Archive for the ‘Croatia Accommodation’ Category
September 16th, 2011 | 
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What is a “design hotel” anyway? I know that was my first question before checking into the Hotel Lone in Rovinj. Will I need a user manual to turn on the faucets? Will my eyes open each morning to garish and puzzling paintings?
The answer to both questions at this remarkable new hotel is a resounding no. As the Hotel Lone explains on their website, a design hotel “nurtures the concept of interesting and functional spatial design”. Put simply, the Hotel Lone is beautiful in every way and its beauty encompasses ease, comfort, and the simple luxury of exquisite good taste.
Located within the Zlatni Rt forested park, a few minutes from Rovinj’s town center, the Hotel Lone is surrounded by old growth pine trees with the Adriatic glimmering a few hundred meters away. Now how do you create a thoroughly modern hotel in harmony with a wooded landscape? Why, you think of a cruise ship floating on the sea of course. The curving lines and stacked white balconies recall the prow and decks of an ocean liner floating on a sea of green.
For the interior of this 248-room hotel, the designers turned back in time for inspiration. The Croatian coast is dotted with massive but somewhat bland hotels built in the 70s to cater to package tourists.
The Hotel Lone design team used the spacious lobbies from that era but replaced the boxy look with an exciting and contemporary organization of space. The public areas incorporate three restaurants, a conference center that can seat 600 people, a night club, children’s club and a wellness center all organized around an atrium that stretches up six floors. Despite the size, the clever arrangement of furniture and decoration makes the lobby a comfortable place to relax.
The white, black and lustrous oak of the lobby area is carried over into the rooms each of which has a park or sea view and a balcony. Sure there are all the bells and whistles of a five-star hotel: plush bathrobes, top-end toiletries, flat-screen TV, free WiFi, separate tub and shower. But what really stands out is the sheer beauty of the design. Floor to ceiling mirrors are placed to reflect the outdoor scenery. A fabric wall covering illuminated from behind softens the bed area. Oak shutters separate the bathroom from the room which allows natural light to penetrate the bathroom while preserving privacy. The effect was soothing and I didn’t need to stress about how to regulate the AC, make a phone call or change channels on the TV. Everything was logical, well-explained and un-fussy.
Chain hotels have their place, but when I’m away from home I want to experience the country. Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the Hotel Lone is that it showcases the very best of Croatian artists, designers, architects and materials. The oak is from Slavonia; the architectural team is Zagreb-based 3LHD working in conjunction with the design team, Numen/ForUse; young Croatian artists Ivana Franke and Silvio Vujčić contributed sculpture and decorative elements. Even lamps, chairs and desks are designed and manufactured in Croatia.
I could have spent a week in the Hotel Lone. Soaking in the wellness center, swimming in the pools (outdoor and indoor) strolling the grounds, sampling the restaurants or just gazing at the view from my balcony would have been enough even without nearby Rovinj and the magnificent Zlatni Rt park. Alas, it was time to move on and all that was left was a memory. But what a memory.
Find out more about the Hotel Lone and book a room.
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It’s been open for less than a year but Golly & Bossy hostel in Split is already winning awards. The “design” hostel has recently been voted one of the 10 World’s Best Hostels by the users of virtualtourist.com. It is surely an original experience. You unlock the doors with a smartphone app, sleep in a “capsule” and enjoy an on-site small cinema and large bar.
Owner Ante Kotarac claims to have spent 4.5 million kuna on restoring this former department store located in an Art Nouveau palace. Local architects Lea Pelivan and Toma Pleić were in charge of designing the hostel and its 28 rooms. As a reminder of the former department store and for the comfort of the guests, the designers kept the escalators. Also, each room has a reminder of Split history.
And the peculiar name? An Anglicization of the Croatian goli & bosi which means “naked and barefoot”!
Golly & Bossy Hostel
The most exciting recent entry is the new Golly & Bossy Hostel which bills itself, accurately, as a “design hostel”. The chartreuse color scheme and sleek lighting are young and cheery and the amenities are first rate. I like that each room is numbered with an important date from Split history. Great local pride. There are both dorm rooms and doubles with private facilities available. The big terrace is great for socializing and the balcony has a great view of Old Split.
An ongoing project is the renovation of the old Marjan hotel at the foot of Marjan hill. When opened next year (hopefully) it will be the Marjan Hilton. I’m very pleased that a renovation of the classic Hotel Bellevue is in the works. With high ceilings, tall windows and an enormous ground-floor restaurant, this 19th-century hotel is the only one of its kind in Split. It deserves to be honoured. Rumor also has it that there will be a new hotel near wide, sandy Bacvice beach which is also bordered by a major entertainment complex. Now that should be fun.
See more about accommodation in Split.
The Rixos Libertas
Kudos this year to the Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik which was named Croatia’s Leading Hotel. The Hilton company took over the former Hotel Imperial several years ago and worked a magical transformation upon the venerable 19th-century structure. It retained all the class and elegance but added every comfort worthy of a five-star hotel. Its superb location right outside the Old Town has also made the Hilton Imperial the address of choice in Dubrovnik.
Croatia’s Leading Spa Resort was once again Le Meridien Lav in Split, a real palace of pampering. And the Riva Hvar Yacht Harbour Hotel won accolades again as Croatia’s Leading Boutique Hotel. Bravi tutti!
At first, I thought it would be a good idea to stay in central Trogir. I’m so glad I didn’t. Although the architecture of this World Heritage Site is wonderful, it’s not exactly a hidden treasure. Wow, was it busy! So, I stayed in Ciovo, a beach resort just outside the Old Town, and sampled the hospitality of Ira and Boris Rakic who run Villa Pape.
I’ve often extolled the virtues of staying in private accommodation in Croatia, and Villa Pape is one of the reasons why. Set on a hill overlooking the Ciovo islet, the guesthouse is in a quiet location away from the hubub. It’s easy to reach Trogir but who wants to? Ira and Boris have created such a warm and welcoming atmosphere in their guesthouse, it’s hard to leave. I felt so at home in my spacious, well-outfitted apartment I could have stayed forever. For those new to the region, Ira provides a wealth of sightseeing tips as she has made a study of local history and lore, especially the Roman ruins of Salona.
And, here’s a tip: sample one of Ira’s homecooked meals. The lady is an amazing cook, specializing in the kind of local fare you don’t find in restaurants. The Villa Pape website has some good recipes but there’s nothing like letting the expert cook. Plus, Ira is committed to supporting local products and sustainable agriculture. No store-bought produce for her!
Villa Pape has an assortment of rooms and apartments, all modern and reasonably-priced.
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