Hotels in Bled and Bohinj

Bled's infrastructure is fairly sophisticated, evident in its excessive lineup of large hotels, many of which cater to tour buses. Lake Bohinj has fewer options, and most of these are smaller pensions with homey accommodations at good rates; the tourist offices will be able to point you toward such bargains.

In Bled -- Budget hunters who you don't mind bunking up and sharing bathroom facilities should consider spending the night at Bledec Youth Hostel, Grajska cesta 17 (tel. 04/574-5250; www.mlino.si), one of Europe's best, with a terrace overlooking the lake. Still, it's a hostel; a big step up is quaint and lovely Mayer Penzion, Zeleska 7 (tel. 04/576-5740; www.mayer-sp.si), a family-run operation with comfortable en suite guest rooms (70€-75€/$89-$95 double) and a small cottage apartment (100€/$127 double) right near the lake; dining here is excellent.

If you want a touch of class, but can't face the chance of dour service at the Grand Toplice or wince at the prices at Vila Bled, consider bedding down at Hotel Lovec, Ljubljanska 6 (tel. 04/576-8615; www.kompas-lovec.eu), a part of the Best Western Premier chain with doubles for 133€ to 171€ ($169-$217). There are pricier deluxe units, too, but you should be more than comfortable in one of the standard rooms provided you book a lake-facing unit with a balcony.