Hotel Lone

Named after the bay it's located in, Hotel Lone opened its doors in 2011. The hotel's six-story exterior architecture has been designed to resemble a cruise-liner waiting in port, with an innovative undulating facade providing uninterrupted scenic views from the balconies. The stark white and black lobby area is bright and sun-filled, thanks to an oval-shaped atrium that's enhanced by a hanging installation work by artist Ivana Franke. A few contemporary sofas and round high-gloss tables provide seating and overlook the restaurant on the lower level as well as offering views of the hotel gardens through the glass railings and large floor-to-ceiling windows. All aspects of the interior design were specially created for the hotel by Croatian designers from the contemporary-style furniture to the innovative art installations, and even the staff uniforms. Most of the guests staying here are couples, but Hotel Lone is also popular with families. The summer season sees many package deals, while during the winter, the hotel serves as a venue for many business events.

Situated on the Adriatic coast just south of the historic city of Rovinj, Hotel Lone has a scenic beachside location. The hotel's beach is just next to the pool area, and Zlatni Rt Park, a scenic forest reserve, is a five-minute walk away. There are many restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops in Rovinj's old town, which can be reached via the pleasant seaside promenade in about 20 minutes on foot, or it's about a four-minute drive.

• Five-minute walk to Zlatni Rt Park
• Four-minute drive to Rovinj old town
• Seven-minute drive to the ferry terminal
• Seven-minute drive to Batana Museum
• Eight-minute drive to the Church of St. Euphemia
• Eight-minute drive Rovinj Heritage Museum
• 38-minute drive to Pula international airport
• 42-minute drive to Pula
• 42-minute drive to Porec
• 53-minute drive to Motovun
• 60-minute drive to Groznjan
• Three hours to Venice by ferry

Guest room interiors at Hotel Lone are contemporary and minimalist, featuring Croatian designer furniture specially made for the hotel, and a neutral color palette of black, white, and beige. The black walls and dark curtains contrast with the white furniture and cupboards,  pale wood wall paneling, and light beige wall-to-wall carpeting. Fabric panels of graphic prints (inspired by the frescoes found in local churches) hang behind the beds. Each guest room and suite also features contemporary lamps specially designed by Croatian design firm Dekor, as well as Satyr armchairs by Numen/For Use that won the Wallpaper award for Best World Sofa in 2007.

Rooms here are spacious, with the 202 Premium Rooms covering an area of 355 square feet, and the larger Grand Rooms and Jazz Rooms offering 398 square feet of floor space. All rooms have large balconies and are equipped with air-conditioning, Illy coffee machines, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. The bathrooms are spacious and modern, and all are fitted with bathtubs and separate rainfall showers, Malin & Goetz toiletries, magnifying mirrors, slippers, and robes.

Highlights of the Jazz Rooms are the infinity massage pools located on the balconies, as well as a few design details like mosaic walls on the balconies, purple curtains and armchairs, and large mirrors. All Suites have direct sea views and feature separate living spaces, Pilates equipment, and two balconies. The eight Bay Suites are 775 square feet in area, while the three Gallery Suites cover 613 square feet, and the two-bedroom Lone Suite is the largest, at 1,388 square feet. This presidential-size suite has a large hot tub on one of its two balconies, two exercise bikes, and sunbeds facing a spectacular view of Lone Bay. The family rooms are made up of interconnecting double and twin rooms. There are also five accessible rooms with walk-in showers in the bathrooms.

Hotel Lone offers many on-site features expected of a luxury hotel, including a vast outdoor pool area that's shared with Hotel Eden next door and is made up of two swimming pools filled with sea water, as well as a separate children's pool. There's a large sundeck on six levels with 200 sunbeds for guest use, as well as towels and umbrellas. The impeccably clean and chic-looking beach area was redeveloped in 2014, and is also shared with the two adjacent hotels belonging to the same chain (Hotel Eden and Hotel Monte Mulini). The beach has been laid with fine pebbles and has excellent facilities, including changing rooms, toilets, showers, free sunbeds and towels, a beach-side cocktail bar, and beach concierge.

Guests have three (expensive) on-site restaurants to choose from: Restaurant L has an a la carte menu of seasonal global cuisine, including Thai, Indian, and Vietnamese dishes, as well as local specialties; Restaurant On offers buffet-style meals and live cooking stations; and Restaurant E serves seafood and sushi dinners. Bar Lone, located in the lobby area, offers drinks and snacks throughout the day, and has an adjacent outdoor terrace. The hotel also has an on-site nightclub. A generous buffet breakfast is included in the room rate and is made up of a variety of hot and cold dishes, Illy coffee, and options for guests following gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan diets.

The on-site wellness center covers a total area of 18,298 square feet and features a heated indoor pool, two Finnish saunas and a Turkish one, a fitness room with views of the garden, a whirlpool, and a relaxation zone -- access to all these facilities is free to guests. There are also several massage and treatment rooms, a hair and beauty salon, and a vitality bar -- all charged extra. Sports facilities include indoor and outdoor tennis courts (next door at Hotel Eden) and bicycle rentals (also at Hotel Eden).

The hotel's large congress hall can seat up to 650 people, or it can be divided into three separate meeting rooms. Free Wi-Fi is accessible in all areas of the hotel. Other useful extra services include a newspaper kiosk and an ATM machine. Outdoor parking is free, but there's a daily fee for use of the parking garage. Pets are allowed for an extra fee.