Technogym
Technogym
Technogym

Tourism

Transforming Istria

In Istria, Croatia, tourism firm Maistra is changing the face of hospitality in the region, with a series of intriguing design-led hotels. As its most ambitious hotel project takes shape, Professor Terry Stevens finds out more


Along with Slovenia, Croatia is my favourite tourism destination in Europe. Since gaining independence in 1995, the country has worked hard to create a fresh approach to tourism and has succeeded through innovation, using its natural and cultural assets to competitive advantage by recognising the importance of tourism to normalising life and the economy.

Despite its obvious historical appeal to mass tourism, Croatia is steering a different course, shaped by a strong and focused tourism masterplan and political leaders who understand the needs of the industry.

Within Croatia, one of the most appealing destinations has to be Istria – a 3,600 sq km heart-shaped peninsula in the north, 50 km south of Trieste.

The coast has traditionally been the focus of tourist activity with its historic towns such as Pula, Porec and Rovinj and the resorts of Umag and Novigrad. The Istrian interior is characterised by medieval hilltop villages set amongst rolling country and forests – a countryside that lost almost 90 per cent of its population, who exited during the four years of war from 1991 – 1995.

Istria is now leading the re-invention and has become the epitome of a successful transformation in Croatian tourism. It too is driven by an enlightened masterplan, with the key ‘actors’ realising that quality and unique visitor experiences are the key to competitive advantage.

One of the industry leaders, Maistra Ltd – the foremost tourism and hospitality company in the region – is changing the face of tourism in the area, with a series of design-led hotels.

Investing in design
Maistra Ltd is the hospitality arm of the Adris Group and was formed in 2005 following the successful merger of two local Istrian tourism companies.

Today Maistra owns and manages a portfolio of nine hotels and eight resort complexes in Istria in the towns of Rovinj and Vrsar. In 2014, Maistra acquired the Hilton Imperial Hotel in Dubrovnik which is now owned by Maistra but operated by Hilton.

Over recent years Maistra has invested more than E400m to create premium hotels. The elegant five star Monte Mulini and the 248-room design-focused Lone Hotel allowed Maistra to introduce two global brands to Istria – Leading Hotels of the World and Design Hotels. Other investments have followed with the renovation of the environment at Lone Bay; the refurbishment of the Adriatic Hotel and the opening of the family hotel Amarin under the Kinder Hotel Brand. Next year will bring the opening of Maistra’s latest hotel: the Grand Park Hotel Rovinj.

Grand Park Hotel Rovinj

The Grand Park Hotel Rovinj – which replaces the old Hotel Park in Rovinj – represents the single biggest tourist investment by Maistra so far, and one of the largest investments in tourism since Croatian independence. Croatian investment firm the Adris Group is the project’s investor, and is also investing heavily to update Maistra’s remaining hotel stock to four and five star.

Maistra has enlisted the help of Croatian architecture and urban planning studio 3LHD and Italian designer Pierro Lissoni to create the five star hotel, which is due to open next spring. Facing the marina, the six level hotel has been built into the natural slope, and offers views of the sea and of old town. The ‘cascading’ design of the hotel means that the entrance, lobby and the swimming pools are on the sixth floor, and many of the buildings are camouflaged with greenery.

The hotel will feature 193 rooms and 16 suites, several of which will have a private sauna and plunge pool, a sunbathing area and a garage. The hotel also features several bars and restaurants, a two-level 3,800sq m spa (the largest of its kind in Istria), and an indoor pool and three outdoor pools on the top floor of the building.

“When designing the hotel, our goal was to have all the facilities focused on the spectacular views of the sea, of Rovinj’s old town and of the green island of Katarina,” says 3LHD partner Silvije Novak.

“At the same time, to secure a suitable view of the hotel from Rovinj, we needed to incorporate the hotel’s volume in the existing Golden Cape Park Forest. That’s why the building was adapted to the slope of the terrain and why we have designed a ‘cascading hotel’, with the main entrance and the hotel lobby on the highest, sixth level.

“At the front of the hotel, there are five pine trees, and the greenery that will be planted on the terraces and roofs will provide the guests with a sense of being surrounded by nature.”

The project also involves the creation of number of new public spaces along the adjacent seaside promenade.

“The areas alongside the promenade are intended to be the new spaces for urban life and meetings – a point which connects the old town’s urban fabric with the tourist and park spaces of the Monte Mulini zone,” says 3LHD. “A relaxing atmosphere is created by water surfaces, choice of paving and greenery, making the whole area attractive and accessible.”

The hotel features a spacious lobby at its core, which overlaps with a two storey restaurant and ‘sunset terrace’. It also features a ‘Secret Room’ – the only room without a view – which will be used as a gallery displaying art pieces and new technologies, as well as a private meeting room.

It is due to open in spring 2019.

The hotel will feature three outdoor pools. It has been designed to maximise views
The hotel will feature three outdoor pools. It has been designed to maximise views
Pierro Lissoni is responsible for the interiors
Pierro Lissoni is responsible for the interiors
The hotel will face the marina. Many of its buildings will be covered with greenery
The hotel will face the marina. Many of its buildings will be covered with greenery
The Grand Park Hotel Rovinj represents Maistra’s biggest tourism investment
The Grand Park Hotel Rovinj represents Maistra’s biggest tourism investment
New public spaces are being created along the adjacent seaside promenade
New public spaces are being created along the adjacent seaside promenade

Reinventing the Hotel Adriatic

Maistra also teamed up with 3LHD for the reinvention of the historic Hotel Adriatic, which originally opened in 1892. It began life as a coffee shop, then a ‘pied-a-terre,’ before becoming a hotel in 1913. During the Second World War it become a German command centre. In 1952 tourists returned to Istria and Jadran (a city-run hospitality company) re-established the Adriatic as a 45 room hotel. This was short-lived as after just two years Jadran made the building their offices. It was not until the late 1970s when it returned to being a hotel, becoming a focal point for artists, writers and poets throughout the 1980s.

Recently, Maistra decided it was time to bring the Hotel Adriatic up to date.

“We had a vision for the Adriatic but it was blurry and took time to crystallise,” explains Tomislav Popovic, president of the Management Board of Maistra Ltd. “Together with architects 3LHD we brainstormed. The ideation process took almost two years and then the big idea came over drinks at a bar – a hotel filled with original artworks created for the hotel itself. The reaction of many in the industry was cautious and there were a lot of raised eyebrows.

“Our intention was to create a hotel that would make guests aware of the vibrant arts history of the town. At the beginning we didn’t want to take risks with the hotel but we ended up doing something very risky. The result is amazing and it proved how important it is to have an open mind.”

This is more than a hotel with an outstanding art collection; it’s a hotel where the art fashioned the whole experience. “It was the rebirth of the hotel that gave birth to the art,” explains Popovic. The collection was curated specifically for Maistra by Croatian art specialist Vanja Žanko, who commissioned 14 visual artists to create Adriatic-specific work, ensuring that each of the hundred in-situ installations are organically tied to the building.

With the original detail and spirit of the hotel being maintained, the interior has been reinvented to create 18 luxury bedrooms and suites along with contemporary bars, restaurants and outdoor spaces.

“We needed to create an experience,” says Silvije Novak, partner at 3HLD. “We decided to play with the paradigm of the hotel creating a different type of space – in this case a gallery allowing us to treat the guest to an experience they typically wouldn’t expect at a hotel. The idea was the transformation of the everyday into an illusion; a place of metamorphosis.”

The building has been used as offices, a cafe and a German command centre
The building has been used as offices, a cafe and a German command centre
The boutique hotel has 18 rooms and a cafe/restaurant overlooking the harbour
The boutique hotel has 18 rooms and a cafe/restaurant overlooking the harbour
All the artworks on display were created exclusively for the hotel by 14 visual artists
All the artworks on display were created exclusively for the hotel by 14 visual artists
Our intention was to create a hotel
that would make guests aware of 
the vibrant arts history of the town
Our intention was to create a hotel that would make guests aware of the vibrant arts history of the town
company profile
Company profile: Robert D. Henry Architects + Interiors
Robert D Henry Architects (RDH-Architects) was founded in 1990 in New York City by Bob Henry, known as the “sensuous architect of serenity.”
Try cladmag for free!
Sign up with CLAD to receive our regular ezine, instant news alerts, free digital subscriptions to CLADweek, CLADmag and CLADbook and to request a free sample of the next issue of CLADmag.
sign up
features
Thun uses prefabricated wooden elements in his projects to increase sustainability and save time
Matteo Thun leads a design studio of over 70 people, with offices in Milan and Shanghai
"We want a longer life cycle for every product, even if it means business is slower"

Simplicity and sustainability should be at the heart of all design argues the Italian architect

A piece by Banksy shows seagulls attacking a woman
"There was a huge amount to see at Dismaland, and I found the experience both enjoyable and unsettling."

It generated massive amounts of hype, as well as an estimated £20m for Weston- Super-Mare, but was Banksy’s Dismaland worth a visit? We found out

The Library of Birmingham features a series of interconnected rotundas that provide ventilation and flood the building with natural light
Francine Houben
"Looking back, I recognise the coherence of the work we’ve done"

As she works on the renovation of the New York Public Library, Mecanoo’s creative director talks inspiration, idealism and the advantages of getting older

Catalogue Gallery
Click on a catalogue to view it online
To advertise in our catalogue gallery: call +44(0)1462 431385
features
David Collins Studio: The leadership team on legacy and the fun of collaboration
Dublin-born David Collins moved to London in the 1980s and founded David Collins Studio in 1985
"The Studio is such a big part of our lives, that it just continued, albeit through a very challenging period"

David Collins was behind the design of many of London’s hottest destinations Today his legacy lives on via the studio’s glamorous international projects

SimpsonHaugh 
worked with acoustician 
Larry Kirkegaard
"It’s a privilege to have completed a scheme of such importance to the cultural identity of Antwerp - Stuart Mills"

SimsponHaugh’s latest project

Interior and exterior boundaries blur in Wadi Rum
Chad Oppenheim
"You can’t insert the operational aspects as an afterthought, the whole project is a balance of performance and poetry"

From a youth centre for Pharrell Williams to a Six Senses resort, Miami architect Chad Oppenheim’s aim is to find the balance between fantasy and functionality

features
Martha Schwartz
"No one is taking the issue of climate change seriously. Some bad things will have to happen before there is a change"

The outspoken landscape architect on climate change, bagels and being controversial

Passengers could travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi in 12 minutes
Jakob Lange
"I was screaming out loud – it was impossible to hold back. This was something that had never been done before."

Head of BIG Ideas shares the latest on Virgin Hyperloop One

Francis graduated as a landscape architect in Belgium. He returned to Lebanon in 1993
"I believe gardens are where the soul rests"

With a focus on desert landscapes and collaborations with Zaha Hadid and OMA, the principal of Francis Landscapes has a deep belief in the power of nature

cladkit product news
Codelocks develops new glass door smart lock
The new lock model allows facilities and building managers to create and manage access via an app or online portal
Megan Whitby
Codelocks has launched its first glass door smart lock to bring intelligent access control to modern spa, leisure, fitness and ...
Siminetti unveils iridescent decorative panelling range inspired by plants
The Clematis design
Megan Whitby
The Botanicals is Siminetti’s newest Mother of Pearl decorative panelling collection, inspired by the distinctive patterns found in botany and ...
Alberto Apostoli and Newform collaborate to launch the A.Zeta showerhead
The showerhead offers two modes; rainfall or waterfall
Megan Whitby
Italian architect Alberto Apostoli has renewed his partnership with Newform – an Italian wellness company – and designed A.Zeta. A.Zeta ...
cladkit product news
Koto Design introduces wood-fired hot tub
Koto is known for crafting modular, energy-neutral cabins and homes
Katie Barnes
A striking wood-fired hot tub has been unveiled by Koto, an architecture and design studio which has a passion for ...
Mather & Co and ITV unite to create Coronation Street Experience
Mather & Co has transformed the visitor centre into the ultimate haven for ardent Coronation Street viewers
Magali Robathan
Experience designers, Mather & Co, have orchestrated a remarkable collaboration with ITV to unveil the new Coronation Street Experience, a ...
Alberto Apostoli designs tech-forward Wellness Therapy furniture collection for Varaschin
The furniture collection draws on absolute geometries, pure lines, neutral colours and strong references to nature
Megan Whitby
Furniture manufacturer Varaschin has unveiled the new Wellness Therapy range, designed by Italian spa and wellness architect and designer Alberto ...
cladkit product news
Eden project uses drones to spell out climate change warning
Magali Robathan
Almost 300 drones were used to signal an environmental message above the Eden Project’s biomes, during the UN Climate Change ...
Jaffe Holden helps bring Academy Museum of Motion Pictures alive
Jaffe Holden provided architectural acoustics for the Academy Museum
Magali Robathan
Acoustical consulting firm Jaffe Holden provided architectural acoustics and audio/video design services for the recently opened Academy Museum of Motion ...
Eco Resort Network conference to convene in Mauritius this May
The event will be hosted in the Mauritius in 2024
Megan Whitby
Hospitality industry event Eco Resort Network is set to take place at the Ravenala Attitude Hotel, Turtle Bay, Mauritius, from ...
Technogym
Technogym