BEHIND THE SCENES – DAM Boutique Hotel & Restaurant

In Slovenian town of Kromberk, close to Nova Gorica that borders on Italian Gorizia, family Fakuč has been writing a gastronomic and hospitality history already since 1996. That year, the family opened a store and a bistro, and in 2005 son Uroš Fakuč, a chef and a trained somellier, developed it into a bistro and wine bar, and gradually into a high-end restaurant DAM, one of the most acclaimed restaurants in the region. Uroš Fakuč recently went another step up and in mid-September opened a boutique and luxury hotel above the restaurant to make his, as he says, ‘lifelong dream come true’. Now the family business, run by owner and chef Uroš, combines the fine-dining restaurant and the new luxury hotel under the joint name of DAM Boutique Hotel & Restaurant.

Hotel’s design impresses with its extremely luxurious feel and atmosphere so that despite being a four-star hotel its looks and vibe give a guest a complete five-star experience. Design truly is exceptionally rich for the area, what is confirmed also by experts. Maja Uran Maravić, for example, an acclaimed professor of tourism and hospitality from University of Tourism – Turistica in Portorož, confirms design’s outstanding achievement with marking it ‘the most beautiful hotel west of Ljubljana’.

Room interior is modern, comfortable and sophisticated in pleasant shades of grey, black and white notes that provide a timeless elegance dominating the interior. There are 7 luxury room and two suites designed by the trendiest standards for luxury hotels. Ksenija Djordjević, from the Belgrade’s KDA architectural studio, followed Uroš Fakuč’s ideas and she designed rooms with upscale furniture and parque, and dressed the bathrooms in marble. Sleeping in the hotel is not relaxing only due to hotel being located in a very silent part of town, but also due to the mattresses being of the highest quality and the bedding of the finest Egyptian cotton.

DAM Restaurant, located in the hotel’s groundfloor, was recently renovated into an interior evoking the charm and elegance of an urban environment with particular attention to intimacy. Guests get served in the main hall, but for those looking for a more intimate atmosphere, the restaurant also provides a private room for 2 to 20 guests. Uroš Fakuč, owner and chef, who was in the past working with Gualtiero Marchesi, the founder of modern Italian cuisine, swears on raw fish, olive oil, clear flavours, and fresh and first class ingredients. The restaurant is a member of the prestigous JRE – Jeunes Restaurateurs, and recommended by the respectable Austrian gourmet magazine Falstaff, Italian Gamero Rosso, Identita’ Golose, and awarded 16 points by Gault & Millau. Wine lovers will also be happy, as the restaurant provides over 300 selected wines from Slovenia, Italy, France, and Austria.

From the hotel’s reception, located in the place of the former wine bar, one walks to the breakfast nook that provides guests with two options – half of breakfast can be chosen from the buffet, while the other half, as it is common for five-star hotels, can be ordered à la carte. Additionally, for those preferring morning intimacy, breakfasts can be ordered into their rooms.

Hotel also provides space for meetings, seminars, lectures and presentation for up to 80 persons.

DAM Boutique Hotel & Restaurant presents a perfect starting point for gastronomic tourists who want to explore the region bursting at the seems with the rich culinary and wine tradition, accompanied by impressive natural and cultural-historical heritage. Kromberk is at the front line of one of Slovenia’s most colourful regions. Guests can visit the 17th century Kromberk Castle, or hop to the globally admired Soča Valley, or the so called Slovenian Tuscany, Goriška Brda, world-famous for its wines. For further exploring, one can also quickly reach Italy and its towns Gorizia and Trieste, while the romantic Venice is only a good hour ride away. However, even the central Slovenia is not far away, as Ljubljana, the capital, is only an hour ride from Kromberk.