Botel Marina

The three-star Botel Marina, one of Bratislava's two hotels-on-a-boat, feels a bit isolated, despite the fact that it's only a 10-minute walk to the base of Staré Mesto.

Its 32 rooms look like hastily designed staterooms, and the quarters are tight, as you might expect on a retrofitted boat. The walls are dark wood on the bottom half and mock-antique wallpaper on top. Little bedside lamps with red lampshades are mounted over the beds. Nice touches, such as mirrored desks, battle with less pleasing design elements, such as the upholstered faux-antique chairs. All rooms are equipped with air conditioning, television, phones and mini-bars. The bathrooms serve as another reminder that the hotel is on a boat: They're cramped and have a completely prefab pod-like construction.

We noted that the weekend crowd seemed overwhelmingly British and male. This gives it a bit of a macho ambiance, one no doubt stoked by the bar-restaurant on the premises. If you prefer not to get roped into a spirited discussion about Wayne Rooney, perhaps the Botel Marina isn't the place for you. However, cramped quarters aside, this botel has its nautical charms.

Breakfast is included. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available.