The Slovenian Mountain Hideaway

Rooms

Four identical chalets line the mountain, their entirely glass fronts maximising the epic views. Better still, each has a private terrace (with wooden table and chairs) perfect for gazing at the scenery over a cup of tea or, as we did, huddling down to admire a magnificent storm.

Inside, the large open-plan living room and kitchen occupy the ground floor (along with the bathroom). Wander upstairs and you’re in the mezzanine attic bedroom. A low double bed maximises the space beneath the eaved ceilings, and a firm mattress holds 2 single duvets - great if you’re always arguing about who steals the covers. Bathrooms are small but perfectly formed: shiny chrome finishes, toiletries, a big heated towel rail and a spacious shower.

Overall, the décor is quite stark, but the feel is clean and minimalist. Contemporary chrome lamps and a small copper bowl provide the only homely touches; we felt it would be nice to add a couple of pictures or the odd piece of decorative art. However, we give it full marks for welcoming extras: waffle bathrobes and full-length mohair robes for winter, bright-red Crocs to wander about in, chocolates to snaffle, and a bowl of dried apple slices (delicious).

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Central heating
• Minibar
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

Unusually, there is no restaurant; instead a variety of food is provided for you to help yourselves at any time.

In the main building, the communal kitchen adjoins a sociable dining area and terrace. Below this is a cellar filled with treats. Locally cured salamis and prosciutto, traditional hard cheeses and crackers are nice for lunch. There are big urns of local wines to wash it down (we preferred the whites); if you’d like something more upmarket, a selection of excellent wines are available on an honesty-bar basis (sold at cost price).

In your chalet, a breakfast of yoghurt, juice, UHT milk, processed cheese and fresh cherries waits in your fridge - perfect for lazy mornings. Muesli, teas and coffees are in the cupboard; wander over to the main building for bread and jams, too.

In the evenings, you’re left to your own devices. You can self-cater in your well-equipped chalet (pots, pans, knives, sieves, a grater, a hob, etc) using produce bought from the supermarket in Kobarid (15 minutes’ drive). Or you can order a 4-course dinner (lunch also available) from a neighbouring farmhouse - traditional, homemade dishes delivered to your chalet door.

Or dine out. We had an unbelievably good meal at the famous Hiša Franko, run by Maja's sister, Ana; local produce cooked in a theatrical way - think dry ice swirling around a martini glass filled with tomato jelly and fresh octopus, or wild herb and flower salad with blueberries and an egg yolk.

Features include:

• Breakfast
• Honesty bar
• Kitchenette

Activities

• Hike up the mountain and along the path at the top for fab views of Slovenia on one side and Italy on the other. For something easier, drive to Kobarid and try the loop walk that winds above the Soca river
  
  
• Unwind in the wellness centre: bliss out in the classic Finnish sauna, the bio sauna with aromatherapy or the infra sauna with chromotherapy. There's also a small gym for yoga, pilates, and aerobics.
  
  
• There are mountain bikes to borrow, hop on and explore the surrounding area - if your lungs can handle the hills!
  
  
• Take advantage of the Soca's activities (Maja and Samo will happily advise): take a pony trek through the mountains, go white-water rafting or canoeing along the turquoise Soca river, try your hand at fly fishing, or paraglide over it all
  
  
• In winter, the mountains offer excellent skiing and in rainy weather there’s a dairy farm (30 minutes away), where you can see cows being milked and cheese being made; educational stuff (although sensitive stomachs should avoid the tasting session!)
  
  
• Visit the excellent Kobarid Museum, which presents the events of WWI that took place on the surrounding Isonzo Front

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Cycling
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Horse riding
• Kayaking
• Museums / galleries
• Rafting
• Swimming
• Wildlife

Kids

This is an adults-only hotel, with the focus on the tranquility of the natural surroundings. However if you choose to hire out the whole place, children can be accommodated.

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The Slovenian Mountain Hideaway is situated near the villages of Irdsko and Livek, in Slovenia's Soca Valley. It’s 20 minutes from Kobarid, 1.5 hours from Trieste (in Italy) and 2.5 hours from Ljubljana.

By Air
Fly into Trieste Aiport, Italy (100km) or Ljubljana Airport (120km).

From the Airport
The owners can arrange a transfer from Ljubljana, but we’d definitely recommend hiring a car as the setting is pretty isolated and you'll feel stranded without one. Driving in Slovenia is a lovely experience; the roads are pretty empty and the scenery stunning.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

More on getting to Slovenia and getting around