Luxury in Bratislava (private approach, high standard)

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This article was published in the latest edition of our Bratislava City Guide, which can be obtained from our online shop with Spectacular Slovakia travel guides.

Bratislava is often overlooked as a destination for the high-end traveller. The city’s reputation tends to be founded on its modest, undiscovered qualities and low prices.

Yet Slovakia actually has a remarkably modern capital, with luxurious hotels on the banks of one of Europe’s most spectacular rivers, as well numerous glorious old buildings containing exquisite restaurants, boutiques and spas. Each is packed with unique central European charm, but with standards to match the best of the west. It is possible here to take romantic walks by the Danube, visit enchanting little cafés in the Old Town, else relax in spas and five-star hotels.

Luxury Bratislava (5 photos)

The city boasts delicious cuisine, beautiful golf courses and even venues for polo matches. You can experience extraordinary views from hotel suites, without the noise and crowds of many European cities.As a bonus, everything is in walking distance.

Many of Bratislava’s finest hotels, boutiques and galleries are in the Old Town. But if you wish to stray further, there are ample opportunities to picnic by mediaeval castles, or play sports in exceptionally well appointed facilities. You can return in the evening for a spot of opera at one of Europe’s most enchanting theatres.

Sleep and eat trendy

Bratislava Airport is situated only ten minutes drive from the centre of the Old Town, but if you take a room at the Grand Hotel River Park, you can take a ride from the airport in a glamorous Rolls Royce limousine. This is one of several five-star establishments in Bratislava, and, like the Albrecht Hotel, situated on the top of a hill close to Bratislava Castle, or Sheraton Hotel in Eurovea district, is appointed with the finest modern designs. Other high-end establishments, such as Tulip House or Marrol’s Boutique hotels, combine historical appeal with luxurious fittings. Similarly, the Arcadia Hotel in the heart of the Old Town offers stunning Renaissance arcades in the hotel lobby.

(source: Spectacular Slovakia)

The Danube offers a host of possibilities for romance in the Slovak capital, starting with dinner in one of Bratislava’s landmarks: the restaurant in the pod at the top of the SNP Bridge, looming 85 metres over the river. As well as serving wonderful seasonal Mediterranean and Asian cuisine, the UFO restaurant offers a unique opportunity to watch the captivating sunset over the river and city.

High-end entertainment

Walking into the New downtown, you will be greeted by the building of the Slovak National Theatre, which also serves as the opera house. A full program of operatic performances plays from September by the end of June, including those from travelling companies, and featuring all the biggest hitters: Verdi, Mozart, Rossini, etc.

Bratislava has always been a thriving commercial hub, and there are numerous glossy shopping centres dotted around the city with hundreds of stores and boutiques. But the best work of local designers can be found in the Old Town and, for example, in the small Slávica fashion store located on Laurinská street.

The owner, Slovak model Ivica Jusková, opened the store to provide local designers with a space to present their collections. The stylish concept store is now a showcase for established and up-and-coming designers alike. The store holds an extensive range of clothing, jewellery, bags, shoes, ceramics and other accessories, all created in the studios of Slovak and Czech designers.

Private balloon

The best view of Bratislava Region is, no doubt, from above. A private flight with a bottle of wine and the opportunity to control a balloon for a while is a very exclusive experience. Parachutist Martin Miklošík from the Balonom.eu travel agency has been a licensed hot-air balloon pilot for several years now.

“No ride is the same,” he said.

People choose where they start based on their preferences. The weather forecast also comes into play. “It is the weather that determines where we also land,” Miklošík noted. On average, it takes him 15 minutes to find a place to land after an hour-long flight.

People often wish to fly above their home to wave at their families. A hot-air balloon is, however, a toy of nature. “We fly where the wind blows us,” the pilot said. Flying over Bratislava is complicated. Its airspace is controlled. “The further from Bratislava we fly, the higher up we can go,” Miklošík noted.

Some would even like to fly to space, according to the pilot. “I once flew an old lady. I felt like she would fly for days and up to the Moon.” There have also been cases where people have asked Miklošík to land soon after take-off.

Wellness

After a long day either in or out of the city, weary visitors can bathe their limbs in one of the exclusive wellness and spa facilities found in the best hotels. Few can match the Zion Spa in the Grand Hotel River Park, located on the 11th floor and offering amazing views over the Danube and Bratislava through the glass walls. Alternatively, the cellar of the Arcadia Hotel, which now serves as the wellness area, is the oldest part of a building listed on the National Heritage of Slovakia list. Ironically, the area now used for pampering and relaxation was used as a torture chamber in the 13^th century.

“We’ve travelled a lot, all over Europe, and this is right up there with everywhere else – Paris, Vienna, Ljubljana,” said a 59-year-old American tourist named Chris, marvelling at the buildings in Bratislava’s main square.

Even though it may be smaller in scale, standards are high here. Bratislava can offer the same luxury as Paris, London or New York – all with a dose of a certain Slovak charm.