Terme Olimia - Hotel Breza

The location is the one real plus. Parking isn't reserved for hotel guests, so you're competing with people visiting the pool and spa. Our room was tiny, though the bed was okay, and the bathroom was cramped and slippery. They provided an all-in-one soap instead of shampoo and conditioner, and there was no proper hairdryer. The included spa ticket doesn't cover the nicer Orhideja spa, which costs an extra 33euro per person. Breakfast was okay, but there were no vegan choices beyond soy milk, and the coffee didn't taste like coffee. For the modern-day price, the accommodation felt like something from the communist era. I'm not sure how this qualifies as a 4 star hotel.

We were happy with the service and the accommodation. The rooms were tidy and cleaned regularly, and both the food and drinks were very good. One small letdown: I asked reception to remove the wasp from the window, but it was still there two days later.

The staff made us feel welcome, and the grounds were kept clean and tidy each day. We enjoyed the pools and terme spa, plus there was plenty to do, from biking and trails to activities on the campus. Maribor is also about an hour and something away by car for a city break. We stayed three nights with our son and my wife on our first Slovenia trip, and of the three places we visited, this felt like the best value for money. It was still a bit expensive for us, but easier to justify than the other two. Our room was clean and comfortable, though it felt a bit forgotten in time and could use improvement. The restaurant food was great for quality, quantity, and variety. We also ate at the other restaurant and liked that food too. Free dinner drinks, as at breakfast, would make the meal better. We enjoyed walking through the pedestrian tunnel between the hotel room and the terme. It shows a bit of the place's history, and it was nice to see it looking better each time. We definitely recommend the stay and have saved it for a future visit.

The breakfast was the one bright spot in our half-board stay, with plenty of choice, although the food needed seasoning. Dinner was disappointing. Meat, whether steak or chicken, came medium rare, which many guests may find off-putting, while most dishes were very dry. Even the medium-rare chicken breast was drier than Jesus's sandals. The drinks machine was available at breakfast but locked away at dinner, so the options were to pay extra or go thirsty. We paid around 250 EUR per night for a standard double room for a couple of nights at Hotel Breza, and the experience didn't come close to the price. Entrance fees nearly double on Fridays, weekends, and holidays. Weekdays are more bearable price wise, but still don't feel worth it. For a better stay, I'd choose Terme Sv. Martin, just 70 km away, which does better on service, food, and value. The rooms felt heavily outdated. The beds were uncomfortable, the pillows too soft and bulky, the heating/HVAC didn't work, and both the bathroom and shower were cramped. By most standards, this didn't feel like a real 4-star hotel, though it might qualify under wellness criteria. The pool was lukewarm and sometimes cold, and the jacuzzis were rarely on during weekdays. We came off-season, when the hotel was still about 60% full, mostly with locals. On Fridays and weekends the atmosphere changes completely, with lots of kids and teenagers screaming, jumping, and treating it like a playground. It wasn't a peaceful wellness experience. Reception was confusing at the start. As first-time visitors, we expected a quick explanation of the facilities and where to find them, but were just pointed toward our room. One plus was that the staff spoke and understood Croatian. The guy at reception answered our questions and even helped us get painkillers, which we truly appreciated.