IN PLAIN SIGHT, YET CLOAKED
LOCATION
The fierce bora wind has always blown on the western edge of the Roman and the eastern edge of the Slavic world. It blew most fearsome during the First World War when a defining battle waged on 11 November 1918 heralded the demise of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the dualist state under which Gorizians had lived for four centuries. The remnants of history, culture and tradition intertwine at every step, but they are perhaps nowhere more palpable than in the village of Gradisca next to the Isonzo River. The city’s Renaissance fortress best illustrates the many facets of the town. Once shielding the Venetian Republic, the Serenissima, from Ottoman invasions, today it is a frequented tourist attraction. The quaint village of Gradisca d’Isonzo has today become the economic and cultural heart of this part of the Goriška region. Visitors will be stunned at every step, especially wine lovers, as the area is one of the winemaking centres in this part of Italy. Hotel Franz is tucked away along the main motorway, close to the scenic city centre and a few hundred metres from the Isonzo River. Although not enjoying a spectacular location with stunning views, the hotel still serves as an excellent starting point for discovering the city and the broader region, especially the karst hinterland. This hotel sits on the highland frontier between Slovenia and Italy.
ACCESSIBILITY
The easiest way to reach the hotel is by taking the A4 motorway connecting Venice and Trieste and leading onwards to Slovenia. After turning in Villesse, you will arrive at the hotel in minutes. There, a spacious parking lot perfectly matches the capacity of the hotel. The hotel also has a Stellantis charging station for electric vehicles. Should you prefer travelling with superb Italian trains, we recommend heading to the rail crossroads in Gorizia, only a few kilometres up north. Several ATP Gorizia bus stations are near the hotel, too. From there, you can easily crisscross the region and reach several outposts. The largest airport is Trieste Airport, some twenty kilometres south of the city. Regularly connected with European hubs, the airport is an excellent starting point for visitors from faraway destinations. We assess the accessibility of the hotel as decent and user-friendly. More importantly, we appreciate the cyclist-friendly approach: the hotel offers guests classic and e-bikes and kind advice on where and how to go.
COLD STARTER - Architecture and aesthetics
The hotel building is designed as an L-shaped pavilion, surrounding the vast garden with a pool overlooking the Isonzo River hidden by trees. The building seeps into the cityscape thanks to its discreet size but appears distinctly different from the photos on the hotel website, where it seems to be a solitary retreat in the Friuli plains. We must complement the architects by not building too high. The three-storey building thus blends with its surroundings. The functional design that expanded from the elegant hotel atrium into several directions is more complex. After the renovation, the hotel atrium, with an accompanying bar and lobby, seems perhaps the most thought-out space where guests tend to socialise and stay. The halls and other public spaces, though, can hardly veil their age and could be used as a gallery and much more. Unfortunately, the architecture left a mixed and confused impression. Likewise, the interior lacks a common denominator and style.
WARM ENTRÉE - The staff and the culinary experience
The staff’s professionalism is on a high level and worth praise. The personnel seem keen on realising every wish of guests. From the first to the last, the staff members were incredibly kind. The Lounge and Bistro Meja was our first point of contact for meeting with the staff, where we experienced authentic Italian hospitality. The breakfast was one of the highlights of our stay. Meticulously labelling dishes is a commendable initiative in and of itself. The dishes were handpicked, local and beautifully decorated, as were the delightful desserts, especially the orange cake. A friendly team ensures guests are satisfied, dishes are decorated, and that select fruit never runs out. We must also praise the selection of local meat delicacies and cheeses. Even the coffee was splendid, as apt for a region home to Italy’s coffee capital – Trieste. Hotel Franz is an excellent choice if you desire an excellent breakfast during your next hotel stay.
MAIN COURSE – The meetings offering at the hotel
Hotel rooms
The spaciousness of rooms can be a competitive advantage or a drawback in some cases. The latter usually occurs when a space feels empty, even though it boasts enough elements. For instance, a lounger could have filled the vacant space in the room of this hotel. The room’s beige colours pair nicely with the wooden floor in dark hues, yet the room still appears somewhat dim. The bed is the centrepiece, adorned by a designer headboard made by Pignat. Although decent, better lining would have improved our sleep. As suitable for an Italian hotel, the rooms feature an Illy coffee machine and a payable mini bar. The XL-sized bathroom sports similar sandy and coffee colours that dominate the room. We recommend the management to replace the hairdryers in the rooms, as ours was in rough shape. Lighting, on the other hand, is pleasant and easy to use. A most welcome work desk was the silver lining. In another architect’s hands, this room could become a suite.
Meetings centre
The boutique conference centre includes three halls, with the largest, Collio, accommodating up to 50 attendees. The other two can sit up to 40 participants each. You will find several historical venues in the city; our recommendation is the nearby theatre. In a radius of twenty kilometres, event organisers can also host their event or wine tasting in wineries such as Borgo Conventi.
DESSERT – The extras
The hotel bar Meja is an alluring and welcoming space serving superb coffee and excellent spritzes. We do not doubt event attendees appreciate both.
FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES
Although commonplace in Italy, the extra payments for wellness, breakfast and other activities are part of yield management. That often results in discontent among guests.
TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES
The pool in the hotel garden is undoubtedly an advantage during the summer months. Event organisers can host a unique pool party or coffee break there.
SUSTAINABLE ACTIVITIES
We did not see any particular sustainability policy, although the hotel does boast sustainable cosmetics in the bathroom. Still, their advocacy of cycling and hiking can be considered a sustainable initiative. One of the most popular hiking trails is the Alpe Adria Trail, running right through Gradisca d’Isonzo.
FINAL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY
Hotel Franz is a mature hotel that is ageing like fine wine and adapting to changing guests’ needs. Its last revamp in 2012 was a welcome evolution. However, with the fast-changing hotel fashion, the style a decade ago may not be as fresh today. That is not to say the hotel is missing anything in terms of functionality. Its design is thought-out, and everything is where you expect it. The cuisine and staff are excellent, and one of the reasons the hotel has a loyal base of guests. To summarise, Hotel Franz is a well-rounded, solid hotel without unnecessary extravagance. More demanding event organisers seeking luxurious venues can find them in the bountiful region. Still, the affordable price of staying here and renting the halls might tip the scales in favour of this hotel. The difference compared to nearby Trieste or Udine is palpable.
FINAL GRADE: 4.76 TWO MEETING STARS⭐⭐City Meeting Hotel
3 MEETING STARS⭐⭐⭐ final score from 4.81 to 5.00
2 MEETING STARS⭐⭐ final score from 4.61 to 4.80
1 MEETING STAR⭐ final score from 4.41 to 4.60
