Room facilities The Kempinski’s rooms are split between the original Palace building and the new wing, with those in the Palace having a more traditional feel. I preferred the modern, striking décor of the new wing, but in terms of facilities, the two are comparable. Rooms have all the amenities you would expect from a five-star hotel, including king-size beds, a pillow menu, a separate bath and shower, free wifi, LCD TVs, air conditioning, a minibar and a laptop safe. Superior rooms start from 35 sqm, and the best views are to be had from front-facing rooms (all suites have sea views). Most of the rooms have large decked balconies. The hotel has a variety of suites, including the duplex Piran suite with two terraces, and the 230 sqm Presidential suite with a library and dining room.
Restaurants and bars There are several options, including a lobby bar with live piano music every evening; Fleur de Sel, a modern restaurant in the new wing; Forma Viva café, which serves freshly made pastries and chocolates; and Bubbles champagne bar. But the highlights are the fine-dining Sophia restaurant, with its original wooden features and artwork, and the Crystal Hall ballroom, where breakfast is served until midday. This is a beautiful room in which to enjoy a leisurely morning buffet, and for those looking to soak up some sunshine, it opens on to a large terrace overlooking the gardens.
Business and meeting facilities Aside from the ballroom and terrace, the property has several meeting spaces on the mezzanine floor of the Palace. These can accommodate up to 210 people for a reception, and there is free wifi throughout the hotel. There is no business centre but a computer in the lobby is available for guests to use.
Leisure facilities These are vast and include a fitness centre, a Turkish steam bath, a hammam, and Finnish and infrared saunas. The Kempinski Rose spa has ten treatment rooms offering therapies including body wraps with volcanic fango mud, and massages with aromatised bath foam. A large pool in the gardens is connected via a hole in the wall to an indoor pool with a bar and spa bath, allowing guests to swim between the two.
How many rooms? There are 181, of which 124 are Superior rooms, 40 are Deluxe, and 17 are suites. Some 141 of the rooms and suites are in the Palace building, with 40 in the new wing.
Room highlights Incredibly comfortable beds and great bathrooms. The large balconies are also a plus.
Price Internet rates for a weekend stay in September started from €188 per night for a Superior room.
Contact Kempinski Palace Portoroz, Obala 45; tel +386 5692 7000; kempinski-portoroz.com
Verdict A seamless combination of old and new, with modern rooms, a strong sense of history, and good leisure and meeting facilities.