My recent trip to Croatia with my mum was a two-part adventure, exploring both the major city of Split and the more low-key, tranquil Trogir. This picturesque part of the Adriatic Coast is perfect for island hopping, but what really lured us to Trogir, beyond the destination, was the stunning Brown Beach House.
Brown Hotels are known for their upscale properties in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem and Brown Beach House is one of their latest offerings, having opened fully just last summer. This stylish boutique hotel occupies a former 20th century tobacco warehouse and has the homely feel of a grand residence overlooking the azure blue sea.
Designed by Amsterdam-based Saar Zafrir, the hotel has 44 rooms and suites and is Trogir’s only luxury lifestyle resort with everything on the doorstep.
Arrival
Brown Beach House is just a 5-minute taxi ride away from Split Airport, so you can be in your room or by the pool within moments of arriving in Croatia. We were warmly welcomed by the friendly reception staff and offered a glass of prosecco in the lobby bar while checking in. The spacious open-plan lounge is a smart mix of contemporary and colonial style with window shutters, ceiling fans, mirrored pillars, blue china vases, bookshelves full of art and fashion books and plenty of potted palms.
The Room
After being accidentally assigned a room that wasn’t prepared, it was a nice touch to be upgraded to a Deluxe Room on the second floor.
Our room was enormous and beautifully-designed in a soft beige palette with dark wood and ochre accents and lots of natural light. Room features include a large flat-screen TV, vanity table, espresso machine and kettle with premium tea and coffee, luxury minibar and a really cool rocking chair. The king-size bed was incredibly plush and one of the most comfortable I’ve ever slept on.
The Bathroom
The grey marble-tiled bathroom was also equally spacious and impressive with a large bathtub, fluffy towels, bathrobes and slippers and a full set of colourful Brown Hotels products by a Croatian brand.
Breakfast
Breakfast is included in all room rates and is served outside on the terrace of Cartina restaurant in the warmer weather, or in the lounge with views of the sea at other times. It’s a leisurely affair with a generous buffet laden with local charcuterie and cheeses, freshly-baked breads, mini muffins and pastries, cereal and natural yoghurt with a choice of nuts, seeds and dried fruits. Another perk is the free-flowing Prosecco with fresh juices and peach purée for making Bellinis.
A made-to-order breakfast dish is also included, for that extra touch of luxury. We loved the Blueberry pancakes and the Eggs Benedict and you can also choose Shakshuka, Eggs Royale or an omelette.
Swimming Pool
The jewel of Brown Beach House is its stunning black and white chequered tile outdoor pool with sunbeds, parasols and beach bar. There is also a private beach club in front of the hotel for guests, as well as a full spa with sauna, steam room and treatments.
Dinner at Cartina
Sadly our pool lounging was cut short by the biggest, most treacherous, storm we’ve ever experienced and so dinner that evening was in the lounge rather than on the leafy, fairy-lit terrace as planned. Cartina restaurant offers creative Mediterranean cuisine as well as a few crowd-pleasing dishes. Our prime rib burger and risotto were generously-sized but very salty and a little underwhelming given the style and farm-to-table concept of the restaurant.
Trogir
The historic city of Trogir, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is just ten minute walk away along the harbour and over a bridge. It’s a charming medieval island town with Romanesque churches and Renaissance and Baroque buildings from the Venetian period. The maze-like old town has a uniquely local feel with romantic terrace restaurants, ice cream parlours, linen boutiques and Croatian speciality shops – not a global brand name in sight!
Eating Out
It’s all about Croatian and Italian cuisine in Trogir with an abundance of fresh seafood, hearty stews and wood-fired pizza. We enjoyed some fantastic pasta, risotto and generous antipasti sharing platters with Croatian prosciutto and cheeses. I wouldn’t say it’s a cheap town for eating out (as some might expect), but its restaurants are notably accessible with classic dishes alongside the splurge-worth seafood platters and whole catch of the day.
Getting to Split
We really had to be torn away from Brown Beach House, but happily we still had Split to discover. We’d planned to take the 30-minute bus to our next destination, however the receptionist strongly suggested catching the soon-to-depart boat instead. She very kindly phoned the boat company, asking them to wait for us, and a porter helped us with our luggage for a swift exit.
They really went above and beyond to help us and arriving by boat was really special. We cruised for 45 minutes through spectacular turquoise waters, passing pretty islands on the way and making two short stops to pick up other passengers. If you can time it well with the limited schedule, this is the best way to get between Trogir and Split.
Brown Beach House is a real treat if you’re looking for a sunny getaway with style and personality. In the high summer, it seems to have more of a party vibe, but go slightly out of season and you can enjoy a sophisticated, peaceful break. Trogir is also a great base for exploring the Dalmatian Coast and getting away from it all. I can definitely see us returning to this fabulous gem of a hotel.
For more information and booking, visit: www.brownhotels.com
Photos by Chérie City
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