After arriving and checking in at the reception of Hotel Ovruč, we moved about 100 meters to Lake Resort Aplend. We were automatically assigned a parking space in the underground garage, which was a great bonus. However, we have a smaller SUV and getting out of the garage was a matter of centimeters. I can only imagine how much fun it must be with larger SUVs, but it is manageable. 😉 From the garage, we could take the elevator directly to our floor. The apartment consisted of a living area with a kitchenette and all the necessary equipment. One thing that felt a bit odd was the huge TV positioned only about 1.5 meters from the sofa, making it somewhat uncomfortable to watch. Then again, who comes to the mountains to spend their time watching TV? The kitchenette was very well equipped. The apartment was ready and appeared clean on arrival. That said, when we sat down on the sofa, salty snack sticks started falling out from between the cushions—clearly something had been missed during cleaning. Still, these things can happen. We also appreciated having a separate toilet and bathroom. Overall, the apartment was well maintained. A big plus was the service. Every day someone checked whether we needed anything replenished or taken away. The staff were helpful and any requests were handled without issues. As for the food, we had half board at the Kamzík restaurant in Hotel Ovruč. Breakfasts were varied and tasty. There was something for everyone: beans, eggs, sausages, cold cuts, cheeses, fruit, vegetables, pastries, pancakes, semolina porridge, and more. Unfortunately, during the weekend the pastry selection became much more limited. Fresh pastries available during the week were replaced mainly by bread and white rolls that did not seem particularly fresh. On Sunday, they even appeared to be previously frozen. Considering fresh pastries are available in nearby shops, I believe the hotel could do better here. Dinner deserves a mixed review. On Wednesday and Thursday, we could choose a soup, main course, and dessert from the regular menu. The food quality was excellent, portions were generous, and everything tasted great. However, on Friday and Saturday, guests with half board were restricted to a much smaller menu, including mini schnitzels, pulled meat, beef cheeks in wine sauce, and salad, while other guests could order from the broader menu we had enjoyed earlier in the week. We did not really understand this inconsistency. The food quality remained high, but the reduced choice was disappointing. As for the restaurant staff, they neither impressed nor disappointed us. A few more smiles and a bit more enthusiasm would be welcome, but overall the service was perfectly acceptable. Overall, we had a pleasant stay. The accommodation was good, the services were good, and the price felt reasonable for what was offered. There is still room for improvement, but we enjoyed our stay and would consider returning.
