Impresia Collection hosted Barbara Redding, but the opinions are her own.
Blazing sunsets, dreamy islands, and Roman ruins lure millions of visitors to Croatia.
Most arrive in the summer, packing beaches and hotels in popular spots like Split and Dubrovnik.
Fortunately, this picturesque country lapped by the turquoise Adriatic Sea can still be experienced by luxury travelers with minimal crowds. On a recent trip to Croatia, I discovered the Impresia Collection of Croatia Hotels, a group of boutique hotels scattered across the country that immerse guests in Croatia’s natural wonders, rich culture, and medieval architecture.
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Hotels in Vineyards and Castles
Impresia is not a hotel chain. Instead, it’s a prestigious mix of unique accommodations that can be enjoyed year-round in Croatia. Some are located in lush vineyards and olive groves on the Istria Peninsula. Others reside on the charming islands like Hvar and in ancient hilltop castles on the Dalmatian Coast.
Most of the 17 properties are small boutique hotels; a few are larger resort-style properties. But all share a mission to inspire visitors with the history, landscapes, and traditions of this geographically diverse country in Central European..
To learn more, I stayed at several Impresia hotels across Croatia. I enjoyed first-class accommodations and service while exploring historical sites and modern attractions. I dined on gourmet cuisine featuring local seafood and produce paired with regional wines and rakija, Croatia’s legendary fruit brandy. (See my hotel reviews below.)
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Hotels Reflect Cultural Treasures
I also met with Impresia’s executive director, Antonia Urlic, who shared her vision for the unusual hotel group while we nibbled on buttery pastries at the art’otel Zagreb, one of Impresia’s newest members. The historic hotel is a stroll away from the city’s lively center, boasting elegant suites, Zagreb’s coolest rooftop bar, and an acclaimed Pan-Asian restaurant.
“Each hotel is unique, but we have a common mission to enhance how visitors experience the best of Croatian–our sunsets and our cultural, historical, and architectural treasures,” Urlic told me. “Croatia isn’t just a summer destination; our mild weather means the country can be visited any time of year.”
“What makes Impresia members like the art’otel special isn’t just their location, although that’s important,” said Urlic, a veteran of Croatia’s tourism industry who joined Impresia when the group formed in 2019.
“The idea is to unite luxury-minded hotels across Croatia that have a strong sense of character and design,” Urlic explained. “We want to position our hotels and Croatia on the world map as year-round luxury destinations.”
Impresia Hotels Offer Advantages
- Bookings for multiple properties can be made together on Impresia’s website, allowing guests to visit multiple locations on a single trip.
- Discounts of 20 percent on Croatia Airlines flights within the country for Impresia guests combining several destinations.
- Exclusive wine tastings, gourmet dining options with local cuisine, private yacht tours, and other unique experiences for guests at various hotels.
- Special rewards such as early check-in, room upgrades, and a bottle of wine or a fruit basket for guests who also are Visa Gold, Visa Platinum, and Visa Infinite cardholders.
Croatia New to Luxury Tourism
Croatia, with just four million residents, is a relatively new player in luxury tourism. The country attained independence in 1992 after the violent breakup of the communist country of Yugoslavia. Ten years later Croatia joined the European Union.
The country’s endlessly enticing shoreline along the Adriatic Sea, coupled with 1,000 pristine islands and a half dozen UNESCO World Heritage sites, has quickly transformed Croatia into one of the world’s most popular travel destinations. In 2023, more than 20 million people visited the Central European country—nearly a 10 percent increase over 2022.
As visitors have poured in, the country has struggled with over-tourism, particularly in the summer months. To balance its residents’ needs with the demands of mass tourism, Dubrovnik, for example, has limited cruise ship dockings and new tourist apartment rentals.
Impresia Helps Make Tourism Sustainable
Ulric believes Impresia can help position Croatia as a more sustainable destination, particularly for North Americans looking for luxury hotels in enchanting landscapes that aren’t overcrowded. Impresia promotes its hotels heavily on social media sites and on an eye-catching website resembling a coffee-table picture book.
The hotel group also has partnered with Croatia’s National Tourism Board to train more hospitality workers throughout the country. By bolstering local employment, Impresia Hotels can enhance tourism in less-visited areas.
“We know discerning travelers are looking for authentic experiences in places of beauty with rich local culture,” said Ulric, as we left Zagreb’s art’otel. “We want to inspire travelers to visit and return.”
Luxury a Prerequisite at Impresia hotels
- All of the hotels in the collection are 4-star, 5-star, or UNESCO World Heritage properties.
- Several properties are members of luxury brands like Relais & Chateaux and Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
- Most hotels are open year-round and offer fine dining options, including cuisine with local ingredients. Several hotel restaurants have Michelin stars or recommendations.
- Spa services are available onsite or nearby, along with personalized guest services.
Upscale amenities make Impresia hotels particularly popular with couples. However, most Impresia properties also welcome solo travelers and families with children.
I found plenty of inspiration while visiting several Impresia hotels. Here are my impressions:
Heritage Hotel Bastion, Zadar
Once part of a 13th-century fortress that protected the port city of Zadar, the Bastion Hotel is now a 27-room luxury hotel and a member of the prestigious Relais & Châteaux collection. As a solo traveler, I loved the hotel’s old-world charm.
Couples also would enjoy other appealing features like:
- Large guest rooms with enchanting views of ferries and pleasure boats crossing Zadar Bay.
- Fine dining in the Michelin-recommended Kastel restaurant. I feasted on a five-course dinner of traditional Dalmatian Coast offerings such as Pag cheeses, fresh fish, and a dessert made from local figs swirled in mascarpone cheese. Each course was paired with excellent local wines and liqueurs.
- Spa treatments such as massages and body scrubs that incorporate soothing lavender and local salts.
Located on a quiet, shady side street in the pedestrian-only Old Town, the hotel is within a short walk of attractions like the Museum of Ancient Glass, whose collection dates to Roman times, and St. Donatus Church, a Byzantine church built in 800.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Zadar’s sunsets are among the best in Croatia. A prime viewing spot is the tip of the Zadar peninsular, where an art installation called the Sea Organ emits otherworldly sounds as waves crash onto specially designed steps.
Hotel Adriatic, Rovinj
This lovely boutique hotel’s envious position on the waterfront led to its nickname as the “living room” of Rovinj. Hotel Adriatic faces the harbor and adjoins the Venice-style town square in this historic city on the Istria Peninsula.
The oldest hotel in pedestrian-only Old Town, the Adriatic has 14 rooms and four suites–most with harbor views. Locals and visitors flock to its shady front patio to watch the world go by on foot and by boat. Inside, the hotel’s elegant interior is peaceful and modern.
Couples and solo travelers will enjoy the hotel for amenities including:
- Luxury guest rooms with soaking tubs, espresso machines, and scented perfume beside the bed to ease sleep.
- Creative gourmet cuisine in the French-inspired Brasserie Adriatic. My escargot arrived artfully arranged on a bed of ground chocolate and microgreens.
- More than 100 brands of whiskey are served at the friendly Caffe Bar, where you can also enjoy a glass of Croatia’s favorite bitter-sweet liqueur, Pelinkovac.
Part of the Maistra Collection luxury brand, the Adriatic partners with nearby Grand Park Hotel Rovinj to offer access to spa treatments and indoor and outdoor pools. A friendly golf cart driver whisked me to a luxurious 90-minute spa treatment at the Grand Hotel and then back to the Adriatic for dinner.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Modern artwork created exclusively for the hotel by local artists adorns walls and ceilings throughout the Adriatic.
art’otel, Zagreb
One of Impresia’s newest members, the art’otel Zagreb, is just a stroll away from the city’s lively center. The historic hotel offers visitors a quiet retreat in its elegant suites, rooftop bar, and Pan-Asian restaurant.
The hotel also takes art in all forms seriously. The bold, surreal creations of the late Boris Bucan grace the walls of the Art-Deco hotel’s 110 guest rooms and public areas.
The Croatian artist’s iconic posters, combined with soothing neutral colors in rooms and public areas, create memorable spaces that invite you to sit and ponder the art. His most famous poster, Petrushka (named after a Russian ballet), hangs in the New York City Museum of Modern Art.
Hotel amenities include:
- A turntable in every room. My stash of vinyl records included classics by Lady Gaga, Elton John, and Edith Piaf. I could have listened to music all night.
- YEZI, the hotel’s elegant Pan-Asian restaurant and tearoom, serves artfully arranged dishes. I feasted on small plates of Chilean sea bass on skewers, jasmine tea-soaked ribs, and lobster and prawn dumplings. In the morning, the restaurant doubles as a glamorous breakfast room.
- The gym and wellness center include an indoor pool and sauna area and expert therapists offering massages and other treatments.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Be sure to visit the hotel’s rooftop bar at night. The bar’s eclectic craft cocktails pair perfectly with the twinkling lights of Zagreb.
Grand Hotel Brioni, Pula
The rugged beauty of the Adriatic Sea surrounds the Grand Hotel Brioni, a Radisson Collection resort in Pula at the southern tip of the Istria Peninsula.
The contemporary five-star hotel with 227 rooms takes its inspiration from Pula, whose Roman amphitheater and related artifacts date back to the 1st century. Modern versions of the art, sculpture, and ceramics from that time mix with luxury furnishings to create an atmosphere that’s both enlightening and relaxing.
Couples and families will find the hotel appealing for its luxury amenities, including:
- Spacious rooms facing the sea or hotel gardens.
- Indoor and outdoor pools, as well as access to a beautiful pebbly beach.
- Nearby sports facilities include a miniature golf course and tennis courts.
- A rejuvenating spa and wellness with six treatment rooms and multiple saunas.
- Four restaurants, including the Sophia, the hotel’s premier restaurant that serves aged steaks and local wines with sunset views.
The biggest hotel in the Impresia Collection, Hotel Brioni, is a short drive from Pula’s Roman ruins, which include the world’s best-preserved arena, a temple, and a fascinating archaeological museum.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Watersports lovers will want to visit Brijuni National Park, a stunning string of nearby islands that can be reached by boat.
My stay in Croatia wasn’t long enough to include visits to all 17 Impresia hotels, but that’s ok. Croatia is a destination I plan to return to again and again.
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