A castle and grounds of royal proportions, the Grad Otocec is a jewel in the Relais and Chateaux crown – not to mention the Slovenia hotel scene. Like something out of a fairytale, this property defines boutique grandeur. With just 16 suites, each is as enchanting as the rest of the property.
Set on its own island in the middle of the River Krka – like something out of a fairytale – the Grad Otočec is a reimagined Gothic, 13th-century medieval manor house and Renaissance residence, restored to its historical grandeur. It is now one of Slovenia’s top luxury hotels, part of the Relais and Chateaux collection. It’s enough to make all our Rapunzel dreams come true.
Our superior suite, featured neutral, earthy decor and was perfectly suited for royalty, with plenty of wooden panels and touches of medieval-style touches, but coming complete with all modern needs. We loved our sprawling, grand bathroom, with a soak-in tub that’s just perfect for after a long day of exploring the majestic Slovenian countryside. And just to remind us of where we were, our window overlooked the impossibly green river, castle terrace and acres of land.
Staying at a place like this, you’d have to excuse us for not wanting to cross the moat. In the early evening as the sun set, we walked around its extensive grounds, surveying our estate that felt like we had it all to ourselves. That’s of course before we got distracted by the call for sparkling cocktails and an exquisite tasting menu in the hotel’s restaurant, featuring excellent Slovenian cuisine matched with the region’s infamous wines on demand, from the hotel’s well-stocked cellars.
| Perfect for | Fly into | Right on time |
| The Escapist | LJU | GMT +1 |
| While you’re Out There |
| Tucked away in Slovenia’s jawdroppingly beautiful Doleniska region, the hotel acts as a perfect base to explore the stunning countryside – with its spellbindingly Instagrammable flowing rivers and lush green forests. You’ll feel a world away from already low-key Ljubljana, so our hot tip is to enjoy what you have right on your doorstep. |
Photography courtesy of The Grad Otočec
