It is a prestige address in a prestige address: the Kempinski Hotel Adriatic Istria. Set among the vineyards and Romanesque shores of Istria, a knob of a peninsula divvied up by Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia and lapped in equal measure by the cobalt-blue Adriatic. Croatia has the lion’s share, and is a case in point of a country tapping geography to every possible advantage.
The Next Big Thing of the Mediterranean, Istria dwells in that rare Goldilocks Zone of luxury destinations: enough five-star hotels and attractions to come on to the radar, but not so much that the whole thing becomes an overdeveloped wasteland of price-gouged touristy-ness (hi, Dubrovnik). And despite having a name synonymous with overindulgent opulence, the Kempinksi Istria struck an even balance between lavishing guests with decadence, the building itself is fairly low-key on the outside and blends with the buildings of Umaj, the nearest town. But on the inside…
With 186 rooms and suites overlooking either the wine-dark Adriatic or the elegantly sculpted grounds of its golf course, the Kempinksi Istria has the “stunning view factor” down pat, but luxury includes more than just a lookout. Visitors have at their fingertips a private beach and 3,000 square-meter spa, and can sink their teeth into Istria’s true gift to the world: Food.
At a crossroads between Croatia’s Italian influenced coast and Continental interior, hybridization is the name of Istria’s game; walk through Umaj and all the signs will be in Italian and Croatian. This blending of cultures reaches a savory peak on the peninsula’s menus. The Kempinski Istria chefs, however, do not treat their cuisine as a mish-mash of other people’s food; rather, epicureans sitting down in the Dijana and Kanova eateries will sample a culinary tradition that is its own creature. From the grilled meat and fresh fish, as well as black and white truffle specialties prepared with sublime local olive oil (Istria is a hotspot for both delicacies), the Kempinski whisks its patrons to every extreme the word “luxury” connotes. Did we mention Istria is also one of the great undiscovered wine countries of Europe?
Few locations are better-suited for a good food coma. Even at its most caffeinated, Istria is where one goes to get away from the schedules and to-do lists that make other vacation spots look more like non-stop sprints from this site to that. Relax by the pool at the Kempinski and take in a multinational panorama stretching across to Koper in Slovenia and in the far distance, Trieste in Italy. Watch the fishing boats take to the sea each morning, or enjoy a round of golf. It’s about R&R here.
Increasingly, that is a radical concept. Contact Steele Luxury Travel to make your booking at the Kempinski today: [email protected]