Hotel Monte Mulini recently opened in Rovinj, a historic coastal city on the peninsula of Istria, in Croatia, on the Adriatic coast. International destination design firm WATG was the architect, interior designer and landscape designer for the five-star project.

"The site—a wooded park—was the inspiration for our use of local stone and timber to create a contemporary hotel with magnificent views from every room," said Jeremy Heyes, vice president of WATG.

Set into the hillside, the 109-room hotel with ten luxury suites is spread over four levels and boasts a dramatic panoramic glass wall that greets guests with an uninterrupted view of the sea. Bars, lounges and restaurants are located on lower levels, with spacious terraced areas for fine dining and relaxation on warm days. A traditionally-styled wine vault is located at the lowest level.

Because a nature reserve is situated across the bay from the hotel, and the hotel itself is set within the city on a main promenade, both urban and natural elements were part of the design. Great care was taken to take advantage of natural light, including studies of light and shade on the windows throughout the year. The curved roof is positioned so that the glazed wall is in shadow during the summer, minimizing heat gain and the need for air conditioning.
 
WATG won the competition for the project and was the first international architect to do work in the region. The hotel will be owned and operated by Maistra d.d., a leading Croatian hotel company, member of Adris Group.

WATG has a legacy of environmentally sensitive planning, architecture and design. A hallmark of WATG is its sensitivity to the influences of the local culture, the natural resources, the people and the spirit of the place. From its offices in London, Seattle, Irvine, Honolulu, Orlando and Singapore, WATG has designed hotels and resorts in 160 countries and territories across six continents.

For more information, visit www.watg.com.