Hotel Palace Portoroz Operated by Minor Hotels

I’m still waiting for a formal response to my complaints. Complaints seem to go nowhere here: management was never contacted, and what you tell them feels like it gets thrown in the bin. Dinner on New Year’s didn’t match what was advertised online. No canapés were served, even though we had a small child and planned food around that. When we asked, we were told they wouldn’t be served. We complained again and were told someone would call to discuss the issue and possible compensation, but nothing was done. They said they couldn’t do anything about it. Slovenian law is strict about what a menu advertises and what’s served, so this may become a legal issue. You could consider suing the hotel over it. The breakfast was extremely disappointing for a five-star hotel. Everything seemed stale, especially the croissants, crepes and waffles. There was basically nothing to order à la carte, leaving you stuck with cold food. For what you get, the price is way off. The oysters gave me food poisoning. That alone says enough about my experience of the food and hotel. This was disgusting, unprofessional and disrespectful to customers. We’ve stayed at many Kempinski hotels, and this was the worst by far. It has even damaged the trust we built in the chain over the years. Lesson learned. Bye bye Kempinski.

I stayed in the Presidential Suite at Kempinski Palace Portorož again recently, and the visit was outstanding. The team seems to anticipate what you need before you ask, and handled every detail of service and comfort flawlessly. The staff are professional and attentive, while the atmosphere feels both luxurious and warm. That kind of care is why I keep coming back. A world-class stay, highly recommended.

Breakfast was excellent, with a wide selection in a beautiful dining room that matched the hotel’s promotional photos. Valet parking was smooth: my car was ready within minutes, and I appreciated that no one adjusted the seat or mirrors. The toiletries were high quality too. Still, there was no turn-down service, another missed detail. Room 244 felt more like a standard corporate room than the refined boutique stay the hotel advertises. There was noticeable dust, no kettle, and the minibar was fine but unmemorable. The balcony deck bowed noticeably underfoot, which didn’t give me much confidence in its safety or upkeep. The biggest problem was the heat. The room felt around 25°C, and even with the air conditioner set to 19°C and the fan at full speed, it stayed uncomfortably warm all night. I slept terribly. When I raised it, staff said the thermostat only controls fan speed and the temperature is locked at 21°C. They said this dismissively and gave a reluctant apology, but made no attempt to fix it. They still charged me for orange juice from the minibar, which felt tone-deaf in the circumstances. My stay at the Palace Hotel Slovenia was disappointing. The temperature control issue and lack of attention to detail fell short of what I expected from a hotel in this category. I wouldn’t return, and would rate it three stars overall. If room temperature matters to you or you expect a responsive service, this may not be a good fit.

I love their spa, and the bar is brilliant at making cocktails to suit what you like. They also host interesting events from time to time. The gym could use a wider selection of equipment and weights. The beach and pool areas are clean, comfortable and well cared for. The old building has a gorgeous view, and the rooms, pillows and beds are great. Breakfast is wonderful. The staff are incredibly friendly, helpful, courteous and attentive. Probably the best hotel on the coast.