Hotel Grand

The welcome wasn't especially friendly, and both the rooms and the rest of the hotel could use a major renovation. Breakfast was pretty basic. We were there while cycling through Slovakia; we didn't try the restaurant, though it looked better. If I returned to Zilina, I'd look elsewhere. Calling this four-star average seems generous.

The view and location do a lot of the work here. It's quite old, but still okay. Breakfast is very basic.

The room was clean, but badly dated, with no air conditioning and a noisy portable fan. The elevator only reaches the second floor, so getting to the room means climbing two short sets of stairs and then a full flight. The hotel's one clear advantage is being right in the city centre. I paid €84 for the room, €7 for parking, and €15 for the dog. Booking said breakfast was included. In the morning I went downstairs and took a coffee and tea in what looked like the hotel restaurant near reception. I had to pay €4.50, which wasn't really the issue. Apparently the actual restaurant is on the other side of the hotel, through two doors. Our room keys were on the table while we drank, but nobody said we were in the wrong place. So the breakfast that might have made the price easier to accept didn't work out either. There are many better, more modern hotels nearby at the same price, with air conditioning and an elevator. I can't understand the positive reviews here.

The place seemed neglected, and the lift didn't have a sticker showing its last inspection date. The staff were indifferent, the fridge was so noisy I had to switch it off, and there was mold on the breakfast tomatoes. I expected more from a historic Grand Hotel. I've stayed at much better hotels in the area for similar money.