Best Western Premier Hotel Slon

Rooms and decor

Picture an old inn that has been running since 1552 in the middle of Ljubljana, where legend says Emperor Maximilian II once stopped with an elephant on the way to Vienna — so townsfolk started calling the place Slon (elephant in Slovenian). That's the name that has held for more than 470 years on the same spot. Today the building is a modern 7-floor structure refitted under the Best Western Premier brand, with 168 rooms laid out along a long stretch beside Slovenska cesta. Rooms run warm — brown wood against soft grey-green curtains — easy on the eye, not flashy boutique but not dated either. The king beds are soft without being mushy, there's a pillow menu, and bathrooms come in pale grey marble with rain showers and a tub in the suites. The big windows actually open. Street-facing rooms look out on passing trams and a busy pavement, while inner-facing rooms are far quieter. Plenty of reviews praise how clean the rooms are and how thorough the housekeeping is.

Food and amenities

If you ask what keeps people coming back to Hotel Slon, the answer is the breakfast buffet that many reviews rate the best in the city. It's set in the ground-floor dining room facing Slovenska cesta, and the spread is huge: a fresh egg station the chef runs in front of you, the swirled local potica that Slovenia is known for, four or five mountain cheeses, ham and salami, fresh fruit and pressed juices, several breads, yogurt and granola, and strong Italian espresso. More than a few guests say one morning here carries them straight through to evening. The same building holds Slon Café, where locals sit over coffee and cake all day — a popular meeting spot with the feel of a small Viennese café. One floor up is the Wellness Center spa, with a Finnish sauna, a steam room, a small plunge pool, and a massage zone, leaning toward a wind-down after sightseeing rather than full-on luxury. The fitness room covers basic cardio, and there are meeting rooms in several sizes for business guests.

Location and getting there

Location is Hotel Slon's strongest card. The hotel sits on Slovenska cesta 34, the main artery running through central Ljubljana, and the moment you step out the door you're in the old town. The Triple Bridge (Tromostovje), architect Jože Plečnik's masterpiece, and Prešeren Square with its pink Franciscan church are about a 5-minute walk. A little further on are Plečnik's central market and the path up to Ljubljana Castle, around 12 minutes on foot uphill (or take the funicular). The streets around the hotel stay lively all day, lined with shopping centres, restaurants, and stylish cafés. Out front is the Bavarski Dvor bus stop, with direct buses to Lake Bled, Postojna Cave, and the port town of Piran — no need to drag bags to the central station. The central train and bus station is about 12 minutes on foot, and Jože Pučnik Airport (LJU) is roughly 25 minutes by shuttle or taxi. If you want to wake up and explore the old town all day with barely a vehicle, this spot nails it.

Things to know before booking

Straight talk to help you decide. The thing reviews flag most is noise from Slovenska cesta, where trams and buses run all day; street-facing rooms hear it clearly, so light sleepers should ask for an inner-facing room or floor 5 and up. The next common note is that the spa and pool are fairly small for the Premier name — anyone expecting a big pool or a full-scale spa should reset expectations to a 4-star city hotel, not a resort spa. Prices climb fast around the holidays, especially the Christmas market season and the July–August summer, jumping from about $137 toward $243 and up, so book several weeks ahead. Some room designs feel repetitive and more minimalist than you'd expect from a landmark this old, which may read as too modern if you came for a classic heritage feel. Last, on parking — there is underground parking, but it's limited and not large, so flag it ahead and check the separate charge when you book.

Our take

After reading through hundreds of real guest reviews, Best Western Premier Hotel Slon sells the charm of a 470-year-old legend, a dead-centre location within walking distance of every landmark, and a top-rated breakfast buffet — all at a price you can actually swing. If your trip looks like waking up for a serious breakfast, crossing the street to the Triple Bridge, dropping by Plečnik's central market, climbing the castle, coming back down for coffee at Slon Café, then unwinding in the small spa, this is about as well-matched as it gets. It also makes a handy base for day trips to Bled, Postojna, or Piran straight from the bus stop out front. But if you're after a full 5-star hotel with a big pool, a lavish spa, or boutique rooms where no two are alike, Hotel Slon may not be the closest fit. Overall we give it 8.7/10 — best for couples, business travelers, and families who care about a central location, steady service, and a generous breakfast at a price that works for a Slovenia trip.