Hotel Grad Otočec

Situated on an islet in the middle of the Krka River, the castle building, together with its park, paints one of the most picturesque images in the country and is a prominent cultural and natural monument.

The first historical reference to the castle dates as far back as 1252, when it was part of the Lower Carniolan Freising estate, administered by the de Werde nobles, also known as islet knights.

Over the centuries that followed the castle underwent architectural and ownership changes, passing from one noble family to another. Today the castle, restored to its original Gothic and Renaissance splendour, houses one of the most outstanding hotels in Slovenia – the Otočec Castle Hotel.

The origins of the Otočec Castle are veiled in mystery since not much is known about who built it or when it was built. Its primary location is also mysterious for supposedly it used to be situated on the right bank of the Krka River. One of its later owners ordered a part of the estate on the right side of the castle to be dug out in order to increase its protection.

Home to the de Werde noblemen in the 13th century, who were also known as the Knights of Otočec, this castle is the only one in Slovenia that sits on a river island. The magnificent castle on the river Krka was for centuries both a stronghold and a gracious home to numerous noble families.

Its most prominent inhabitants, apart from the Knights of Otočec, were the Villanders nobles of Tyrol, captain of Žumberak Uskoks Ivan Lenkovič, and the noble Janez Sonce, who is also the central character in a narrative by Ivan Tavčar. Before World War II the castle was owned by the House of Marghieri de Commadona.

Medieval structure of the castle has changed in time, yet some of the architectural details were preserved and cannot be missed out on. One of the most important ones is the Renaissance portal dating back to the 16th century decorated with two marble medallions bearing maiden profiles.

At the beginning of World War II the castle was seized by the Italians and used as a fortress. In 1942, it was burnt by the Partisans and only ruins remained of the two bridges. Castle’s restoration began in 1952 with the restoration of the roof and lasted for six years, also with the help of international work brigades.

In 1959, the first restaurant was opened in the restored castle. Over the next few decades the castle changed its appearance until it was restored to its original Gothic and Renaissance splendour as it houses one of the most outstanding hotels in Slovenia – the Otočec Castle Hotel.

Otočec Castle is in addition to being the only castle situated on a river islet in Slovenia also the only one in the region of Dolenjska that was burnt down during the war and then restored.

ROOMS & SUITES
In the heart of unspoilt scenery, on an islet in the middle of the emerald Krka River, dominantly sits one of the most alluring hotels in Slovenia, the Otočec Castle Hotel.

A member of the prestige association of mansions and restaurants Relais & Châteaux, this boutique hotel offers luxurious rooms and suites for the most discerning tastes. Come and experience the times past coupled with all the modern comforts.

Breakfast in bed with a cup of fragrant coffee and slices of warm homemade bread, a whirlpool bath or a refreshing tropical shower in a large bathroom, a gourmet candlelight dinner with select wines and fire crackling in the fireplace, a morning walk along the river waking up to the sound of birds chirping. Everything is right here at Otočec. Especially for you.

SUPERIOR SUITE
The greatest comfort imaginable is ensured by the spacious castle bedroom furnished with natural materials in placatory and earthly colours, overlooking the emerald Krka River and the castle terrace.

There are also the spacious castle bathroom with an angle bathtub and a rain shower, plus a reception and meeting room with Wi-Fi and a table for 6-8 people. Each of the two superior suites can accommodate 3 people. The vestibule of the superior suite features a reception room, which is also suitable for meeting the press.

SENIOR SUITES
The senior suite is perfect for families. Each of the two senior suites has two separate bedrooms with a view over the castle tower and the wooden bridge over the Krka River. Enjoy the superior comfort of the spacious castle chamber with a big bed, a divan, a table and chairs in the bigger bedroom.

The other, a bit smaller bedroom is suitable for children. Castle bathroom with a big angle bathtub, a separate shower and two washbasins provides everything necessary for total relaxation that will recharge your batteries and get you ready for new challenges.

JUNIOR SUITE
Each of the two junior suites overlooking the dreamy Krka River and well-groomed park has a bedroom for two and a spacious living area. Carefully chosen furniture in light brown colours and of natural materials creates a calming and safe atmosphere. Castle bathroom with an angle bathtub and a bidet serves as a haven of comfort after a busy day.

DOUBLE ROOMS
There are 10 double rooms with a calming view over the Krka River and the park. Carefully chosen furniture in the castle chamber provides with unrivalled comfort. Castle bathroom with a classic or massage bathtub and a rain shower will impress just about anyone with its tiny details.

DINING
The Castle Restaurant and its gastronomic team are committed to preparing natural, local, fresh and delicious food. For this reason, the 2022 Michelin Guide recommends a visit.

Many of the ingredients are produced by us in our own Organic Garden, while the rest is supplied by nearby farms certified for organic and integrated production and animal rearing. Nature is the best source of inspiration for our culinary creations. It provides ideas for creating dishes to recreate the harmony and beauty of our environment.

We are also proud of the ambience of the restaurant and the special atmosphere – both in the main restaurant, the Hunting Room with fireplace and the café, and on the terrace within the castle walls. The Castle Restaurant is a member of the renowned Chaîne des Rôtisseurs gastronomy association. Come in and enjoy!

CASTLE WINERY 
Viticulture is the tradition of the surrounding region. The Dolenjska region is known for its special wine that has been produced here for centuries – Cviček. From the hills here you have a view of all the little vineyard cottages whose cellars are brimming with barrels of this aromatic wine.

As we want to invite our guests to enjoy some of these wonderful wines, we have recently converted one of the castle towers into a top-of-the-line winery, which is just one more thing for our guests to enjoy here.

The winery is home to many superb wines from both Slovenia and abroad; white, red, full-bodies, aromatic and sweet wines that are presented and served in the charming atmosphere of the circular castle tower.

Every wine enthusiast knows that wines must be stored at a constant temperature and the wine cellars must be airy, dark and clean. And that is exactly what the Otočec Castle winery provides, plus it has a chandelier that creates a wonderful castle ambience.

WEDDINGS
The glamorous natural scenery of Otočec Castle provides the perfect fairytale setting for a dream-like wedding. The energy of the medieval castle – a cultural and natural monument, topmost gastronomy, exceptional service and experienced wedding planners ensure an unforgettable experience.

The castle ambiance is perfect for romantic weddings. To give newlyweds a good start in their new life together, Otočec Castle Hotel offers a well-rounded range of services – from wedding ceremonies, a wealth of culinary delights, to a never-to-be-forgotten honeymoon in the romantic ambiance of Otočec Castle.

The stunning Otočec Castle is simply perfect for your most important special day. Celebrate your wedding at the unique river castle in Slovenia, in an exclusive environment and the way you want to.

The glamorous natural scenery and the energy of the medieval castle walls provide the perfect fairytale setting for your dreams to come true. Topmost gastronomy, superb wines, exceptional services and experienced wedding planners ensure an unforgettable experience.

Your wedding ceremony can be held alfresco, in the castle’s park, a true green oasis of the dreamy Krka River, on the mighty courtyard embraced by the medieval walls, or in the privacy of the Knight’s Room. Wedding ceremonies are carried out by the Novo Mesto Registrar at the castle. All marriages made in Slovenia are officially valid in all countries.

At Otočec we organize wedding packages that include a wedding ceremony plus a wedding reception. If requested, only a wedding ceremony can be held with a welcome snack for the wedding party.

BUSINESS MEETINGS
Otočec Castle’s setting on an islet affords a great deal of privacy and exclusivity to business events and state ceremonies. Our team of seasoned professionals is actively involved in organising events, and there is all the necessary state-of-the-art technology available on site. Success is guaranteed.

SLOVENIA
It may seem small with its 20,273 square kilometres, but Slovenia’s greatness comes in inspiring details. Home to the Julian Alps, Mediterranean coast, the Pannonian Plain and the eponymous Karst region, wherever you travel in the country Slovenia’s nature is utterly imposing. The only one of its kind in the European Union. It borders Austria, Italy, Croatia and Hungary. At the junction of Europe’s diversity!

Slovenia is one of a kind. Fascinating natural phenomena, different varieties of landscape regions and countless shades of green, unspoilt nature are packed into a relatively small area. Cultural and natural heritage are subtly interweaved into a balanced entity.

Travelling among different climate, landscape and language regions in Slovenia is surprisingly simple and quick. One of Slovenia’s attributes is diversity which is seen in its tourist products as well.

Its different regions offer huge contrasts in scenery and surroundings – from the majesty of the Alps in the north to the beauty of the lakes of Bled and Bohinj – from the dramatic valley of the dazzlingly blue Soča River to the quaint coastal villages of the Karst region.

Slovenia is a country of extraordinary diversity, yet there are a number of common features that link specific areas, resulting in an enchanting must-see country.

What separates Slovenia from other tourist destinations is the pristine countryside at the crossroads of diverse scenery. Its picturesqueness is further enhanced by the feeling of harmony, resulting from its people and their values, beliefs as well as its geographical position. The small area managed to preserve a balanced palette of natural and cultural sights.

A holiday in Slovenia restores balance, also owing to the fact that in Slovenia you are always in contact with the elementary, be it water, the smell of a forest or the exquisite taste of the local cuisine. Slovenia is definitely not a mass tourism destination nor does it want to be.

Typically, mass tourism destinations are characterized by uniformity, and this is certainly not one of Slovenia’s features. Slovenia as a tourist destination offers pristine experience – crossroads of the Alps, the Mediterranean and the Pannonian Plain, Slovene language and its numerous dialects, direct contact with nature, intertwinement of rudimentariness, preserved scenery, and intriguing differences.

TERME KRKA
Time off at Dolenjske Toplice Spa or Šmarješke Toplice Spa allows you to explore the forested areas of the south of Slovenia. Dolenjska is the land of hills covered with countless vineyards overlooking the emerald green Krka River.

Paths across them lead you to fascinating castles, churches and monasteries. The nearby town of Novo mesto with its extraordinary cultural heritage sights, museums and galleries will leave you breathless. It goes by the name of The town of situlae as it proudly holds the greatest collection of situlae in the world.

Perched above the old town, chapter church of St. Nicholas is Novo mesto’s most visible historical monument and, with a 15th-century vaulted presbytery and crypt, painted ceiling, a belfry that had once been a medieval defence tower, and an altar painting of the eponymous saint supposedly done by the Venetian master Jacopo Tintoretto (1518-94), it is also the town’s most important.

Below the chapter church of St. Nicholas about 100 m to the southeast is the enormous Dolenjska museum. The oldest building, which once belonged to the knights of the Teutonic order, houses a valuable collection of archaeological finds unearthed in the southern suburb of Kandija in the late 1960s.

Don’t miss the Hallstatt helmet dating from the 4th century BC with two enormous axe blows on top, the fine bronze situla (or pail) from the 3rd or 4th century BC embossed with battle and hunting scenes, and the Celtic ceramics and jewellery (particularly the bangles of turquoise and dark-blue glass).

Time off at Talaso Strunjan gives you the opportunity to unveil all the sights of the Adriatic Sea and the nearby karst. You can reach the picturesque medieval town of Piran on foot, take a trip to Postojna Cave, one of the most famous karst caves in the world, or visit Lipica, one of the oldest stud farms in the world and home to Lipizanner horses. Carpe diem and explore Primorska.

From any one of our spas nestled in the lush woods in the south of Slovenia or on the Adriatic coast you can venture to Ljubljana, the capital city of Slovenia, which will overwhelm you with the fascinating architectural sights designed by the renowned Jože Plečnik. Wherever you might stay, everything’s at your fingertips: even Venice in the neighbouring Italy, or the Croatian coast with its typical Mediterranean towns in Istria.

DOLENJSKA
Welcome to Dolenjska, the charming landscape full of green meadows, fertile vineyards, vast and lush deciduous woods hiding the remains of primeval forests, green rivers, underground hot springs and hospitable towns with rich cultural heritage.

NOVO MESTO
Get an eyeful of the charming centre of Dolenjska from different vantage points, stretch your legs on pilgrim routes or explore the old town centre and its rich cultural heritage. Take a walk past the famous fountain on the Main Square, visit the Dolenjska Museum and Jakčev dom (Jakac House), enjoy the veduta of Breg and the dreamy Krka River underneath.

THE KOLPA RIVER
Almost 300-kilometre long river Kolpa, the border river between Slovenia and Croatia, is one of our cleanest and most attractive rivers. Get to know it by canoe or by kayak, enjoy fishing or swimming in summer. While exploring the beauties of Bela krajina do not forget to pay a visit to Lahinja Nature Park – it will reward you with its stunning unspoilt nature.

KOCEVJE 
Kočevje is attractive not only for fans of sports but also for culture fans. Deepen your contact with nature in the vast forests of Kočevje and in primeval forest reserves, explore karst phenomena, meet rare animals, and have a chat with the friendly locals.

KOCEVJE PRIMEVAL FOREST
Nature fans will be fascinated by the four primeval forests as their tree volume exceeds 1000 cubic metres per hectare. Come and meet the ancient trees and their queen – a more than 500-year-old fir tree, 160 cm in diameter, reaching the height of 51 m and the girth of 580 cm.

KOCEVSKI ROG
If you are a fan of unspoilt nature as well as history, then you should not miss out on one of the largest forested areas, spreading from the region of Bela Krajina to Kočevje, where the headquarters of the Partisan leadership (Slovenian national liberation movement) were hidden at the famous settlement of barracks called Baza 20 (Base 20) during World War II. You can visit permanent exhibitions in the preserved huts.

RIBNICA
Venture into the cradle of woodenware and pottery with the famous annual Ribnica fair. This area is the highest part of the region with peaks reaching more than 1200m in height and with high-altitude settlements. The forests of this region are home to the brown bear, wolf and lynx.

BELA KRAJINA 
Explore Bela krajina – the land of white birches and “Zeleni Jurij” (a deity which brings renewal and fertility in spring), the land of Easter eggs and numerous other old customs. This green landscape is characterised by vineyards and deciduous woods, there are also a lot of hidden caves and sinkholes. It is full of little churches, stone houses and hayracks.

THE GORJANCI 
The Gorjanci mountain chain, an endless collection of natural beauties, also offers numerous activities for the hikers. Find out for yourself if there is any truth in the ancient fairy tale about the Gospodična spring, the water of which is supposed to rejuvenate and give strength.

Get to know the spring Minutnik where the water flows in rhythmical intervals. Indulge in the primal nature of two primeval forest reserves, Ravna gora and Trdinov vrh, the latter being the highest peak of the Gorjanci, too.

Every excursion in the region of Dolenjska is an adventure. Discover a new dimension of active time off and venture into the places of exciting natural and cultural gems.

TRSKA GORA HILL
The spectacular view of Trška gora hill, full of vineyard cottages and vineyards, is postcard-like. Four linden trees grow at the top of Trška gora next to the Church of Mary’s Birth, one of them is the thickest linden tree in Dolenjska.

At the Krkin hram tourist farm, according to previous engagement, you can make a group toast with the pride of Dolenjska’s vineyards – light, very drinkable Cviček wine, while enjoying the view stretching out from Novo mesto to the Gorjanci.

PLETERJE
Pleterje Carthusian Monastery is the only operating Carthusian Monastery in Slovenia today. You can explore its history which left a strong cultural mark on these places with the help of multivision. The monks in Pleterje make highly valued produce by cultivating orchards, vineyards and farming. The produce can be bought in their monastery shop.

KOSTANJEVICA NA KRKI 
Kostanjevica na Krki is a very special town – both nature and cultural heritage have left their most beautiful mark here. Due to the idyllic position on the islet it is also called the Venice of Dolenjska.

Its surroundings offer numerous possibilities for outdoor activities. This cultural and historical monument will also impress culture fans with the exhibitions and different cultural events at the Božidar Jakac Art Museum.

THE KRKA RIVER
Without the Krka there would be no Dolenjska as it is today, since the river provides refuge for numerous animal and plant species. The Krka River valley is a unique symbol of Dolenjska with its inseparable intertwining of natural and cultural heritage.

It is emphasized by the disappearing legacy of bygone water-mills, preserved wooden bridges, numerous castles and settlements on its banks; Novo mesto was formed around one of the most distinctive of its bends. If you would like to get to know the fun side of Dolenjska then go for a ride on the river with Rudolf’s raft and have a sip of the local wine speciality, Cviček.

ZUZEMBERK
Žužemberk spreads over both banks of the Krka River in whose valley you can admire both genuine nature and numerous cultural and historical monuments.

In the valley of castles the most recognizable one is Žužemberk Castle – it will embrace you in an unforgettable way especially in the summer during the Market Town Days when it will carry you back in time to the exciting Middle Ages with medieval tournaments.

STICNA ABBEY
Stična has been an important cultural and historical centre for a long time with its Cistercian monastery which is the only one still operating in Slovenia.

Stična Abbey is an important cultural monument since one of the first texts in Slovene was written here in 1428 – the Stična manuscript. What is more, you will be overwhelmed by the extraordinary architectural monument and peaceful natural environment.

ACTIVITIES IN SLOVENIA
Don’t miss out on the picturesque landscape surrounding Otočec Castle, the only castle situated on a rivet islet in Slovenia. The magnificent castle park was most likely formed at the turn of the 18th into the 19th century.

It displays numerous autochthonous tree species, such as black alder, white willow, black poplar, as well as some examples of exotic tree species. The Krka River is home to 32 different fish species – including many rare and endangered species.

Huchen, Wels and Danube Roach are the most highly valued species in angling. The white Mute Swans are special feature of Otočec. The first pair was introduced here in 1968. The present population now numbers over 50 individuals.

There are plenty of time-off and relaxation services available. In addition to enjoying pleasant strolls in the castle park and its vicinity, a game of golf at the nearby golf course, which also hosts golf championships, and sporting activities at the Otočec Sports Centre or adrenalin-pumping adventures at the Otočec Adventure Park you can also relax in the thermal pools and wellness centres at the nearby Šmarješke Toplice Spa and Dolenjske Toplice Spa. Otočec is an excellent starting point for excursions and sightseeing tours of the cultural and historical sights of the region of Dolenjska.

GOLF
Enjoy a game of golf at one of the longest and most appealing golf courses in Slovenia, only a stone’s throw from Otočec Castle. A state-of-the-art 75-plus-hectare golf course, designed by the renowned British architect Howard Swan nestled among lush forests of Dolenjska, has 18 holes with compelling challenges and is suitable for high-ranking professional and amateur golfers and beginners alike.

The exceptional added value for guests of the magical Otočec Castle Hotel: your stay here will be complemented by a round of golf at our golf course. Treat yourself to a stay at a magnificent castle and enjoy a round of golf on the dynamic course across the hills of the Dolenjska region – Otočec is awaiting you!

Website: www.grad-otocec.com

Rooms: 16

Price: from 282 EUR per night