This was our second visit to Slovenia, but our first stay at Hotel Kendov Dvorec. As you can expect from any Relais Chateaux association hotel, the service, friendliness, and overall experience of Kendov Dvorec was phenomenal. Helena, Gregor, Mateus, and the rest of the staff were so so kind and welcoming; we genuinely felt that we were guests in the home of the bests hosts ever. One evening before dinner, Gregor built us a fire so we could sit in front playing card games while sipping wine made by the hotel owner and enjoying a local charcuterie. Dinner was amazing - I highly recommend letting Gregor choose the wine pairings for you! Breakfast was a beautiful spread of local meats, cheeses, fruit juices, pastries and cereals, and the best assortment of local honey and jams. They also prepared delicious eggs and bacon.
The hotel itself is a beautifully renovated mansion, with elegant antique furnishings, set on a hill overlooking a church. We visited in winter, which was lovely, but I can imagine the grounds and garden are spectacular in the summer.
Idrija is a quiet little town, and a great base to explore the rest of Slovenia, as it's just a short drive to the Postojna and Skocjan caves, Predjama castle, the beach town of Piran, and the capital of Ljubljana. While in town, I recommend visiting the local mercury mine to get a sense of the history of Idrija.
I highly recommend Hotel Kendov Dvorec and hope to make it back again someday.
