Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
City Hall building (Tartinijev trg 2;
&
05/673-4440
). The students who work there
can help you with most anything, including trips to
Izola, Hrastovlje,
and
Se
c
ovlje
Salt-pans Nature Park,
recommended if you have time.
WHERE TO STAY
Historic Piran is where you should base yourself, but there are no luxurious options
here. If you need your pampering there are numerous upmarket modern resorts with
spa facilities that line the waterfront at nearby Portoroz; of these
Grand Hotel Palace
(www.hoteli-palace.si) is the best option. Back in Piran, serious budget-hunters may
be interested to hear of good-value
Val Hostel
(Gregor
c
i
c
eva 38a;
&
05/673-2555;
www.hostel-val.com), offering accommodations in two-, three-, and four-bed rooms
for 20
€
to 24
€
($25-$30) per person, breakfast included; facilities are shared, but
clean.
Hotel Tartini
This classic hotel gets a star for its great position right on Tartini
Square—which is why it's usually full in summer months. Other than this it's a fairly
standard place with a slightly ramshackle feel; the atrium-style lobby was actually once
a road, the hotel having been constructed from two separate houses that were on dif-
ferent sides of the street. The best thing about Tartini is the view of Piran's rooftops
afforded by climbing to the gazebo above the second-floor terrace where, until
recently, there was a pool. Guest rooms are neat, clean, and dull, with furniture that's
somewhere between
The Jetsons
and the 1980s. Tartini offers free parking for guests.
Tartinijev trg 15, 6330 Piran.
&
05/671-1666.
Fax 05/671-1665. www.hotel-tartini-piran.com. 45 units.
106
€
-112
€
($133-$140) high season double; 88
€
-94
€
($110-$118) midseason double; 70
€
-76
€
($88-$95) low
season double; 122
($1.25).
Amenities:
Restaurant;
breakfast room; bar; cafe; terrace; room service; laundry; meeting room. In room:A/C, TV, Wi-Fi, minibar.
Max Hotel
In a pink four-story building at the high end of the town right near
St. George's Church, this is a lovely addition to the local accommodations scene. More
guesthouse than hotel, it's filled with thoughtful touches and is more intimate than
any other option in town (you're handed a front-door key and reminded of the impor-
tance of an afternoon siesta). Some serious stairs lead up to six simply furnished but
immaculate guest rooms. These too have pink walls, with small, original paintings and
shuttered windows affording great views of the local cobblestone neighborhood (bet-
ter the higher up you stay). There's a quaint breakfast room downstairs with books and
relaxing music: Friendly proprietor Max goes out early each morning to bring home
fresh ingredients. Well located, away from the tourist bonhomie, Max is near Piran's
nicest beach areas (including a little nudist spot) yet close to Tartini square.
Ulica IX korpusa 26, 6330 Piran.
&
05/673-3436
or 041-692-928. www.maxpiran.com. 6 units. 70
€
($88) double high
season (New Year and July-Aug); 60
€
-187
€
($153-$234) suite. Rates include breakfast. Tax 1
€
Finds
€
$75 double off season.
Amenities:
Breakfast room; laundry. In room:Fan.
WHERE TO DINE
Avoid the dozen or so tourist-trap restaurants that line Piran's waterfront. If you want
a break from the excellent food at Neptun, head for Izola's harborside Ribi
c
.
Neptun
SEAFOOD Away from the crowds and away from the main drag,
Neptun is in an intimate white space with exposed wood beams from which fishing
nets are draped. Members of the Grilj family (who've worked the kitchen and tables
since 1994) offer a warm, inviting atmosphere, and charm guests with polite
reminders that everything is fresh and therefore requires some preparation time. No
