Keepers of the Liburnia Experience
Hotel Kvarner
Hotel Kvarner was built in 1884 as the first hotel in Opatija and on the eastern Adriatic coast. It was built in only ten months as a health sanatorium with hot and cold baths. The oldest part of the hotel is its southern classicistic building. The northern part of the hotel housed the hot baths which were connected to the main hotel building by a glazed hallway with the most elegant coffee house in the world. After the hot baths had burnt down in a fire, the grand Crystal Hall was built in their place in 1913. Today, Hotel Kvarner stands out due to its distinctive neoclassical style and is one of Opatija’s most famous landmarks.
Did you know?
Since the hotel was intended for the exclusive clientele, the construction materials had to be first class and were delivered from Vienna, Vöslau, Ljubljana, Maribor, Celje, the island of Krk, and Zagreb. Highly trained hotel staff came from almost the entire territory of the monarchy.
Villa Amalia
Since the influx of visitors to Hotel Kvarner was so great, it was necessary to build additional accommodation facilities. Thus, Villa Amalia was built in 1890 directly behind the cold baths complex. Built in the same style as Hotel Kvarner, the villa was intended for the most demanding guests who wanted to enjoy greater privacy and impeccable service. Its famous visitors were the Romanian royal pair Carol and Elizabeth, Austro-Hungarian royal family, and the Grand Duke of Luxembourg. Today, Villa Amalia is hotel Kvarner’s annexe.
Did you know?
In 1902, a famous ballet dancer Isadora Duncan stayed in Villa Amalia and later wrote in her memoir that she drew inspiration for her hands movements from watching the palm leaves dance in front of her window.
Heritage Hotel Imperial
Heritage Hotel Imperial is the second oldest hotel in Opatija. It was opened in 1885 under the name Kronprinzessin Stephanie and the hotel’s first guest was the Archduke Karl Stefan. Architect Franz Wilhelm wanted to ensure all the luxuries available at the time to the hotel’s guests, so the hotel had central heating, a pool, and a cinematograph. The hotel was built in the Secession style with a magnificent Golden Hall which was declared as the most beautiful restaurant hall in Europe immediately after its opening. The hotel’s famous guests were Franz Joseph I, James Joyce, and Josip Broz Tito.
Did you know?
Since it was built, the hotel had many different names which reflected the political changes during its history. Its first name was Kronprinzessin Stephanie after the Crown Princess Stephanie. Under the Italian rule it was changed to Regina Elena and in the Yugoslav era its name was Moskva. Later on it was changed to Central. In 1996, hotel is finally named Imperial.
Hotel Palace Bellevue
Hotel Palace Bellevue was founded by Josef Gruesser from Moravia at the end of the 19th century. This monumental building in the historic city centre is famous for its neo-baroque and Art Nouveau style. The main building was built in 1891 under the name Villa Bellevue. Josef Gruesser’s son Anton took over the hotel in 1898 and transformed it into one of the best hotels in Opatija at that time. Hotel Palace was built in 1908. In the period between the two world wars, the hotel was imbued with glamour which attracted a large number of Austrian tourists.
Did you know?
Before it came to be known as Hotel Palace Bellevue, Hotel Palace’s name was “Slavija” and Hotel Bellevue’s “Varšava.”
