Meanwhile, until my flat is ready, I am pleasantly pampered, endowed and luckily, luxuriously bestowed, feeling Princesslike, staying at what may well be the best and nicest, most class and luxury 4-stars hotel in Slovakia.

Owned actually by an American, the brother of Peter who runs the Berlitz franchise Hotel Bankov, is a hidden gem. They arranged it this morning and we had to wait for him to call us from America 🇺🇸 this morning when he woke up. Bibiana told me not to worry, that it was very beautiful and I would like it very much. No doubt I do!

Getting There

It lies outside of town, and then in between some hills, all wooded, covered in white, clean snow. We drove about 10 minutes through winding, wooded roads —with nothing but snow and trees —to get here. It’s beautiful wood and windows, very class elegant. Very high luxury style from the get-go. Bell boy waiting at entrance. Huge wood reception desk, wide mahogany staircases, nice carpet, chandeliers. The actual room is spotless and elegant with wooded, huge windows looking out to a terrace and woods.

The focal point is probably the bathroom – with powder blue thick, fluffy American style towels; a beautiful shower with glass ceiling to let in light; heated -yes heated- marble floors; a sunlamp; beautiful sink; and powder-blue, fresh terry bathrobe. There are nice wood furniture (not cheap plastic stuff like normal Slovak style), a king size bed, cotton damask comforter, satellite tv. (Now watching Cartoon Network, Cosby Show- this was in 1999 before all his allegations came out.)

Wait, There’s More

A safe, stocked bar, mirrored closet, complete shoe-cleaning care, shampoo, cotton sponges, cosmetic-care, chocolates by the bedside in a Dobrú noc (good night) box, Phillips radio and TV set, video tv card, electronic door-locking with card- like Vegas, barware, Fin de Siècle (end of the century) style lighting decor…

When I arrived at 15:00 I took a little walk, then I decided to dine. The restaurant was pure class elegance all the way from the waiting staff; to the candlelight for one; to the two linen napkins; to the Hotel Bankov business biz cards gold plated on the table; to the immense and varied entrée selections.

Dining Experience

There was a page selection each of venison, veal, fish, poultry, grandmas cooking, vegetables, soups, salads, pork, exotic dishes, extras, sides, desserts, and what else…

It was wonderful, and leisurely, and elegant. I felt like and dined like a real Princess 👑. I feel quite princesslike at this hotel for sure. And it’s not in any of my guidebooks-that I consumed prior to arrival. Maybe I’ll have to write about it. And get the teacher photographer to photo it.

One little surprise (well, two actually) with the fish. I ordered water, white Slovak wine, a cream mushroom 🍄 soup (excellent and very real cream and butter!) and the trout with cashews and butter priced at 126 SK. Well when I paid for it, that was 126 times 4 grams, or whatever so it was really 504 SK.

Still the entire elegant excellent dining experience superb food for only $20! WOW huh? If I have any guests come to visit me, we will only stay here. 

Paying in Slovak Krowns SK

And the bill is covered for me. I only need to pay for my food. I tipped the waiter 10 % (as I had read) which was 70 SK (or $2) and he was very happy. I bought two bottled waters for 35 SK ($1). And I tipped the porters 2 SK per bag which is only pennies, but that’s what I read to do.

They also have email I can use at 300 SK/hour ($10/hour) which I may do tomorrow.

The prices are very very low for us here, however now that I’m getting paid by Slovak standards it means I must stick to 200 SK a day if I’m to save any money during these three months. Especially if I want to travel at all. So I need to be thrifty even though it’s pretty darn cheap!

Today was a great experience let’s face it, I like comfort and luxury and pampering. That seems to suit me well. Thank you, Bibiana!

 

This is an excerpt from my Košice Journal, documenting my exodus from a (relatively happy) bustling life in beautiful San Diego, to (voluntarily) take a post teaching English in the newly independent eastern capital of Slovakia  during a very cold winter 1999.