Holiday Park Orava — Hotel in Dolný Kubín

We have some conflicting feelings about this hotel so this review is difficult. First of all, Dolny Kubin is in a really picturesque landscape. It should attract more tourists. This hotel is about 6 K out of town, up into the hills. It is really pretty and peaceful. There was only one or two other couples at the hotel for the first few days and we felt isolated at first. However, the restaurant on the site was surprisingly good, great even. We had no problem spending all our meals at this restaurant. It was always open when we needed anything. The staff of the hotel were exceptional. As far off the tourist track as we were, it was really surprising that so many of the staff had excellent English. Also, Europe does not require customer service professionals to appear cheerful like they do in the US, so when you encounter people that act like helping is a pleasure, it probably is. This staff was top notch. The hotel is tired and in need of renovations, no doubt. But everything worked all right. And as old as the carpet and furniture is, it was pretty clean. No musty smell that is often present in older places. Our rooms were not cleaned during our 3 night stay. We have not figured out what is normal in Eastern European hotels yet; that may be completely normal. No in room coffee. Wifi was terrible, the worst we have encountered in Europe so far. And further, our mobile phones had no service. But really quickly, the off the grid reality became part of the peacefulness. ||||Then a company retreat showed up. At least 80 people. Gone was the peace and quiet. Our room was directly above the bar and there was no chance of avoiding the noise and the smoke. The rooms with views of the valley are all close to the bar and I would not have wanted to have a room in the back, so we were torn. The hotel staff were putting on a very nice retreat for this company. It is an excellent venue for this type of corporate event. But other guests could not mix well in this venue with this set up. At best we felt like wedding crashers, at worst we felt betrayed. Really the only thing this place provided was the peacefulness, and that was completely stripped away with 80 raucous adults partying.||||We were drawn to this hotel specifically for the wellness facilities: steam room, jacuzzi, pool. From the description and pictures, it looked perfect. However, it was closed when we were there. From what we understood, they would only open it for a minimum of 4 people. However, we heard another couple checking out the next day complaining that they came for the wellness. Why it was not opened for us and them, together equaling 4, I don’t know. I know if it was available, it would have cost extra. We would not expect a pool advertised as part of the hotel to come with an hourly charge in the US, but maybe that is...

Nice place, full of nice people - I mean staff (always smiling, and willing to help if needed). Clean and comfortable rooms, very quiet place, with nice view (mountain side). Also mountain side have big balcony with chair and table for the best relax in Orava nature (enjoying your coffee, or just sitting is enjoying the view) . You can also use biliard, table football. But the best is wellness - there is small pool, 3 types of sauna (infra, Finnish, steam) and also bubble relax pool. Wellness was clean and looks like after renovation works. Next to the wellness is multi-function playground (basket, football...). Quality of food was standart+ - I mean nothing extra for me (I am used to high quality homemade food) , but nothing bad. What was very good was that, if you order lunch or dinner, staff will serve you directly from the "oven" - hot and fresh (Wienersnitzel was fresh and crunchy) Breakfast was buffet. What was extra, it was the beer 🍻. Parking is directly behind the hotel. And it was free of charge for guests. So thank you Holiday hotel Orava, see...

The hotel itself is reconstructed and very clean. There's a perfect new wellness and fitness. From some rooms you have a very nice view on the Choc mountain. The dominant mountain in surrounding. There some small things that deserve improvement. Dining is not bad but for the standards it could be much better. In these days trends you can make not very expensive decent meal, but here it is little bit outdated. There's perfect grilling place but need to pay extra for that and it's not that cheap, on the other side they clean the grill and place for you so you don't have take care of anything. Wellness is also payed extra. The placement of the hotel is great, far enough from town, but close enough to make a lot of trips. There is lot of stuff to do even in bad weather, kids has plenty room to play (indoor and outdoor). Overall hotel is good for large group of friends and...