Kokova Magazine

In September 2024, we decided to explore Europe, visiting Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland over 15 days and in seven different hotels. Mid-trip, we stayed at the Hotel Matysak in Bratislava, Slovakia for two nights and had planned a few days of sightseeing in the Old Town. However, the weather had other ideas. During September 2024 Poland and many different parts of Europe experienced heavy loss to floods and adverse weather conditions.

We arrived via train from Vienna, and during the short walk from the station to the hotel, we were soaked through, and the waterproofing on our backpacks gave up defending our clothes from the downpour. We were wet and tired and wanted to shower and change, before finding the closest launderette!

On first impressions, the Hotel Matysak was unassuming and could have easily been mistaken. The hotel is situated on a main road, with the reception at the back of the building, and this area seemed small and dimly lit. However, we were just grateful to be in somewhere dry and warm. We arrived earlier than expected but the greeting from the front desk was exceptionally welcoming. Our room wasn't quite ready so they upgraded us to another room, which was already prepared. As with many of the hotels we stayed in on our travels, the room decor was on par, classic in colours that may seem (can we say it?) slightly dated. This did not distract from the fact that they were exceptionally well maintained, with strong hot showers, and clean crisp bedding. Housekeeping was excellent, and the rooms themselves were very generous in size.

Since the weather dictated the few days we had booked for this destination, we spent the first afternoon in the local launderette, washing, drying and plastic wrapping everything, including ourselves, just to walk to and from the hotel. We soon researched the tram routes and by day two we spent the day in a shopping complex a short ride away. We discovered a whole fresh sandwich bar where everything was made gluten-free or milk / lactose-free. This suited our diets well and we stocked up on nibbles. Shopping is fun anywhere and we tried on every raincoat on offer, before escaping zombies in a virtual reality experience.

Usually, we would explore the area for different places to eat but we could not face the launderette again and with only two nights to cover, we spent the first night eating dinner in the hotel restaurant, Matysak Grill & Wine restaurant. And we spent the next night eating there too - not because of the weather this time, but because of the quality of the food and the amazing service we received the night before.

"Grill & Wine restaurant is a new concept in the portfolio of award-winning restaurants of winemaker Peter Matysak. The restaurant stands out with its unique grill. The highest quality local ingredients prepared on a live fire in a combination of wines, matured in one of the largest wine cellars in Central Europe from 1904. Professional and friendly staff will accompany you during wine tastings and cellar tours. Regular musical performances multiply and complement the experience of all the senses so that each of your visits will become a unique experience.

We carefully select our ingredients with the aim of serving only the highest quality to your table. We process meat from local suppliers directly in our restaurant. We also sell meat products directly in our hotel shop Matysak Shop. We recommend ordering dishes prepared on our grill in advance, so you will have access to a much wider selection. The restaurant has a capacity of 64 chairs in the main part, 26 in the wine archive and 30 in the congress room. A place created for any occasion. Restaurant guests can use free parking."

Our server, Martin Kolar led us through the wine-lined cellar to a cosy table for two. He guided us in our choices of food and wine, and the flair of service matched the best of the best. Nothing was too much trouble, we were served fresh soup, steak and dessert. The meals were topped off with a brandy to finish, and on the second night, we were treated to a mini charcuterie board as an appetiser, along with a drink on arrival. The wine selection was changed to suit our second-night meal options, and we again had a different brandy to finish the day. We were surprised that the cost of the meal came in under €60 each night, with drinks, considering the fresh ingredients used, and the perfect presentation. Rooms rates are reasonable, with options from €70 - €130 depending on the time of year. We chose to travel in early September due to work and family commitments. It would usually have been mild and sunny with a lot less rain than we experienced but depending on the time of year the seasonal food may vary, as will the experience.

For 2025 we have made plans to go back to Slovakia, and even to the same area, especially now we know just how good the food is there. You can fly into Bratislava, but also fly into Vienna and take the train straight into this area if you are going for a few days and have the time. You will be close enough to the Old Town area and river for some shopping, eating and sightseeing, depending on the weather.

For the bar and grill visit https://www.grillandwine.sk/
For booking directly with the hotel visit https://www.hotelmatysak.sk/
Other options include Booking.com - or as we discovered many of our places, through a Travel Counsellor at https://www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/