Grand Hotel Union Business

ORIGINAL PRISON BUILDING TURNED INTO HOSTEL

My friend and I stayed one night at the Celica Hostel which is at walking distance of the centre of Ljubljana. I was told that this used to be the old Prison and some of the features would confirm that bit of info.
We slept in a mixed dorm in very comfortable beds with nice space between each one. I slept well except for a dog barking in the distance and music outside in the street, but that did not upset nor distrub me, they were just new noises in a for me new city.
There was a meditation room at the hostel which I thought was a nice idea, it was small but peaceful.
There was plenty of food and sitting area, the place was full of young but also older people. At night we walked to the centre of the city to go to a concert and it was not far at all.
There is an Internet connection. The place is spotless and the bedlinnen clean and fresh, you also get a towel. The bathroom facility was good with shower and toilet, two per dorm.
The staff were friendly and helpful and there was a good atmosphere in the place.

Unique Quality: The fact that it used to be a Prison before and was very cleverly turned into such a great hostel I found brilliant.
Very close to centre of city which is great if you are going out for a night in the city.
There is an Art gallery at the Hostel which adds a nice touch.

Some additional info: You are asked to pay 20euro deposit but of course this is returned when you leave.

The place is secure and safe, there is a key to the dorm and also to the doors leading up to the dorm.

Breakfast is included in price, we paid 17euro each.

I would recommend that you explore their website, it give plenty of photos of all the rooms, parts of this hostel I have not seen yet. Website is www.hostelcelica.com

• Opinion of Price: about average
• Related to: Budget Travel, Backpacking, Arts and Culture

Grand Hotel Union Business Photo: One of the eating areas

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Upscale Hotel with a Great Loacation

The Grand Hotel Union is the most conveniently located upscale hotel in Ljubljana. It is only 1 block from Preseren Square, the city's central square, and the gateway to the city's Old Town. The Grand Hotel Union has two sections, The Grand Hotel Union Executive, which is the older part of the hotel and occupies a 100-year old classic building, and the Grand Hotel Union Business, which occupies a contemporary building that is attached to it. The two share facilities, which include a bar, two restaurants, an underground parking garage, a health club, and a rooftop indoor swimming pool.

THe rooms were decent size, with nice bathrooms and small balconies. We stayed in the Business half of the hotel. The staff was friendly and spoke English. The one thing missing was the lack of a concierge, which a hotel in this price range should have.

• Opinion of Price: more expensive than average
• Related to: Family Travel, Business Travel, Luxury Travel

Grand Hotel Union Business Photo: The Grand Hotel Union in Ljubljana

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best location

We were lucky, there was a special offer for the period that we stayed at this hotel. The 'Special offer' coupon was available at the Tourism Information centre, and also at the Information desk at the airport. We wanted to see the room first, and the first room they showed us was facing the patio. When we asked for a 'better view' room, they gave us a nice room on the top floor facing the castle. It was really nice. They have broadband internet in the rooms, they have carpark, and the hotel was very nice and tidy. The location is unique. It is close to every place you may want to go!

Unique Quality: Location, renovated rooms, and great view!

• Opinion of Price: more expensive than average
• Related to: Historical Travel, Business Travel, Food and Dining

Grand Hotel Union Business

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Very nice, great location

The Grand Hotel Union was very nice. Clean, good food, good service. Probably the best thing was that it was so close to the sights. A short 1 minute walk puts you right in the middle of everything, the river, restaurants, and the castle. I can't remember the price, so don't trust my guess.

Best in the town

work in progress

• Opinion of Price: N/A

Grand Hotel Union Business Photo: Hotel Union

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Grand Hotel Union

Cracking Location

This was a very nice hotel - I'd originally surfed the net and booked a hotel called the Domina Grand but after a few conflabs on VT's LJ Forum I found out, I was a little bit too far out of town so plumped for this one.

The hotel was lovely, breakfast was varied with typical English Fried stuff but also plenty of fruit, cereals and Breads as a change.

The main square was literally a 1 minute walk and the main Bus Station and airport drop about a 5 minute walk in the other direction.

It was a little bit more pricey than other hotels but because we were only on a short break we got a special offer which I think also had something to do with the time of year!

Unique Quality: Great Location / Ok views and a top floor pool - Oh, and a casino just down the road at the Garni Hotel (same chain I think)

• Opinion of Price: more expensive than average

Grand Hotel Union Business Photo: View from our bedroom

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The best hotel in town

The Grand Hotel Union is a 4* hotel and is one of the most beautiful hotels in Ljubljana.

In 1998 it was refurbished and transformed into an elegant and modern hotel that
currently boasts 194 rooms. The refurbishment was directed by the Slovene architect Dobrin, who followed the original plans and restored its Art Nouveau charm with decorative stuccoes and copies of etched glass window panes made by the world famous glazier Rehvald from Plzen.

• Opinion of Price: more expensive than average

Grand Hotel Union Business

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Cheaper outside of Ljubljana

If you are looking for cheaper accommodation
and do not insist on staying in the city centre try some private accommodatin in Ljubljana´s
surrounding. We stayed in Medvode which is about 13 km from the city centre but you can easily reached it by bus in 20 min (the bus station is directly in the city centre).
The only unpleasant thing is the railway
line that goes directly behind the house.