Stara Horaren Mountain Cottage

We went in May, which is not skiing season but we had a good time. We arrived in town at 11 p.m. and didn't know where to go. We all went to different pubs to try and get a pub. Everyone there seemed to know the guy that ran it and called him for us. At first we thought they had called a cab but as he unlocked our room and let us in we realized. The hostel was brilliant, like a little mountain cottage chalet. I think we were staying in a little apartment that is used like a dorm for 10 people, but we were the only ones there. It was good value, as we just paid for the beds and not the whole apartment thing, the same price as any cheap hostel. It would be a great place to stay as a big group as there is a massive kitchen and a front room with a log fire and big dining table. The area was beautiful covered in alpine hills, which were perfect for walking. The guy who owned it was away and a family friend of his was looking after the hostel. His English wasn't very good and neither was our Slovakian but he spoke good German (even though we didn't). I think the guy that normally runs it speaks very good English, though. The guy who was there was really helpful, he lent us a walking map and dropped us off at the bus stop and also offered to pick us up. He was a really nice guy. I think this is a great place for all sorts of people. It is very near the Dobsina ice caves, which were amazing. But get the bus times, as the buses in Slovakia are very confusing.