Bratislava Accommodation — Danube Boat Hotels

As with many Eastern European countries since the advent of the Euro, Slovakia is not the budget break destination it once was. Accommodation, particularly in the capital of Bratislava, has risen considerably. Whether it is soaking up the culture, some skiing in the Slovakian mountains or a stag weekend that is the motivation for a visit to this vibrant city, visitors will find their finances increasingly stretched during a stay.

Top city centre hotels like the Radisson Carlton can now typically cost over €200 per room. But a handy solution presents itself to travellers wanting to watch their Euros without foregoing that well-appointed cras pad: botels. Bratislava’s botels, or boat hotels can be found along the River Danube within easy access of the city centre, offering relative luxury for a fraction of the price of their land-based equivalents.

Botel Marina — Best Floating Accommodation in Bratislava

The Botel Marina dubs itself Bratislava’s newest and best Botel (an indication of just how many can be found along the city stretch of the Danube). There are 33 rooms here, as well as an Indian restaurant (unfortunate if you have come hoping to try traditional Slovakian fare) and a night club. Rooms are furnished as period cabins with the expected nautical theme (navy blue-and-white and polished wood). All rooms have minibars; suites come with a separate ante-room. Beds are fixed and therefore twin room beds cannot be pushed together. The breakfast here (included) is phenomenal. The 3 star botel is 1.5km west along the river from the old town.

The Botel Gracia

This is one of the closest Botels to the historic Old Town Bratislava restaurants and sights. It may lack the ornate furnishings of Botel Marina but it still offers good value for money in clean more mordern-looking wood-panelled rooms. Accommodation comes with minibars and telephones; there are also several sizeable suites. Rooms can be cold, however. It is located just east of the New Bridge (Nový Most). The restaurant has a pleasant summer terrace and serves a greater variety of food than Botel Marina.

Botel Fairway

Further along the Danube passed Botel Marina, a 20 minute walk from the Old Town, Botel Fairway is the cheapest of the main city Botels (twin rooms start at €50). The friendly and intimate restaurant serves all manner of tasty Slovak staples. There are 28 rooms in a mix of period nautical and more modern rooms with lighter décor.

What Bratislava’s botels do offer are a smattering of hotel-style luxury and facilities for a considerably cheaper price than the other top-end city hotels. The only real down side can be the temperature: being on the water, rooms can get colder. Bear in mind that everything, of course, is also on a slightly smaller scale on a boat. On the boat hotels above, however, this comes across as cosy rather than cramped.

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