PREKMURJE REIMAGINED IN WOOD
LOCATION
The hotel’s name, Sončno Polje (sunflower field), almost automatically conjures up an image of sunflower fields dotting the road leading to the hotel, imbuing it with a singular character. Once in bloom in August, it is hard to avert one’s eyes from the yellow petals. The Pannonian plain is the scenic setting of an original new hotel opened in Tešanovci. This quaint village is a stone’s throw away from Moravske Toplice, the thermal and tourism capital of the Prekmurje region. The location is highly convenient: although you are not in the thick of it, the remoteness is one of the hotel’s most salient advantages.
The surroundings are peaceful, open and pleasantly countryside-ish, while all key points of interest remain close. Incentive organisers can use this advantage, as Prekmurje offers a plethora of possibilities for their programmes.
Within the village and its immediate surroundings, tourist and gastronomic offerings are abundant. At the same time, the location itself is suited to venturing out into Moravske Toplice, Goričko, or Prekmurje itself. It is not the epicentre of the world, yet that is its charm: it offers peace to disconnect from the modern world while staying close to landmarks. For business groups seeking an alternative to the nearby standardised tourist offering made for the masses, this is a clear edge.
ACCESSIBILITY
The greatest advantage is easy car access and proximity to numerous experiences found only in Prekmurje.
Although Premurje is somewhat far away from Central Slovenia, access is straightforward thanks to motorway access. Most guests arrive at Hotel Sončno Polje by car. The hotel sits a kilometre from Moravske Toplice, in the village of Tešanovci, and offers free parking and an electric charging station for EVs. International guests can choose Graz Airport, or fly to Ljubljana Airport or Zagreb Airport and continue their journey to the hotel by rental car or shuttle. The closest train station is located in Murska Sobota. You can also reach the hotel by bus or taxi. A welcome addition is the tidy bike storage room where guests can charge their electric bicycles. Indeed, pedalling on two wheels is one of the best ways to explore the local plains. Over 250 kilometres of well-labelled circular bike trails surround the hotel. Because online information varies, we recommend double-checking bike rentals in person. For boutique business and incentive groups, the hotel’s accessibility is good. The greatest advantage is easy car access and proximity to numerous experiences found only in Prekmurje.
COLD STARTER - Architecture and aesthetics
Hotel Sončno Polje sits on the site of a former homestead, home to the largest restaurant in Tešanovci and the surrounding area, open until 1945. A part of the new property follows the proportions and shape of the former building. Select architectural details on the street-facing side preserve its history. Architects Goran and Maja Dominko designed the hotel. They drew inspiration from Prekmurje’s topography and traditional Pannonian architecture, translating them into modern times.
Built almost entirely from wood, the hotel’s most recognisable element might be the straw-thatched roof.
The accommodation, restaurant, and conference areas are clearly separated, resulting in an excellent spatial layout. The wooden build, crafted in partnership with the Lumar company, represents a key part of the hotel’s sustainable design. Hotel Sončno Polje does not imitate a traditional Prekmurje house, but adapts its signature materials and shapes in a modern way. The result is a highly original hotel that is conspicuous, yet appears to seep into the landscape of the Prekmurje plains.
WARM ENTRÉE - The staff and the culinary experience
A hotel that has just opened its doors should be given the usual 90 days of peace for the team to find its footing and get everything right. Rather than a critique, our remarks are more a reminder of some beginner inconsistencies. Most of all, we were disappointed by the breakfast, which matters most to business guests. For starters, let’s delve into the selection and labelling of dishes. For an international clientele, clearly labelled dishes are important. Here, the dishes were neither labelled nor did we find a trace of any local ingredients that would embody the local cuisine. The promise of home-grown and homemade eggs sounded promising, yet no one offered them visually or personally. Only when we asked explicitly did we learn we could order them. This is a missed opportunity, as such an offer could be something the staff presents to guests with delight.
Local products, stories, ingredients and thoughtful presentation of dishes would elevate the breakfast to new levels.
The breakfast area itself is cumbersomely arranged when fully occupied, and it feels crammed. There is tremendous room for improvement here, especially given what Slovenia has to offer gastronomically. Local products, stories, ingredients and thoughtful presentation of dishes would elevate the breakfast to new levels. Otherwise, the staff is kind and professional. Once they hone their skills and become adept at fulfilling their guests’ wishes, the entire experience will undoubtedly improve. The potential is, in truth, tremendous. How to present dishes and, most of all, how to serve guests can be examined a few metres away. Although their neighbours are artisanal chocolate experts, their approach to curating the visitor experience is exemplary (no PR).
MAIN COURSE – The meetings offering at the hotel
Hotel rooms
We stayed in a spacious suite, fitted with an infra-red sauna and a spacious ground-floor terrace. As we set foot inside, we were impressed by the space and the warmth of the oak wood floor. A modern, pleasantly elegant feel is complemented by minimalist furniture in toned-down beige hues. The bedroom and living room are separated by sliding doors, while an extendable couch ensures even families with children stay comfortable here. A special chapter is the phenomenally spacious bathroom, fitted with a bathtub, walk-in shower cabin and the aforementioned infrared sauna. Select furniture pieces by Slovenian manufacturer Škerjanc enrich the suite’s overall look. A piece of graphic artwork on the walls could add more charm. Currently, the walls feel somewhat toned down. During sunny days, the best part of the stay is to sit on the terrace overlooking the sunflower fields that stretch all the way to the horizon.
Meetings centre
The main conference hall is tucked away in the attic of the old part of the building. It can accommodate up to 110 attendees in a plenary setting. Daylight streaming through the roof windows creates a pleasant, airy work area. A smaller hall can accommodate up to 20 attendees. It can host meetings, curated workshops or boutique groups. We must praise the surprisingly spacious space for coffee breaks. Event organisers can also use a handy wardrobe, toilets, and a smaller bar. The entire conference part is thoughtfully and functionally designed, which is often an exception in boutique hotels. The hotel also offers additional programmes tailored to various target groups. The overall quality of the offering will be assessed over time, but the spatial foundations and the basic requirements for organising boutique events are highly promising.
DESSERT – The extras
Whilst the wellness area is petite, it offers all the key amenities of larger spa centres. Together with an outdoor pool open in warm summer months, the spa offers a surprisingly holistic offer for such a boutique hotel.
FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES
The internet connection was often unstable during our stay. Though ordinary browsing is not an issue, glitches, sound delays or picture freezing can occur during videoconferences. For business event organisers, a reliable Wi-Fi connection is essential. We urge the hotel to address this issue promptly. Given the hotel is new and this is a basic drawback, we expect it will resolve this challenge quickly.
TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES
For a hotel with 19 rooms and suites, the conference offering is unbelievably holistic. The main hall, accommodating up to 100 attendees, is complemented by smaller meeting rooms, a coffee break area, and outdoor spaces. This is a welcome and rare feature for boutique hotels.
SUSTAINABLE ENDEAVOURS
Wooden construction, natural materials, and a straw-thatched roof provide an exemplary basis for the hotel’s sustainable story.
Local ingredients, partnerships with local providers, an electric charging station, and active encouragement of walking and cycling signal that sustainability is more than a direct consequence of green construction. Hotel Sončno Polje will need to back up its green measures with measurable data, clear goals and independent certificates to prove sustainable principles can be applied to day-to-day business. The basis is excellent.
CREATIVITY
The hotel’s creativity is shown in its modern interpretation of Prekmurje’s architecture. The wooden construction, imposing thatched roof and architectural tribute to the former homestead create a recognisable story that is not folkloristic, but contemporary and genuine. The multi-purpose use of space is thoughtful, too. The conference hall in the attic, private lounge, terrace, meadow and poolside area allow business events of all shapes to take place here. Hotel Sončno Polje is most creative when it pairs local identity with the needs of a contemporary boutique hotel.
FINAL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY
Local investors created a surprisingly diverse and holistic offering for a boutique hotel, which is why Hotel Sončno Polje feels like a boutique resort in many ways. This property is a great alternative to large-scale thermal hotels in this part of Prekmurje, catering mainly to guests and groups seeking peace, privacy, and a personal approach. Needless to say, the hotel’s boutique size brings limitations, yet the value for money is a big advantage. Inside, the decor is inviting, refined and uncluttered. Quality materials, attention to detail and purposeful work areas create a comfortable environment for business guests. A few additional labelling elements, artistic pieces and details would infuse the space with even more charm.
With some fine-tuning, Hotel Sončno Polje could become one of the most intriguing boutique meeting hotels in Prekmurje.
As the hotel is brand-new, the management has plenty of work ahead to ensure all processes run smoothly. Above all, they will need to deliver on their promises of local ingredients and sustainable practices and provide proof. The hotel’s potential is immense, particularly for smaller incentive groups. With better specialisation and more real-life experience, Hotel Sončno Polje could become one of the most intriguing boutique meeting hotels in Prekmurje.
FINAL GRADE: 4.85 THREE MEETING STARS⭐⭐⭐ Boutique 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
