LifeClass Grand Hotel Portorož ★★★★★

Slovenia often slides under the radar of tourists who overlook it in favour of its two popular neighbours, Croatia and Italy. But this emerging hotspot has bags of culture and incredible scenery to offer its visitors, not to mention its laid-back Mediterranean lifestyle. Along its short coastline, which is about 46km in length, the town of Portoroz emanates a haze of good living, adventurous activities, luxurious views, and a concentrated collection of wellness facilities.

It is here that I find the LifeClass Grand Hotel Portoroz, the perfect place to kick back, relax, and indulge in some well-deserved pampering. Though Slovenia is best-known for its karst caves and the fairytale picture of Lake Bled, very few people consider it as a seaside destination. I’m thankful for this as I scan the empty shoreline and marvel at the clear water that seems to glide on forever.

Set against this one-of-a-kind backdrop, the LifeClass Grand Hotel rises up in a timelessly elegant style. Whitewashed walls showcase Slovenia’s contemporary charm, whilst the top-notch facilities ease me into a relaxed state of mind. Dubbed as one of the best wellness experiences in Europe, I was ready and raring to get stuck in.

The LifeClass Grand Hotel exceeded my expectations on every level, from the earthy warm tones of the sophisticated décor to the unrivalled level of attention from the hotel’s staff. It was a rare gem – a place where I could fully unwind and give up my worries to the warm Mediterranean breeze. I had yet to find a place so relaxing and so focused on indulgence and wellness.

There’s an excellent selection of massages and beauty treatments in the Wai Thai centre, whilst, there are seven types of saunas in Sauna Park, and the Shakti Ayurveda Centre focuses on detoxing and specialised diet programmes. The icing on the cake was the Prehistoric pool - the hotel’s ambient swimming pool is filled with water from a 42,000-year-old Prehistoric Sea, bringing forth the much-coveted elixir of life. In one moment, this part of Portoroz combines old and new, bringing together millennia of history with the conceptual modern day luxuries of the area.

When I felt energised and refreshed, it was time to explore what Portoroz and its surrounding areas had to offer. There’s biking and birdwatching, yoga and fine gastronomy. Further afield, I explored the winding old streets of Piran and took day trips to see the magical underworld of Slovenia’s karst cave systems.

Take my advice: visit Slovenia before its inevitable boom as it become one of Europe’s top wellness destinations. And, while you’re at it, be sure to stay at the LifeClass Grand Hotel Portoroz, which is the epitome of luxurious indulgence set against the incredible backdrop of the Mediterranean Sea.