INTRO: Can you describe your hotel using only four words?
Luxurious, stylish, sophisticated elegance.
Q1: What differentiates your hotel from others?
Personalized luxury experiences, unique location, art & fine-dining experiences.
Grand Hotel Brioni Pula, A Radisson Collection Hotel, is situated in a picturesque location directly by the sea, at the same time surrounded by Mediterranean greenery and close to the ancient city of Pula. The front overlooks the open sea, catching sight of the Brijuni National Park, which inspired the hotel’s name. The interior design features Mediterranean materials and colours with Italian and Croatian stone. The hotel features 227 rooms and suites, several restaurants and bars, an infinity pool, luxurious wellness and spa facilities, and a conference centre for corporate and business guests. The peculiarity lies in its modern, luxurious design and range of high-quality services. Both facilities and amenities are fully adapted to the luxury of the 21st century. Digital technologies are integral to the Grand Brioni experience, and guests are encouraged to use their devices to access all hotel services.
The hotel itself boasts a colourful background. Built in 1972, it was extremely popular with celebrities visiting the nearby Venice Film Festival, thanks to three elegant restaurants and an amazing promenade inviting one to dive into the refreshing waters of the Adriatic. Pula, a 3,000-year-old city on the very south of the Istrian peninsula, is a Mediterranean town on a human scale – known for its pleasant climate and exceptionally indented coastline. The history of the city is impressive as well. The Amphitheatre of Pula, the Golden Gate, the Main Forum Square, and the Temple of Augustus are just some of the sights you will see only by simply walking through its streets. The peninsula of Istria offers something for everyone, and no matter whether you prefer exquisite gastronomic offerings, various outdoor activities or cultural experiences, everyone will find something for themselves. The beautiful coastal part of Istria, with numerous beaches and an unspoilt hinterland rich in history, is one of the reasons why Istria is an ideal destination to escape from everyday life, with many possibilities for a relaxing holiday.
Grand Hotel Brioni Pula, A Radisson Collection Hotel, is one of the most highly regarded hotels in Croatia. After your overnight stay in luxurious accommodation, you will be ready to set up for the day, because the first coffee and breakfast in the morning are better with the stunning sea views. During your stay at the hotel, you will enjoy fine cuisine and excellent service in a relaxed and atmospheric setting at the Sophia Restaurant and indulge in the beautiful views, stunning décor and exquisite flavours of the local cuisine. There are plenty of things to do, but also take some time to enjoy the wellness and relaxation areas of the hotel to which you have unlimited access during your stay.
Q2: What are the novelties of your hotel in 2024?
Continuing the legacy of excellence. We are committed to providing unrivalled service in the hotel industry. Within two years of the grand reopening, we continue to receive prestigious recognition and awards in the travel industry.
True hospitality is epitomized by the seamless fusion of opulent amenities, impeccable attention to detail, and an unwavering commitment to guest satisfaction. In January 2024, we became part of the Impressia brand through the Association of Unique Croatian Hotels, which gathers carefully selected and distinctive luxury hotels, providing contemporary visitors with special, authentic, and local experiences.
In 2023, Grand Hotel Brioni Pula, A Radisson Collection Hotel, has been declared the BEST hotel in Croatia at the prestigious Croatian Tourism Days 2023. The annual Croatian Tourism Awards, jointly organized by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the Croatian Tourist Board, and the Croatian Chamber of Economy, recognize excellence in accommodation facilities that provide a unique stay experience in hotels. The award in the “Hotel of the Year” category focuses on the uniqueness of the experience and atmosphere in the hotel, as well as evaluating investments in infrastructure and personnel, the implementation of sustainability and digitalization strategies, community involvement, and contributions to the development of the tourist destination.
Furthermore, Grand Hotel Brioni Pula, A Radisson Collection Hotel, has been recognized as one of the best new beach hotels in the world by the prestigious American magazine Town & Country. Renowned for its sophisticated content covering fashion, beauty, travel, arts, culture, and society, Town & Country is a trusted source of inspiration for luxury and refined lifestyle enthusiasts.
Even before the grand reopening, the hotel was recognized by Forbes, a global media company, focusing on business, investing, technology, entrepreneurship, leadership, and lifestyle. Grand Hotel Brioni Pula, A Radisson Collection Hotel was listed as one of „77 New Hotels Around The World Opening In Spring 2022“.
Q3: As one of the leading experts in the industry, what are your thoughts on the ChatGPT craze? Is this another marketing hype or an actual tool that will make boring, routine jobs a lot easier?
A well-rounded guest experience combines the best of both worlds – human touch & digital innovation.
We believe that signifies a pivotal shift towards leveraging digital technologies for enhanced customer service in the hotel industry. While ChatGPT undoubtedly offers numerous benefits in automating routine tasks and improving efficiency, it’s important to strike a balance between embracing innovation and maintaining the human touch that guests value. Therefore, while ChatGPT can greatly facilitate operations, integrating it alongside traditional approaches ensures a well-rounded guest experience that combines the best of both worlds.
Q4: What skills should a 21st-century hotelier possess?
Adaptability, technology proficiency, cultural sensitivity, and sustainability awareness.
Q5: We cannot avoid discussing the sustainable transformation of our industry. What must we do to create a world where more than nine billion people can live decently within planetary boundaries?
Embrace sustainable practices, reduce waste, promote renewable resources, and prioritize community involvement.
At Arena Hospitality Group, we endeavour to follow good practices in the field of ESG and we continually improve in order to provide a safe and healthy environment for guests and our employees. For us, it is important to care about our neighbourhoods and make a positive contribution to our local communities and the people who live there. We are actively involved with a number of fundraising activities throughout the year that make a big difference in people’s lives and the environment. We also engage our local communities through volunteering and local resourcing partnerships and charities. Although ‘Being part of our communities’ ranked the pillar with the lowest importance and impact, we still have a strong commitment to it and are constantly reviewing our community and charitable activity to ensure that it has maximum impact at a local level, but also resonates globally and supports the Group in meeting its objectives and responsibilities. The management also regularly communicates to the relevant stakeholders on the company’s strategy, future plans and positions. Our company continues to engage with its suppliers to help achieve its ESG initiatives and has invested in online solutions to make supplier assessment and screening seamless to ensure compliance with its sourcing policy.
Q6: What is your definition of true hospitality?
True hospitality is anticipating needs and exceeding expectations with genuine warmth and care.
True hospitality in the context of luxury, particularly at the Grand Hotel Brioni Pula, A Radisson Collection Hotel, embodies an unparalleled level of refinement, elegance, and personalized service. It goes beyond the conventional notions of hospitality to offer an exquisite experience that anticipates and exceeds the desires and expectations of discerning guests. It is more than just providing luxurious accommodation and fine dining; it involves orchestrating a symphony of extraordinary experiences tailored to the individual preferences and desires of each guest. Whether it’s arranging bespoke excursions to explore the surrounding natural beauty, curating indulgent spa treatments, or orchestrating private events in breathtaking settings, every aspect of the guest’s journey is meticulously crafted to evoke a sense of wonder and delight.
Moreover, true hospitality at the Grand Hotel Brioni Pula, A Radisson Collection Hotel is characterized by the genuine warmth and grace of the staff, who possess an innate ability to anticipate needs and surpass expectations with effortless grace and charm. It is a commitment to creating memories that linger long after the stay, leaving guests enchanted and inspired by the unparalleled level of luxury and hospitality they have experienced.
“It is more than just providing luxurious accommodation and fine dining; it involves orchestrating a symphony of extraordinary experiences tailored to the individual preferences and desires of each guest.”
Q7: Can you name one problem the entire meetings industry should solve together?
Creating more sustainable event practices to reduce environmental impact.
Arena Hospitality Group is a pioneer in the acceptance and implementation of technologies in the hotel industry and continues its innovative path of introducing new services based on modern technology into its own accommodation facilities, all to offer a distinctive and differentiated experience for its guests, elevate the quality of existing services even further, and provide its guests with a higher quality stay.
To reduce environmental impact, we have initiated the digitization of our operations. We offer modern tools that we use in our everyday lives and never stop developing new ones.
– Smart Room System
– Butler Corner, a concept of a 21st-century “Mini Bar”
– Electric car charging station, making the Grand Hotel Brioni an EV-friendly hotel
– Face Recognition technology
Q8: Do you enjoy podcasts? Which is your favourite?
It is crucial to stay abreast of trends in the hotel industry, which is why we emphasize the importance of tuning into relevant travel industry podcasts. Additionally, we take great pride in enhancing our service standards and consistently invest in our personnel by providing opportunities for attendance at seminars, workshops, and other educational programs.
Q9: What is the best travel advice you have ever received?
The best travel advice is to embrace cultural immersion and authenticity.
Q10: If you could take anything home from your favourite hotel, what would it be?
If I could, I would take the impeccable service standards home from my favourite hotel, which is, of course, Grand Hotel Brioni Pula, A Radisson Collection Hotel.
Learn more about Arena Hospitality Group here.
