5 Hotels for a Luxurious Stay in Slovenia

In Slovenia, luxury isn’t about white-glove service. It’s about slow travel that reconnects us to nature and ourselves.

And for a country that’s about the size of Massachusetts, Slovenia has an astounding number of upscale accommodations that tread easy on the land, Michelin-rated restaurants that incorporate local ingredients and unique experiences that suit the seasons.

Quiet luxury is not a passing trend in Slovenia — it’s a way of life and so much more.

1. Vila Planinka

Nestled in the picturesque Alpine Valley of Jezersko, Vila Planinka is a boutique five-star property deeply rooted in sustainability. Its Green Key status and Zero Waste goal don’t mean guests have to sacrifice anything — quite the contrary. They drink pristine mineral water fed from a natural spring, sit on one-of-a-kind reclaimed wood furnishings and eat homemade fresh bread prepared with local organic grains.

A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Vila Planinka offers 22 rooms and suites with views of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps or Karawanks. My Corner Deluxe Room was tastefully outfitted with larch wood and other Indigenous natural materials. By design, there is no Wi-Fi access in the guestrooms (you’ll have to head to the lobby for that), and there’s even a cute cloth pouch by your door to cradle your phone and encourage you to disconnect from the digital world. 

And disconnect I did. In my limited time on property, I snuck in a dreamy Swedish massage and relaxed so hard in the sauna that I practically drifted off to sleep. The following morning, to my delight, I opened the floor-to-ceiling windows in my guestroom to see the valley dusted with frost. 

Where to Eat: Look no further than the hotel’s Michelin-recommended restaurant helmed by Chef Blaz Derlink. The tasting menu — culminating with miso ice cream in a “blueberry soup” topped with candied lemon rind — was one of my best meals in Slovenia. 

What to Do: They say that nature is the ultimate luxury, and Vila Planinka guests come here to celebrate the outdoors from cross-country skiing to rock climbing. Make time to visit next-door neighbor Senkova Domacija, a 500-year-old Slovenian farmhouse, for a traditional lunch or a hiking tour.

2. Peterc Vineyard Estate

With its lush rolling hills, cobblestone villages and dizzying array of wineries, Brda is the Tuscany of Slovenia and home to one of the country’s finest boutique properties, Peterc Vineyard Estate. The seven-room bed and breakfast is the brainchild of owners Milena and Uros Peterc, who take joy in spending time with their guests and providing a welcoming, personalized experience, whether that’s hosting private tastings of their limitedly available estate wines or setting up guests with reservations at their favorite local restaurants.

In my Deluxe Room With a Private Terrace, I awoke to spectacular views of Peterc’s 200-year-old vineyard plot and neighboring medieval villages — complete with the sound of church bells ringing in the distance. Inspired by the Peterc’s extensive business travels in their past lives, guestrooms blend French furnishings, Italian tiles, Murano glass chandeliers and hand-selected original artwork and antiques. 

Steps away, guests will find a picturesque pool and lounge area, ideal for enjoying a glass of Peterc’s 100% Rebula wines. Breakfast is included in the room price of approximately $250 per night and is available until noon, allowing guests to slow down and sleep in. Everything I tasted was of exceptional quality, including the most delicate of omelets adorned with freshly plucked basil and lavender. Their homemade crepes and croissants were delicious on their own, but became legendary when slathered with sweet pistachio spread (the Petercs were kind enough to send me home with a jar). 

It’s the small, but thoughtful touches that have helped earn their stellar reputation. To that end, Peterc Vineyard Estate is ushering in the new year with some happy news, taking home the top honor in the Small & Exclusive Property category of the Conde Nast Johansens Annual Awards for Excellence 2025.

Where to Eat: A hearty tasting menu and award-winning Brda wines await at Kabaj Homestead in nearby Slovrenc. An organic olive oil tasting and food pairing at Villa Eva Extra Virgin Olive Oil makes for a delightful light lunch — plus, guests can tour the production facilities and taste olive oil fresh off the press.

What to Do: Slovenia is home to some 15,000 caves, and Postojna Cave Park is the biggest tourist cave in Europe. It boasts 90 million-year-old limestone layers and a dramatic train ride on the world’s only double-track cave railway. Deep in the depths of the cave, visitors can also view “baby dragons,” the cave’s iconic blind salamanders that can survive to 10 years without food.

3. Hotel Bohinj

Lake Bled, with its clifftop medieval castle and fairytale island church (Church of Mary the Queen), is reason enough to plan a visit to Slovenia. After spending a full day touring Bled, why not awaken to the views of yet another stunning and lesser-visited attraction? Lake Bohinj is the crown jewel of Hotel Bohinj and is located a 25-minute drive away from Bled. Here, find unmatched views of Slovenia’s largest natural lake and the towering Julian Alps. 

Guestrooms are appointed with balconies and incorporate recycled materials into the design. One of the more striking design elements is a custom, backlit headboard cut in the silhouette of Triglav — Slovenia’s highest peak. A buffet breakfast offers everything from smoked trout spread and a trio of quiche to homemade chocolate cake pops. Also included is access to an impressive spa, featuring a heated outdoor massage pool, a Slovenian salt cave and both Finnish and Turkish saunas.

Where to Eat: While its population hovers at roughly 5,000 people, Bled is home to not one but two Michelin-rated restaurants, Restavracija 1906 and Julijana.

What to Do: In Bled, take a traditional “pletna” boat to the Church of Mary the Queen and tour Bled Castle at sunset. In Bohinj, opt for kayaking, fishing or a guided panoramic boat tour.

4. Hisa Franko

It’s a foodie’s dream come true. Travelers venture from all over the world to eat at Hisa Franko and spend the night at Hisa Franko Casa, the home of celebrated celebrity chef Ana Ros. Hisa Franko rose in popularity during Season 2 of Chef’s Table on Netflix, and the restaurant is the only in Slovenia to receive three Michelin stars. 

As a recipient of a Michelin Green star, Hisa Franko is also a leader in ethical and sustainable practices. And the accolades keep coming. While I nibbled on her signature hay-baked potato and corn beignets with smoked trout roe, chef Ros was in Dubai accepting the title of Best Female Chef at the Best Chef Awards. Without question, she’s put Slovenian cuisine on the map. And you can bet that after her 15-course tasting menu that concludes after midnight, a comfy bed merely steps away is the height of luxury.

Located in Kobarid, Hisa Franko Casa is a 10-room countryside home, originally built in 1861. Don’t expect butlers or turndown service here; rather, the allure is feeling like an invited houseguest of Chef Ros herself. Each room is unique and decorated with the personal effects of Chef Ros. To make guests feel at home, a hospitality table is set up in the hallway with self-serve aperitifs, mineral water, juices and snacks. If you leave your door open while pouring a drink, don’t be surprised if the family’s cats (Sana and Berta) end up cuddled on your bed.

Where to Eat: Dinner at Hisa Franko is a journey that starts with a bowl of moss (guests are asked to massage the moss with their hands and reconnect with nature before the meal) and incorporates endemic ingredients (trout from the Sosa River, Tolminc cheese) in ways that had never before been imagined. Pairings of biodynamic wines, traditional wines and homemade kombucha add to the experience.

What to Do: With its socialist architecture and location on the border of Italy, nearby Nova Gorica is Slovenia’s youngest town, and a European Capital of Culture for 2025.

InterContinental Ljubljana

Take it from me — a little red-light therapy and 15 sweaty minutes in a Turkish-style steam room can do wonders for weary travelers. These amenities, as well as a heated indoor pool, sauna and a hot tub with city views, await even the groggiest guests at the InterContinental Ljubljana.

A 20-minute drive from the Ljubljana Joze Pucnik Airport, the five-star InterContinental Ljubljana served as my sanctuary after a long day of travel. For approximately $200, I was able to rest and rejuvenate in a 625-square-foot Premium Room, complete with ample seating areas, a chic leather desk and a contemporary marble bathroom with an oversize soaking tub. 

I made good use of my kettle (for making the in-room hot chocolate) while lounging around in a cozy robe, which guests are encouraged to wear to Serenity Spa on the 18th floor. A regenerative stay at the InterContinental Ljubljana is an ideal bookend to any Slovenia trip, which often begins and ends in the capital city.  

Where to Eat: Take the elevator to the 20th floor to Michelin-recommended B-Restaurant and discover 360-degree sunset views of Ljubljana, with the Alps on one side and Old Town on the other. For lunch in town, head to another Michelin favorite, JB Restaurant, for its signature pistachio ravioli and Slovenian wines.

What to Do: In Ljubljana’s city center, find a collection of architectural works of Joze Plecnik, deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021. Dragon Bridge, Ljubljana Castle and the open-air Central Market — with its fresh farm egg and raw milk vending machines — are just a few of the unique experiences to be had in the “heart of Europe.”