HIDDEN GUEST: Hotel Švicarija Terme Dobrna

SPRING OF LIFE

LOCATION

The oldest Slovenian thermal resort is located a short distance from the A1 motorway connecting Slovenia’s two largest cities, Ljubljana and Maribor. It has a storied history; the serendipitous discovery of a thermal spring in 1403 lured wealthy Austro-Hungarians, who extolled the resort’s healing water and medicinal practices. It is said many women who faced infertility came here and, thanks to the healing thermal water, became pregnant soon after. Even Johan Strauss II is said to have stayed here. Still today, the resort is one of the leading Slovenian rehabilitation centres. However, since the end of Austria-Hungary, much has changed. Alongside the central Vita Hotel, several revamped buildings that house hotels and restaurants now welcome guests and health patients. Within Terme Dobrna, Švicarija Hotel is one of the most representative buildings erected during the zenith of the resort in 1872. Tucked away in the northern part of the resort, the renovated hotel features an instantly recognisable green and yellow facade. Terme Dobrna has an ideal location for a spa hotel – in the safe embrace of verdant nature.

ACCESSIBILITY

Dobrna is easily accessible by car, an hour’s drive from Ljubljana and even less from Maribor. Guests wanting to travel sustainably can opt for the numerous bus connections organised for groups of pensioners. Train connections, on the other hand, are not the best. The best option is to embark on the train connecting Ljubljana and Celje, followed by a twenty-minute bus ride. Air connections continue to be Slovenia’s Achilles heel, preventing the destination from gaining a global foothold. Guests who still opt to arrive in Slovenia by plane can fly to Ljubljana Airport (85 kilometres away) or Graz Airport (120 kilometres away), which is well connected with the region. Upon arriving in Terme Dobrna, guests will see a spacious parking fronting the main building. Active guests will cherish the walking trails around the health resort, leading to the water fountain where they can drink a glass of mineral water. Terme Dobrna also offers the rental of electric bicycles that guests can use to conquer the nearby hills. Hotel guests can rent a golf cart and be spirited away to their room.

COLD STARTER – Architecture and aesthetics

Hotel Švicarija squats in the northernmost part of Terme Dobrna, close to the old thermal bath house. Its facade is reminiscent of health resorts in mountainous Alpine destinations: wooden shutters, inconspicuous proportions and ornate details that add a touch of luxury. The stylish yellow facade and stone-arched entry, followed by a few steps to the reception, reminded us that this is a boutique hotel within a resort. Although some clashing styles give the hotel an eclectic feel, the hotel corridors and restaurant, dotted with small chandeliers and golden frames, work harmoniously. The central building of the resort – Vita Hotel – constructed in 1979 is distinctly different. The colossal size reminded us of other modernist spa hotels across Former Yugoslavia. The patchwork of houses and hotels around the main building may seem eclectic, but they seep into the lush nature surrounding it.

WARM ENTRÉE – The staff and the culinary experience

Upon setting foot in the boutique hotel, a young, kind receptionist kindly explained the numerous facilities that make up the resort and directed us to our Spa Suite five hundred metres away. Other team members were equally welcoming and kind. In particular, we must praise the waiter at Vita Restaurant & Cafe, who exhibited true professionalism and sincere kindness.

The culinary experience at Terme Dobrna was, by and far, underwhelming. We wanted to savour the gastronomy at Steak & Burger Dobrna restaurant but were surprised to find the doors shut on Monday evening. We learned the restaurant only operates from Thursday to Sunday. We thus decided to taste the cuisine at Hotel Švicarija. The self-service dinner was disappointing, with a humble assortment of main dishes, a few salads, cold cuts and desserts. It is a shame such a promising hotel comes short on cuisine. They should promptly replace the self-service buffet with an à la carte menu to justify the four stars. Breakfast did not improve our impression, being equally scarce with the assortment of dishes. The management should try to integrate more local dishes and, at the bare minimum, offer served coffee instead of the watery caffeine brew we tasted. Luckily, the desserts at Vita Café were delicious and improved the gastronomical experience. Cuisine is essential for a hotel’s offering and should be in the limelight.

MAIN COURSE – The meetings offering at the hotel

Hotel rooms

We stayed in the resort’s Spa Suite, an elegant apartment house a few hundred metres from the Švicarija Hotel. Upon setting foot in the room, fronted by green-and-yellow-hued shutters, we immediately felt the warmth of the space. Despite its eclectic styles, the room exudes harmony and sophistication. Elegant lighting and wooden elements, including the wooden frame of the Tesla TV, imbue the apartment with character. An emerald-coloured lounger set in front of a stylish wine cooler exudes prestige.

The centrepiece of the suite is the bathroom. In essence, it is a mini spa with a charming steam sauna. It protrudes onto the outdoor atrium, where the architects created an outdoor jacuzzi from a large wooden barrel. The jacuzzi is filled directly with the thermal water springing in Dobrna. We felt like we had a private spa, but we did miss more privacy in the atrium. The sounds from the neighbouring rooms disturbed the otherwise peaceful and serene stay. Two bedrooms are located on the first floor, adjoining a second shower that follows the style of the first: marble tiles, chic furniture pieces and subtle illumination. Details made the difference in the room, including the high-tech toilet and the artwork on the walls with Latin phrases. A spacious work desk allows guests to do their remote work. A superb option for prolonged stays!

Meetings centre

Recently, Terme Dobrna inaugurated the event centre “Mlečna Marijanca”. First opened in 1847, the café was once the central meeting point for distinguished gentlemen and ladies who convened here to enjoy fresh milk, coffee and chocolate. Today, the former café hosts events for up to 120 attendees in the main Panorama Hall. Event organisers can also choose the boutique Salon Hall for their events here. Terma Dobrna is also beloved among wedding organisers who stage events for up to 200 guests in the Wedding Hall. Not least, Vita Hotel has several conference halls for large events. Hotel Švicarija only features a miniature business room for up to ten attendees.

DESSERT – The extras

Hopping from the steam sauna to the wooden-clad jacuzzi in the outdoor atrium is a delight reserved for guests in the Spa Suites. If they are available, we warmly recommend booking them. Guests staying here also have unlimited access to Arbora Spa.

FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES

The AC in our suite was unwilling to work with us despite our best efforts. We also came across some design flaws, including loose power sockets and dents here and there. Using luxury materials does not guarantee stunning design.

TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES

The resort is famed for its high-end luxury spa products that use the medicinal properties of the thermal water. From micellar water with hyaluronic acid to relaxing body lotions, the hotel shop sells several premium products to reinvigorate your skin. To boot, a glass of thermal water a day is said to have countless health benefits.

SUSTAINABLE ENDEAVOURS

Terme Dobrna commenced its sustainable story long ago. A milestone on their journey was receiving the Slovenia Green Accommodation certificate awarded to hotels that implement sustainability in all facets of operation. The hotel created its first sustainable strategy as early as 2011. What we missed as part of their sustainable aspirations is implementing local dishes into their gastronomy. Partnering with local suppliers would benefit the community and strengthen their commitment to making the hotel industry more sustainable. Despite this, Terma Dobrna is a spa resort that works hand in hand with nature – thermal water is a resource wisely used here.

FINAL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY

Spa resorts quickly develop wherever thermal water springs up from the depths. In Terme Dobrna, the healing mineral properties of the thermal water have been known since Roman times. The admiration for the thermal water has not waned, and guests continue to flock here to enjoy the serene nature and hot water. As a spa meeting hotel, Hotel Švicarija within Terme Dobrna is ideal for boutique conferences. For any larger meeting, event organisers should opt for Hotel Vita, where everything is under one roof. The recently opened Spa Suites boast fantastic design, but we must admit the level of service and gastronomy does not balance out the quality of the rooms. Given the price for a room, we expected more in terms of cuisine and additional services. Ultimately, the thermal spa water is what guests come here for, and the array of spas and pools does not disappoint. Staying in Slovenia’s oldest thermal spa resort has its privileges!

FINAL GRADE: 4.79 TWO MEETING STARS⭐⭐⭐ Spa 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

IMPORTANT: If you wish to know what the evaluation of 654 criteria entails and would like our hidden guest to evaluate your hotel, read more at www.meetings-star.eu or send an email to gorazd.cad@toleranca.eu.