THE HOME OF UNMATCHED HOSPITALITY
LOCATION
Tourists often trod on the route leading from Cres town to one of Croatia’s largest campsites – Kovačine. They often overlook the nearby beaches. In the summer, this part of the island comes to life with visitors seeking a respite from the heat, but the off-season is when one can grasp the beauty of this part of Cres. A famed regional hotelier and Cres native, Nikola Avram, recognised the potential of this location. He poured his lifelong love for the island, expert know-how and a trove of international experience into the ambitious boutique hotel that is part of the Marriott hotel chain. This hotel is the first sizeable hotel project on the island of Cres since 1971. Back then, the only hotel on the island, Hotel Kimen, opened its doors in the adjoining bay. The new adults-only hotel is a symbolic new chapter for the island and a paragon of sustainable tourism in many ways. The Isolano aspires to implement the sustainable philosophy in all its facets. Its location is stunning: a mesmerising beach, immediate vicinity to the local town and, of course, breathtaking sunrises, sunsets and sea views. Shouldn’t all seaside hotels be like this? Simply stunning.
ACCESSIBILITY
The most comfortable way of reaching The Isolano hotel is by car from Rijeka and the island of Krk. From Zagreb, Ljubljana or Istria, follow the motorway leading to Rijeka, cross the Krk Bridge and be whisked away via ferry from Valbiska to Merag on the island of Cres. After the brisk, twenty-five-minute ferry journey, you only need fifteen minutes of meandering through the island roads to reach the hotel. Alternatively, a ferry can take you to Cres from Brestova to Porozina. A tidy walking trail next to the sea connects the centre of Cres town with the hotel. You can park your car directly next to the hotel, where a courteous concierge will gladly park your ride. You need not worry about charging your EV here. In addition to car accessibility, air accessibility is improving yearly, thanks to the neighbouring Krk island. Yet, when arriving from distant destinations, the airports in Zagreb and Ljubljana remain the best choices. Another type of public transport exists – Jadrolinija’s taxi catamaran, connecting Rijeka with Cres. Sustainability-wise, this is the best option.
COLD STARTER - Architecture and aesthetics
The hotel building is elegant, without unnecessary additions, featuring simple proportions and colours that seep into nature without encroaching on the surroundings. From all angles, the hotel exudes discreet minimalism and opulence. The interior is open, flooded by daylight coming through the spacious terraces, balconies and lounge areas that provide direct contact with the surrounding nature. All around, you will feel the presence of the azure sea and marvel at the island’s natural beauty, thanks to fantastic views. Kristina Zanić, the curator of the interior design, wanted to bring guests close to Cres’ natural beauty.
The terraces and lounge areas turn heads and seem ideal for events and business meetings, with their welcoming setting for receptions. The interior design caught our eye with aquarelle paintings by local artist Mate Solis, who once lived nearby. A boutique living room featuring his works is a nod to the Mediterranean. The bespoke furniture leaves a lasting impression and exudes refinement and attention to detail. One of the hotel’s most impressive areas is the spacious spa with elegant loungers that entice guests to relax there.
The hotel restaurant is a gem. Its spacious, open design and large glass panels provide unobstructed sea views. Natural materials, including wood, stone and pastel-hued textiles, create a warm, relaxed, yet sophisticated ambience. The entire hotel breathes in the rhythm of the island, connecting the interior with the exterior and permeating the space with luxury that enables guests to truly connect with the environment and enjoy every moment of their stay.
WARM ENTRÉE - The staff and the culinary experience
Have you grown tired of grumbling and stories about staff shortages in tourism? Are you immune to this fussing as a hotel guest and expect only top-notch service? Well, nomen est omen – Isolano hotel is an island that seems detached from the problems most hotels face. Everyone, from the concierge to the roomkeeper, is smiling, friendly, professional, and hospitable. This boutique hotel is a masterclass in hospitality that traditional tourism institutes no longer understand. The essence of teaching young hoteliers should be to teach them how to satisfy guests. In this hotel, we felt welcome from our arrival to our departure. The culinary story is the icing on the cake. The à la carte breakfast with a local twist is among the best in the Adriatic, or at least among the top ten in the region. The Isolano shows that the times of classic buffet breakfasts have passed in boutique hotels, not least because of sustainability and managing food waste. The restaurant’s cuisine is somewhat less impressive. The team of the young chef Aleksander Kerekeš earnestly aims for a Michelin star. The Moise is supposed to be the new gourmet hub in the Kvarner region. Although we did not taste the nine-course menu, it seemed like life in the hotel stopped due to a potential visit by a Michelin inspector. That was reflected in the quality of dishes served in Lubenice Restaurant. A case in point was the slightly generic tuna tartare and bland octopus flavour. The culinary team will need more consistency and quality to make a breakthrough. The prices are relatively high, too. Regardless, the young team has plenty of potential. Let’s give them another chance.
MAIN COURSE – The meetings offering at the hotel
Staying at Isolano is like entering the living room of a captain born in Cres who returned home after a long sea voyage.
Hotel rooms
Upon entering the spacious and bright room, our first thought was: wow, a room with a view. We cannot imagine a guest not wanting to head straight to the balcony, beckoning them to inhale the fresh sea air, regardless of the weather. The room impressed us with its intertwining of modern comfort and nostalgic details. The bed and the decorative element behind it appear Secession-like, perhaps due to the straw details that match the furniture in walnut hues. The work surface is surprisingly spacious, while the bed is above standard. We realised that we had not slept in such a comfortable bed in a while. Equally impressive is the banquette that enriches the ambience with rustic elegance. The gentle grey colour of the wall connects the elements of the room. Isolano’s rooms, with their lowered ceiling and discreet back-lighting, exude intimacy.
Embuing the space with authenticity is the emblem of Cres, flanking the bed – a subtle yet profoundly meaningful detail that reveals the island’s story during your stay. Staying at Isolano is like entering the living room of a captain born in Cres who returned home after a long sea voyage. This historic nod to the island’s history continues in the bathroom, where the designers decided to imitate the typical vintage terrazzo tiles. This room pays homage to Cres and its seafaring spirit. You will feel wonderful here – we can assure you that.
Conference centre
The boutique conference hall was still under construction during our stay. Upon completion of the works in September, the hall will accommodate up to 60 guests. The hotel is ideal for a buyout, albeit only outside the summer tourist season. The hotel staff will gladly assist you in finding and choosing the copious incentive programmes on the island. Our advice: take your time when exploring the island. You should stay at least two days to understand the sentiment of the locals and uncover the island’s hidden gems.
DESSERT – The extras
The spacious and zen spa will amaze you thanks to the outstanding staff and superb offering of treatments that add value to the stay. The intimate setting without crowds ensures complete relaxation – every guest will find their oasis of serenity here. In summer, you can catch sunlight on the outdoor terrace and pool, within spitting distance of the tidy beach.
FLOP – UNPLEASANT SURPRISES
We hardly have any complaints. One suggestion is to separate the pool and the restaurant area with lush greenery to provide a sense of intimacy. The entrance to the hotel could be labelled better to match the minimalist design.
The Isolano is subtly yet decisively repositioning Cres, known hitherto as a paradise for nature lovers and campers, but now becoming an exclusive boutique destination with immense added value.
TOP – PLEASANT SURPRISES
The attention to detail is omnipresent. The turn-down service is just one of the several extra touches that make the guest feel welcome. Lest we forget the warm welcome: the healthy island cocktail and the gratis non-alcoholic beverage in the minibar ensure the guest has a memorable first impression. Quality is reflected in all details, such as the plates made by Slovenian artist Bojana Križanec.
SUSTAINABLE ACTIVITIES
We were most impressed by the cuisine, based on local ingredients and the “farm-to-fork” philosophy. They craft gastronomy by emphasising traditional and modern flavours in both hotel restaurants. They deservedly aspire to acquire the Michelin star(s). Yet, the sustainable vision extends beyond the plate; it has regenerative effects on the entire island. The Isolano is subtly yet decisively repositioning Cres, known hitherto as a paradise for nature lovers and campers, but now becoming an exclusive boutique destination with immense added value.
FINAL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY
Cres is entering a new era with The Isolano. The owners have crafted the project down to the last detail thanks to a long-term vision. They have shown they possess the capital, time and in-depth know-how needed to succeed in the hospitality industry. We were well-impressed by their bold decision to become part of the global Marriott hotel chain – the brand’s debut on the Adriatic island. Time will tell what this decision will bring, but we believe this is a key milestone for the region.
The owner has assembled a winning team that can satisfy even the most demanding incentive groups. Isolano Hotel is thus putting Cres on the map of competitive regional destinations with its spacious areas, polished gastronomy, splendid location, modern spa centre and much more. If the prices remain balanced, the competition on the neighbouring Lošinj island will need to up their game. The Isolano is a hotel without visible flaws – a pioneer of incentive tourism on the island of Cres.
FINAL GRADE: 4.96 THREE MEETING STARS⭐⭐⭐ Boutique Meeting Hotel
3 MEETING STARS⭐⭐⭐ final mark from 4.81 to 5.00
2 MEETING STARS⭐⭐ final mark from 4.61 to 4.80
1 MEETING STAR⭐ final mark from 4.41 to 4.60
