Hotel Mitra, Story Hotels

Very friendli staff (all of them!). Juri helped us upon arrival with our luggage because I had a mobility issue. Our junior suite consisted of a small living room with sofa, armchair, TV and fridge and a good size bedroom with a desk and wardrobe. Looking out of the bedroom window we could see the castle above us. The living room window opened to a lounge in a hallway. The bathroom had a big soak tub and looked as if it had recently been updated. All rooms were very clean. We loved the nostalgic atmosphere which matched the historic outside of the building. The hotel had 4 parking lots close by and we were lucky to have one of them. Although Ptuj is a fairly small town there was a lot to do and to see and the hotel is in the center of it all. We stayed for 3 days and will come back when we are in the area.

The hotel is named after Mithra, the Persian God of Light and guardian against evil forces. Mithra was worshiped mainly by Roman soldiers and some military emperors in the late period of the Roman Empire. Mithraism was especially widespread on the borders of the empire and in the Pannonian Plain. Five of the Mithra shrines, called Mithraeums, were found in Ptuj and its surroundings since the town was the European center of Mithraism in the first centuries AD. Interesting fact: Mithra was born on December 25th. The remains of one of these shrines are exhibited behind glass at the entrance of the hotel. Located in the middle of the oldest town in Slovenia, Hotel Mitra is colorful outside but drab looking inside, it saddens me to say that this hotel is showing its age, maybe, even, a bit past its prime. It needs a lot of tender-loving-care to bring it back up to standard. The owner seemed to be available in the lobby every time I walked through. He wore an ill-fitting suit which made me think that he has invested everything he owns in this hotel because he cares so deeply about it. Hence my five stars even though the place needs a little spiffing up. Kipertz Café inside hotel: Coffee roasting mills and coffee shops are a defining part of Ptuj’s rich history and it began right here in Hotel Mitra, where the family owned Kipertz Café – the first coffee roasters in Ptuj – was founded in 1785! In my three weeks in Slovenia, this place, by far, offered the best coffee. My room didn’t have many plug-ins, it is a shabby remodel made with cheap material, already breaking down but showing dedication to keeping some of the history. Faded drapery and carpeting, stains on walls. Weak internet (cuts off often). Family owned and operated. For European standards, pretty low quality and few choices for breakfast. The worst I had in three weeks of visiting Slovenia. Since I came here by bike, I can’t comment on the parking situation but could hear other guests grumbling about the lack of nearby parking spaces. Old Osterberger Wine Cellar: An almost thousand-year-old cellar, now that’s history. The wine cellar itself was not in use from 1945 to 2008. When the building became private in 1991, the cellar was not restored, as the necessary work was deemed too extensive. It was only in 2008 that it was tackled and restored to its original purpose. I attended a tasting of Slovenian wines and it was very educational. The gentleman who presented all the wines was very knowledgeable, spoke English very well, and was proud of what this hotel is becoming (I believe he was the son of the owner). Overall the feel of the hotel’s management and customer service makes up for its bit of shabbiness. The historical additions (in paintings and behind glass) help understand the past lives of this hotel and this area. I would be back.