Five Days at Hotel Sibon, Jeruzalem: When an Active Couple from Styria Discovers the Slovenian Tuscany

Day 1: Arrival in the wine-growing hills and the first surprise

It’s a good hour and a half drive from Graz to Jerusalem, which is ideal for us—close enough for a long weekend, far enough that we feel like we’re really somewhere else. As we drove down the narrow road past the vineyards and caught sight of the hotel nestled against the hillside, we both fell silent. The view stretches across the rolling hills of Prlekija as far as the eye can see.

At the front desk, we were surprised by the welcome—not a formal “welcome,” but a genuine conversation: where we were from, whether we’d eaten yet, and if we had any allergies. The room was spacious, with modern furniture, and a large window looked straight out onto the vineyard. The bed was one of the best we’ve ever slept in at a hotel—firm but not too hard, with pillows we didn’t want to leave. After the long drive, we first walked over to the pool, where a waiter greeted us and asked if we’d like something to drink—we ordered some local sparkling wine because—why not?

Dinner on the first evening was our first real introduction to Prlekija cuisine: pumpkin soup with pumpkin seed oil, followed by roast pork with štruklji, accompanied by a glass of local Rhine Riesling. The waiter presented the wine to us almost like a mini-lecturer—where the grapes came from, what kind of vintage it was, and what he recommended to pair with it. The feeling that someone was actually guiding us through the dinner, rather than just serving plates, was a pleasant change.

Day 2: A run through the vineyards and an afternoon at the spa

As active athletes, we spent our first morning going for a run. The staff at the front desk suggested a loop through the vineyard trails—about 8 kilometers of uphill and downhill slopes, with views that made us stop several times just to take pictures. It’s no exaggeration to say that this was one of the most beautiful runs we’ve ever done.

After our run, a memorable breakfast awaited us—homemade bread, authentic prosciutto, fresh vegetables from the garden, and coffee that was better than I would have expected from a hotel of this size. In the afternoon, we visited the Sibon Hotel’s spa center for the first time. Two Finnish saunas with different temperatures, an infrared sauna, and an outdoor Kneipp pool—after our run, this was exactly what we needed. The outdoor, unheated Kneipp pool was a shock to our feet at first, but after two minutes, it was pure relaxation.

The pool is heated and has an infinity design—the edge blends into the view of the hills, which was the best part of our entire stay. We ordered drinks right from the pool; we scanned the menu with our phones and ordered online—a small detail, but very practical.

Day 3: Cycling through Prlekija and a Prlekija-style dinner

On the third day, we rented bikes and set out to explore the surrounding wine routes. Prlekija is a real gem for cyclists—less well-known than the Styrian Wine Route on the Austrian side, but no less beautiful, and above all, much less crowded. We stopped at a small winery, where the host invited us for a tasting without even knowing we were from the hotel.

That evening, dinner awaited us at the restaurant—the highlight of our stay so far: trout from a local pond, roasted vegetables from the garden, and homemade gibanica for dessert. The waitstaff were attentive the whole time, but never intrusive—just the right amount of attention, which we both appreciate, since we don’t want to be “treated like tourists” when we travel.

Day 4: Rest day, swimming pool, and massage

After three days of running and cycling, we treated ourselves to a day without an alarm clock. We spent the morning by the pool with a book and coffee, and in the afternoon we had a massage waiting for us at the spa—pleasant, professional, and unhurried. The wellness bag they prepared for us upon arrival at the spa (bathrobe, slippers, towel) was a nice touch that showed the Sibon Hotel had thought of even the little things.

That day, we had lunch right by the pool—a light salad with goat cheese and homemade olive oil. In the evening, we treated ourselves to a five-course tasting menu, each course paired with a different local wine. The sommelier presented each glass with such passion that we ended up ordering two more bottles to take home with us.

Day 5: A Farewell That Wasn’t Easy

On our last morning, we treated ourselves to another run through the vineyards, this time at a slower pace, without rushing—as if we wanted to prolong the feeling. Breakfast was just as excellent as on the first day, perhaps even better, since we now knew what to order. When we were saying goodbye at the front desk, the staff asked us when we’d be back—and honestly, for the first time in a long while, we answered that question without hesitation: next year, for sure.

Why We Recommend the Sibon Hotel to Active Couples

For someone coming from Styria in Austria who is familiar with similar wine regions back home, the Sibon Hotel is a pleasant surprise—a combination of active recreation (running, cycling, walks through the vineyards), an excellent spa center with a pool and saunas, and cuisine based on local ingredients and wines from the Prlekija region. The beds are comfortable, the rooms are quiet and bright, and the waitstaff and other employees make you feel like a guest, not just a reservation number.

If you’re looking for a destination where you can spend your days being active and your evenings indulging in good food and wine— the Sibon Hotel in Jerusalem is a choice we haven’t regretted for a single moment.