Portoroz, Slovenia
Renovated
2008
Price
$$$
Rated for
Heritage Wellness ResortOutside the door
The house
AnantaraHabsburg seaside palace
Gilded ballroom ceilings and century-old cedar grounds channel the leisurely pace of the Austrian Riviera's golden age.
What it’s good at
Remarkable
A 1910 Austro-Hungarian seaside landmark with restored Habsburg-era ballroom gilding and protected parklands.
Notable
Interconnected indoor-outdoor heated seawater pools, four saunas, and local salt-pan peelings.
Notable
Seaside parkland of century-old cedars, a private promenade beach, and waterfront dining.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Originally opened in 1910, the Hotel Palace Portorož ticks all the boxes of a grand seaside hotel.
Right in the middle
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
The front doors open directly onto the Obala promenade, with Portorož's beach across the street and medieval Piran nearby.
The rooms
Rooms favor quiet contemporary neutrals, with heated marble bathroom floors and outlooks toward Piran Bay or the park.
The pool
Bring a swimsuit.
Swimmers glide between indoor loungers and the sun deck in heated seawater, beside a whirlpool warmed to 32 degrees Celsius.
The spa
Daylit treatment suites hold sunken tubs for marine baths, and the thermal floor includes a Biosalt hammam.
The gym
Technogym cardio machines and an adjustable weight bench sit behind sheer curtains in the fitness centre.
Restaurant Sophia
Carved stone pillars and vintage chandeliers line the dining room, which serves Mediterranean seafood on the palace terrace.
At the table
Drinks are poured under crystal chandeliers at the bar, and Restaurant Fleur de Sel looks straight out across Piran Bay.
How it began
Austrian architect Johannes Eustacchio designed the property in 1908, creating what was then the Adriatic's grandest resort outside Venice.
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.