The hotel about a 10-minute drive from one entrance of Plitvice Lakes National Park, and about 15 minutes from the other entrance. Previous guests report that the hotel is near a bus-stop that you can use to reach the park, but we cannot comment. We seem to remember seeing another restaurant and a small market nearby to which other guests have walked. Because we did not have time (ran out of daylight), we did not hike into the countryside behind the hotel to reach the small church as other guests have reported doing.
The exterior of the hotel resembles a Swiss chalet, and in the summertime, gorgeous flowers surrounded it. The hotel offers 20 rooms spread among a few floors, and you can use an elevator to reach the higher levels. The property consists of the main multi-story building and a separate two-story house (called Loncar) with 4 additional rooms. The small lobby offers a seating area, which includes a table that offers guests a sample/shot of fruit brandy (called rakija sljivovica) upon check-in. Complimentary parking is available in a dedicated parking lot that surrounds two sides of the hotel.
Room categories include comfort/economy double, superior double, superior family (located on the lowest floor, these rooms include a small patio), and superior suite. We booked a suite, which included a bedroom that contained a king-size bed with a nightstand on each side, and a small piece of furniture that held a television. Although our room was air-conditioned, it was also possible to open the windows. The bathroom was a bit outdated and small, with a pedestal sink, toilet, and bathtub/shower combination. Very basic toiletries were provided, but not a brand that we recognized. Satellite TV (which was a bit temperamental despite the detailed written instructions) and Wi-Fi were available. The hotel provided robes, slippers, and an electronic safe in a closet between the door and the bathroom. Coat hooks positioned on another wall could be used to hold additional clothing. Decor included a aulted ceiling, timber design, and wood furniture and flooring. The main living area contained a small sofa, coffee table, desk and chair, coffee service, and mini-bar.
The hotel offers the Bistro and Caffe Plum, where we ate breakfast. We also tried to visit for a sunset drink and snack, but the indoor and the covered outdoor spaces were completely full, so we sat on a bench on the hillside, where a server graciously brought drinks that we had ordered. The covered terrace held tables and chairs and groupings of comfortable furniture, where you could cozy up with a blanket or heater when the weather turns cooler. The small restaurant featured light-wood tables and chairs, a small bar, and another counter that held breakfast offerings. Breakfast was included with our room rate and offered cold meats and cheeses, eggs to order, fresh fruit, baked goods, juice, tea/coffee, cereal, yogurt, freshly made smoothies. Breakfast does not begin until 7:00 am, which made arriving at Plitvice in time for the 8:00 opening slightly tricky. The hotel does not offer a fitness center, but hiking at Plitvice makes up for it. Since we visited, the hotel has opened an outdoor (seasonal) swimming pool.
When we checked in, the desk clerk offered to make a reservations for dinner at Restoran Degenija next door, which we accepted, and we also pre-ordered one of their specialties “veal peka” (a veal shank cooked under an iron bell, and served surrounded with potatoes and carrots, which was our favorite meal of our entire 10-day trip). Although the hotel and restaurant share the same name, you must pay your restaurant bill separately; you cannot transfer the tab to your hotel folio.
Although the Hotel Degenija was not the most luxurious hotel property of our trip, its proximity to Plitvice Lakes is a real advantage, and we enjoyed the sense of quaint comfortable isolation that the hotel provided.
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