Hotel Triglav Bled

The Triglav is located on the far side of the lake from Bled's town centre (1 mile or a 20 minute walk away). The local railway station is just next door (200m) and Ljubljana airport about a 30 minute drive.

Free parking is available in the (small) hotel car park.

The yellow façade with forest green wooden shutters is a charming introduction to the hotel; the building dates back to 1906 and contains only 22 rooms. Last renovated in 2009, the Triglav is a well-maintained hotel, and despite its size boasts a variety of facilities for guests (culinary school, wine cellar, indoor pool), plus guests can even head down to the vegetable garden and pick their own vegetables. Entering the small but cosy lobby is like walking into someone's home; the service is professional yet there's a somewhat familial, down to earth ambiance too. Immediately next to Reception is a salon decorated in rich oriental carpets, antique furnishings and elaborate light fittings, and boasting a fireplace too.

Meanwhile the four-storey building is equipped with a lift, or you can take the stairs, where the landings are scattered with an eclectic mix of objets d'art. The hotel's lower floors are where guests will find the indoor pool (with panoramic window and lake views), sauna, wine cellar and fitness 'area' (we say 'area' but in reality there is one step machine). The pool, sauna and exercise equipment can be used at any hour of the day. Other highlights include the garden paths that lead to two patios. Under the pergolas awash in lush greenery, small seating areas invite guests to eat or drink alfresco. (The hotel is flexible; should guests wish to organise a lunch or dinner here just ask!) The on-site culinary school promotes the culture of eating and drinking well, with the hotel hosting regular workshops and tasting events with local winemakers and food producers. There are even special culinary workshops for children.

There are but 22 rooms at this small, boutique property including singles, doubles and suites. Almost all have lake views as well as balconies (the latter doesn't apply to the attic rooms). Accommodation is clean (spotless even) and tastefully decorated; think timber floors dotted with oriental carpets, antique wooden furnishings and bed linen in luxurious shades of gold and Bordeaux or cream and champagne. Bright, airy and comfortable, the rooms boast a fresh look despite the presence of antiques.

The restaurant is a great asset to the Hotel Triglav, as are the waiters that deliver professional and knowledgeable service. The restaurant is located just off the lobby and is where breakfast (buffet), lunch and dinner are served. Guests may also opt to eat breakfast on their balcony or lunch on the patio, for example. Like the rooms, the restaurant features timber floors and large windows that overlook the lake. With delicate porcelain displayed on the walls and candles flickering atop crisp white tablecloths, there is a pleasant intimate atmosphere. The only shame is the cheesy '80s music (Cher, Taylor Dayne, et al) that can be heard - out of sync with the casual chic setting. We appreciated the fact that the knowledgable waiters promote local wine. At dinner time, most guests opt for the four course set menu option although an à la carte menu is available too. After kicking off with an amuse bouche washed down with a glass of Bjana Brut (local sparkling wine), we sampled a menu that began with a cold starter: refreshing yoghurt soup with shrimps, followed by an indulgent hot starter of pumpkin and spicy cheese filled pasta. The main: beef cooked to perfection, served with chanterelle mushrooms, semolina dumpling and green beans. Everything was topped off with a dessert of orange and white chocolate mousse and orange sorbet, and each course was paired with a glass of Slovenian wine. Separate from the restaurant and found on the lower ground floor of the hotel, the Piano Bar features more antiques, ornate crystal light fittings and brocade-upholstered armchairs in rich colours. There are lake views from here too, but not as great as those from upstairs in the restaurant or the rooms.