Hotel in zona Lyžiarske Stredisko Ski Taja, Tatranska Javorina

For context, I stay in 5 Star hotels frequently as well as being a Spa lover. That said this hotel disappointed on many levels and I felt like I was being nickeled and dimed at every turn. Hotel The hotel looks and feels dated and tired. Bathroom had a musty smell. Furnishings are passe. Paid for lake view but was placed in a ground floor/semi-basement room such that looking out the window was even with the grass outside making it hard to see the lake. Bed was hard as a brick, pillows were totally deflated. Bed linens were nice. Valet parking is 50 Euros--and the free parking is street parking which even on a Monday was quite full, so we opted for valet. They should tell you on the web that the free parking is street parking. Dining I had no idea when I booked this hotel that the only restaurant is a quite formal one with a menu that is not straight ahead--also I found there is a business attire dress code for dinner. While this is lovey, the hotel should warn/notify guests when booking. Especially given the setting and activities guests are likely to be engaged with such as hiking for skiing. Not everyone will know to bring more dress up clothes. Also it is really expen$ive and the menu is odd. The menu did not appeal to me, soups were good but one entree, Tortellini Bolognese had lime foam on top. Really odd and many other dishes suffered from this same forced inventiveness that plagues restaurants these days. While one could get 'normal' food in the bar/lounge, there are no proper dining height tables in the lounge so you have to eat your meal on a cocktail height table. Also a burger in the bar will set you back a staggering 38 Euros which is NYC or Tokyo prices. Others have commented on the breakfast, I felt it was adequate but again many things are extra, like juice so you have to be careful. Spa The spa is truly lovely. Nice pool, various saunas and showers and a quiet room. View of the lake. Gym is nice. Although the gym was quite warm due to no A/C. There is no water station in the spa--I asked for water and it was 8.50 Euros. I have never seen a spa that did not have water accessible for free. So overall for the level of expense the hotel is a disappointment.

Hotel International is surrounded by golf resorts and beautifully embedded in the High Tatras region. The view from the rooms and restaurant is stunning. During the summer months the hotel offers a golf camp for children up to 14 years old. The week is perfectly organised, several instructors are training children in small groups. In addition to golf, other activities are scheduled. E.g. swimming, cooking classes, hip hop dance. During the week we were accommodated in the hotel and enjoyed delicious cuisine (mixture of local, international and seasonal). The service was professional and at the same time extremely authentic and personal (specially restaurant service and reception desk). While children were in the camp adults could play golf, book lessons for beginners or do hiking trips. Beautiful experience. Next year we will come again.