Hotel Lomnica – High Tatras

The gates of Hotel Lomnica first opened in 1894 and from the very beginning, Lomnica represented an important cultural and social hub. Gedeon Majunke, a prominent local architect from Spišská Sobota, was the designer of the superb building.

It’s year 1892, Austria-Hungary. The government and the wealthy nobility from Budapest begin with the extensive building activity of the “Tatranská Lomnica villa settlement”. A year later, the construction of the grand project by the architect Gedeon Majunke is already under way.

The building is to add its own face to the newly built Tatranská Lomnica. It is to be the very first hotel in the Tatras. Its construction takes one year, and the value of the investment is 85 000 forints.

GOLDEN TIMES
In 1894, Hotel Lomnica opens its gates to first guests – high state officials, nobility, artists, but also visitors of the first alpine climate spa in the High Tatras. Accommodation is available in one of the twenty-eight rooms with the daily rate starting at 1 – 3 forints. In 1900, accommodation would set you back 2 – 6 crowns per night.

At the turn of the century, the Tatras come to life thanks to sports enthusiasts who travel here also to enjoy modern adrenaline adventures. Speed enthusiasts enjoy sledging on the newly built bobsleigh track or the wind in their hair while riding horse-drawn skis.

Sports are dominated by golf, tennis, or clay pigeon shooting. Tatranská Lomnica becomes a popular hotspot offering its visitors a vast range of leisure activities. Nothing stands in the way of developing tourism and breaking of speed limits.

The parks flourish thanks to landscape designs of gardener Ján Böllmann while the hotel kitchen is regularly supplied with freshly grown vegetables directly from the gardens of the Lomnica.

AN UNEXPECTED FALL
However, only a few years later, the Tatras begin their descend to desolation. Hotel capacities no longer serve tourists, but soldiers and mountain rangers who arrive here for military training. The First World War changed everything now bringing dramatic moments to this former sanctuary of relaxation and entertainment.

In the winter of 1917/1918, Tatranská Lomnica is completely abandoned. After the war, the former property of the Hungarian kingdom – that includes also the hotel – is acquired by the newly formed Czechoslovak Republic. However, the buildings are looted and desolate.

Cyril Holuby, an experienced balneologist and hotel manager, is assigned the task of restoring the lost reputation and glamour of Tatranská Lomnica. This brings a number of unpopular decisions against the opponents of the new regime. This also may have been the reason why Cyril Holuby mysteriously disappears only a while later.

A NEW HOPE
However, during the 1930s it dawns on better times. A cable car is being built up to the peak of Lomnický štít and the Lomnica again becomes a popular hotspot and a hub of social life. The golden 1930s bring a cultural boom also to the Lomnica.

The rebuilt hotel terrace becomes a popular spot to relax in the invigorating alpine air of the Tatras and the hotel premises even serve as a studio for Vladimír Koštial, the photographer of the Tatras. Just like the hotel had survived World War I, it also survived World War II. After the liberation of Czechoslovakia from Nazism, the hotel again enjoys a unique atmosphere.

It hosts numerous musical and theatrical performances. Hotel guests also often enjoy the sound of the electrical organ as well as the merry laughter and hum of voices of hotel guests during the regular five o’clock tea.

FATAL TIPPING POINT
Hotel premises served different purposes throughout all the years – this included distinguished guests, soldiers, or inhabitants of the Tatras themselves. However, nothing affected the hotel like the 1990s. Shortly after the privatisation, the hotel was still in operation.

In 1993, however, its renovated facade only displays a banner celebrating the hotel’s 100th anniversary. The building itself, unfortunately, no longer serves its purpose. Its operation was limited to sale of souvenirs, toys, and food.

However, these shops gradually ceased to exist and the building of the once famous First Lady of the Tatras remained abandoned subject to the ruthless ravages of time. Only a family of storks were accommodated in the building, and they were the last to “enter their names in the guest list”. Once beautiful premises become a ruin….The pride turns to disgrace…

THE REBIRTH OF THE FIRST LADY
In 2015, the First Lady of the Tatras sees a new glimmer of hope and a spark of new life. An investor and architects from GFI enter the now unsealed premises of the hotel. Despite the run-down and desolate conditions, the hotel takes their breath away.

The pivotal task is to preserve the greatest possible part of the original building and to restore its original purpose, the lost glamour and prestige. In the same year, an ambitious project is put together which must meet the highest demands of contemporary hotel guests.

It is necessary to expand the accommodation capacity, complete the premises for the wellness centre as well as the congress venue. However, the new extension should not compete with the original building, on the contrary: Its task is to contrast with the historical section thus pointing out to its uniqueness.

Therefore, the extension is designed in a minimalistic modern style with a silhouette resembling the contours of the Tatra peaks. Join us to have a peek into the premises just before the reconstruction and after it gets completed.

MARIA ANTOINETTE SUITE
This suite has been designed (not only) for those in love and features a spacious room with a double bed (beds may be separated on demand) and a beautiful terrace (36.24 square meters).

To give you some unforgettable moments in the High Tatras, the terrace features a hot tub for 2-3 people and is also equipped with an interactive BOSE sound system. The bathroom is equipped with shower and a bathtub, bidet and a CHOPARD hotel cosmetics set. The room also features a bio fireplace, LCD TV with home cinema system by BOSE.

CLASSIC SUITE
Our Classic Suites are situated in the historical building and are among the most beautiful rooms in the hotel. In addition to a quiet night section for sleeping and relaxation, the generous size (35 square meters) offers the guests also a living-room featuring a sofa and an armchair. It is also possible to get some extra sleeping space offered by a foldable double sofa bed.

MARIA THERESA APARTMENT
The apartment consists of a living room, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a terrace (42 square meters). The living room features a sofa, 65” LCD TV with home cinema system by BOSE, and a bio fireplace. In the smaller bedroom, there is a double bed (beds can be separated on request) and an interactive sound system by BOSE.

The larger bedroom has a dedicated bathroom with a bathtub and a bidet. In addition, you can enjoy a 40” LCD TV set and an interactive BOSE sound system in the bedroom for your convenience. To ensure full relaxation, the separate bathroom features a shower with an experience massage and relaxation system by Raindance and cosmetics set by CHOPARD.

You may enjoy the romantic beauty of our alpine mountain range and the stunning view of the scenery of High Tatras from the large terrace which also features a hot tub for 5 people, an interactive sound system by BOSE and an outdoor furniture including sun loungers.

HISTORICAL ROOMS – STANDARD
These rooms have been a part of the original hotel section built in 1894 which is also reflected in their equipment and design. If you are looking for top-quality accommodation associated with a bit of nostalgia, these rooms are the right choice for you. In some of these rooms, you may even wake up with a view of the Lomnický štít.

SISSI RESTAURANT
You will be seduced by the flavours of the old monarchy enriched with the local culinary tradition. We will serve you a strong broth, the famous Wiener schnitzel or other square and genuine dishes from game or fish.

The À la carte menu Restaurant Sissi has been designed on an original culinary concept. As their priority, the chef and his team play with the seasonality of ingredients taking into account the geographical aspect while sourcing inspiration from the diversity of Slovak nature.

Careful selection of suppliers who also include our ViaJur Agricultura farming estate in Farná not only guarantees exceptional taste, but also unparalleled quality. In addition to culinary art, the restaurant interior will also please the eye with a display of the original works by the Hungarian painter Ladislav Medňanský.

THE FLAVOURS OF THE LOCAL TERROIR
Beverages are an important component of the meal elevating and completing the overall experience from the taste and flavour. Culinary art complemented by wines with a distinctive terroir will combine to create a perfect blending of flavours.

As a part of the à la carte menu, we offer recommended wine pairing. Alternatively, our sommelier will help you with the ideal selection. However, when tasting the respective terroirs, be sure to include the wines from our ViaJur winery.

FRANZ JOSEF RESTAURANT
The unrestrained love of the two opposites – Kaiser Franz and Empress Sissi – serves as a source of great inspiration for us. We do respect traditions, however, on a plate, we take them to a new, cutting-edge level.

For us, the culinary art is not only a game of the senses, but also a moment of learning. Enjoy the unique atmosphere of the meeting of two hearts and the original signature work of our creative culinary team presented to you in the form of tasting courses.

The culinary concept of our Franz Josef restaurant is designed to meet expectations of even the most discerning customers. The heart of our philosophy is to be wild and cultivated at the same time.

We combine tradition with ingenuity and add a pinch of playfulness and ambition. We constantly push our boundaries to deliver a sophisticated and playful culinary experience.

LIVE COOKING
Right in front of your eyes, our professionals will prepare a work of culinary art offering you perfect taste and flavours. Live cooking will take you backstage to observe the highest level of gastronomy.

We will draw you in the process of meal preparation, while making you familiar with professional cooking procedures and together with us you will experience many a surprise that will enhance the experience from the meals and beverages of our tasting menu. This superb presentation is enabled by the Chef’s Table, which is an original element of the Franz Joseph restaurant interior.

With strict perfection but also love, our team supervises the impeccable interplay of wines and tasting courses enriching their expertise and knowledge in the vineyards and cellars of the ViaJur winery. Culinary and sommelier arts intertwine in a harmonious whole of fine-tuned flavours of wine or non-alcoholic beverage pairing.

CAFE MOZART
You will recognize exceptional places by their prevailing ambiance. In Mozart Café, you will encounter perfection everywhere you look. The breath-taking interior and the original works by the painter Dominik Skutecký are only a harbinger of the delicious mouth-watering moments awaiting you here.

Mozart Café is the perfect place for gourmets and epicurean sweet tooths. Come and enjoy our own homemade desserts, coffee, and drinks, but most importantly, do feel comfortable with us.

VIBRANT PIANO
Every weekend, you will have the opportunity to lend your ear to the captivating tones of our piano. With the tunes from the well-known, but also not so well-known compositions of various musical genres, our pianists sit behind this noble instrument to contribute to the overall relaxed and serene atmosphere.

VALERIE’S SPA
Empress Sissi was well-known to have searched for her inner and physical peace in nature and spas. Indeed, she instilled the knowledge of the power of nature and the care for one’s own body and soul also in her most beloved daughter, archduchess Valeria.

From an early age, Valeria accompanied her mother – the empress – on her voyages in the search for inner and outer beauty. You may now follow in their footsteps.

WELLNESS
Whether you want to have a good swim or just relax in the hot tub, Wellness Valéria offers a wide range of possibilities to take it easy. For swimmers, we have a swimming pool with counter-current with a temperature of 26 – 27 °C.

It’s simply perfect for that refreshing morning swim. However, our two hot tubs are also an ideal place for relaxation – the outdoor hot tub with a relaxation zone and a temperature of 36-37 °C and the indoor hot tub in a secluded zone for undisturbed privacy.

SAUNAS
Sauna delivers a pleasant warmth to your body while relaxing the psyche after a busy day. The warm air delivers in-depth warming for your whole body and favorably affects the cardiovascular system.

You can use the dry, steam and infrared sauna, complete with a cold plunge pool and the possibility to use an experience shower. After a good sauna you can relax with a book or a drink in your hand in the salt-tepidarium or Tatra tepidarium.

RITUAL OF VALERIA 120 MIN
A whole-body ritual inspired by the history and life of Marie Valerie and Sissi. Our luxurious whole-body peeling followed by a deeply relaxing massage and a light anti-aging cosmetic treatment is guaranteed to induce a state of complete pampering while letting your natural beauty stand out.

WHITE STAR-ADVANCED CLARITY & LUMINOSITY FACIAL
Special brightening White Star treatment envelops your skin in a brightening veil. It gives your complexion a perfectly bright shine, smoothens any wrinkles and delivers excellent anti-aging effects. White Star: An ideal treatment for correction of brown spots, ensuring that your complexion keeps a balanced color and remains fresh and bright.

Cryotherapy (ice cube treatment) restores radiance/bright look of your facial complexion. The treatment combines the firming and lifting benefits of cryotherapy with the effectiveness of active marine ingredients for immediate brightening-up and renewed vitality.

THE GALLERY
You may appreciate a permanent exhibition of paintings by Dominik Skutecký displayed on the walls of the Café Mozart, while the works of Ladislav Medňanský are part of the interior of the Sissi Restaurant.

In the gallery halls, you will find regular exhibitions of Slovak painters displaying the works by many giants of Slovak art. In cooperation with the Regional Heritage Authority in Prešov, Hotel Lomnica together with its gallery was listed among the places of exceptional cultural and natural significance.

EXPERIENCES & LEISURE
You can also enrich your stay in the Tatras, courtesy of our custom-designed combinations of accommodation, dining experience and leisure activities. Attractive tips for spending leisure time tailored to your interests and hobbies will be provided by our Guest Relations Manager.

SKI ROOM
It is located at the ground floor next to the elevator in the historical section of the hotel. Each hotel room has its own locker, where you can safely store your skis and let the ski boots dry.

During the night, your equipment in the locker is always disinfected and dried. In the morning, you will find your skiing gear dry, clean, and ready for the next day of skiing action. If necessary, we will also be happy to service your skiing gear for you.

Rooms: 28

Price: from 296 EUR per night

Source: www.hotellomnica.sk