07-07-2025
Grand Park Rovinj — Hotel Review
Why book?
Because it's the most stylish and spoiling place to stay in Croatia right now—a stunning glass-and-stone monument of a hotel, perched high above the Adriatic, where every room has a front-row seat over Rovinj's charming, tumbling Old Town and yacht-filled marina. It's confident, cool, and collected, with just enough edge to keep things interesting.
Set the scene
Tucked into a pine-covered hillside just a short walk from Rovinj's historic Old Town, Grand Park feels more like a Bond villain lair (in the best way) than a beach resort. It's a haven for everyone from Birkenstock bros and their grid-ready beaus to old-money retirees—with some linen-clad families thrown in for good measure.
Recently, the hotel has become part of a new wave reshaping Croatia's luxury scene—less yacht-party, more low-key Riviera chic—while still maintaining a homey feel. The place is stylish, too, with every restaurant, bar, and even corridor achieving that surprisingly rare hotel feat: showcasing genuinely good art. A moment is made out of everything—and none more so than in the spectacular main lobby, with its vast, floor-to-ceiling views over the city. Here, even check-in is transformed from pedestrian passport handover to what feels like a colossal, living, breathing oil painting.
Backstory
Opened in 2019 by Maistra Collection (a Croatian-owned group slowly and tastefully elevating the region's hospitality game) Grand Park was a statement of intent. It replaced an older, blander hotel with a bold architectural concept—built down into the landscape, not on top of it—and filled it with custom Italian furniture, local artwork, and one of the best wellness centers on the Adriatic. Co-designed by the renowned Milan-based Lissoni Architettura and Croatia's own architectural studio 3LHD, the hotel is infused with chill vibes, and has since become the spot to book if you want a sun-drenched Croatian escape with all the comforts of home.
Rooms
It's one of the few hotels where corridors get an honorable mention, with their sultry, Kubrickian mood, one that leads into the rooms themselves with bursts of blond wood, slate-gray stone, and low-slung furniture. It's luxurious, but in a controlled way—like letting a monk loose with a credit card.
As with the rest of the hotel, everything in-room is purposeful and considered, from the art (not just prints, but integrated sculptures and ceramics) to the generous bathrooms, with titanic tubs and rainfall showers. Families will gravitate to the corner suites for space and privacy, but couples will be more than happy with the well-priced park-facing rooms. If it's splashing out you're after, then look to the Sea View Suites, some of which come with private plunge pools. You'll find a kind of effortless flow that wants to pull you back out onto the terrace, then over the water, and back into the warm stone walls of the Old Town.
Food and drink
The real star here is the world-class restaurant Cap Aureo, a fine-dining flagship led by chef Jeffrey Vella. Just like the rest of the property, it playfully pokes at the established rulebook with flavor-first flair and a touch of edgy zen. Get the mushroom tiramisu and the best cube of lamb you'll ever encounter.
Breakfast is a lavish, Mediterranean-meets-Scandi affair that hits the wellness crowd hard. Think sourdough, juice bars, protein-rich cuts of meat and cheese, honeycomb slabs, and eggs any way you want, all served by expert staff.
There's a strong offering across the lunch menu, and even the in-room dining is better than most—so much so that it's worth scheduling a sunset dinner on your personal balcony. Pro tip: If you drink coffee, avoid the bustle of the breakfast room and get a cup in the quieter lobby bar, Viva Eufemia, with its lofty sofas that gaze out over the marina.
Spa
At nearly 41,000 square feet, there are enough saunas, steam rooms, pools, and treatment rooms to keep you occupied for hours, as well as a sprawling relaxation room, complete with herbal tea and a hydration station, that stretches out into the pine-forest-backed gardens.
In terms of pools, there's both a freshwater sports pool and top floor infinity offering that, from the right angle, seems to be a continuation of the sea itself. The hotel's gentle poke at established norms continues here too, with unusual spa treatments ranging from liqueur-infused wraps to expert massages that make use of Istria's pride and joy—olive oil.
The neighborhood
You're right on the edge of Rovinj—close enough to walk into town for a treat or a gallery visit, but far enough to feel cocooned. The Lungomare Plaza, a waterfront promenade at the foot of the hotel, is lined with concept stores, a Japanese restaurant, and a fantastic gelateria (skip dessert upstairs and come down here instead).
Rovinj's cobbled lanes, baroque churches, and seafood bistros are just a 10-minute walk away. Crucially—and unlike most hotels of this ilk—the Grand Park is not concerned with keeping you held within its crosshairs at all times, like a helicopter parent. Instead, in a display of admirable self-confidence, it actively encourages you to get out and about, made easy via the opulent ground-floor plaza, which snakes you straight into Old Town or to the tranquil Golden Cape Forest Park.
The service
Impeccable but unfussy. Staff are mostly local, highly trained, and genuinely proud to work there. Expect smiles, not stiffness. Even the breakfast staff keep the hotel's subversive edge alive, with a uniform that combines chic service suits with Adidas sneakers.
The concierge team can book truffle hunts, vineyard tastings, or boat charters with just a few hours' notice. Golf carts will whisk you to town or to the private Mulini Beach Club, a short drive away. For those looking for something truly special, the concierge can also arrange hot air balloon rides over the Istrian countryside through trusted local providers—a breathtaking way to experience the region from above.
When it comes to hotels, you can measure the quality by how much they charge you to rent a bicycle—at the Grand Park, they are free (alas, e-bikes do have a surcharge). Be sure to pack a picnic and head to the cool shade of the forest park.
For families
Very family-friendly, without compromising the hotel's grown-up feel. The pools are staggered across levels (some adults-only), and there are connecting rooms and kid-friendly food. The nearby Mulini Beach is calm and safe for little ones, and the concierge can organize babysitting if needed.
Eco effort
The hotel is Green Key certified, uses solar panels, was built with local materials, and focuses on regional and seasonal food in its kitchens. It also partners with Istrian producers and marine conservation initiatives—ask the front desk to point you to the sustainability display in the lobby.
Accessibility
With ramps and wide walkways throughout, the hotel meets accessibility standards. Elevators connect every floor, and several rooms are fully adapted with barrier-free showers and accessible outdoor terraces. The open-plan nature of the rooms means they're easier to navigate than most, as are the doors—broad and light enough for easy use.
Anything left to mention?
Set an early alarm and creep up to the infinity pool for a sunrise swim while all the other guests rest or have breakfast. It's blissfully empty, and you'll get the Adriatic all to yourself.
