A hotel in Croatia that I genuinely can't stop thinking about

I'll be honest with you — I haven't been to Opatija yet. But sometimes a place finds you before you find it, and that's exactly what happened here.

I was introduced to the Keight Hotel Opatija by Maria Jimeno - Cluster Head of MICE Sales at Hilton Hotels for Zagreb, Opatija and Ugljan. The more I learned about it the more I thought — this is exactly the kind of place I want to tell people about.

Opatija is a coastal town on the Adriatic Sea with this beautiful old-world energy — think 19th century Habsburg architecture, a famous seaside promenade that's been connecting towns since 1911, and the kind of clear water that makes you want to cancel your plans and just stay. It's small, but don't let that fool you. There's something happening there every season.

The hotel itself opened in June 2024 and it is stunning. 54 rooms and suites, an indoor pool and wellness area, a rooftop lounge bar with panels that close in winter so you're still sitting up there with a cocktail and a view — and a restaurant with an executive chef who can genuinely tailor menus to what you need. It's the first Curio Collection by Hilton property in all of Croatia, which tells you something about how special the location and the product are.

What really got my attention though — in April they were awarded the Connie Award. That's Hilton International's highest recognition for quality, guest satisfaction and excellence in service. For a hotel that hasn't even been open a full year. That's not nothing.

The hotel is owned by Katarina Line, one of the most established travel agencies in the region, specialising in Adriatic cruises — which means there's also a really interesting stay-and-cruise opportunity here if that's your thing.

It's open all year round, which as someone who plans events and experiences, immediately caught my eye.

This one is going on my list. And honestly it should probably go on yours too.