THE CROATIAN WAY OF BLEISURE
LOCATION
One of Croatia’s most visited tourist destinations in Dalmatia is undeniably the Makarska Riviera. At the foot of the Biokovo mountain chain, tourists flock to renowned resorts and cities that include Brela, Baška Voda, Makarska, Tučepi, Podgora, and Gradac. Makarska is considered one of the hottest cities in Croatia. Here, sand beaches stretch for kilometres, shielded from the sun only by mighty pine trees. Among such beaches on the periphery of Makarska, the first five-star hotel under the Aminess Hotel Group opened its doors this year. Its location is perfect, as a twenty-minute walk on a promenade separates the hotel from the heart of Makarska city. At the same time, Aminess Khalani Beach Hotel is away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Event organisers seeking to host a more secluded and private event will appreciate the location.
ACCESSIBILITY
After roughly an hour of driving on a scenic motorway through the heart of Dalmatia, guests will arrive from Split Airport to Makarska. The picture-postcard islands of Brač and Hvar can be seen from the city, while Dubrovnik is only an hour and a half away. The motorway has helped tourists uncover Makarska Riviera, making it one of the most visited in the region. Hence, traffic jams at the peak of the tourist season are no surprise. The hotel’s location on the edge of the city has allure as it is easily accessible and away from the crowds. Guests arriving by car need not worry, as the hotel provides a spacious underground garage for up to 150 vehicles. A welcoming concierge will kindly assist you in any way. Not least, in arranging your bicycle rental.
COLD STARTER - Architecture and aesthetics
An imposing hotel lobby reaching the very peak of the eight-story building is arguably the most photogenic lobby in all newly-opened hotels in the Adriatic. The architecture is the work of Jerko Rošin, a renowned architect from Split. As the name suggests, the hotel is a typical beach hotel, where all paths lead to the compelling beach area comprising pools, bars and a beach. The hotel stretches an impressive area of 37,000 sqm. Pastel colours and wood dominate the hotel, giving it warmth. The hotel does not appear colossal and goes hand in hand with its surroundings. A tidy horticultural design contributes to the eye-catching image. We do not doubt that, following their first summer, they will tend to construction blunders that reveal themselves when the hotel is teeming with guests. These include problems with the lift and minor discrepancies in the design of the hotel.
WARM ENTRÉE - The staff and the culinary experience
The entire team appears utterly proud to work in the newest and most prestigious hotel in the Makarska Riviera. Their attitude is present throughout staying at the hotel. That may be the hotel’s trump card. Breakfast is, likewise, excellent; next to a diverse and quality offer, we deemed the breakfast hall extremely inviting and tidy. They cater to all groups of guests. The sought-after hotel terrace is a story of its own. Having breakfast on the terrace with a view is a unique experience. However, we do recommend that a five-star hotel does not serve coffee from coffee vending machines. Service can also improve in terms of service pace.
MAIN COURSE – The meetings offering at the hotel
Hotel rooms
A panoramic glass wall overlooking the crystal blue sea is the first eye-catching feature in the minimalist room. The wooden floor in bright colours combines beautifully with the furniture, which boasts colours of beige and grey. We were impressed by the size of the rooms and the brightness, contributing to the quality of our stay. Furthermore, the room features a designer chair by Calligaris, a padded headboard on the bed and intriguing lights. The minimalist style continues in the bathroom in similar colours. The hotel opened in June, and we thus believe they will fix some minor setbacks promptly. For instance, the illuminated light switches emit an unpleasant light. Likewise, the display of the air conditioning is impossible to switch off. A picture or two in the room could elevate the overall experience.
Meetings centre
The conference centre comprises a multifunctional hall that can capacitate 130 guests. Upon entering a spectacular lobby, attendees make their way to the inviting event hall. It boasts a high ceiling, making it an apt choice for demanding productions. More importantly, the hotel offers several outdoor locations for receptions, including a rooftop terrace that caught our eye.
DESSERT – The extras
The unique, spacious outdoor terraces and pools are waiting to host pool parties and event receptions. We hope the management will seize this opportunity.
FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES
The hotel will most likely address the minor technical flaws soon. Unfortunately, they impact the otherwise excellent feeling while staying at the hotel.
TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES
A grandiose lobby that leads to the conference centre adds glamour and exclusiveness to your event.
FINAL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY
More often than not, a destination cannot make a breakthrough into the five-star league without considerable hotel investments. In Makarska, the Aminess Hotel Group took up the challenge head-on. They excelled in their first task – creating a visually striking hotel. The architecture may not appeal to all, yet the attention the hotel receives makes it stand out from the competition in Makarska. What sits at the heart of the hotel’s excellence are passionate coworkers, who are the hotel’s key advantage. We were greatly impressed by the omnipresent feeling of prestige in the hotel. The materials in the hotel are world-class, and during the first winter break, the staff will become even more precise and coordinated. Aminess Khalani Beach Hotel can easily compete with more renowned Croatian competitors from international hotel chains. The new Dalmatian kid on the block is home to possibly the best rooftop for events in the Adriatic.
FINAL GRADE: 4.81 GOLD Resort Meeting Hotel
GOLD final score from 4.81 to 5.00
SILVER final score from 4.61 to 4.80
BRONZE final score from 4.41 to 4.60
