An architectural legacy that transcends time
Built between 1903 and 1905, the Grand Hotel Union was once one of the largest, most modern, and prestigious hotels in Southeast Europe. As a fine example of the Art Nouveau style, the hotel’s façade features ornamental elements such as garlands and female figures, while the interior boasts luxurious furnishings.
The innovative services offered by the hotel at the beginning of the 20th century quickly made it famous in Ljubljana. It had 87 rooms, a restaurant, a café, a spacious concert hall (the current Grand Union Hall), a bowling alley, several lounges, a lift, and central heating. It also featured the largest hall in the Balkans, with a capacity of over 1,400 people.
In over a century of history, the Grand Hotel Union has played a significant role in Ljubljana’s political and social life. Its walls have witnessed important events, such as the ball organised by King Alexander of Yugoslavia.
More recently, it has also hosted famous personalities such as actor and director Orson Welles, U.S. President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary Clinton, the Dalai Lama, Queen Elizabeth II, and King Harald V of Norway. Additionally, the Grand Union Café has traditionally been a meeting place for Slovenian artists and intellectuals. Today, the Grand Hotel Union has not lost an ounce of its original charm and grandeur.