Famed for its glorious sunsets, Rovinj on Istria's west coast is one of Croatia's loveliest seaside destinations. Its romantic old town, a huddle of pastel-coloured Venetian-era buildings, overlooked by a hilltop church, was a tiny island until 1763, when the narrow channel separating it from the mainland was filled in. Its sheltered fishing harbour is rimmed by seafood eateries, while steep cobbled alleys leading up to the church reveal galleries and boutiques. South along the coast, beyond the marina lies the Punta Corrente park-forest, planted with pines, cypresses and Himalayan cedars, and across the bay rise the tiny pine-scented islets of Sv Katarina and Sv Andrija.
Overlooking the harbour, on the second floor of an Austro-Hungarian townhouse, the Artist's Suite is a celebration of light and beauty. With meditative sea-views, the gallery-like interior of this open-plan suite is refined yet daring. White predominates the space, with colour coming from details like a glass vase in deep Prussian blue, while antique wooden Baroque figurines contrast with a modern white linen sofa and chrome-and-leather barrel chairs. The big bold canvases and ceramic plates with playful Matisse-like line drawings, the smaller paintings in ornate Montparnasse frames, and huge vases of extravagant fresh flowers are all the work of co-owner, Croatian florist and artist, Saša Šekoranje. Perfect for couples with impeccable taste, it's a real find.
Highs
- Rovinj is one of Croatia's loveliest and most historic coastal towns - and it's all on your doorstep
- Great views from all four windows over the old harbour and across to Sveta Katarina island
- You couldn't be more central: all the main attractions, from bars to boat trips, lie just a few minutes' walk away
- Yet also surprisingly quiet - the old town centre is pedestrian-only
- The suite is packed with artworks and antiques courtesy of co-owner, Saša Šekoranje
Lows
- No proper kitchen – just a very cool but rather impractical bar equipped only for simple breakfasts or an aperitivo
- You can't reach the suite by car; though golf cart transfers can be arranged
- The suite is on the second floor, with old wooden stairs and no elevator
- Rovinj can get very busy with tourists in summer – consider coming in spring or autumn
Best time to go
Rovinj is lovely all year. Of course most people think of coming here for a summery seaside holiday, but it can get very busy in Jul-Aug. Far nicer are the shoulder months, May-Jun and Sep-Oct, when the weather is good and the sea warm enough to swim, but without the crowds. Inland Istria is delightful in autumn, when the trees and vineyards take on golden and russet hues, and truffle festivals abound.
Our top tips
For breakfast overlooking the fishing harbour, head for Hotel Adriatic's open-air cafe, serving delights such as Eggs Florentine, oven-warm croissants, and waffles. During renovation in 2015, the hotel commissioned 14 contemporary artists to create paintings, photos and installations for its quirky indoor Brasserie Adriatic – take a look in, to spot several big bold canvases by your host, Saša Šekoranje.
- Self-catered suite
- 1 bedroom
- No meals; restaurants nearby
- Over 12s only
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
- Light daily cleaning included
Rooms
The open-plan lounge-bedroom enjoys glorious views of the shimmering Adriatic merging into a celeste blue sky, with sweeping white curtains and window shutters should you want to sleep late. In the lounge area, you have white wooden floors, a sofa and armchair, a bar, and a long antique oak dining table with two white leather swivel chairs.
The sleeping area has a big double bed with a super-firm mattress, white linens, including lots of squishy pillows, and a striking Prussian blue bed cover. There's another antique oak table, an enormous abstract canvas by Šekoranje in beige, black and white, and a Baroque wooden statue of St Euphemia (Rovinj's patron saint and protector), and a generous flat-screen TV.
The white bathroom, with white industrial ceramic flooring, has a walk-in shower hidden by a wall of gorgeous inky blue Moroccan tiles, and an elegant washbasin with a big round wall mirror. It's stocked with Malin+Goetz botanical toiletries from Italy, and lots of fluffy white towels baring the Apollo insigna. For storage you have a walk-in closet rather than a wardrobe and cupboards.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Coffee / tea making
- Hairdryer
- Minibar
- Safe box
- Satellite TV
- Toiletries
- WiFi
Eating
The Artist's Studio does not have a kitchen, but there is a small bar area with a grey marble countertop and a brass sink, fridge, dishwasher, espresso coffee machine and kettle, where you can prepare coffee or tea and a basic breakfast, and store or chill bottles of local wine.
For eating out, Rovinj is renowned for its rustic family-run konobe (taverns) serving traditional Istrian seafood – two of the nicest are El Niro, with outdoor tables immediately below the studio, and Giannino, hidden in a cobbled side street. Rovinj also has two Michelin-starred restaurants: Monte, up on the hill, near the Church of St Euphemia, and Agli Amici, at the Grand Park Hotel, overlooking the marina. For more casual bites, you'll find plenty of cafes, pizzerias and ice-cream parlours. Also worth a visit is Rovinj's colourful open-air market (Mon-Sat mornings) with stalls vending fresh seasonal fruit, near the port.
Features include:
- Coffee maker
- Dishwasher
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- Take a sunset ride around the harbour aboard a traditional wooden batana fishing boat
- Climb the 18th-century belltower of the Church of St Euphemia, for stunning views over Rovinj's terracotta rooftops and out to sea
- Swim off the rocks at Balota (5-min walk from the suite); or walk round the bay to pine-fringed Lone Beach (30 mins)
- Catch a boat from the molo in front of the suite to Sveta Katarina or Sveti Andrija island, both with rock and pebble beaches
- Stroll or hire a bike and pedal through Punta Corrente forest-park to find shady paths and small coves for bathing
- Taste locally produced wines and olive oil at family-run Stancija Collis (6km)
- Visit Poreč (35km) to see the Unesco-listed Euphrasian Basilica with its 6th-century golden Byzantine mosaics
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Museums / galleries
- Nightlife
- Sailing
- Shopping / markets
- Swimming
- Watersports
- Wine tasting
Kids
The suite is not really suitable for children, as it has only one double bed and no possibility of extra beds. Having said that, if you are a solo parent coming with teenage child and happy to share a bed, then you are most welcome.
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
The Artist's Studio is located in the car-free historic centre of the seaside town of Rovinj, on Istria's west coast.
By Air
The most convenient airport is Pula (40km), well served from various UK cities, though you also have Rijeka (115km) and Trieste (in Italy; 107km) nearby.
From the airport
If you're just coming to visit Rovinj, you don't need a car (actually it's a bit of a hindrance); so you might consider a taxi transfer, or even a bus journey (and then taxi locally). Rovinj is served by regular buses from the town centres of Pula (12 per day; journey time 40min), Rijeka (5 per day; journey time 2-3 hrs), and Trieste (4 per day; journey time 2-3hrs)
Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Pula 40.0 km PUY
- Rijeka 115.0 km RJK
Other:
- Beach 2.0 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km