Slovakia - Eastern Europe - page 629

Tatranská Lomnica 8. & 052/446-7941. Fax [phone]. www.grandhotelpraha.sk. 98 units. 3,900 Sk
($130/£71) double. AE, DC, MC, V. Electric railroad station: Tatranská Lomnica. Amenities: Restaurant; indoor pool;
health club and spa; bike and ski rental; concierge; limited room service; massage; nonsmoking rooms. In room:TV,
minibar, hair dryer, safe.
Grand Hotel Star; Smokovec Like the Grandhotel Praha, the Grand Hotel
Star ; Smokovec is a beautifully faded anachronism trying hard to win over new cus-
tomers. The hotel's immense Alpine-neo-baroque facade (how else to describe it?), so
au courant in 1906 when the hotel was first built, smiles over the resort like a rich,
benevolent auntie, lending a sense of grace and civility to the entire town. The large
and comfortable rooms have been completely modernized. Ask for a room with a bal-
cony for a commanding view of the valley. But the real draws here are the public areas,
including the picture-perfect, period-piece cafe, restaurant, “Rondo” room, and
“Cristal” bar. The location is a big advantage; just a few steps up from the electric rail-
road station in Star ; Smokovec, and with some of the best hikes just outside the hotel's
back door.
Star; Smokovec. & 052/478-8000. Fax [phone]. www.grandhotel.sk. 83 units. 3,600 Sk ($120/£66) double.
AE, DC, MC, V. Electric railroad station: Star; Smokovec. Amenities: Restaurant; indoor pool; spa; bike and ski rental;
limited room service; massage; nonsmoking rooms. In room:TV, minibar, hair dryer, safe.
Expensive
Hotel Tulipán/Best Western The only hotel in the area so far to be managed
by a major Western hotel chain, and the Best Western polish shows through in staff
training and in the modern, no-nonsense-but-comfortable rooms. The property is on
the small side, occupying what looks like a big house just outside the center of Tatran-
ská Lomnica, about 15 minutes walk from the electric railroad station. The on-site
wellness center is small but spick-and-span. Unusual for Slovakia, all the rooms have
computers with Internet access and the hotel is nonsmoking throughout.
Tatranská Lomnica 63. & 052/478-0611. Fax [phone]. www.bwtulipan.sk. 15 units. 3,000 Sk ($100/£55) dou-
ble. AE, DC, MC, V. Electric railroad station: Tatranská Lomnica. Amenities: Restaurant; health club and spa; bike and
ski rental; concierge; limited room service; massage; nonsmoking rooms. In room: Some A/C, TV, dataport (in-room
Internet), minibar, hair dryer, safe.
Penzión Vila Park This inviting, smaller hotel in the center of Tatranská Lom-
nica is particularly suited to walkers and climbers. The owner is a mountain guide, who
can help you plan your assault on the peaks or gentler walks along the “Magistrale” hik-
ing trail. Even the facilities seem aimed at purists. You won't find rowdy bars and smoky
billiard rooms; instead it's simple, no-nonsense furnishings for those who are here to
commune with nature. That said, the prices are relatively high for what's offered.
Tatranská Lomnica 37. & 052/478-0911. Fax [phone]. www.vilapark.sk. 12 units. 2,600 Sk ($87/£48) dou-
ble. AE, DC, MC, V. Electric railroad station: Tatranská Lomnica. Amenities: Restaurant; bike rental. In room:TV.
Moderate
Hotel Smokovec A cheaper alternative to the Grand Hotel, offering the same
excellent location, near the Star ; Smokovec electric railroad station, at about two-
thirds the price. What you sacrifice is ambience. The simple, dormitory-style rooms
were built for sleeping and not for lingering. That said, the standards for cleanliness
and efficiency are high and facilities like an indoor pool and wellness center offer good
value for money. Ask for a room facing the mountains.
Star; Smokovec. & 052/442-5191. Fax [phone]. www.hotelsmokovec.sk. 30 units. 2,400 Sk ($80/£44) dou-
ble. AE, DC, MC, V. Electric railroad station: Star; Smokovec. Amenities: Restaurant; indoor pool; health club and spa;
bike and ski rental; limited room service; massage. In room:TV, minibar.