The portal, which is considered an exclusive source of information for high-end travellers, gives out the award based on its experts' assessments of hotel innovation, design, rooms, cuisine and services.

Hotel Brdo is known as very attentive host of business and protocol events. It often hosts top athletes during their preparations for top-level competitions.

The Brdo estate has hosted many state protocol events, such as presidential visits, visits by representatives of royal families, diplomats and other renowned world figures, among others British Queen Elizabeth II and Pope John Paul II.

It was also the venue of the first meeting of the American president George W. Bush and the Russian president Vladimir Putin and the main venue of the Slovenian EU presidency in the first half of 2008.

According to Munih Stanič, the hotel is open to everyone and most of its guests are people who appreciate high-quality service, excellent food, the countryside and serenity.

The Brdo estate boasts almost 500 hectares of forests and meadows, eleven lakes, more than 1,000 plant and 1,000 animal species. It is part of the Natura 2000 protected area.

The Renaissance Brdo Castle and kozolci, the traditional straw-covered hayracks, on the estate represent an important part of the estate's 500-year-old cultural heritage, says its website.