Zlín: The Forest Café is set to become a hotel

Zlín - The once renowned and now completely dilapidated Lesní café in Zlín is likely to be transformed into a four-star hotel. The Prague-based company VLTAVA HOLDING, which currently owns the café, intends to build it. The building, which was previously a popular destination, is expected to regain a new appearance and function by the fall of next year. CTK discovered this information in the public procurement information system.
    The café is located in the southern part of the city near the Forest Cemetery by the crematorium complex. The building, designed by the well-known Zlín architect Ivan Bergmann, was constructed in 1982 and soon became a favorite and sought-after excursion destination. However, later the property changed hands several times, fell into disrepair, and is now in a completely devastated condition.
    The investor aims to create a luxurious representative accommodation facility that would serve as well for official city visits and could later be certified as a four-star hotel. The company hopes to begin remodeling it by the end of this year, with completion expected in October 2009.
    The mayor of Zlín, Irena Ondrová, welcomes the transformation of the dilapidated café. "In my opinion, it is a somewhat morbid place for a hotel. On the other hand, perhaps that is why people will seek out this place, because it is quiet and calm," she explained.
    The director of the municipal company Pohřebnictví Zlín, Milan Macura, also views the revitalization of the area positively. "It is a rarity. It was not good for the café to close. There were all the amenities. People will be able to make their last memories there without having to repark," he stated. However, according to him, the question remains how high the prices of the new operator will be.
    Organizers of several large events have already pointed out the limited number of accommodation capacities in Zlín, including the artistic director of the International Film Festival for Children and Youth, Petr Koliha. He previously told CTK that this year they had to accommodate guests in private homes. All the large hotels in the region were fully booked. A similar situation exists in the city during the Barum rally as well.