Hotel Vitarium - Terme Krka

The dinner I had there was great, and breakfast with friends was fantastic too, with plenty of options and sparkling wine. It costs 20 Euros, and I’d say the same about dinner. Still, this used to be a really top hotel in the area. I’m from Novo mesto and once considered staying there, but it feels far too expensive to me, and the staff don’t meet the standards of a 4-star hotel. I wanted to introduce it as one of the area’s best, but that changed after security was called on me just because I was recording myself introducing the hotel. Please don’t talk with guests, since apparently that isn’t allowed there, and don’t ever mention my name, especially not to mr.Jernej Vegelj or mr.Božič the general manager. They might call security and kick you out, especially if you mention my name. If you don’t talk, just smile, and don’t complain about anything, you might be okay, since the hotel is part of Terme Krka. But talking to guests or filming can really upset them, especially the managers and some others, as you can see in the video on youtube Goljufi Slovenija Hotel Šmarješke toplice!

It’s a pleasant place to stay, comfortable without being pompous, with world-class service. The staff are really friendly and accommodating. There’s a pretty forest next door where you can walk for hours.

The air conditioning barely worked, and even with it blasting I couldn’t cool down for hours last night. There was also a constant, aggravating squeak from the bathroom radiator next to our room. We had to agree to spam emails just to use the WiFi, and the water tasted worse than any we’ve had in Slovenia so far. We came for massages, but none were available Saturday. Nobody told me we had to book ahead. We’d booked a suite at a spa and thought that would be enough notice, especially since the website said “direct access to thermal pools and the wellness center.” It didn’t feel very direct when we couldn’t get access. The outdoor pools were closed Friday, too, which was our second biggest reason for coming. We were also vastly unprepared for how much it felt like an old folks home, with 99% senior citizens. That isn’t the vibe we’d have chosen for our honeymoon. As for meals, we found out we could only eat at the low end restaurant, which wasn’t very good, even though there were two nicer restaurants. Nobody offered the nicer options, and I would’ve happily paid extra for good food. This has been the worst food we’ve had in Slovenia over nine days.

The rooms are so soundproof that I slept like a baby despite my usual sleeping problems. The downside is the food: breakfast, lunch, and dinner are so delicious you’ll surely gain weight, but it’s worth it! They also have pool exercise twice a day, Nordic walking, and lots of other activities to help reshape your body into a healthier, more appealing one.