has a generous buffet with fresh coffee.