HIDDEN GUEST: Grand Hotel Brioni Pula

Size-wise, Pula is the sixth largest Croatian city. Tourist development gained traction with the completion of the railway that connected this Istrian outpost with Trieste and Vienna in 1866. The 19th-century era was the heyday for the city and the naval force of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which selected the city as its naval base. At the same time, the contours of many of the urban beaches and promenades began to acquire their form. Another milestone came in 1973 when the Arenaturist company, the predecessor of the renowned Arena Hospitality Group, began operating. The hotel chain opened many tourist facilities on the Verudela peninsula, about ten minutes from the city centre. Tourism took complete precedence, as no residential building blemished the look of the hotel-laden peninsula. Grand Hotel Brioni’s piece of land became the most prestigious among all. The views of the iconic Brijuni Islands that gave the hotel its name are unmatched. Combined with lush greenery surrounding the hotel and a long list of exceptional additional services, the hotel had the winning formula as a top-tier luxury hotel. International and Yugoslav luminaries began flocking here in the early seventies. Back then, the hotel was a regular mention among the international jet set, and President Tito could often be seen there with his comrades. Still today, the hotel is set amidst one of the hottest incentive points in the Adriatic.

Traffic infrastructure is undergoing constant expansion and renovation in Pula. The central traffic intersection is the Istrian Y-shaped motorway that connects cities across Croatia and onward to Slovenia. Reaching Pula by car is thus straightforward. The hotel offers numerous parking spots and EV charging stations. However, as is the case in all tourist-packed cities, avoiding rush hour is mission impossible. In the off-season, access is much easier. One of the most notable advantages of Grand Hotel Brioni is the vicinity of the Verudela and Polesana marinas. Sea travel is another welcome alternative cherished by event organisers, as reaching all major Adriatic hubs from Pula is effortless. Air accessibility is improving annually, too, although it is still not optimal in winter compared to the peak summer season. The tourist village of Verudela is well connected to the city with public transport. The closest bus stop is only fifty metres from the entrance to the resort. There is room for improvement regarding cycling infrastructure, yet Pula is not among the worst cities for avid cyclers. Once you are within the bounds of the resort, walking is the preferred option, a natural balsam for your lungs and body, given the nearby Brijuni Islands are a bona fide natural resort with proven health benefits.

How to restore the glory of a former hotel icon where Yugoslavian and global film stars once stayed? Upon opening in 1972, the hotel promptly became the centre of social life. It gained acclaim as the magnum opus of post-modernist architect Milan Kušan. Nonetheless, postmodernism often raises eyebrows. The investor, Arena Hospitality Group, decided to approach the project sustainably. By retaining the original architectural shell, they paid homage to the work of Milan Kušan while completely renovating the interior to the last detail. Figures concerning the investment, estimated at 34 million EUR, give an idea of the complexity of the renovation. The investment exceeded the costs of building an entirely new hotel. We were amazed by the exterior and its overwhelming functionality, seeping into the pine forest. The hotel boasts stunning views from all sides. Given its three-storey height and proportions, Grand Hotel Brioni beautifully blends with the surrounding nature. The hotel has stood the test of time, shining in a new light after reopening. Its essence is hidden in the interior, though. We had not encountered so meticulously renovated public spaces in a while. The architects adopted a timeless style dominated by a mix of grey-and-blue hues and wood. Artworks of contemporary Istrian artists adorn each hotel room. The stylish and refined light grey wooden elements exude prestige. Likewise, the designer furniture strewn across the hotel further adds to the quality design of the hotel. Grand Hotel Brioni is synonymous with timeless hotel elegance.

Observing a cooking team working harmoniously in an open kitchen is always a pleasure. Roles are precisely assigned, and it becomes apparent why superb dishes crown each plate. The staff at Sophia Restaurant can kindly assist guests interested in the daily offer or wine menu. Hors d’oeuvre was served in an eye-catching octagonal box in the excellent company of Chiavalon olive oil par excellence, superb salt and crunchy, freshly-baked bread. When we stayed at the hotel, tuna was the headliner on the menu. We relished the tuna sashimi and perfect tuna steak. To top it off, the chocolate with fleur de sel was otherworldly. Sophia is a restaurant that will exceed the expectations of the most gourmet guests. They will cherish both the cuisine, wines and the holistic experience.

Brioni Forum Restaurant serves hotel breakfast. The breakfast hall features several smaller seating areas that elegantly adapt according to the number of guests. We were served in the boutique, neatly arranged breakfast area, where we enjoyed quality dishes. They did not serve à la carte dishes, though. We would recommend the hotel to do so in the future. Otherwise, the varied culinary offering included some of the best local olive oils, cheeses and slices of prosciutto. Perhaps the best part of the restaurant is the staff, making the hotel stand head and shoulders above the competition.

Hotel rooms

We stayed in the timeless Collection Superior Room overlooking the glistening sea. What sets the room apart from other hotels are the wooden, beige-coloured elements on the walls that pair beautifully with the blue hues dominating the headboard and the carpet, concealing a quality-made wooden floor. The furniture pays homage to Secession, as do the chandeliers and lighting. Guests manage the lights with aesthetically pleasing retro switches, unmissable at night. Although ingenious, they are bright and can be disturbing at night. The room includes all the amenities expected of a five-star hotel, including an Illy coffee machine and beach essentials. In the bathroom, we admired the elegance radiated by the marble tiles, paired with mosaic tiles boasting tiny blue details. The cosmetics by Aqua di Parma are outstanding. Each room is, in itself, an exhibition of artworks. Ours included an intriguing ear installation. Even though the room could do with a chic wireless speaker, the ultra-modern TV makes up for that. Perhaps not the most spacious, spanning 23 square meters, the room’s superior furniture and stunning views on the other side of the panoramic window still make it exceptional.

Meetings centre

The hotel boasts almost five hundred square metres of surface dedicated to events. With daylight streaming in from the large glass windows, the foyer borders a verdure zen garden with a terrace that seems ideal for coffee breaks, even in the winter. Seven halls are at the disposal of event organisers, and all can be arranged according to their preferences. The halls got their names from the Brijuni Islands. The grand hall, Veliki Brijun, can host up to 220 guests in a classroom setting and 136 attendees for banquets. Featuring a design typical of hotels, the conference halls boast artwork, blue lines and grey elegance. That is a guarantee that event attendees will feel welcome. If event organisers deem the halls too small, they can choose the larger Ulika Hall of the nearby Park Plaza Histria Pula hotel. The hall can accommodate 700 participants and delights guests with its high ceiling, just short of five metres. We must praise the size of the hotel that can cater to larger incentive groups with its 227 rooms. Combined with other rooms in hotels owned by the Arena Hospitality Group, there are almost 800 hotel rooms for business guests and event attendees. In our opinion, that is one of the hotel’s trump cards.

DESSERT – The extras

The sheer number of combinations within the resort is astounding. Event organisers can accommodate guests in various hotels at various prices. We could say the same for the halls and outdoor venues. Many of them are unique in and of themselves, such as the Yacht Club Bar and Restaurant. Just consider combining your event with a concert in the Pula Arena or hosting a part of your event in the Cave Romane quarry, one of the most unusual venues in Croatia. Priceless.

FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES

There is hardly anything to criticise in this hotel. If we had to, we must comment on the light switches in the room. They may look great, but their light can be disturbing at night.

TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES

We were most positively surprised by the staff. Each staff member was utterly professional. In addition, the butler service is a radical upgrade of the classic mini bar. Located on each floor, the butler service has an offer that can hardly fit into a classic mini bar. You can even buy gifts for your loved ones. Innovative!

SUSTAINABLE ENDEAVOURS

The hotel has not yet commenced any serious sustainability initiative, barring the usual messages reminding guests to save water. It seems they have some work to do in this field. The promises mentioned in annual reports published by Arena Hospitality Group are encouraging, though.

The second we glimpsed at the renovated hotel, we forgot how Grand Hotel Brioni Pula looked before the renovation. The revamp was radical and sensible enough to have elevated the original extremely functional architectural design. The timeless elegance that seems to adorn the hotel stirs many emotions. More importantly, it will never go out of style. We relished our stay and could not grow tired of the fresh, azure colours. Nature is within arm’s reach from the hotel rooms, conference centre and restaurants. Grand Hotel Brioni Pula has shown that modernist architecture can withstand the test of time. Its style closely resembles modern architectural concepts with a less-is-more approach that has been winning over critics. Above all, we believe the Istrian outpost of Pula has gained a five-star gem that will gain a loyal base of followers. At its core, the hotel is superb and, in many ways, extraordinary, setting new standards in this part of the Adriatic. We do not doubt your attendees will cherish the hotel, too, not least because Grand Hotel Brioni Pula has been hosting public figures and VIP guests for half a century. This hotel is a game-changer that will convince event organisers to discover the tremendously diverse offer of Pula instead of Rovinj, Opatija and Portorož.

FINAL GRADE: 4.99 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