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By Shelley Gabert
Photography by Ales Jungmann
Often called the Riviera of Croatia's Adriatic coast, Hvar Island's rocky coastline and stunning water have captured the attention of travelers and media alike. In order to keep up with the vast array of visitors drawn to the island's natural beauty, European company Orco Property Group has financed the renovation of several properties into stylish destinations. For its latest one, Adriana Hvar Marina Hotel & Spa, the company turned once again to design firm Jestico + Whiles.
"The country's civil war left many rundown, neglected properties like the existing shell of a building we started with that hadn't been renovated in 30 years," says David Perera, associate director of the firm's Prague office, adding that this is the fifth property his firm has designed for Orco. "We refurbished the interiors, but retained the elegant facade and constructed half a floor to add more guestrooms on the upper levels."
Built into the hillside of Hvar, an ancient, Mediterranean-style harbor town, the four (and a half)-floor boutique hotel opened last August just 15 feet from the bay and includes 50 guestrooms and nine luxury suites, two restaurants, a lobby and rooftop bar and lounge, an indoor-outdoor rooftop saltwater pool, and Sensori Spa. "The beautiful water, rocks, and hills of the island definitely inspired us," Perera says. "We designed the hotel so that 80 percent of the guestrooms have direct ocean views and large windows that allow guests to see the water even when lying in bed."
Since the island is known for its abundant fields of aromatic lavender, the designers infused many shades of purple into the interiors. Large rugs and comfy armchairs in the lobby and its bar don various tones of the hue; chairs in the restaurant are outfitted with purple covers; the reception desk is formed by a long rectangle of backlit violet glass on top of a limestone base; and that same glass illuminates the lobby bar's long, black granite bar and its backbar. The matching purple neon atmospheric glow also emanates from guestroom wardrobe doors and nightlights.
Elsewhere, the designers brought the outside in. Carved wall panels in the large hallway behind reception are painted in a copper color with gold shimmering highlights and resemble waves in the ocean. The rooftop bar glows blue, and large, curvy light fixtures stand in between the indoor-outdoor lounge's floor-to-ceiling collapsible windows overlooking the water. A wood paneled wall running the length of the rooftop's raised infinity pool features a strip of wave-inspired graphics. And natural materials and timber-stripped flooring create warmth in the guestrooms, while graphics featuring an abstract reclining nude image can be mistaken for sand dunes or the rolling hills of Hvar. "As a beach hotel we wanted to create a casual atmosphere but also meet our client's wishes for a luxury destination instilled with local flavor," Perera explains. "The look had to be modern but timeless, and we used stainless steel mixed with a wide variety of stone and glass."
But the beautiful location didn't come without its logistical challenges, something Perera knows too well since this is his firm's second project on Hvar Island for Orco. "Most of the construction companies were based on the mainland so skilled labor and craftsmen were in short supply. We had to provide board and lodging on the island for more than 100 workers," he explains, adding that the island is located an hour off the mainland by speedboat and longer by ferry. "We design projects all over the world and each has its own challenges, but here the massive difference was working in somewhat isolation on this incredible island."
For more information, visit www.jesticowhiles.co.uk or www.suncanihvar.com/adriana.
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Croatian Cool
May 27, 2008By Shelley Gabert
Photography by Ales Jungmann
Often called the Riviera of Croatia's Adriatic coast, Hvar Island's rocky coastline and stunning water have captured the attention of travelers and media alike. In order to keep up with the vast array of visitors drawn to the island's natural beauty, European company Orco Property Group has financed the renovation of several properties into stylish destinations. For its latest one, Adriana Hvar Marina Hotel & Spa, the company turned once again to design firm Jestico + Whiles. "The country's civil war left many rundown, neglected properties like the existing shell of a building we started with that hadn't been renovated in 30 years," says David Perera, associate director of the firm's Prague office, adding that this is the fifth property his firm has designed for Orco. "We refurbished the interiors, but retained the elegant facade and constructed half a floor to add more guestrooms on the upper levels." Built into the hillside of Hvar, an ancient, Mediterranean-style harbor town, the four (and a half)-floor boutique hotel opened last August just 15 feet from the bay and includes 50 guestrooms and nine luxury suites, two restaurants, a lobby and rooftop bar and lounge, an indoor-outdoor rooftop saltwater pool, and Sensori Spa. "The beautiful water, rocks, and hills of the island definitely inspired us," Perera says. "We designed the hotel so that 80 percent of the guestrooms have direct ocean views and large windows that allow guests to see the water even when lying in bed." Since the island is known for its abundant fields of aromatic lavender, the designers infused many shades of purple into the interiors. Large rugs and comfy armchairs in the lobby and its bar don various tones of the hue; chairs in the restaurant are outfitted with purple covers; the reception desk is formed by a long rectangle of backlit violet glass on top of a limestone base; and that same glass illuminates the lobby bar's long, black granite bar and its backbar. The matching purple neon atmospheric glow also emanates from guestroom wardrobe doors and nightlights. Elsewhere, the designers brought the outside in. Carved wall panels in the large hallway behind reception are painted in a copper color with gold shimmering highlights and resemble waves in the ocean. The rooftop bar glows blue, and large, curvy light fixtures stand in between the indoor-outdoor lounge's floor-to-ceiling collapsible windows overlooking the water. A wood paneled wall running the length of the rooftop's raised infinity pool features a strip of wave-inspired graphics. And natural materials and timber-stripped flooring create warmth in the guestrooms, while graphics featuring an abstract reclining nude image can be mistaken for sand dunes or the rolling hills of Hvar. "As a beach hotel we wanted to create a casual atmosphere but also meet our client's wishes for a luxury destination instilled with local flavor," Perera explains. "The look had to be modern but timeless, and we used stainless steel mixed with a wide variety of stone and glass."But the beautiful location didn't come without its logistical challenges, something Perera knows too well since this is his firm's second project on Hvar Island for Orco. "Most of the construction companies were based on the mainland so skilled labor and craftsmen were in short supply. We had to provide board and lodging on the island for more than 100 workers," he explains, adding that the island is located an hour off the mainland by speedboat and longer by ferry. "We design projects all over the world and each has its own challenges, but here the massive difference was working in somewhat isolation on this incredible island."For more information, visit www.jesticowhiles.co.uk or www.suncanihvar.com/adriana.
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