Type: Boutique Hotel
Price Guide 88 - 221 euros/room Minimum nights: Single booking: 3, Itinerary booking: 2
Children welcome
IMPORTANT UPDATE: 28 JUNE 2010
It has just come to our notice that the fabulous management team of Andreja and Sebastjan will be leaving Dobra Vila at the end of July 2010. We wish them the best of luck in their new venture (Medana restaurant in Ljubljana). And with their new son, of course!
In usual circumstances we would be talking to the new team... but the news doesn't sound good, as there is talk of a... casino. I sometimes wonder why we do this.
Anyway, let's hope the owner sees sense and, well, you know the rest. We'll keep you posted.
OUR VIEW
Dobra Vila (a Slovene pun: Good
House or
Good Fairy) shows just what can be done by owners who
have an insight into what a good hotel should be. Before
opening in 2004, the original house had been stripped
and the best interior designers brought in to transform
the building into a first class hotel. From the wine
cellar, through the reception area, bar and restaurant and
the guest's rooms, the attention to detail is truly wonderful
and the decor exquisite. We don't quite know where they
got their expertise from, but the owners have done a fantastic job.
The restaurant is good and has a terrace overlooking
large grounds, where you can relax in the sun after
lunch.
Dobra Vila is in Bovec, which is the centre for all
activity sports in the Soča Valley. So you can get the
adrenaline flowing during the day, safe in the knowledge
that you can calm it down in the civilised haven of
your hotel.
ACCOMMODATION All of the rooms are beautifully
designed and furnished. Some have galleries with beds
for the kids, which are great for families, while couples
get a choice of sumptuous double rooms. All rooms have
en suite baths or showers, which are very tasty indeed. Note
that the room numbers are not obviously logical: each
room number refers to something specific (see details
at the bottom of the page).
THE RESTAURANT A fine menu and fine wines in
a lovely
setting are what you get at the end of your arduous
day. Modern Slovene cuisine with a touch of Italian
influence is what you get here, with risottos, roast
meats, pastas and excellent seafood much in evidence.
The wine list is exceptional, which you can 'research'
further in the hotel's wine
cellar. During the warmer seasons, meals can be
taken on the terrace, from which you have a fine view
down the valley.
WORKING UP AN APPETITE Go hiking. Walking
trails lead you up over mountain passes to alpine lakes
or along river valleys to hidden waterfalls. Andreja or
her staff will advise. Fly-fishing.
The Soča river is the home of the unique marble trout.
A permit will cost around £75 a day, which can
be arranged for you. Sitting
by the Soča river is a favourite pursuit, jumping in
the river is also a favourite pursuit for those who
like their water cold.
White water rafting and kayaking can be arranged in
Bovec from a number of expert companies - charges are
around £25.
Canyoning, paragliding, gliding and skydiving (July/August)
can also be arranged for the terminally crazy.
Full day
trips can also be made
to the coast, the Postojna caves, Lakes Bled and Bohinj
and Dobrovo (for wine lovers).
LANGUAGES Slovene, English, German, Italian
CHILDRENMore than welcome and loads for
them to do in the area.
WEATHER You might be in the mountains,
but the Soča Valley is warmed by winds blowing up from
the Adriatic. July and August are the hottest months,
with daytime temperatures around 25C, while during spring
and autumn you can expect around 15-20C. Evening temperatures
will be rather lower, so bring something a little warmer.
The area does boast the highest rainfall in Slovenia
(which is why it is so lush), so expect at least one
rainy day.
WHEN &
HOW LONG Dobra
Vila is open throughout the year (OK, almost: it's closed for six weeks
from 1 November). Obviously, it excels in the summer months, although
our favourite times are spring and autumn. Good for winter sports too,
and they can arrange ski passes for you.
TO TAKE WITH YOU In the summer, shorts, T-shirts,
sturdy shoes or boots, something warm for the evenings
and something waterproof in case it rains, for daytime
adventures.
Previous customers:
Dobra
Vila was fantastic. We loved every minute and felt like we were
visiting old friends. We had an incredible meal and retired to the
library for wine and dessert. lovely music playing. Have already
recommended it to many friends.
Slovenia
is a truly wonderful country. Beautiful mountains, stunning
countryside, beautful food and friendly people. It is a quiet country,
though, so if hustle and bustle is your thing, you might want to look
elsewhere, but for me at that ... perfect!
As were Slovene Dream.
Thank you, Bob.
Thanks
so much for finding Dobra Vila for us - it was one of the most
memorable hotels we've stayed in and really made a huge difference to
our holiday. We are looking forward to returning to it very much and
will recommend you strongly to our friends. Have got your brochure,
which is beautiful - and look forward very much to returning to
Slovenia.
Dobra
Vila was fantastic. We were made to feel really welcome, despite having
2 kids in what is a very smart boutique hotel. On the last day our
older daughter Leah was given a guided tour - and a bar of chocolate! -
by the lovely hotel manager Andreja. I think that made her holiday.
I
have already recommended this hotel, and the local area, with great
enthusiasm to several friends since I returned. It is wonderfully
situated, with stunning views of the mountains all around, but very
convenient for Bovec. The hotel itself is stylish, elegant and
beautifully furnished; the bedrooms are a great pleasure to spend time,
and the food and wine is very good indeed. The staff are good-humoured
and very friendly and helpful. Given the standard of accomodation, food
and service it is also very reasonably priced.
CAR HIRE AVIS - click on this link and you will open a new window for the Avis Slovenia website, from where you can book your car.
HOW TO GET THERE
Closest destination airports are in this colour.
Click on the airline name to open their web page in a new window.
From Gatwick: Ljubljana with Adria (the national airline). From Stansted: Ljubljana or Rijeka with EasyJet. Trieste, Klagenfurt, Graz or Balaton with Ryanair. From Manchester: Ljubljana with Adria (summer months only). From Bristol: Venice with EasyJet. From Birmingham: Trieste with Ryanair, Wednesday and Sunday only.
A
deposit of between 10% and 25% will be required at the time of booking.
The remainder will be payable directly to the hotel by you upon your
arrival. Note that we do not add an extra margin to the hotel's prices:
the price you pay by booking through us is exactly the same as the
hotel's.
Cancellation:
The deposit is not refundable.
ENQUIRY FORM
This hotel is no longer available, due to a change of management.
DRIVING TO DOBRA VILA Ljubljana Brnik:
Take the A2/E61 towards Jesenice, and then follow the signs to Vršič.
From the top of the pass the road wibble-wobbles down the Trenta valley
along the Soča river. At Bovec turn right into the town: Dobra Vila is
about 500m along the road on the left. Alternative:
note that between December and early April, the pass might be closed,
in which case, do this: take the A1/E61 south from Ljubljana. Take the
exit at Razdrto towards Nova Gorica, where you should take the exit
towards Deskle, Kanal and Tolmin and eventually Bovec. At Bovec turn
left into the town: Dobra Vila is about 500m along the road on the
left. Trieste: Drive to
the border at Goriza into Nova Gorica, then take route 103 towards
Kanal, then Most na Soči, Tolmin and onwards towards Kobarid and then
Bovec. At Bovec turn left into the town: Dobra Vila is about 500m along
the road on the left. The Car Train:
an excellent route if you are staying to the east of the Soca Valley
first (e.g. Ljubljana, Bled, Bohinj, Dolenjska). Time your journey so
that you get to Bohinjska Bistrica in time to catch the car train
(usually between 16:30 and 17:00, timetable here),
drive on, put on your handbrake and sit back while you are trundled
through the mountains to the Soča Valley: 45 minutes of bliss! At Most
na Soči, drive north to Bovec.
NOTE:
there is now a vinjeta system on Slovenian motorways for collecting
tolls. You can buy a vinjeta at any petrol station near the motorway or
the airport. For 95/30/15 euros per year/month/week, you will receive a
sticker that must be displayed on the front windscreen of your car.
Go hiking. 
Ljubljana Brnik:
Take the A2/E61 towards Jesenice, and then follow the signs to Vršič.
From the top of the pass the road wibble-wobbles down the Trenta valley
along the Soča river. At Bovec turn right into the town: Dobra Vila is
about 500m along the road on the left.