Type: Manor house hotel
Price Guide 170 - 330 euros/room Minimum nights: Single booking: 3, Itinerary booking: 2
Children welcome
Superb restaurant
OUR VIEW
Presided over by the wonderful Bogdan Tončič and the lovely Ivi Svetlik, the Kenda Manor (in Slovene, Kendov Dvorec is pronounced Kendow Dvorets) is a haven of quiet luxury nestled in the Idrijan hills. Although it is only an hour's drive from Ljubljana, you feel as though you have been spirited away to an altogether more romantic time and place.
Originally a rich family
farmhouse owned for hundreds of years by the Kenda family,
it was bought in 1989 by the local Hidria company from the last surviving member.
The new owners have lovingly restored this grand old building, ensuring that the modern utilities are perfectly integrated with the original structure. Furthermore, all of the furniture,
from the enormous old beds, huge wardrobes,
chairs, tables - everything - has been reclaimed and restored from
original 19th century items found in the locality.
The effect is set off by the detailing of Idrijan lace
adorning the table cloths, curtains and bed linen, resulting
in some of the most charming and comfortable hotel rooms
we have ever seen. The house sits in a beautifully landscaped garden above the town, providing views across the river and down to the town below.
ACCOMMODATION
Each of the eleven rooms is individually styled and
furnished with authentic Idrijan furniture. All have
excellent bathrooms and views around the valley.
THE RESTAURANT
One of the great Slovene restaurants - we would happily
compare this to (almost) anywhere in Europe. The chef,
Franci
Pivk, specialises in Slovene
cuisine, but instead of 'modernising' it, the approach
here is to apply finesse to the finest ingredients.
Note that, like some of our other top restaurants (e.g. Hiša Franko, Zemono, Posestvo Pule, Pri Danilu), it's worth pushing the boat out: ask for the best of the day and go with it.
Oh, and the breakfasts are quite literally superb. You'll see a buffet table groaning under a pile of some of the finest fare... but make sure you ask for a cooked breaky too. And take your time - you're on holiday remember!
"As with everywhere else we'd stayed, the food was wonderful too. There is very little choice and no written menu: instead, your waiter explains to you what the chef has prepared. In our case this was a sort of sashimi of trout on a salad of fennel; the local ravioli they call žlikrofi, stuffed unpromisingly with bacon, potato and herbs (the Slovenian way with herbs is a revelation) but a lot less stodgy than they sound; the slivers of veal with rosemary and olive oil; and finally, an exemplary ice cream with tiny wild billberries"
- Condé Nast Traveller, 2007
WORKING UP
AN APPETITE Go hiking. Walking
trails lead you up over mountain passes to alpine lakes
or along river valleys to hidden waterfalls. Biking. Idrija is a perfect landscape for biking: the hills are not to steep and the scenery is simply astonishing. Swimming. The Idrijca river is excellent for swimming - and there is a lovely little lido not far from the hotel. Fishing. There are three
very different rivers nearby: the Idrijca, the Sora
and a short drive away, the fabulous Soča river, which
is the home of the unique marble trout. A permit will
cost around £75 a day, which can be arranged for
you. Driving to Škofia Loka,
Ljubljana… or just about anywhere in Slovenia:
allow an hour to get you just about anywhere… up
to two to get you anywhere else. Water Sports. White water
rafting and kayaking can be arranged from a number of
expert companies - charges are around £25.
Customer comments
Kendov Dvorec was defintely the highlight of all the hotels we stayed on our trip through Italy and Slovenia. Highly recommendable from A-Z.
At Kendov Dvorec the service and food were first rate. All extremely relaxing.
Hi Bob, I just wanted to let you know that we thought that Kendov Dvorec was terrific. The lady who welcomed us [Eva] was really lovely and incredibly helpful - as was Bogdan, who helped ud with our cases, the menu... and directions! Thank you so much for your recommendations - we would never have thought of staying in Idrija: now we have something special to tell our friends about. Thanks again.
Such was the warmth of the welcome, I soon fell for the period charm and the proud sense of place. Idrija is famous for its lace, so there was lace in abundance in our antique-filled room: mats by the bedside, under a little decanter of port-like cherry wine left our for us, under the pewter platter of cherries that lay next to it, and inset into the gorgeous bed linen.
LANGUAGES Slovene, English, German, Italian
CHILDREN More than welcome.
WEATHER
As Idrija is what you might call a semi-mountainous
area, you can expect almost anything. Summer temperatures
average around 22C, while winters can get down to around
minus 15C at night. Although Kendov Dvorec is beautiful
in the summer, we reckon that the best times are in
spring and autumn - just so that you can really experience
the comfort, peace and warmth of the place when the
weather is less than clement.
WHEN &
HOW LONG
Kendov Dvorec is open throughout the year. Go for as
long as you can - but an excellent alternative for three
or four nights if you want to split a week with another
location.
TO TAKE WITH YOU Late spring, summer, early autumn:
shorts, T-shirts, sturdy shoes or boots, something warm
for the evenings and something waterproof in case it
rains, for daytime adventures.
Late autumn, winter, early spring: warmer clothing -
especially during January and February.
Something nicer for the evenings in the restaurant.
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 Luton: Zagreb with Wizz. From Manchester: Ljubljana with Adria (summer months only). From Bristol:
Venice with EasyJet. From Birmingham: Trieste with Ryanair, Wednesday and Sunday only.
Euros per
room/night, B&B(half board prices below)
Room
Description
Two people sharing
Erazem
This comfortable, country baroque style room is located
right next to the Landlord's Room. It is named after uncle Erazem, also
a member of the Kenda family. The room has a wonderful west view overlooking
Hana's Garden and the old Kenda family granary.
300
Kenda
This spacious and calm room, furnished in the country
baroque style, once belonged to the powerful and respected landlord of the
Kenda Manor, who enjoyed a great view on his whole property. To the south,
the room today overlooks the old city centre and the parish church Marija
na Skalci, whereas to the west the new part of Spodnja Idrija can
be seen together with high hills surrounding it and an old chestnut tree,
which provides pleasant shade and also an excellent relaxation spot especially
during the warm summer days. There is another room – "kamra"
(small room) – adjacent to Landlord's Room, which used to be the bedroom
of landlord's children. Even today this place is decorated as a lovely children's
bedroom.
300
Kenda - with additional bed
330
Matevž
An extremely beautiful room named after the very successful
landlord, Matevž. With its location on the other side of the Manor, it offers
a nice view of the old city centre and parish church Marija
na Skalci. The room has a spacious private terrace - a very nice
place to sit, especially when the weather gets warm.
300
Rozka
Located on the first floor in the southern part of the
Kenda Manor, overlooking the old city centre and the parish church Marija
na Skalci. The room is named after one of the daughters of the Kenda
Family. A special feature in the Rozka Room is the fine hand-carved 19th-century
furniture. There is also the possibility to add an extra bed in the room.
300
Rozka - with additional bed
330
Katarina
Beautiful, though a little smaller double rooms named
after the daughters and sons of the Kenda family, which are located on the
second floor. The Katarina Room is exquisitely
decorated with the most beautiful pieces of furniture dating back to the
19th century. All three, Cene, Anže and David Rooms have a breathtaking
view of the old city centre and the parish church Marija
na Skalci, whereas the Neža Room overlooks the lovely Hana's Garden
and the old Kenda family granary.
220
Neža
Beautiful, though a little smaller double rooms named
after the daughters and sons of the Kenda family, which are located on the
second floor. The Katarina Room is exquisitely decorated with the most beautiful
pieces of furniture dating back to the 19th century. All three, Cene, Anže
and David Rooms have a breathtaking view of the old city centre and the
parish church Marija na Skalci, whereas
the Neža Room overlooks the lovely Hana's
Garden and the old Kenda family granary.
220
Anže
Beautiful, though a little smaller double rooms named
after the daughters and sons of the Kenda family, which are located on the
second floor. The Katarina Room is exquisitely decorated with the most beautiful
pieces of furniture dating back to the 19th century. All three, Cene, Anže and David Rooms have a breathtaking view of the old city centre and the
parish church Marija na Skalci, whereas
the Neža Room overlooks the lovely Hana's Garden and the old Kenda family
granary.
200
Cene
200
David
200
Olga
The smallest in size, yet still cosy and pleasant rooms,
located on the first floor right next to the bigger rooms, such as Matevž
and Rozka. Both rooms feature a splendid view of the old city centre and
the local parish church Marija na Skalci.Click
A deposit of 18% 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.
Ljubljana Brnik: Take the A2/E61 motorway south towards Ljubljana. At Ljubljana take the ring-road towards Postojna/Trieste. Take the Ljubljana Zahod exit towards Trieste. Take the Logatec exit and then onwards to Spodnja Idrija. Journey time, about 1.5 hours. Klagenfurt (Austria): Take the A2 motorway and then the A11/E61 towards the Karavanke tunnel. At the exit from the tunnel at Jesenice in Slovenia, A2/E61 motorway south towards Ljubljana. At Ljubljana take the ring-road towards Postojna/Trieste. Take the Ljubljana Zahod exit towards Trieste. Take the Logatec exit and then onwards to Spodnja Idrija. Journey time, about 2.5 hours. Trieste (Italy): Take the A4/E70 towards Trieste and take the exit for Slovenia at Fernetti-Sežana (do not drive into Trieste itself). Take the A3 and then the A1/E61 towards Ljubljana. Take the Logatec exit and then onwards to Spodnja Idrija. Journey time, about 1.5 hours.
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.
The effect is set off by the detailing of Idrijan lace
adorning the table cloths, curtains and bed linen, resulting
in some of the most charming and comfortable hotel rooms
we have ever seen. The house sits in a beautifully landscaped garden above the town, providing views across the river and down to the town below. 
Go hiking.
Ljubljana Brnik: