Grand Hotel Toplice

Wow, what more do you want?! Amazing stay at a truly historic hotel. The best part? The staff. Marko, Mateo, Lan, Andrija….the list goes on. Looking forward to coming back!

This hotel is like you’ve time travelled. A listed building that is in desperate need of updating to the 21st century. The benefit of this “desirable update” is that the customer service, from every single member of staff, is also from the past. They cannot do enough for you. I could name them, but I would literally just have a list of 10 or more names to thank!! The sun deck staff, reception staff, restaurant staff, spa staff, chamber maids. All (collectively) the best I’ve ever experienced. The breakfast is great. Choose from a buffet of the usual fare, or order from a menu. There are a plethora of excellent restaurants, all within a 15 minute walk. Bled castle, church (and the island) are all on the doorstep. The views are spectacular. We had room 215. With a balcony facing the lake, that we regularly sat on. Unfortunately, the shower screen is poorly fitted, so the floor gets wet and, as you’ll notice from the creaking parquet flooring, has been damp and untreated for many years. Beware also, that the wardrobe hanging space is at a premium, although there are plenty of shelves. We stayed for 2 weeks and struggled, but, a short stay would be fine. A free valuables “safe” too. The sun deck gives you, basically, a huge free swimming pool in the lake, for residents only, although anyone can rent a bed for €35 a day per person, which didn’t seem to be taken up often. Free boats and paddle boards are provided, as well as bikes. A ride or walk around the lake is a must. The spa is ideal. Sunbed. Sauna, steam room, infra-red. Teas. Fruit. And a pool of course, deliberately colder than the lake!! Many Slovenian attractions are a 90 minute drive away, max. So a car is essential if you’re an exploring kind of tourist. However, the main bus station serves multiple locations, including the capital, Ljubljana and Bohinj Lake for example. Altogether we enjoyed a fantastic stay and would love to return one day. I suspect a full refurb would make this place incredible, but, as a listed building, they may be suffering from regulatory issues?

Stayed at the hotel for a week. We paid extra for a lakeside view and so glad we did. Our room opened onto a balcony from which we were opposite Bled Castle. Just stunning. Our bedroom/bathroom was very clean ..and full of character. All the staff were extremely friendly, and helpful. There are so many beautiful lounges which were empty of people which was a shame ..I can imagine afternoon teas, cocktail evenings, with the piano being played. The outside sunbathing area is well looked after, no hassle to get a sunbed and great that towels are provided …a swim in the lake is a must!!! Also make sure you use the “free” rowing boat (1 hr available) ..such fun (well it was for me I wasn’t rowing 😆). The breakfast offered a great selection buffet style but also cooked items chosen off a menu. Evening meal was quite a banquet with the choice available. We would highly recommend staying!

We had a lovely stay at this hotel. We found the staff on reception to be exceptionally friendly . Our room, which was a lake side suite was spacious and we loved sitting out on the balcony which had a fantastic view of Lake Bled. We heard no outside noise from our room. The breakfast was extensive and delicious and could be enjoyed outdoors. The location was very convenient for exploring Lake Bled.

The hotel is in a 5 star location but it sadly isn’t a 5 star hotel. Other reviews have spoken about the slightly rundown nature of the hotel (the pool being the main exception, which is beautiful), but the staff were noticeably what made it feel like a 3 star or less. We had to experience an incredibly rude bartender twice, to the point we didn’t bother drinking in the hotel. There was confusion over a cocktail on night one, a bit of rudeness but then an apology, a new cocktail and what we thought was a fix. The same thing happened on night two, and while a fix was given the bartender then returned with the bill (unprompted) just to tell us he wouldn’t be fixing the cocktail again and they make it the way they make it and that’s it. They accepted they weren’t making the cocktail in the standard way (without the menu clarifying this, it just called it its usual name) but they wouldn’t fix it for me again and this was the last time. If they had just charged me more for the cocktail I wanted it would have been fine, but the staff made a particular effort to say you are wrong and it was just so unnecessary. On check-in, the staff also prioritized getting us to upgrade rather than explain anything in the hotel. So we didn’t find out there is a free boat ride or free breakfast in the hotel. They just apologized at check-out with an ‘oops’ (although the lady at reception then was lovely!) A beautiful location for the hotel, but not worth the price given how they treat guests.

We chose this hotel because of the five stars, which promised so much. How disappointing! It started on arrival, when our taxi from the airport tried to park directly outside but two staff told us to park further down the road and then made no effort to help with bags. We had chosen the lakeview suite room. The view was indeed fabulous. The room was beyond tired! Peeling wallpaper, creaking and loose wooden floor, bed like a board. But the biggest issue was the bathroom with a toilet seat which was broken and which we had to ask to be fixed twice in a week (it wasn't ever properly fixed) and a bath which had a broken plug mechanism which either wouldn't drain at all or couldn't seal to have a bath. Room cleaning was haphazard (bed turned down twice in five nights) and toiletries weren't properly restocked daily. Breakfast was odd! On the first day I asked for an omelette from the menu, it was described as with spinach and cheese so I asked for some ham to be added. The answer was "No, it comes as per the menu". In a five star hotel I don't expect that! On the second day I asked for eggs and ham which were lovely. I asked for a repeat on day three and a plate of eggs was delivered and I was told to get my own ham from the buffet! And finally, when going into the bar for a nightcap we had to search out the waiter both to order and then sign our check. And when we came to check out the hotel tried to charge us for drinks which we didn't have (and hadn't signed for). Two small positives - the view from the room (as mentioned), and the reception staff who were all very helpful and frankly rather embarrassed by the poor service and facilities. Perhaps this hotel was once worthy of five stars but it certainly shouldn't be higher than three right now!

Phenomenal location by the lake, excellent staff, amenities and quality of rooms

We had an idyllic stay here. The property itself is classic and elegant. 100% old world charm! We had lake-view suites which were simply marvelous. They were large, graciously-furnished and very comfortable. The lake views were breathtaking. My father sat on his balcony watching the lake and listening to classical music every morning in bliss. The facilities are terrific. Breakfast offerings were plentiful, tasty, and diverse. I'm gluten-free and had no problem finding tons to eat even before they brought me GF bread!. We didn't eat dinner at the hotel but it looked very good. My sister enjoyed swimming and enjoying the sun from below an umbrella at the hotel's private beach. I loved the spa, alternating between the saunas and the thermal pool. The water was cool but comfortable once you adjusted. And all the minerals -- I felt 10 years younger. We rowed out to the island and visited the castle, of course. Lovely! But the hotel's own amenities should also be a draw. Finally, the hotel staff are the best! Marion especially feels like a forever friend. But everyone was so friendly and answered our questions with great patience and excellent ideas. When we had an unexpected change, they were understanding and accommodating. From directing us to local GF bakeries to advising where to buy Slovenian wine to the easy valet parking and the thoughtfulness of waiter who served our welcome drink, the staff made an already superb experience even better. I can't wait to return!

This hotel has enormous potential. Everything is there for it to be a 4/5 star hotel but it’s not there yet. We were extremely lucky to have their already renovated Lakeview suite. It is stunning and everything about it is luxurious from the gold taps and marble in the bathroom, fluffy towels, heavenly king bed, parquetry floors, and the very large balcony with to die for views of the lake, the castle and Bled island. We did get a peak in the “old” room next door, also a suite with of course the same great views but chalk and cheese in terms of layout, features and feel. I think you would be a little disappointed. The lobby, lounges, separate reception rooms could all be absolutely stunning and worthy of a 5 star hotel when done up. I could see they could serve high teas including the famous Bled cake in one room which no one ever used. The beautiful room behind reception with views of the lake, with updated furniture and vases of flowers would make a great meeting area during the day for guests, and then a piano bar in the evening serving cocktails/drinks looking at that gorgeous view before people went through to dinner. It would be such an asset to the hotel whereas now it’s barely used. The staff at reception, and the guys who parked and returned our car were all excellent, very friendly and helpful. The rest of the staff were just going through the motions. The fact we sat down just before 1pm and wanted to order some lunch only to be told the kitchen was closed unless you just wanted a sandwich was a joke. Definitely not 4 star. I’d definitely recommend the hotel for its location and the swimming area in the lake, and if you can book an upgraded room. Hopefully once they finish the renovations they’ll iron out the other stuff because whoever owns the hotel is sitting on a gold mine of potential.

Having come up from Ljubljana having thoroughly enjoyed the city I was not disappointed to see Lake Bled in all its glory. In summer sunshine the reality is better than the pictures. Nature has dealt our Slovenian friends all the aces with this environment. In top of that GHT was a delight, professional in every aspect from the concierge and reception teams to the staff in the spa. This is simply a great hotel with private beach and stunning views. Nothing to criticise!! Breakfast is first rate (I didn’t eat in the evenings) and mirrors everything classy about this wonderful place. Any stay here will leave you with positive memories made all the better by lovely staff who should be proud of their workplace and gorgeous country.