Tennis and pickleball holiday at the Rikli Balance Hotel on Lake Bled in the Julian Alps of Slovenia

Recharge your batteries, reduce stress and increase your well-being with the holistic "Rikli natural healing concept" at the Rikli Balance Hotel with tennis and pickleball courts

The Rikli Balance Hotel is named after the Swiss pioneer of naturopathy, Arnold Rikli, who established the first natural spa in Bled in the mid-19th century. He experienced the positive health effects of this Slovenian Alpine gem himself after a serious illness. Arnold Rikli developed the so-called "Rikli Concept," which posits that well-being can be improved through Bled's natural resources – air, water, and sun – and that exercise in the fresh air, a moderate and high-quality vegetarian diet, and sufficient sleep lead to natural relaxation, regeneration, and stress reduction. The name of the Rikli Balance Hotel reflects its philosophy. As a holistic "Rikli Hotel Concept," you'll find everything here to enhance your well-being and balance, allowing you to regenerate. It's just what you need after a strenuous game of tennis or pickleball! The seven tennis courts and four pickleball courts, , are beautifully situated in a small wooded area. 

 Hotel description

The Rikli Balance Hotel is a four-star hotel and part of the SAVA Hotels Bled group, located in northwestern Slovenia in the Julian Alps. The hotel is named after Arnold Rikli, who established a natural spa in Bled in the mid-19th century. The nearest international airport is Ljubljana Airport, 54 kilometers away. The Rikli Balance Hotel is a modern complex with 150 rooms (some with lake views of Lake Bled). Guests can choose between single and double rooms (also available with an extra bed) or suites. Two electric vehicle charging stations are located at the hotel.  

 Tennis & Pickleball

Seven beautiful clay courts and four state-of-the-art pickleball courts are available within easy reach. Although located four kilometers outside of Bled, they are nestled beautifully in a small wooded area, allowing you to enjoy a relaxing game surrounded by greenery. The tennis center is run by a former professional tennis player, who also offers tennis and pickleball lessons. The clubhouse is open all day, where you can change, shower, and enjoy a refreshing drink on the terrace while chatting with fellow tennis enthusiasts. Rackets and balls are available for rent for both tennis and pickleball, and a stringing service is also offered. It's such a lovely place to play tennis or pickleball in the green surroundings!

 Other sports activities

Besides tennis and pickleball, the region around Lake Bled, nestled in the Julian Alps, offers a variety of beautiful cycling and hiking trails with stunning views. Bikes and e-bikes are available for rent at the hotel for a fee. Rikli's Relaxation Park, located right next to the Rikli Balance Hotel, provides a beautiful setting yoga , calming the mind, and relaxing the body. As part of the "Rikli Concept," the Rikli Balance Hotel also offers "Rikli Sports Animation," a structured training program that can be tailored to individual guest preferences. Just 3.5 km from the hotel is the Royal Bled Golf Course, featuring an 18-hole King's Course and a 9-hole Lake Course. A golf academy with a pro shop and clubhouse offers training facilities.

 Wellness

The Rikli Balance Hotel boasts the largest water park in Bled and the surrounding area, which is free for hotel guests . The pool complex offers a choice of six swimming pools : four indoor thermal pools , a children's thermal pool , and an outdoor thermal pool overlooking the nearby, beautiful Lake Bled . The indoor area features a water slide and a whirlpool. A wellness center with a sauna area including three Turkish and three Finnish saunas provides pure relaxation. Tea, water, and fruit are offered free of charge. The Živa Wellness Center offers a wide range of treatments, including massages, baths (including a 40-minute Rikli bath), and body and facial treatments, all based on the natural healing methods of Albert Rikli, a pioneer of naturopathy, and designed to promote well-being. This concept is complemented by alpine wellness elements and the use of local ingredients (such as spruce tips and honey from Carniolan bees). Based on Rikli's teachings, you can relax and regenerate body and mind at the Rikli Balance Hotel with the Rikli Daily Ritual . The program is based on selected Rikli methods of natural healing. This includes unlimited access to the sauna and bathing area, tea and water, a selected herbal scrub in the sauna, a healthy meal, a 50-minute massage with bundles of spruce tips or honey, and a healthy drink. The Rikli Regeneration Room is a place for holistic relaxation and regeneration of body and mind. It is made of 100% natural materials such as moss, wool, and wood and offers harmonizing and invigorating color therapy . The Rikli Relaxation Park , located in the immediate vicinity of the hotel , offers places and moments of rest and slowing down.

 Catering

The SAVA Hotels & Resorts group, through its participation in the "Kilometer nič" (Kilometer Zero) initiative, is committed to using as many locally sourced ingredients as possible in its cuisine . The Rikli Balance Hotel uses high-quality products from local producers, from fresh vegetables and dairy products to freshly caught trout from a local fish farm. Jams are homemade, and the ice cream is also made on-site. Guests at the Rikli hotel restaurant are treated to typical Alpine cuisine . The culinary offerings are complemented by the principles of Rikli's concept, which focuses on vegetarian dishes made with fresh, high-quality, local, and seasonal ingredients . Hotel guests receive half-board with breakfast and dinner , and the menus always include information on "How to live according to Rikli's concept." "Arnold Rikli's Menu" is also available in the hotel restaurant. The aperitif bar in the hotel lobby offers an extensive wine list. What's special is that the hotel bakes its own "Rikli bread" with easily digestible sourdough and offers it for sale in both the hotel lobby and the aperitif bar. At Bistro Živa, you can enjoy a variety of light snacks.

 Vicinity

Although very popular with day-trippers in the summer months, you should not miss visiting (preferably as early in the day as possible in summer) the following three places in the vicinity of the Rikli Balance Hotel: Lake Bled, Bled Castle and Vintgar Gorge.

Lake Bled is just a 10-minute walk from the Rikli Balance Hotel. Its location is simply breathtaking: picturesquely nestled among mountains and forests, with a small island and a historic church. The lake is one of Slovenia's most famous landmarks. A 6 km (completely flat) circular walking path leads around Lake Bled – not a cycle path! (Pure walking time approx. 1.5 hours – without stopping at cafes or lingering to admire the stunning views). The ever-changing vistas are simply spectacular. Thanks to good signage and easy access at all points along the path, you can freely choose where you want to start your walk around the lake. The path is lined with benches, boardwalks, and small grassy areas; in many places, you walk right along the water's edge. The path surfaces vary: there are promenades, gravel paths, wooden boardwalks, and asphalt paths. A particularly nice touch is the numerous small cafes, ice cream parlors, and stalls selling Bled cream cake – the local dessert – that invite you to linger. There is also a beach area for swimming in the sea.

The well-preserved medieval Bled Castle is just 2 km from the Rikli Balance Hotel. Perched on a cliff atop a 139-meter-high rock overlooking Lake Bled, it can easily be combined with a walk around the lake. This terraced castle, whose history dates back to 1004 and which is considered the oldest castle in Slovenia, features a Gothic chapel, a museum, a castle printing press with a replica of Gutenberg's woodblock print (where you can print your own souvenir), a blacksmith's workshop, and a restaurant. The castle offers magnificent views of the surrounding region. During the summer months, there is an interesting medieval festival and other cultural events. The hike to the castle takes about 20 minutes. Alternatively, you can drive or cycle up the road. The castle is open year-round.

The Vintgar Gorge is located in Triglav National Park, about 5 kilometers northwest of Bled. It's only about a 10-minute drive from the Rikli Balance Hotel; on foot, it's about 45 minutes. The 1.6 km long gorge was discovered as early as 1891, and a 500-meter-long path with bridges and wooden walkways leads through it (duration approximately 45-60 minutes). The gorge can only be traversed in one direction. A return trip via another trail takes about 1-1.5 hours, so you should allow about 2.5-3 hours for the entire loop. The Vintgar Gorge is one of Slovenia's most important natural attractions. The path, with its wooden bridges, leads alongside crystal-clear water, initially along steep rock faces, and ends at the Sum Waterfall, which plunges 13 meters. Tickets for a visit must be booked online in advance, as access is strictly regulated.
Tip: With an "All-in-One-Pass" ticket, the entrance fee, parking fee, and the use of shuttle buses that run from the center of Bled to the gorge are included.

  Note: All information is provided without guarantee. Images © SAVA Hotels & Resorts