Hotel Kendov Dvorec

You’re not going to just happen across the 12th-century Slovene village of Spodnja Idrija, but it’s worth going out of your way when you know a hotel like Kendov Dvorec awaits at the end of the road. In its early days — records go back to 1377 — it was a country manor, and though the village has filled in around it, it still feels splendidly secluded, surrounded by gardens, lawns, and apple trees. Today it’s a classic small luxury hotel, with an old-world atmosphere that feels untouched by the passage of centuries, and an elegant restaurant that specializes in Idrija’s local culinary traditions, including trout from the Trebušica river.

The rooms and suites differ widely, not just in size but in their decoration as well. There’s nothing off-the-rack here, but rather a painstakingly assembled collection of antiques and unique pieces; the Master Suite is a particular highlight, spanning nearly 500 square feet plus an expansive outdoor terrace. And in the warmer months you’ll want to spend plenty of time out of doors — like any proper country-house hotel, Kendov Dvorec’s grounds are perfect for al fresco lounging, and the surrounding village and countryside are nothing if not picturesque.