Pino Alpino: A Boutique Alpine Escape in the Heart of Kranjska Gora
Pino Alpino is a charming hotel with just seven rooms, a stylish wine bar and a strong focus on excellent food. We had admired its picture-perfect Alpine exterior many times before – and finally decided to stay the night.
The former Cvitar guesthouse was renovated several years ago and transformed into a cosy little Alpine hotel, complete with a contemporary wine bar and dining area.
Central location
From the outside, Pino Alpino looks almost like something from an Alpine fairytale. Its wooden façade, mountain character and inviting terrace immediately catch the eye as you walk through the centre of Kranjska Gora. “Fairytale-like, authentically Alpine and incredibly photogenic” is how visitors often describe it – and it is easy to understand why.
Its location is another major advantage. Pino Alpino sits right in the centre of Kranjska Gora, close to the ski slopes, restaurants and the old village centre. In fact, almost everything you might want to see or do is within easy reach.
We Finally Decided to Stay Here
Our stay here was certainly no coincidence. We had passed Pino Alpino several times on previous visits to Kranjska Gora, and its idyllic exterior always made us curious about what it would be like to spend a night.
Much of the Pino Alpino experience begins in its wine bar.
Its lively yet relaxed terrace added to the appeal. Walking past in the evening, we would hear the gentle clinking of wine glasses mixed with conversation, laughter and music – the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to stop, order a glass of wine and forget about time for a while.
A Wine Bar Worth Stopping For
Whether you are staying at the hotel or simply passing through Kranjska Gora, the bar is a lovely place to enjoy a good coffee or discover some excellent wines.
Wine lovers are particularly well catered for, including those interested in natural wines. The selection features Slovenian winemakers such as Šuman, Gordia and Zorjan, alongside respected names from across the border, including Dario Prinčič and Santei.
But a good wine bar is about more than what is in the bottle. Service can completely change the experience, and this is one of the areas where Pino Alpino stood out during our stay.
What Are the Rooms Like?
Our room on the first floor was spacious, comfortable and pleasant. Considering the hotel’s central location, we had wondered whether evening noise from the village might disturb our sleep. Those concerns turned out to be completely unnecessary.
Given the rustic Alpine exterior and the character of the restaurant and wine bar downstairs, you might expect the rooms to follow the same traditional style. The interiors, however, are noticeably more contemporary.
Our room was modern, bright and tastefully furnished, with tea and coffee-making facilities, a spacious bathroom and mountain views.
From the window, we could even catch a glimpse of the picturesque Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, standing in Kranjska Gora’s historic centre on Borovška Street, as well as the surrounding mountain peaks.
And Then There Is Breakfast
Breakfast is included in the overnight stay – and deserves a special mention.
What impressed us most was the emphasis on local products, including locally sourced butter and honey. It may sound like a small detail, but when you are staying in the heart of the Slovenian Alps, being able to taste ingredients from the surrounding area makes breakfast feel much more connected to the destination.
All fresh.
Simple, freshly prepared and full of homemade flavour, it was one of those breakfasts that you remember long after checking out.
Would We Stay at Pino Alpino Again?
Absolutely. After admiring Pino Alpino from the outside on so many previous visits, finally experiencing it “from the inside” proved to be a great choice.
Pino Alpino is more than just a beautiful wooden house you stop to photograph while walking through the village. Stay the night, order a glass of Slovenian wine, wake up surrounded by mountains and you might find yourself falling for Kranjska Gora all over again.
