Grand Hotel Union

Befitting its name, the historic Grand Hotel Union impresses with its Art Nouveau-style architecture. Dating back to 1905, the upscale hotel is conveniently set within the city center, attracting tourists who want to explore the city on foot. Interiors are elegant and tasteful, exhibiting a touch of the past (though some might find this dated). The cafe is particularly charming, with wooden herringbone floors, a sea of wooden tables and chairs, tangerine walls adorned with oil portraits in gilt frames, and chandeliers hanging from above. A wall of large windows framed in burgundy curtains fills the space with natural light, making this an inviting place to linger in with a coffee.

Besides tourists eager to sightsee, the hotel also attracts business travelers. As the largest conference center in Ljubljana, it's a top destination for those hosting meetings and various other events. Overall, it's one of the top choices in the city, marrying convenience with elegance and class.

The hotel occupies a convenient central location that's a two-minute walk from Prešeren Square, where guests will also find the Triple Bridge. Crossing one of these picturesque bridges will lead guests to the Old Town, where they can visit the Ljubljana Cathedral (five-minute walk away) and the scenically set Ljubljana Castle (15-minute walk). There are a number of museums within a 10-minute walk of the property, including the National Museum of Slovenia, the Museum of Modern Art, the Slovenian Museum of Natural History, and the National Gallery. Another nearby attraction is Tivoli Park, which is about a 10-minute walk away. There are plenty of restaurants and bars nearby the hotel, as well as shopping options. The train and bus stations are a 13-minute walk from the hotel, or about a five-minute drive. Jože Pučnik Airport can be reached in around 25 minutes by car, or it's about an hour via public transportation. 

Rooms are spacious and simply styled in a tasteful but dated fashion. Caramel-colored wood furniture, cream walls, and beige patterned carpeting are paired with accents like striped bed throws and orange accent pillows. Walls are bare and could use some visual interest, but overall, the rooms are clean and pleasant. Some rooms have private balconies with lovely views. Suites add living rooms, while two-bedroom suites and studio apartments also have kitchenettes. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, minibars, electronic safes, telephones, and free Wi-Fi, but there are no coffee- and tea-making facilities. Bathrooms are sleeker and more contemporary than the rooms. They're equipped with shower/tub combos, magnifying mirrors, wall-mounted hairdryers, and Acqua di Parma toiletries.

One of the highlights here is the hotel's large and attractive penthouse swimming pool, which offers great panoramic views of the city. A number of loungers offer a place to relax in this pleasant space. There's also a fitness room on-site. Other wellness facilities include a spa with a sauna as well as a couples' treatment room with a whirlpool bath.

On-site dining options include the Restaurant Atelje, which serves seasonal fare in an elegant setting. The Grand Union Cafe is a classic cafe that has been open since 1905 and serves coffee and desserts, plus it has an extensive wine library. The Union Restaurant serves Mediterranean-inspired fare, and it has a charming garden for alfresco dining in the summer months. There's also a lobby bar. A free buffet breakfast is included in rates. It offers a good selection of hot and cold items like pancakes and bacon, but some guests complain that the food is poor quality.

The property is the largest hotel conference center in Ljubljana, with 21 conference halls and meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 850 people. There's a business center on-site, plus free Wi-Fi throughout the property. On-site parking in a secure lot is available for an additional fee.