HIDDEN GUEST: Hyatt Regency Zadar

If you have ever travelled to Zadar in the past, you may have noticed an imposing yellow building with the iconic MARASKA sign. The building always brought a smile to lovers of the Maraschino beverage, reminding them of its legendary taste. The history of Maraska officially dates back 204 years, while, unofficially, it can be traced back to half a millennium. In 2025, the brand unveiled a new chapter. The former manufactory and administrative building changed hands and purpose. Tucked away in one of the most iconic locations in Zadar, right next to the marina, the former factory is now part of Doğuş Group, which reinvigorated the iconic building.

A legendary edifice, a legendary beverage, and a legendary hotel brand are ushering in a new era of year-round tourism in Zadar.

The facade is no longer adorned by the recognisable Maraska logo, but by another, more global symbol – that of Hyatt Regency. In its fresh, modern look, the revamped facade reflects the respect for the past and heralds the future for the city and its iconic building. Hyatt Regency, just like Maraska once did, prides itself on its location – the city centre is within walking distance, while Maestrala Beach beckons sea lovers to dip their toes in the Adriatic a stone’s throw away. A legendary edifice, a legendary beverage, and a legendary hotel brand are ushering in a new era of year-round tourism in Zadar.

Can you imagine the growth of air travel in Zadar? This year, Zadar Airport is said to have handled some 1.6 million passengers. The overwhelming majority, of course, visit the city in the summer, when up to 40 planes land a day. For comparison, Ljubljana Airport, the central Slovenian air hub, is expected to welcome 1.5 million passengers in 2025. Throngs of tourists in a town the size of Zadar cannot go unnoticed, even though many of them scatter to nearby seafront towns and resorts dotting the Adriatic. The port of Gaženica deserves praise for rerouting tourists from the once flocked-to city port in the heart of the city to the edge of Zadar. Now, the ferries and throngs of tourists line outside of the city, giving the old town a more serene pulse.

Public transport is not far behind the burgeoning air travel. Yet, most guests still opt to arrive by car. Here, they face a predicament: reaching the hotel is not a walk in the park, as the signage is poor. Guests arriving by car will thus need to rely on their navigation systems, which may lead them elsewhere. Once you do make it, you are in safe hands. The cost to park in the spacious parking garage is 25 EUR per day, which is a reasonable price for a guest looking for a calm night without worries. The city could improve their accessibility for pedestrians – a sidewalk or better signage for reaching the city centre would be more than welcome. The hotel is an ideal starting point for exploring the city. The city centre is within spitting distance, while the location offers some much-needed serenity and privacy from the hustle and bustle of Zadar. Guests who prefer to travel by taxi can opt for Wolt, Bolt, Uber or the local taxi drivers.

At first glance, the design may seem eclectic, perhaps due to the miscellaneous tiles from various Mediterranean cultures. However, this amalgam of styles has a purpose: the tiles connect the interior with the exterior, transforming the space into a holistic entity.

The hotel, facing the glistening sea and horizon, is the masterstroke of the renowned architect Boris Podrecca. In our opinion, his work is a harmonic entity that couples the heritage of the former factory with two architecturally distinct annexes. Each of the complexes stands out with its style and facade, yet both function as natural extensions of the original building. The daring grey colour of one of the annexes feels odd at first, but upon closer inspection, it seems as if it has been there forever.

The centrepiece that connects the three buildings is the covered Palm House atrium that opens up to a multi-storey open garden dotted with Mediterranean greenery and shrubs. Here, guests can relax, savour the cuisine and continue their journey to the Eden-like spa. Within the hotel, tiny piazzettas mimic the old streets of Zadar. Podrecca masterfully interpreted the local environment and elegantly intertwined it into the hotel story. At first glance, the design may seem eclectic, perhaps due to the miscellaneous tiles from various Mediterranean cultures. However, this amalgam of styles has a purpose: the tiles connect the interior with the exterior, transforming the space into a holistic entity.

It takes more than a day to understand the architect’s goal. You need to observe the architectural elements to appreciate the attention to detail. The stunning chandeliers, flooring and walls in the corridors are breathtaking. Once you understand the story, the connection with the city seems natural, almost organic. The result? A flawless architectural experience that is not only visually appealing but incorporates refined materials built to last.

Daria and Josip make a dream duo at the reception. We had not encountered such genuinely welcoming, relaxed, yet utterly professional hoteliers in some time. They made sure we had a lasting first and last impression. The rest of the team was in a summer mood, too, with their youthful drive and grins, decked out in typical laid-back Hyatt uniforms that ooze calmness and youthful hospitality.

The gastronomy of the Fenix Restaurant is curated by Ivan Tartaro, a famed, although still young, chef. Hyatt Regency’s crown jewel is the Fenix Restaurant, which opens its doors on evenings. By the way, the ambience is unlike any other restaurant. Ivan describes his cuisine as a fusion of Asian and South American cuisine. In other words, you can try a scrumptious tuna tartare that melts in your mouth, followed by a bite of sea bass ceviche. An open-kitchen concept and DJ sets in the evenings add a touch of prestige. The Executive Chef at the hotel is Damir Pejčinović, who watches over the menus. The main hotel restaurant, Palm House, is ideal for breakfasts with a view, while Estival, the pool bar, exudes a laid-back summer atmosphere, serving Mediterranean morsels and chilled cocktails to the sounds of live music. Alfred’s Bar, sheltered on the ground floor, amazed us with signature cocktails and the local Maraschino, served in an elegant setting that pays homage to Maraska.

We had mixed impressions about the breakfast. Although it delivered in terms of diversity of dishes, we felt it did not live up to the five-star standard. During breakfast, we noticed they supposedly serve an à la carte menu, yet no one mentioned it to us, let alone recommended it (our search to find the elusive menu was in vain). We had also hoped for a Dalmatian food corner, where they would infuse the rather generic hotel breakfast with some local identity. The desserts were somewhat dull, too. Hyatt Regency Zadar has room for improvement in this segment. As 100 days have already passed since the hotel opened its doors, they have much work to do in this field to coordinate their team efforts and make the service live up to the ambitions of the space and brand. The hotel ambience has extraordinary potential – it is attractive enough to become a key part of the experience. Alas, only Fenix Restaurant is capitalising on the potential of the building.

Hotel rooms

The rooms at Hyatt Regency Zadar are bright, spacious and permeated with positive energy. They are the ideal image of a typical Hyatt hotel. The bright fishbone parquet beckons guests to saunter around the elegant room. Equally impressive are the bright materials that make up the headboard. We kept glancing at the table and the closet padded with the once-omnipresent and sought-after bird’s eye maple. This lavish material shows it never goes out of fashion. In Hyatt’s Zadar outpost, it has returned in grandiose style. The bedside table, created from the same wood, appears phenomenal and adds a layer of retro elegance in a modern new disguise.

The quality of the bed is above standard – we were amazed by its classic elegance and comfort. It also features a bespoke textile pillow that oozes refinement and comfort. White walls, embellished with minimalist stucco frames, function as a discreet, yet effective canvas for select artworks. The bathroom, on the other side of the sliding doors and the closet, was designed in signature Hyatt style. White marble dominates the bathroom, while the open layout gives it a modern and functional feel. Products by Pharmacopia, a Californian natural cosmetics brand, offer a touch of exclusivity.

Despite the allure of the bedroom and the bathroom, the hotel balcony should not be overlooked. The terrace, of impressive proportions and decked out with comfortable designer furniture, entices guests to relax and take in the views. The entire ambience in the rooms feels consistent, compact and convincing. We were delighted that technology did not take precedence over the guest experience. Everything works flawlessly, intuitively and in balance with the design.

Meetings centre

We were positively impressed by the thought-out conference centre. It features a separate entrance that can fit even a vehicle, a spacious banquet hall (without annoying supporting pillars), stunning pool views, and a grand foyer, ideal for exhibitions and accompanying event programmes.

Hyatt Regency Zadar undoubtedly has one of the most functional and visually appealing regional boutique conference centres.

Everything is where you expect it to be: the registration desk, the wardrobe and the restrooms are designed to impress. The conference centre even boasts smaller meeting halls for parallel sessions. Hyatt Regency Zadar undoubtedly has one of the most functional and visually appealing regional boutique conference centres. It is luring event organisers to host their incentive event there. The additional offering is one of the reasons Hyatt is putting Zadar on the incentive map of Croatia. Event organisers should put this property on their event list. Within the Adriatic region, this incentive gem is impossible to overlook.

DESSERT – The extras

The real pearl of the hotel is unquestionably the spa centre, stretching over 1,100 square metres. It wows guests with attention to detail. We dare say this is one of the most premium hotel wellness centres we have stayed in lately. Guests can dip their toes in the indoor and outdoor heated pool or relax in the sauna, steam room and hammam. We were most impressed by the zen area with gentle ambient lighting. A selection of premium cosmetic treatments is extraordinary (they use exclusive brands, such as Omorovicza and HydraFacial). Considering the hotel aims to be open year-round, this holistic offering is its key competitive advantage that will help it edge out its competitors and ensure long-term success.

FLOP – UNPLEASANT SURPRISES

The disharmony among the staff in the restaurant is noticeable, yet the employees make up for it with kindness and diligence. With the right mentorship and coordinated leadership, the hotel can make a step forward. The team’s potential is evident.

TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES

The hotel’s trump card is the ingeniously designed conference centre with a separate entrance, spacious foyer and halls made for organising technically demanding productions.

SUSTAINABLE ENDEAVOURS

On paper (or on the hotel’s website), sustainable promises sound marvellous. However, in reality, realising those promises is a challenge. We did not encounter any resounding sustainability practices during our stay, apart from sustainable shampoo dispensers, the ban on plastic and giving back to the local environment by employing locals. Nonetheless, the hotel needs to provide clear explanations, substantiate claims with data and provide measurable proof to back up their claims. As always, there is room for improvement to advance the transparency and consistency of communication with guests.

Are you familiar with the feeling when a novel world opens up behind a known facade? The architect Boris Podrecca is a master of designing transformations. Instead of creating a generic, neoclassic-style hotel colossus, he designed a hotel that reimagines the Mediterranean as it once was and heralds how it might look in the future. Hyatt Regency Zadar is a confident, recognisable property that represents the best of Hyatt. We hoped the hotel would highlight the story of Maraska more, but only fragments have remained of the original story. This may have been purposely excluded due to Hyatt’s company policy. It is a pity, as the building has exceptional cultural and industrial heritage that could be presented on the website and perhaps within the hotel itself.

Zadar now has a prime location for hosting top-tier incentives and conferences in the Adriatic.

Nonetheless, thanks to the holistic offering and splendid conference centre, this hotel is a space that will appeal to event organisers. Zadar now has a prime location for hosting top-tier incentives and conferences in the Adriatic, as long as they harmonise their service and curate a reasonable price policy during the off-season. In Croatia, many hotels have been raising prices to astronomical heights. In any case, event organisers opting for this hotel will get plenty of character and quality for their money. That is a relief for us – that some things remain the same in an ever-changing hotel landscape.

FINAL GRADE: 4.97 THREE MEETING STARS⭐⭐⭐ City 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