Goriška Brda is the sort of place that rewards a change of pace. Close to the Italian border, this corner of western Slovenia is a landscape of vineyards, small villages and winding country roads, with good food and wine rarely far from the conversation. It is somewhere to spend an afternoon without checking the time — and, increasingly, somewhere to stay for more than a night.
One of the region's newest addresses is Casa de Papel, a boutique property that opened in 2026 in Vrhovlje pri Kožbani. Set among the hills, it brings together two villas, contemporary interiors, local craftsmanship and a considered approach to privacy. The setting is rural, but the experience is about more than finding a quiet room: there are private wellness spaces, places to gather and opportunities to explore the region through its food, wine and landscape.
Two villas, each with its own rhythm
Casa de Papel has seven bedrooms across two villas, with space for up to 16 guests in total. That makes it an interesting choice for couples wanting a secluded break as well as families or groups of friends travelling together.
Villa Dante is the more self-contained option. It has two en-suite bedrooms, a private herbal bio sauna, an outdoor hot tub and a terrace with a summer kitchen. A glass bathtub overlooking the surrounding landscape is one of its more unusual details — a reminder that the views are very much part of the experience here.
Next door, Villa de Papel offers three distinct accommodation options. The spacious Brajda apartment comes with a private sauna, a panoramic terrace, a hot tub and a barbecue. The Brika room has its own steam sauna and plunge pool, while the Bric twin room is a simpler option for guests who would rather keep things uncomplicated.
There is also a shared seasonal outdoor infinity pool, with views across the countryside. Not every room has the same wellness facilities, so it is worth choosing accommodation according to how you want to spend your stay — whether that means long afternoons by the water or making the most of a private sauna and terrace.
A good reason to explore Goriška Brda
It would be easy to make Casa de Papel the entire destination. But part of the appeal of staying here is what lies beyond the property.
Goriška Brda is one of Slovenia's best-known wine regions, where a short drive can lead from vineyard-covered slopes to historic villages and small producers. Šmartno, with its medieval streets, is an obvious place to begin. For a different kind of outing, there is Krčnik, the remarkable natural stone bridge shaped by water, or the walking and cycling routes that trace the area's rolling terrain.
The property can also help arrange experiences by prior agreement: visits to local wineries, wine-focused excursions, private chef meals and picnics among olive trees. These are the kinds of additions that make sense in Brda. Rather than filling every hour, choose one experience that interests you and leave the rest of the day open.
For a weekend away — or a small gathering
Although the villas lend themselves naturally to a romantic weekend or a few days with friends, Casa de Papel has also been designed with smaller groups in mind. The Brajda apartment can be arranged as an intimate meeting space for workshops, seminars or team sessions, and Villa de Papel can be booked exclusively.
It is a different proposition from a conventional hotel meeting room: a setting where working together can sit alongside a shared meal, a local wine tasting or time outdoors. For a small creative retreat or a team that prefers a more personal atmosphere, that flexibility may be part of the attraction.
Our take
What makes Casa de Papel interesting is not simply the combination of hot tubs and vineyard views. It is the possibility of shaping a stay around the rhythm of Goriška Brda itself: a slow morning, a village or winery in the afternoon, perhaps a private sauna before dinner. The property offers different levels of privacy and comfort without losing its connection to the surrounding region.
For travellers already familiar with Ljubljana, Lake Bled or Slovenia's mountain landscapes, Brda offers another side of the country — quieter in mood, closely tied to wine and food, and well suited to a few days without an ambitious itinerary.
