HIDDEN GUEST: Hotel Navis, Opatija

The hotel is located in Preluk bay, where the Adriatic Sea reaches the deepest into the Bay of Kvarner. It is a surprisingly calm bay between the tourist town of Opatija and the urban city of Rijeka. In the past, tuna was caught here, stone was broken, and fun was had in the predecessor of today’s Milde Sorte Club. The idea for the hotel was the brainchild of the well-known Opatija hotelier Krunoslav Kapetanović, who joined forces with one of Croatia’s best architects, Idis Turato.

A feeling of peace, morning tranquility, and the sounds of the sea can be enjoyed on the balconies of the hotel’s rooms. The hotel occupies a really special location, secluded yet just a stone’s throw from the hustle and bustle and tourist crowds in nearby Opatija – less than three kilometres away.

The majority of guests travel to the hotel by car. Parking is no problem as there is an underground garage as well as outdoor parking. As the hotel is just three kilometres from Opatija, a shuttle bus with a very flexible timetable is available for guests. Visitors from overseas can get to Opatija via Rijeka airport, on the island of Krk, which is 40kms away. Due to the airport’s relatively poor connections, however, guests also arrive via the airports in Pula, Trieste, Ljubljana and Zagreb. There is a bus stop close to the hotel and we have to commend Opatija’s well-arranged public transport network. It is easy to get around the town itself on foot, and for those who enjoy the great outdoors, we recommend a walk along the 12km Lungomare coastal promenade that runs from Volovsko to Lovran and through the centre of Opatija.

The hotel’s architecture is defined by the coastal cliff into which the hotel has been built, thus creating a fascinating facade that is reminiscent of a cruise ship composed of contrasting black and white balconies.  It was designed by the Turato Studio in Rijeka, which succeeded in creating superior architecture that is both functional, in harmony with nature, and full of visual surprises. The hotel’s corridors are designed such that their interiors offer a counterpoint to the spacious rooms, as well as the hotel pavilion on the roof of the building, which is an excellent place to hold special events, and the imaginative interior of the entrance lobby, which flows seamslessly into the restaurant. Works by the Dilberović graphic design studio contribute to the entire aesthetic experience and nicely round-off the story of this colourful hotel.

Architecture and design is one side of the hotel’s story, whilst its employees, who breathe soul into it, are the other. The exceptional staff are totally devoted to guests, from the moment of arrival in the carpark onwards. The young team works with passion and enthusiasm.

The heart of the hotel is the restaurant with one of the best chef’s in the area. The range of cuisine is based on fresh, seasonal and local dishes. The wine list is probably among the most accomplished that we have seen in recent times. It is structured logically and acts as a kind of encyclopedia of Croatian and regional oenology.

The passionately-prepared food attracts numerous non-residents to the restaurant. The top-class culinary experience also continues with the quality breakfast, which is a combination of self-service and a-la-carte specials, such as poached egg with Istrian truffles, omelette with Pag cheese, homemade sausage from Grobnik, or Drniša smoked ham, which guests can slice themselves. The imaginative range of cuisine undoubtedly deserves the highest marks and contributes to the five-star experience.

All the designer hotel rooms have a sea view. Rooms feature a combination of strong, colourful shades and painted walls from untreated concrete. A sense of exclusivity is provided by the designer furniture from the hip and trendy Croatia producer Prostoria. Attractive lighting with built-in mirrors is sophisticated and refined. The orientation of the rooms also contribute to the feeling of wellbeing, and, together with the large glass surfaces and terrace, create an extraordinary hotel experience in touch with nature. Based on the boldness of the hotel, the bathrooms are surprisingly classic in style, but nonetheless functional.

A small conference hall with a capacity for up to 30 guests is located on the ground floor. It is a shame that its location means it lacks daylight and a suitable foyer area. Fortunately, the hotel also has other areas suitable for the organisation of small events. One such unusual area is the hotel terrace with its fabulous views which extend all the way to the island of Cres – highly recommended in warmer months.

The Navis Spa Centre has a Finnish and Turkish sauna as well as a heated outdoor pool.

The hotel pool and beach are very well arranged, however, we feel that at times when the hotel is at full capacity, the area would be considerably too small for all guests.

The top-class cuisine also has relatively high prices, which are justified by the quality, but we recommend caution when ordering.

The designer furniture by the Croatian producer Prostoria, which was founded in 2010 and is today a synonym for top-quality furniture, is said to enrich the life of its users.

The hotel surprises both from the outside and inside. The superior architecture and finest materials, designer furniture and lighting place this hotel at the top of the range of Croatia’s boutique design hotels. The hotel as a whole has a lot to offer and within the hotel, as well as the destination itself, you certainly won’t be bored if a vibrant hotel lifestyle is your thing. This new luxury acquisition to Opatija’s range of tourist accommodation, shows it is moving towards the development of quality congress tourism, in which cuisine has an important role.