Welcome back to Beautiful Spaces—a series of posts in which I talk about the places where I stay during my travels. It all started in 2013 when I realized that my contentment on the road is directly connected to how much I love where I’m living…and so made a commitment to find beautiful spaces to call home along the way. This is one such space. I received a free stay at this particular spot in exchange for this review. But, as always, opinions are my own.
After a month in the Soca Valley, my final stop in Slovenia was Lake Bohinj—a place recommended to me by more than one traveler. Many said they even prefer it to pretty Lake Bled, since it has a bit less tourism. And so on my way out of the country I made a stop and stayed for two nights at a big hostel right on the lake called Hostel Pod Voglom.
The hostel is big and spacious with a large dining room (where you’ll find a free breakfast every morning and a dinner option for nine euros and a smaller dinner option at just six euros), a few comfy couch areas where you can read, work, or be social, ping pong, a pool table, kids games, a big patio area full of shady tables, and an adventure sports company that leads tours and rents out kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, bikes, and the like.
The rooms are simple and clean, though it’s clearly an old house and you’ll find some permanent stains in the carpet and other signs of aging (which I actually kind of liked, as it felt like being at summer camp). Rooms are decorated in dark woods and heavy wool blankets, as well as white linens. And bathrooms are shared and generally clean.
But my favorite thing about the hostel?
The dogs! In most dog-friendly places, I run into maybe one other dog owner. But not here. Here there are adorable, well-behaved pups of all shapes and sizes everywhere. There’s also a cat that lives in the house. I absolutely loved being surrounded by so many other animals and Luna had a wonderful time greeting them all.
Prices start as low as 16 euros per night, dogs are welcome, and this place seems to be a hub for everyone—from families with kids to incredibly attractive 20-something adventure sports guys.
Planning a trip to Europe? You can see all the beautiful spaces I’ve stayed in here.