ISTRIAN DESIGN PAR EXCELLENCE
LOCATION
Labin, located on the eastern side of the Istrian peninsula, is perched on a hill overlooking the Cres and Lošinj islands. This scenic town dates back to the 5th century BC, when Celtic tribes supposedly settled here. Later, the town was under Roman, Venetian and Austro-Hungarian rule. The strategic position of Albona, as it was known to Venetians, helped them control the maritime routes that passed through the region. Today, this picturesque town attracts tourists from far and wide who flock here to taste the Istrian flavours, including the revered truffle products and olive oil, traverse the hiking and biking routes and navigate the crystal clear waters of the Kvarner region. Hotel Peteani is within spitting distance of the old town. The hotel, housed in a lavish villa from the 20th century, was beautifully restored and now greets guests next to the cobblestone road leading to the city centre. With panoramic views from the hotel restaurant’s terrace and the rooms, Hotel Peteani enjoys an enviable location – far enough to escape the hum from the busy, compact city centre, yet close enough for travellers to venture to the old town on foot. Although this side of Istria is often overlooked, journeying off the beaten track has its benefits.
ACCESSIBILITY
Labin is an hour’s drive from Rijeka and even closer to Opatija. The easiest way to reach the town in eastern Istria is by heading from Zagreb on the regional roads through Karlovac and onward to Rijeka. From there, you must drive across scenic roads snaking through the Istrian countryside before you arrive at the charming town of Labin. As there are no motorways in this part of Istria, the journey can quickly turn into a slow, hour-long expedition in the busy summer. The hotel has a boutique parking for hotel guests. Air accessibility is not ideal – guests can opt for the Pula Airport, some forty kilometres away, but flight connections are limited in the off-season. Alternatively, guests travelling by plane can fly to Zagreb Airport, one of the best-connected regional airports and travel to Labin by shuttle or organised transport. Sustainable modes of transport are scarce in Istria – the rail is virtually non-existent, while bus connections mainly go to larger cities such as Rovinj, Pula and Poreč. Yet, once guests arrive in this charming hilltop town, some of Istria’s best cycling routes are at their fingertips. Rabac, a quaint seaside village, is a short drive away, as is the old mining town of Raša. The most enthusiastic cyclists can even hop down to Pula. Given its wonderfully preserved old town and teambuilding options, Labin deserves better accessibility.
COLD STARTER - Architecture and aesthetics
The design is a nod to Istrian tradition and an ode to contemporary interior design.
The owner, Serđo Peteani, had a bold vision to revamp and transform a dilapidated family villa into a boutique design hotel in 2016. He entrusted Fabrika, one of the leading Croatian interior design firms, to combine contemporary design with traditional Istrian elements. In Labin, they created a refined hotel that exudes quiet opulence. The facade is inconspicuous but elegant, with an arched entrance featuring two stone columns and subtle illumination on the hotel sign. As we set foot into the hotel, we entered an architectural paradise. The interior is dotted with one-off designer elements, such as the unmissable wooden rocking horse that has become the genius loci of the hotel. Just as impressive are the modern elements that go hand in hand with the wood and stone that are essential building materials in Istria. We were fascinated by the bamboo that grows smack in the middle of the hotel, hidden behind a rippled glass panel. The designer loungers and the elongated mirror ceiling in the lobby add a touch of prestige. The restaurant is more conservative, with easily recognisable fishbone wooden flooring and simple graphics adorning the walls. Every furniture piece was selected with great care. The design is a nod to Istrian tradition and an ode to contemporary interior design. This is a hotel where you will struggle to find any flaws in the design.
WARM ENTRÉE - The staff and the culinary experience
For the Croatian tourism and hospitality industry, the first week of May is a precursor of what the summer season has in store. Judging by our visit on the first of May, Labin can gear up for another busy summer season. Luckily, the staff at Hotel Peteani rose to the challenge. As soon as we arrived at the villa, the incredibly kind receptionist showered us with graciousness and kindness. Without hesitation, he gave us the lowdown on the best restaurants, spots and beaches and a rundown of the facilities. Such hospitable staff members are hard to come across in destinations that have or will soon experience over-tourism. That is why we were even more impressed by the heartfelt approach.
The cuisine is king in this hotel. The rooms, as superb as they are, only enrich the phenomenal cuisine. At dinner, we were in awe of the local and seasonal menu. We warmed up our palate with delectable local Malvasia, a seasonal wild asparagus soup and a juicy octopus salad. The main course was just as tasty – the lamb chops were perfectly prepared, while the handmade “pljukanci” pasta, typical of the region, was mouthwatering. Because of this epicurean paradise, it is no surprise that guests come from far and near to taste the cuisine. To top it all off, the staff who work as part-time receptionists, part-time concierges and occasional sommeliers were professional, knowledgeable and hospitable. The breakfast was equally impressive, with handpicked dishes, such as delicious local prosciutto and a few tasty cheeses. But we were somewhat disappointed by the store-bought orange juice. Given the quality of the menu, freshly squeezed juice is a must in such an outstanding hotel. Regardless, breakfast was another memorable experience, thanks to the loquacious waitress and splendid coffee. The cuisine is worth another visit alone. Umami!
MAIN COURSE – The meetings offering at the hotel
Hotel rooms
Upon entering the room, the outdoor terrace beckoned us to step outside and take in the view. The spaciousness of the room and the terrace are a competitive advantage of this hotel. Guests can choose between single and double rooms, some with the addition of a terrace. We were most impressed by the quality of wooden flooring in dark shades that pair well with industrial elements, including the black and grey lamps. Adding a touch of playfulness is the green 366 lounger, abutting a wallpaper with a flower pattern. The details make the difference in the rooms – travellers gearing up for a photo shoot in the scenic old town will doubtless appreciate the mirror on the sturdy wooden desk. Avid book readers will cherish the subtle illumination of the bed lights. Even the bin is outlandish – the crimson-red Bin Bin by Essey is a lovely designer touch. The centrepiece is a comfortable bed with soft bed linen but somewhat cumbersome pillows. Similarly to the room, the bathroom is spacious, with a unique pattern on the walls that goes well with the dark grey tiles on the floor.
Meetings centre
Although this hotel has no classic conference room, the restaurant, with its spacious terrace overlooking the city of Labin, can transform into a temporary event space. Courtesy of the phenomenal cuisine and the catering option, event organisers can host boutique, memorable events for up to 30 attendees in the very heart of Labin. More importantly, Istria has a well-developed incentive offering that can enrich any event.
DESSERT – The extras
A myriad of designer touches render this stay unparalleled. We enjoyed lounging in the iconic 366 lounge chairs that revived the iconic Polish design from the 60s. We dare say this is one of Fabrika’s masterstrokes – a hotel that stuns with its design and convinces with its service.
FLOP – UNPLEASANT SURPRISES
We may be splitting hairs here, but the pillows were rather uncomfortable. Combined with the loud air-conditioning and poor sound isolation, we did not get the best sleep. Apart from that, this hotel has virtually no drawbacks.
TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES
The cuisine sets this hotel apart from similar boutique and design hotels. The restaurant is the be-all and end-all and the rooms only complement it. In most boutique hotels, this is the other way around, but not in Hotel Peteani, where the gastronomic experience is at the heart of the stay.
SUSTAINABLE ENDEAVOURS
The cuisine revolves around local and seasonal ingredients and dishes. That, in itself, is a praiseworthy, sustainable initiative. However, the miniature shampoo bottles by Rituals should be consigned to the past. The management should consider installing shampoo dispensers and going the extra mile to include sustainability in all operations, from energy management to waste separation.
FINAL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY
Hotel Peteani is an authentic Istrian boutique gem that turns heads with its design. The hotel is head and shoulders above local competitors thanks to outstanding cuisine. Labin may not be as renowned as the cosmopolitan Rovinj or as royal as Opatija, yet its scenic old town, picture-postcard views and sea of incentive options make it a compelling choice. Boutique hotels such as Hotel Peteani, where the design is crafted down to the last detail and every guest is greeted as a future friend, seem like the future of Istrian hospitality. On top of the design and authentic gastronomy, the value for money in Hotel Peteani is excellent. You need not break the bank to experience Istrian design par excellence.
FINAL GRADE: 4.87 THREE MEETING STARS⭐⭐⭐ Boutique Meeting Hotel
3 MEETING STARS⭐⭐⭐ final score from 4.81 to 5.00
2 MEETING STARS⭐⭐ final score from 4.61 to 4.80
1 MEETING STAR⭐ final score from 4.41 to 4.60
