Boutique hotels are usually the opposite of bigger 100 or more-room hotels which are sometimes without a soul, and you feel like staying in a shopping mall. Guests that choose to stay in a boutique-type accommodation, strive for a more personal approach which is a lot of times easier to accomplish since there are fewer guests – especially at the front desk.
In some hotels, you might also find lobbies giving you the impression that you have just stepped into a theatre, corridor lights dimmed, and rooms furnished in a designer way – for some even weird way. Along with great food, fine drinks, and contemporary dance music.
Not necessarily, but many boutique hotels are a reflection of their surroundings and offer the guest an experience of something new and surprising. They are embedded in the local scene, allowing guests to interact with locals and the front desk staff can many times reveal secrets of the city’s hustle and bustle that are not mentioned by tourist guides.
Below we have put together a list of some properties which can be included in your tour through any of the mentioned countries. Let us know your thoughts when you send your inquiry.
IN SLOVENIA
Let’s Start in the Capital
With its striking Art Deco facade, Ljubljana’s Hotel Cubo offers luxurious, impeccably styled rooms, good food, a warm welcome, and top-notch service. Although it’s on a main street, traffic noise is pretty muted, and the views of the castle from the rooms – especially those on the top floor – more than make up for it. Located just steps away from the old town, less than a five-minute walk from the Ljubljanica River, and right next to the National Theater. Ljubljana’s many attractions – from the Dragon Bridge, the cobblestone streets and cafes of the Old Town, to the lush greenery of Tivoli Park, are all within walking distance.
If you are touring Slovenia for about 7 days, we also recommend staying in Ljubljana for the whole time. Slovenia is small and you can make daily excursions to different cities and return in the evening to the same hotel. This way there is no need to change hotels, it is more comfortable and before the day ends you can enjoy walks in the city center and taste local food.
We Continue with the Castle Hotel
The renovated Hotel Grad Otočec is located on a small island surrounded by the Krka River. It offers a beautiful setting and is the only castle on an island in Slovenia. Otočec is located in a picturesque region rich in rivers, valleys, forests, and vineyards.
The castle has been renovated but preserved Gothic and Renaissance elements that evoke the unique atmosphere of the past while blending perfectly with the luxurious comfort of today’s hotel.
The hotel was accepted as a member of the well-established Relais & Châteaux Hotels and Restaurants Association, one of the reasons being also its exceptional location. Not only that the hotel offers accommodation and a restaurant that will stay with you as a beautiful memory, but there you will find one of the many golf courses in Slovenia.
Try one of the longest and most beautiful golf courses in Slovenia, just one kilometer from the hotel. This modern 18-hole course offers a real challenge in the shelter of the woods for both professional and amateur golfers, even the less experienced.
Recover in the Thermal Springs
Hotel Alexander welcomes all those who love a luxurious health retreat to the town of Rogaška Slatina, the birthplace of Donat Mg mineral water. This exclusive five-star boutique hotel is located in an idyllic setting of this small town – one of the most famous spa resorts in Slovenia.
The hotel enchants its visitors not only with incredible design and architecture but also with unforgettable gastronomy. In the restaurant, you will enjoy a fine selection of national products, wines, and a unique menu of medicinal waters.
Two Small, Charming Hotels – Among the Vineyards
Below you can read about two hotels, each in its part of Slovenia. That is, even if you leave Ljubljana to the east or west, you have the option to stay the night. But there is also the option to just arrive, enjoy wine tasting in a different environment, and return in the evening to the capital – if you prefer to do your trip this way. And don’t worry, there’s no need to count your wine glasses 😊, our driver guide will see to it that you return safely.
Hotel Gredič is a unique establishment in the heart of the Goriška Brda wine region (almost touching the border with Italy), which is adorned with breathtaking panoramic views and offers guests various opportunities to relax and unwind from everyday worries. The impressive castle was built some 400 years ago and was completely renovated not long ago, retaining its historic charm.
The location also reflects the characteristics of the area. It is rooted in a region rich in wine and culinary traditions and a mix of Alpine and Mediterranean influences. The Gredič wine cellar combines a touch of tradition and elegance and is an exceptional place to taste the rich collection of Brda wines in the company of your loved ones or business partners.
The second hotel to mention is Sibon Wine & Spa Resort. Positioned among the vineyards of the village Jeruzalem, it is quite close to the cities of Maribor and Ptuj. Both cities are highly recommended to visit if you decide to visit Slovenia.
For lovers of design and nature, Sibon Resort is the right choice. A perfect combination of simplicity, elegance, and modernity, where you will feel at home and experience real positive energy. The resort’s vast grounds blend seamlessly with the surrounding hills, enhancing its natural and ethereal atmosphere.
Apart from the wines, the gastronomy of this part of Slovenia is very different from the other parts of the country. Take advantage and try the cuisine of the Prlekija region, where tradition and technique combine to offer guests an authentic experience of the region’s gastronomic heritage, using local products, especially vegetables, and herbs from their garden. This place may be much more than just one of the boutique hotels in Slovenia.
IN CROATIA
Also Among the Vineyards
There, in the middle of the Istrian peninsula in Croatia. In the town of Motovun, positioned on a hill, surrounded by vineyards. There awaits you – Hotel Roxanich = accommodation, wine tasting, and Istrian gastronomy. Hotel Roxanich is an extraordinary boutique hotel located in the heart of the Istrian peninsula, Croatia’s finest wine region. It offers exceptional levels of luxury, coupled with impeccable service, a memorable dining experience, and some of the most elegant rooms in Croatia.
The design is a distinct blend of old and contemporary styles, with the iconic Italian aesthetic of the 1960s mixed with elements that reflect Istria’s rich heritage. The Roxanich estate’s greatest treasure is undoubtedly its wines. So, it is only fitting it is kept safely tucked away in the depths of its cellar. Visit the new state-of-the-art wine cellar beneath the hotel, a masterpiece of design by renowned architect Idis Turato. Unwind with a glass in hand and a plate of pasta with truffles – the king of exquisite food, coming out of this very area.
The Capital Also Offers…
…an intimate oasis of style, service, and comfort in the heart of Zagreb, Croatia. The Jägerhorn, the oldest hotel in the city enjoys a prime location a stone’s throw from Ban Jelačić Square in the heart of the capital. Nestled in a passageway connecting the historic upper town with the center, the hotel houses 18 elegantly decorated rooms, a stylish bar offering great drinks, a terrace, and the most beautiful garden in the city.
Preserving a tradition of many years, the Jägerhorn bar is an attraction itself visited by locals and tourists alike. Its décor is attractive, with recycled furniture and exposed brick walls from the 19th century. An oasis of peace and relaxation that defies its urban surroundings, Hotel Jägerhorn is the perfect platform from which to explore the city and its many attractions on a guided tour.
In the Largest City of the Adriatic
If your route through the Balkans takes you to Croatia, you will surely pass through the city of Split. The largest and most important city in Dalmatia has several hotels, but one of the boutique hotels can be this very one – Hotel Briig. Hotel Briig offers it all: from an authentic experience, and a unique holiday concept, to custom architecture and art-influenced design, along with highly personalized service. Just a 500 m walk from the city center and the Diocletian’s Palace. Briig is a place for those who still hope to find more valuable, rich, and refined experiences. The wooden interiors in the rooms create a natural and relaxing effect, should you ever get bored of having the Unesco city at your feet.
On the Croatian Islands
If you prefer to stay on the islands, one of the boutique hotels is located off the coast of Hvar, on the Pakleni Islands. To treat yourself to an ultimate experience, enter the Zori Timeless Hotel. A unique place where the unspoiled and breathtaking natural environment of the bay meets a remarkable gastronomic experience and an unforgettable location.
The residences are a magnificent blend of luxury and minimalism, a little piece of paradise on the beachfront. Each has its swimming pool and/or jacuzzi and a spacious living area. Set amidst the most beautiful nature and with the turquoise sea in front, they provide a much-needed escape from routine.
Boutique hotels offer you:
a more personal approach by the staff,
a vibrant design of the interior, and great locations.
Right in the Heart of Unesco’s Dubrovnik
Right on the famous Stradun Street. No, the hotel does not come at a small cost and the location backs it up. You can reach the main sights of Dubrovnik in a 10-minute walk. What was a nobleman’s house in the 16th century, has been converted to welcome you to the modern world. Four-star Hotel Stari Grad occupies this romantic stone building. The decor is “contemporary classic”. Stone stairs lead up four floors, with two rooms on each, and on the fifth floor, there is a small restaurant (recognized by the Michelin Guide). This rooftop restaurant is where you can enjoy an unforgettable dinner with panoramic views.
In the Middle of the Dalmatian Coast
Šibenik today is a beautiful and historic town on the Adriatic coast. Unlike neighboring towns built by Greeks, Illyrians, and Romans, Šibenik was founded by native Croats. The dapper and striking D-Resort Hotel has brought a 21st-century touch to one of Croatia’s oldest port cities. Its sweeping lines reflect the curve of the D-Marina Mandalina (award-winning marina for super yachts). The hotel offers a dazzling view of Šibenik’s old town and the spectacular concrete and wood design breaks down the boundaries between exterior and interior. It all adds to a boutique hotel that catches the eye before captivating the heart.
Just 30 minutes from the beautiful Krka National Park and an hour’s drive from Split and Zadar – we can accommodate you here while visiting these three places.
If you decide to visit these places
IN MONTENEGRO
An Elegant Boutique Property by the Sea
St. Tropez has it, Dubai has it. And now you can also enjoy it on your Balkan route, making the stop in Montenegro. In the town of Tivat, just off the Bay of Kotor is the Nikki Beach Resort. Nikki Beach Hotels & Resorts prides itself on offering its guests an incomparable and distinctive lifestyle. The charm of the hotel is the hotel’s philosophy which is based on finding your inner zen, and the hotel allows you to do so with limitless pampering and relaxation. Whether it’s the outdoor pool with panoramic vistas or one of the beauty treatments, at Nikki Beach Montenegro everything is subordinated to pleasure.
IN SERBIA
Belgrade
In the capital of Serbia, one of the small boutique hotels is located in a dark gray townhouse from 1929, in the heart of the old town. A bit hidden, in a neighborhood almost frozen in time, but only a minute’s walk from the prominent Knez Mihailova Street. The Townhouse 27 Hotel proves that contemporary can still be cozy, with an elegant style infused with equal parts of warmth and sophistication. Behind the slate-gray facade is an immediate sense of understated elegance, and what sets it apart from the usual design hotel is the profuse amount of original artwork made for the hotel.
IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
Eden
The word, in colloquial language, often resembles the meaning of paradise. Slightly elevated from the old town of Mostar, but within walking distance of the Old Bridge, the Eden Hotel could be your paradise when you visit this exceptional Unesco site. The views from the hotel are beautiful, whether from your room or the swimming pool. On the first floor of Eden is a restaurant serving a variety of Herzegovinian dishes, carefully prepared with locally grown ingredients. International specialties can also be ordered, as well as a wide range of wines, both local and international. Staying a couple of days in Mostar will also be a good choice if you wish to visit the nearby town of Medjugorje, the village of Blagaj, or the medieval village Počitelj.
IN NORTH MACEDONIA
The Panorama
At 1,350 meters above sea level, Kruševo is the only mountain town in Macedonia and the highest in the Balkans. There in Kruševo, you will enjoy a divine panorama, at the Panorama Hotel & Spa. If you decide to tour Macedonia and visit Skopje and Ohrid, we can include a visit to Kruševo with a relaxing day in this establishment, surrounded by nature. In the city, but surrounded by forests, a great way to relax in the fresh air. The rooms are elegant, but with natural materials incorporated. The large windows of the restaurant reveal an incredible view of the city, the beech forest, and the sky. It gives the feeling of being on a porch among the clouds. And the indoor swimming pool delivers a fantastic scenic view, with a glass roof to observe the sky.
In which of the boutique hotels above do you see yourself spending the night? Write to us with your wishes, questions or if you need some suggestions for your trip to the Balkans.
