MICHELIN Guide Slovenia : Boutique hotels with top-notch restaurants

"An attractive 5-star hotel done out in traditional style with a romantic atmosphere, this former Kendov family stronghold built circa 1377 pairs nostalgic charm with bespoke service and a restaurant that anchors the experience. I arrive to a picturesque barn and a charming painted house, then take in garden views over Idrija framed by the Alps and the limestone rocks of the Karst Plateau; inside, an old suit of armour, sepia photographs, lace doilies, and a low-ceilinged hiša living room with a green-tiled stove, old benches, and waxed floorboards set a warm, classical tone that continues upstairs in guestrooms with solid wood furniture, oriental rugs, and Murano glass chandeliers. In the light-filled dining room, long-time chefs Franci Pivk and Klavdij Pirih respectfully treat local culinary traditions while reinterpreting them, sourcing vegetables from the hotel garden, fruit from the orchard, cheese from the nearby Poljanska Valley, trout from the Trebuščica River, and valley-raised meats—especially lamb—reflecting their early embrace of slow food. Signature dishes include žlikrofi (pasta filled with potato and bacon), bakalca (lamb shoulder cooked with diced vegetables and white wine), ajmoht (a broth with white meat), and the famous štruklji; the menu changes daily for hotel guests, and the wine list showcases Slovenian bottles from Primorska, the Vipava Valley, and Goriška Brda alongside local craft beers, a rich variety that never fails to delight when dining here." - Le Guide MICHELIN