Hotel Ambasador opens in Split
Last week, Croatia’s luxury hotel sector was enriched with the opening of a new hotel in the heart of Dalmatia. The newly opened Hotel Ambasador Split was designed, from the beginning, as a link that connects the urbanity of the large city center, and the untouched beauty of the Dalmatian islands.
The story of Hotel Ambasador is one of many tribulations. Designed in 1937 by Josip Kodl, a Czech-Croatian architect from Split, the avant-garde building quickly became a symbol of the rise of modern tourism in Split. Kodl made his mark, adding his distinctive cubist structure to the “old” Hotel Ambasador. Interestingly, the first neon sign in Split was placed on the deck. The hotel was later used by the Yugoslav army and eventually fell into disrepair until it was demolished in 2017. After a 35 million EUR investment, years of construction, and disruptions on the global market caused by the Covid crisis, the “new” five-star Hotel Ambassador is ready to welcome guests once again.
The new hotel was designed by architects Nora Roja, Nena Kezić and Emil Šverk. The hotel has 101 rooms, providing impressive views of Split, the harbor, and the entire Split archipelago. Special attention was given to natural materials, something that can be felt throughout the interior. All areas in the hotel, from the lobby to the rooms, are decorated with some historical elements typical for Split, like the hand-crafted reception desk made of 1850-year-old black oak from the bottom of the Sava river or the chairs designed by Bernardo Bernardi, along with a number of other details that a trained eye will notice.
The hotel has a smaller multipurpose conference room, suitable for small gatherings, workshops, parties, or seminars. Within the hotel, there is also the Méditerranée Restaurant with a total of 210 seats, which, under the leadership of chef Ivica Katić, will offer the best of Mediterranean cuisine – from Lebanon to Gibraltar, with organic ingredients sourced from local providers. Right next to it, there is Bar Split with a cozy interior that simply invites you to socialize. The terrace contributes to the attractive offer, and will surely become a favorite gathering spot for hotel guests and locals alike.
The open swimming pool with a view of the city and the harbour, and the associated Pool bar are also notable additions in a series of striking hotel advantages. The Ambassador’s multifunctional conference center with a capacity of 80 people will be a great spot for high-profile business events, while the rooftop bar is designed as an exclusive space for private events with a smaller number of people.
The hotel also offers a whole range of beauty and spa services at the 500-square-meter Hacelia Wellness & Spa, with the concept designed by the consulting company Vita Vitalis. It offers various face, body, and hair treatments, exclusive natural cosmetics, massages, and a separate fitness center with cardio equipment.
Another feature that will make Ambassador stand out in the current Split hotel offer is the garage space, which is a rarity for a hotel in the city center. The market position of the hotel does not suggest excessive dependence on seasonal trends and it is a perfect fit for a unique destination such as Split.
