Botel Gracia

Of Bratislava's two boat-hotels, we prefer the Botel Gracia over the Botel Marina. In terms of location, the 31-room Botel Gracia is the outright winner, sitting as it does at the foot of Staré Mesto across from the business-class Hotel Danube.

And in terms of style, there's also no competition. The dated modernist style of Botel Gracia's rooms is increasingly hard to find in Bratislava. The rooms look like sets from a Cold War thriller. Warm orange-brown wood veneer paneling, green carpeting, and attached writing tables are all perfect expressions of a bygone era of modernism€think pre-1989 Central Europe. All rooms are equipped with air conditioning, television, telephones, and Internet connection.

The Gracia's exterior, which looks as if it was last renovated in the early 1980s, only adds to the mystique. If you want some fresh air, grab a drink at the lovely rooftop bar.

The hotel's riverside rooms face Bratislava's amazing space-age New Bridge, which was previously called the Slovak National Uprising Bridge. Both names are somehow fitting for a bridge this notably retro-futuristic.

Breakfast is included.