Tatra Summer Season

When the last winter snows retreat from the mountain peaks, the Tatra National Park awakens into something extraordinary. Glacial lakes shimmer under long daylight hours, alpine meadows fill with blooming wildflowers, and mountain peaks reflect in still water. This is one of Europe's most dramatic mountain landscapes, and summer is the best season to explore it.

At the heart of it all, on the shore of Lake Štrbské pleso, sits Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras. As the region's premier luxury hotel in the High Tatras, it is not simply a place to sleep between excursions, but the natural base from which the entire adventure starts. With direct access to the mountain trail network, the ZION SPA LUXURY wellness area and a seasonal menu using local ingredients at the Grand Restaurant, it offers everything families and experience-seeking travellers need in the mountains.
 

A spectacular summer destination

In summer, the Tatra National Park offers a variety of high-altitude trails, lakeside walks, valley walks and exposed ridge routes with panoramic views. Summer is the High Tatras' most rewarding travel window, with long warm days, relatively stable mountain weather and a full network of trails open and accessible.

The ecosystem here is unlike anything else in the region. Above the treeline, dwarf pine and alpine grasses give way to bare rock and the remnants of Ice Age glaciers. Below, clear mountain streams run through pine forests into the valleys. Whether you are an experienced hiker or a family looking for gentler walks, the High Tatras in summer offers a natural experience that is genuinely rare in Europe.

Boats on the lake

Arriving at Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras, guests are met with one of the most captivating hotel settings in Slovakia. Lake Štrbské pleso, a glacial lake sitting at 1,346 metres above sea level, stretches directly in front of the hotel, its surface reflecting the surrounding peaks on calm mornings. The immediate impression is of absolute immersion in the mountain landscape, with fresh air, total quiet and the kind of natural beauty that recalibrates the senses almost immediately.

This lakeside address is not incidental to the Kempinski experience; it defines it. Guests step from the hotel directly onto the circular lake walk, and in summer, can take to the water by boat – a tradition stretching back more than 150 years.
 

Guided hiking in the High Tatras

The Kempinski concierge team arranges guided mountain experiences across the full spectrum of fitness levels and ambitions. For those seeking the Tatras at their most dramatic, a guided hike to Gerlachovský štít, at 2,665 metres above sea level, takes between seven to nine hours. Valley trail walks through the Tatra National Park take in waterfalls, glacial lakes and high mountain scenery at a more leisurely pace.  

Local mountain guides bring deep knowledge of the terrain, its history and its wildlife. Every hike is tailored to the group, and safety and comfort are prioritised throughout. Whether you are ascending above 2,000 metres or walking forest paths, the guided experience transforms a mountain walk into something memorable.
 

Padel and Cycling

The range of summer activities at Kempinski extends far beyond hiking. Lake Štrbské pleso offers gentle boating, a peaceful way to experience the Tatras from the water, with the mountain panorama rising on all sides. Active travellers can rent an e-bike and explore the High Tatras by bike.

Beyond the lake and cycling trails, guests can try the increasingly popular game of padel, which combines elements of tennis and squash. The court is within walking distance of the hotel, right on the shore of Štrbské pleso. Playing at sunset here is unforgettable. Among hotels in the High Tatras that focus on families, our hotel stands apart, as the diversity of activities ensures guests of every age and ability find their own version of a Tatra summer.

 

Curated summer itineraries

The Kempinski team designs multi-day summer itineraries built around the hotel as the daily base. A typical itinerary might combine a guided summit hike on day one, lake boating and a lakeside lunch on day two, a cycling excursion into the foothills on day three and a spa afternoon before departure. Every itinerary is tailored to the group, ensuring a balance between exploration and relaxation. For guests researching the best hotels in the High Tatras, Slovakia, this depth of curated programming is one of Kempinski's most distinctive advantages.
 

Where mountains meet wellbeing

After a day in the mountains, ZION SPA LUXURY offers a recovery experience that is as visually extraordinary as the trails outside. The spa's panoramic position overlooking Lake Štrbské pleso and the Tatra peaks creates a setting that is unique in European alpine spa hospitality. Few spa environments in the alpine world combine this quality of interior design with such a natural backdrop.

Treatments draw on mountain botanicals and therapeutic traditions suited to the Tatra environment. The thermal and hydrotherapy facilities, relaxation areas and treatment rooms are designed to restore rather than simply indulge; it‘s a genuine complement to active days in the mountains. For guests combining adventure with recovery, ZION SPA LUXURY demonstrates that a five-star hotel in the High Tatras offers as much indoors as it does outside. The concept has been recognised by the World Spa Awards jury, which awarded ZION SPA LUXURY Best Hotel Spa. 

 

Summer dining at Grand Restaurant

Grand Restaurant's summer menu is built around seasonal produce from the Slovak highlands, including local cheeses, mountain herbs, freshwater fish and locally sourced meats from trusted regional suppliers. The kitchen's approach is precise and respectful of its ingredients with dishes that reflect the landscape outside rather than generic luxury hotel cuisine.

The Lobby Lounge & Bar provides a more informal setting for afternoon refreshment such as Tea for Two, signature drinks from a high-end cocktail trolley and lighter bites served in the lobby area with a crackling fire in the fireplace. It is the ideal place to decompress after a morning on the trails before the day's next chapter.

 

Reserve your adventure

Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras holds a position that no other property in the region can match. Set on the shore of a glacial lake, the hotel offers direct trail access, ZION SPA LUXURY and a dining experience rooted in local ingredients.  

For those seeking an authentic Tatra summer with adventure, nature and the comfort of a genuine five-star hotel in the High Tatras, this is the address. Summer availability at the hotel is limited, so advance booking is strongly recommended to secure preferred dates and itineraries.