This European hotel has a skyscraper spa with incredible views that costs just £30

A popular deer destination, BRATISLAVA knows its audience, with budget hotels and cheap hostels galore.

But there is one that is not like the others.

Away from the noise of the old town, on the other side of the Danube, is the Grand Hotel River Park.

Part of Marriott’s luxury collection, it is one of only a few five star offer in the Slovak capital.

It has a wine cellar, a helicopter, a riverside terrace – and a BATH A with some of the best views in town.

Plus, unlike a five-star hotel in London, which avg £495 for one nightit comes at a pretty good price.

subway flew to Bratislava to see what Slovak luxury is all about.

First impressions

After long queues at the border control thanks to the new The EES systemthe short drive to the hotel was a welcome relief.

Only €11 and 17 minutes in one Uber later, i had arrived.

The entrance to Grand Park isn’t much to write home about – sitting on the side of what is essentially a double carriage.

But while it’s work up front, it’s party in the back, with a riverside promenade that takes you into the city center in 15 minutes.

In the lobby, the traffic noise is muted by the bar’s buzz that greets you as you enter.

The hotel is huge, with 11 floors and 231 rooms, and the high ceilings sparkle with chandeliers.

In waiting, the difference between an overly apologetic Brit and a straight-talking Slovak was clear.

“Hello, erm, excuse me, is it okay if I can, erm, check in please?”

‘Yes’ came the reply, followed by what must have been years of staring at each other, because Of course I would not hand over my passport without being asked.

Clumsiness aside, the check-in process was smooth and I was soon opening the door to my room.

how are the rooms

Grand Hotel River Park offers seven types of rooms:

• View Castle Hill, Guest Room: from £162
• Riverside, Guest room: from £180
• Executive Room, Grand Living Room: from £209
• Junior Suite, Grand Living Room: from £291
• Executive Suite, Large Living Room: from £409
• Danube Suite, Large Living Room: from £882
• Presidential Suite, Grand Living Room: from £3,627

I was in an executive room, which has a sitting area, two TVs and a wardrobe.

You can pay extra to have a room with a view of the Danube — though you won’t be deprived of the views if you go to the bathroom (more on that later).

The room itself was fairly standard, elegant (though unmemorable) interiorsbut the bathroom really shined.

There is a large bathtub, two sinks and a shower, plus a separate toilet room which means there can be not one, but two, closed doors between you and your +1 when nature calls us.

As bathroom doors are a rarity in high-end hotels these days, this was a welcome relief.

Both the bath and the rain shower have electronic temperature controls, so you can choose exactly how warm you want the water, down to a single celsius.

The marble room was also home to fluffy bath mats, linens and more towels than you would need for a week.

I’m also a big fan of a hotel offering toiletries (the ultimate luxury in me opinion), so I was pleasantly surprised to find a dental bag, cotton wool, and the like.

Food and drink

Firstly, breakfast has it all: from pastries and fruit, to a full English (including the ever-important hash browns). There’s champagne on ice if you want to start the day right.

You can also order from a set menu, which offers dishes such as omelets and eggs Benedict.

For drinks, there’s the large lobby bar, the Lobby Lounge, with its own wine cellar, as well as an outdoor riverside terrace.

Dinner is served in the Riverbank Restaurant – where you can also enjoy food on the outdoor terrace, overlooking the Danube.

You wouldn’t make a special effort to eat here if you weren’t staying at the hotel, but the food is good nonetheless, with dishes including roast cod and venison. Be warned though, for Bratislava it is pricey, with main courses starting at €18.

If you don’t want to leave your bed, there’s also 24-hour room service.

One particularly addicted breakfast called for a club sandwich and fries, which acted as the cure I needed (and, mercifully, arrived quickly).

Something else?

On the 11th floor of the hotel you’ll find ZION’s spa, accessible if you’re staying in a suite or for a discounted guest rate of €35 (£30).

While there are whirlpools, saunas and steam rooms, the views outshine them all. You can admire the Danube while floating in the pool from the floor-to-ceiling windows.

There are plenty of chaise lounges and chairs, as well as a four-poster day bed.

It’s a quiet, relaxing atmosphere, and since it’s open until 10pm, I’d recommend heading up there in the evening to unwind before bed.

Be careful though, you are in the center Europe and as is the custom, you have to leave your bathing suit at the door if you want to go to the sauna.

The rules specifically state: ‘Please wear only cotton towels or sheets.’ Many guests choose to enter with nothing at all.

How much does it cost?

If you’re used to traveling to major European cities and shelling out for the privilege, a room for £162 in a capital will seem like a pretty sweet deal.

And, given the spa facilities, it really is.

However, it is worth noting that this is still well above the average in Bratislava, which for the month of April, average £80 per night.

Honest decision

Grand Hotel River Park, a luxury collection hotel, Bratislava is an oasis of calm, the perfect place to get a good night’s sleep before a day of sightseeing – or to soothe that hangover after accidentally catching a deer.

While sacrificing the more authentic atmosphere of the old town, you get modern luxury at a relatively affordable price.

At a glance: Grand Hotel River Park, a luxury collection hotel, Bratislava

Time: Slovakia is GMT+1

Adapters: Type C & E (European standard with two pins)

Currency: The local currency is the euro.

Visas: No visa required for UK passport holders for short stays

Check in / check out: 3 pm and 12 pm.

Disability Access? Yes – step-free access, adapted rooms, lifts

Prominent feature: The 11th floor spa with its incredible views.

Perfect for: Couples and travelers after a slice of the luxury life.

Not suitable for: Anyone after tradition or old world charm – and it’s not the right vibe for a stag.

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