HIDDEN GUEST: Vila Planinka Jezersko

Jezersko was once a mountainous tourist mecca, hailed as a climate-healing resort. Guests flocking here in throngs could choose from a sea of tidy apartments. A renowned oculist clinic operated where the Municipality building stands today. Jezersko’s allure as a tourist hotspot began withering after the border was established between Slovenia and Austria. It seems that is why the nature in this idyllic part of Slovenia is so pristine, among one of the country’s last remaining natural primordial gems. On this canvas, Marjan Batagelj, an acclaimed Slovenian entrepreneur and geographer, painted his dream five-star boutique hotel. In his words, the cleanest air and most stunning stargazing views are in Jezersko. This Alpine destination seems ideal for developing sustainable tourism. The boutique size of the high-altitude outpost further signals that less is more in Jezersko. We are delighted that the owner decided to redefine boutique and sustainable tourism. He said boutique tourism is not about gilded door knobs or digitalisation but about respecting nature and heritage. By entwining the story of four energy points surrounding the hotel, the owner paid homage to the incredible destination. Even if you are not an ardent believer in healing energy points, you will sleep like a baby in this hotel. That is also a guarantee that your attendees will feel good. Jezersko enjoys an enviable position with spectacular views of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps.

The hotel’s website promotes accessibility ingeniously: “Vila Planinka is far from the hustle and bustle of the big cities. It is, however, easy to get to.” Indeed, the central Slovenian airport is only a half hour away by car. Ljubljana is not far either, some forty-five minutes away. Klagenfurt Airport, on the other side of the border, is an hour away across the Jezerski vrh border crossing (1218 m). In truth, you will need to reach Jezersko by car or organised transfer. Public transport is another alternative, albeit time-consuming. Upon arriving by car, guests will not have any problems finding a parking space, while those with electric vehicles can plug them into the charging ports built by the municipality vis-a-vis the hotel. Active tourists can explore the destination by renting mountain bikes at the hotel. The valley is one of the most renowned gateways for summiting the snow-covered peaks of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps: Grintovec, Skuta, Kočna and Velika Baba. Crisscrossing the valley on foot is another spectacular experience any time of year. You can orient yourself by reading helpful tips provided at info points. The employees of the hotel will gladly share a tip or two. Walking to the Planšarsko Lake is almost mandatory if you want to stay active during your stay.

A hotel already stood where Vila Planinka greets guests today. Yet, as the old hotel crumbled away, it was not until 2018 that the investor, in partnership with architects from Nimo Studio, decided to revamp the building. The architects used local materials for the design, predominantly wood and stone, a common building material in Jezersko. The exterior seamlessly blends with the surrounding nature, standing out only thanks to its organic design, a nod to the local cultural heritage. Vila Planinka is an incredible interpretation of traditional Alpine architecture. Its larch-tree facade will, in time, turn grey and become indistinguishable from the architecture so typical of Jezersko. The interior exudes welcomeness and makes guests feel as if they were in a living room, incredibly cosy in the wintertime. At first glance, the rooms within the hotel seem slightly eclectic, but we soon realised the design is refined and features a slew of eye-catching details, including clay stucco. The owner emphasised they did not wish to create a technologically advanced hotel. Instead, they aspired to create a hotel splendid for staying there. That does not mean there is no wireless internet within the hotel, but they did follow the logic of less is more. Everything is thus original and quality-made. You will see wooden details you would not expect in the elevator. Designer furniture pieces and stunning details form an original architectural experience you cannot see in generic copycat Alpine chalets.

The staff’s uniforms are youthful and natural and radiate positivity. Likewise, their vivacious approach was infectious as they guided us from check-in to check-out. The owner has ways of motivating them, as they seem to know they are part of a truly unique hotel story. Blaž Derlink, the chef of the restaurant, together with his team, helped put Vila Planinka in the Michelin Guide. Vila Planinka is among 43 Slovenian restaurants recommended by Michelin. Gourmets are in for a treat here. The best way to relish the original cuisine prepared by the chef is to opt for the four-course tasting menu. Having honed his skills under the wing of the best (chef Igor Jagodic), the chef keeps abreast of gastronomic trends and advocates seasonal and locally-produced ingredients. Our dining experience began with tasty hors d’oeuvres, followed by smoked trout in buttermilk, beef soup with quail eggs and perfectly prepared lamb. To top it off, we were amazed by the candied fennel and fresh-made sorbet. Not to make you drool with our menu listing, but the incredible creativity displayed by the team in the kitchen deserves praise, as does the energetic staff in service. The restaurant is the crown jewel. Food and love go hand-in-hand at breakfast, too, where they stick to the principle of less is more. The dishes mainly include local delicacies from nearby farms, elevated by Jezerska Slatina, healing mineral water from mineral springs in Jezersko.

Hotel rooms

Have you ever entered a hotel room so unique you could not stop admiring it? The rooms at Vila Planinka are original, wood-scented, incredibly cosy and soul-fulfiling. We stayed in a room named after larch – trees that withstand any storm and symbolise resistance and longevity. The furniture and details on the walls, made from spruce wood, emanate a distinct, intoxicating aroma. The flooring is wooden, too. What makes the room stand out is the pastel green hue adorning parts of the bathroom and the work desk, pairing beautifully with the wooden soul of the room. From the bed, elevated on a pedestal, guests can enjoy stunning views of the surrounding nature. In your room, you will find a handwritten greeting from the Vila Planinka hotel family with a selection of artisan sweets, herbal tea, woollen slippers and retro postcards you can send to your closest ones. Details – the antique electric sockets or the dedicated pouch for storing your phone upon entering the room – are brilliant. The panoramic bathroom boasts a walk-in shower and sustainable cosmetics. Traditional heart-shaped motifs, typical of the region, pair beautifully with a playful swing amid the room, a traditional wooden chair and chandeliers. Your search for air conditioning in the room would have been in vain, as nature sets the temperature in this room. Oh, classic radiators, too. Each room in the hotel is a bit different than the other. You will feel harmonious in the company of naturally-made designer pieces.

Meetings centre

Event organisers can host events in two meeting rooms. The Experience Room is the most alluring. Its eclectic nature can serve business meetings and workshops or wine tastings, teambuilding programs, morning yoga and team meetings. The smaller meeting room is less outlandish and can host up to 20 participants. Vila Planinka can be rented for events, which incentive groups will appreciate. There is an array of possibilities for team activities around the hotel. Weddings take place in the garden, too.

DESSERT – The extras

The boutique wellness centre is ideal to end a day someplace warm. Guests can enjoy a Finnish or infrared sauna or wind down in the relaxation area, overlooking the pristine nature. We were most impressed by the selection of local products you can purchase in the hotel.

FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES

To find faults in a hotel like this is incredibly hairsplitting. Most guests overlook the details we noticed. One of them is the softness of towels, which were rather stiff and scratchy. Perhaps the company washing them should consider using an alternative softener. The hotel could also write the ingredients of the cosmetics, otherwise stored in commendable and eco-friendly soap and shampoo dispensers, as some guests want to know what hides in a product. One would expect natural, local cosmetics in such a hotel.

TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES

The staff form a true family at Vila Planinka. They deserve big kudos and respect for their work. The entire hotel family handles demanding situations effortlessly, even when some guests want to stir attention with their egos. Above all, they are always there when you need them, with their smiles, authenticity and professionalism. They are part of the entire experience. Family is what gives guests energy and vice versa. The service is what ensures an excellent experience. Without the staff, the story of Vila Planinka would remain untold.

SUSTAINABLE ENDEAVOURS

Hotels that have a green pledge are rare. Even rarer are hotels that pledge to craft experiences friendly to the environment, support the local community and spread awareness about sustainability as an achievable goal crucial to our existence. Vila Planinka achieves that with the 4R principles (refuse, reduce, reuse, and recycle). They manage their waste sustainably, encourage sustainable purchasing, support Fair Trade, compost, offer their own mineral water, partner with local suppliers and much more. The hotel wants its guests to generate a minimal carbon footprint. Vila Planinka is a textbook example of how to implement sustainability in practice. They also show how to move from words to actions. Other boutique hotels can take notes. Vila Planinka received the Slovenia Green Accommodation label and joined the Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism in 2023.

The investor set a goal to redefine what a boutique, five-star, sustainable hotel stands for. Five years after opening, the hotel is in excellent shape, fully occupied even in the off-season. Vila Planinka illustrates how popular boutique meeting hotels are becoming. The hotel’s sustainable formula comprises an original story, intimacy and serenity. At the same time, the hotel can host strategic meetings, teambuilding programs and meet-ups of luminaries. Vila Planinka is an ideal incentive hotel that can be rented for events. There are many reasons why guests feel great here. We were most impressed by the service efficiency, quality design and the convincing team – the hotel family. All this comes at a price, yet the hotel’s superb service justifies it. We are not surprised the hotel has become an ideal model of a sustainably oriented boutique hotel that will hopefully gain many admirers in Slovenia and beyond.

FINAL GRADE: 4.98 GOLD Boutique Meeting Hotel 

GOLD final score from 4.81 to 5.00
SILVER final score from 4.61 to 4.80
BRONZE final score from 4.41 to 4.60