Lake Bled
 

Any hotel recommendations? One writer seemed to indicate there is a "quiet" side to the Lake. Which side is that?

Thanks for any info.

Bailey mentioned Hotel Bled, on the quiet side of the lake. I saw it when I walked around the lake it did look really beautiful; a large villa/estate type of place with gardens and private gates to the lake.

I stayed at Hotel Astoria, which is a hotel school on the "noisey" side of the lake. There were more restaurants and shops in the area. It was nice, but not fancy, and extremely affordable.

We stayed at the Grand Hotel Toplice, just after a remodeling. We booked about 10 months ahead while they were still closed and got a great deal. It was indeed a nice hotel -- but absolutely the worst excuses for dining I've ever seen in a nice hotel. I guess the quiet side is the opposite side, the side with the castle on it, but then you wouldn't have a view of the castle from across the lake.

Patrick, I think the quiet side is actually about 90 degrees to the left of the Castle... when facing the castle. The Grand Hotel Toplice looked fabulous. But it's the most expensive there. I noticed some very charming small places as I walked around the lake.

(by the way, Patrick... we have a 3pm appt. at Rafanelli's on Saturday! I'll raise my glass to you.)

Oh, Grasshopper, I just shed a tear.
We had our last bottle of their cabernet we had sent before it became illegal (about 5 years ago) for New Year's Eve. No more Rafanelli in my "cellar". If you like it (how can you not?) be sure to order a case shipped to you (assuming you're allowed to have it shipped to your state, unlike Florida) and maybe a case of their incredible Zin too!

Patrick, It's only an hour and a half drive for me. :-) Sorry about your state. Last time I was there they limited the sales to 6 bottles per customer. I guess that's changed?

Ouch, maybe so. But actually what I was referring to was buying the next release which is usually months away. They did ship me a case of cab that way, but again it has been about 5 years ago. When we were there it was not possible to buy any wine off the floor, there was none available until the next release dates.

Patrick -

I am a little concerned about your comment regarding the food at Toplice. We are planning on going there in early June. Should we be staying somewhere else? Is the Toplice worth the extra money, or would you recommend something else?

We did not eat dinner in the main dining room, because it was brightly lit like a school cafeteria and featured salad and dessert bars. It just turned me off. So I really can't comment about the quality of food there. We did eat in the more casual upstairs restaurant -- actually out on the terrace because of the outdoor setting. The food was just Ok there at best. They were supposed to have a "gourmet" room, which we looked into and it was a very pretty room, but it was never opened the three nights we were there.
The answer is simple. Just don't eat there. We ate at a really pleasant place across the lake (we walked)(Villa Persheran?). And also at a place in town called Gostilna Pri Planivov. It was really great.

Patrick

Would you still choose to stay at the Toplice, or would you stay somewhere else?

To be honest, I didn't pay a lot of attention to other hotels, except I saw a couple nearby that I thought seemd very tacky. I'd definitely opt for a place with a balcony right on the lake -- I spent a lot early morning and late afternoon time out there.
As I mentioned above we got a really good deal when we stayed there. I would not pay $350 a night or more for it, which I think may be their regular rates for lakefront rooms with balcony. We paid about half that.

Do you mean Villa Bled or is there also a Hotel Bled?

And where is Rafanelli's and what is this great wine you're raving about????

Rafanelli's is a wonderful small family run winery in northern Somoma. They have an incredible Cabernet and a wonderful Zinfandel. As far as I know that's all they do, no whites? But it is so limited and so popular it is almost impossible to find it in stores, you need to order or buy directly from them. Although in California I have seen it on a couple of nice restaurant wine lists -- they buy direct also.

Thanks Patrick

I lived in San Francisco for many years and had a place in Glen Ellen but it's been a while.