I’d always wondered what constituted a one-star hotel, and staying at the inaccurately named BIT Center Hotel on both of my visits to Ljubljana enabled me to find out. The Spartan (but clean) rooms on offer were precisely what I had expected and needed – consequently, if you’re looking for a cheap single room in Ljubljana, as I was, this is your best option. If you’re seeking a modicum of luxury or a convenient location, you should look elsewhere and prepare yourself to spend significantly more.
Location: Despite the word "Center" (which has the same meaning in Slovene as in English) in its name, the hotel’s biggest drawback is its location 3km south of the city center, a 10- to 20-minute ride on city buses nos. 5, 9, and 13 to the Emona stop. Unfortunately, this is the closest you’ll find a reasonably priced single room to Ljubljana’s city center. The presence of a Konzum Supermarket, the excellent Pizzeria Oliva, and several shops nearby, as well as some attractive mountain views, somewhat ameliorate this state of affairs. However, if you’re planning to base yourself in Ljubljana to take day trips to the rest of Slovenia (bus no. 9 runs to the train/bus station), as I did, this location is relatively inconvenient.
Rooms: The sterile, basic, clean single room was just what I expected and as much as I might have hoped for. The room contained a pair of short single beds that were not particularly comfortable, and more inexcusably (considering that many Slovenes are quite tall), rather short. While there were relatively few blankets, the room was amply heated (I could adjust the radiator), which was particularly helpful since it snowed every day during the first of my two stays! The room had remote-controlled satellite television. The plastic-coated bathroom contained a shower with decent pressure and a small sink. Soap, plastic ups, and towels (but not shampoo) were provided. The room was cleaned and the bed was made up daily.
Service: The hotel’s English-speaking desk staff, who also manage the on-site fitness club and solarium, were extremely friendly and knowledgeable. They remembered me on my second visit, and consequently, upgraded me to a rather more comfortable double room at no extra charge and consistently answered even my silliest questions about Ljubljana and Slovenia as a whole. While I did not take advantage of this, they offer hotel guests a 50% discount on their fitness facilities. Somewhat expensive Internet access is also available on site. Note that the front desk is only staffed from 7am to midnight and that they require that you pay for your entire stay in advance!
This hotel generally served my needs well, but because of its location, I wouldn’t recommend it unless you’re specifically looking for an inexpensive single room, as I was. If you are seeking hostel accommodation, I would recommend the central Hostel Celica rather than Youth Hostel Ljubljana, which is located in the BIT Center’s basement.
Rates and further information: http://www.bit-center.net