Old Ljubljana meets new, with a real sense of style, at the serene Antiq Palace Hotel and Spa. We stepped off the cobblestone streets in the heart of the city, into a stunningly remodelled, 17th-century aristocratic residence.
Our boutique home-from-home was one of just thirteen suites, unlucky for some, but perfect for us. The lofty accommodations at the Antiq Palace featured original painted frescoes, although that’s all that lends the property its name – everything else is a reproduction, designed to look the part but suit the modern traveller. There’s a charming and luxurious ambience throughout, but because of the grand-ish decor, it sometimes didn’t feel homely. But with old-town Ljubljana on our doorstep, we weren’t in very much. But if unlike us, you’d prefer to stay in and make it a home from home, suites feature a full kitchen and dining area.
For spa lovers, the hotel has a small jacuzzi bath and three types of saunas, as well as a gym, which is a lot of pampering considering the hotel’s size.
The hotel’s on-point team is worth a special mention. They were amazing hosts and couldn’t do enough for us, including giving us the inside track of what to see in the city and also where locals go to hang out. Ljubljana is a small city, so once you’ve done all the main sites, you can lean on the friendly staff at the hotel for more to do.
At the time of writing, a contemporary art exhibition was hosted in one of the hotel’s common spaces – demonstrating that, like the city it is in, it is proudly in touch with its past, but open to embracing the future.
| Perfect for | Fly into | Right on time |
| The Culturalist | LJU | GMT +1 |
| While you’re Out There |
| Location is everything and if you’re a culture vulture, the Antiq Palace is situated just a short walk away from all of the city’s must-see, old-town sites. Just outside is the Ljubljanica River and the cobblestoned streets of Stara Ljubljana, lined with small cafes, eateries, galleries and independent stores. Choose your spot, grab beer and people watch. It’s our favourite pastime and it can be yours too. |
Photography courtesy of Antiq Palace Hotel & Spa
