HBA London redesigns resort hotel in Croatia

HBA London completed the first phase of a total refurbishment of Camellia Hotel in the Croatian coastal destination of Opatija.

The first phase of HBA London’s work involved the redesign of 80 guestrooms, transforming them into spaces that flow towards their outdoor terrace and look towards the views of the Adriatic. Their color palette used is natural, enlivened with the russet tones of terracotta, which is synonymous with rooftops in this part of Europe. Timbers are predominantly pale with wide Požgaj planks—a nod to Opatija’s shipbuilding heritage—used to clad the floor, and fabrics and materials are all textured and natural woven.

A standout feature of the rooms are the custom-designed wardrobes and wall paneling finished in lattice worked painted timber. Leather details, brushed brass fittings and crafted door knobs add further layers of refinement, along with folk artwork and ceramics curated by the designers.

The rooms were re-planned to achieve a sense of spaciousness. To one side, the bathroom was separated into two glazed spaces, one accommodating the toilet, the other a walk-in shower by Grohe, with the vanity area in between. Ceramic tiles, custom designed by the designers in collaboration with Porcelanosa, clad the floor of the entrance lobby and extend through the bathroom pods serving to unite this area while separating it from the sleeping/living spaces and providing a geometric counterpoint to the rest of the room. The nautical touches continue into the bathroom where plank cladding to the walls is combined with Ritsona Red marble. Fittings and details are in patinated bronze.

Guestroom corridors display similar aesthetic values.

The outdoor terraces have furnishings in prevailing tones of terracotta and white.

The hotel will be refurbishing the remaining 60 plus guestrooms in time for the 2020 summer season and the public areas for 2021.

Photo credit: Camellia Hotel/HBA London