Grand hotel Stary Smokovec

The hotel made a wonderful wedding venue for us, and we couldn't have chosen a better place. The staff were professional, friendly and helpful, and the planning was beyond our expectations from the first venue viewing through the wedding day. Everything went smoothly, with extraordinary food, plenty of drink choices and fantastic service. Our guests from the USA, England, Norway, Brazil and Venezuela were impressed by the lovely rooms and views, the service, and how well everyone spoke English. As a Slovakian, I felt incredibly proud of this gem in the High Tatras. It's in a fantastic spot, with easy access to the train to Hrebienok and lots to see in the surrounding village. I highly recommend it for a stay, and especially for a wedding!

We were very happy with our stay and would love to return to this historic hotel. The location is excellent, just a few minutes from the electric railway stop, and the staff were all friendly and professional. We were there for International Women's Day, and each woman received a flower, which was a lovely touch. Our room was clean and spacious, with a very comfortable bed. Breakfast was great, with a wide choice of hot and cold dishes and a few new options each morning. The wellness area is large, with several saunas, a small cold-water pool and a bar. There's also a swimming pool, though it isn't suitable for swimming because the water and air are so warm.

The staff made our stay one to remember. They even found our son's phone after he left it in the room. The hotel is right in the heart of town, with the train station, mountain train and amenities all within easy walking distance, so we left the car parked for the whole stay. The southern-facing rooms have a spectacular view, and ours was clean and spacious. The bathrooms could be more functional, with showers instead of baths. The renovated swimming pool and excellent sauna area were a real plus. Half board met our expectations: the breakfasts were generous, though the dinners could have had more vegetarian choices.

Half board was a good choice. Breakfast and dinner are both buffets, with hot and cold options in the morning and plenty at dinner, from starters, meat, fish, vegetables and pasta to desserts. A chef also prepares other kinds of eggs at breakfast and a different special each evening. The staff throughout the hotel were friendly and helpful, and we thought the price matched what we got. After lunch at the lobby restaurant Wilson, we tried the wellness area. It was kept clean throughout our stay and is unusually well equipped: one section has a pool, large jacuzzi, loungers and bar, while the other has a smaller jacuzzi, infrared, steam and Finnish saunas, a salt room, cooling pool and Kneipp bath. The hotel's natural cosmetics were a nice detail. We arrived shortly after lunch to find room 120 ready, and a kind gentleman welcomed us at reception. We chose the hotel for its location near the cable car to Hrebienok and its history. Although it's a historic building, the renovation has preserved its original features nicely. Look around the interior for photos and descriptions of the many notable people who've stayed here. Booking direct may be worth it: we got a discount as well as free access to the cable cars and water parks during our stay, and the GoPass points can be used toward other services. More on @larmarluxury.