Blu Mare Novigrad

When it comes to assigning rooms at Blu Mare, there is at least one debate you won’t have: the one about sea views. All 23 Mare rooms and four suites feature a balcony and views of the Adriatic. Expansive windows bring the water almost into the room, while Mediterranean pastel shades, fabrics, and an understated modern interior leave plenty of room for the real star of the property: the panorama. Especially in the evening, you understand why this location works so well. Novigrad is renowned for its sunsets, and at Blu Mare, you ideally don’t even have to leave your bed to enjoy them.

The most spectacular example is located right at the top: An elevator leads directly into the bookable Owner Suite in the penthouse. Across 68 square meters, a living and dining area with a kitchenette, a bedroom, and two bathrooms meet a large glass facade. The real highlight, however, lies outside: the expansive terrace overlooking the sea, which on select evenings also turns into a sunset pop-up bar. Luxury here means less about opulence and more about an unobstructed view of the horizon.

Blu Mare gets exciting right where the hotel ceases to be merely a place to sleep. The day can begin with breakfast overlooking the sea and continue a few hours later with a snack at the Sunset Bar. In between lies the Adriatic, peace and quiet, and the products that define Istria culinarily. That definitely includes olive oil. Istrian olive oil here is not just a nice regional addition, but an essential part of the peninsula’s epicurean culture. The same goes for wine. The white Malvasia Istriana in particular is one of the grape varieties you can discover again and again in your glass during a stay. In this way, the hotel tells the story of the destination through taste.

Istria is the largest peninsula in the northern Adriatic, spanning Croatia, Slovenia, and a small Italian section, with by far the largest part belonging to Croatia. Accordingly, its culinary identity is shaped by diverse influences. Mediterranean lightness meets a long tradition of wine and olive oil; fish and seafood meet truffles and products from the hinterland. Added to this are Roman history, Venetian traces, and an Italian sense of joie de vivre. It is precisely this interplay that makes the region so captivating: Culinarily, the coast and the hinterland are closer to each other than it might seem at first glance. The fish market in the morning, olive oil at lunch, a glass of Malvasia in the afternoon, and fuži with truffles in the evening. And that exact lifestyle is mirrored at Blu Mare.

A key part of the Blu Mare experience begins where many hotel portraits usually end: with the food. With the Restaurant & Sunset Bar Porporela, the hotel boasts a culinary concept that doesn’t feel like an afterthought, but rather continues telling the story of Istria as a destination. On the menu, fish and Mediterranean ingredients meet regional classics: such as sea bass carpaccio with lime and ginger, Istrian fuži with truffles and a Malvasia reduction, or a 24-hour slow-cooked eggplant with bulgur, chickpeas, and a red pepper glaze. Responsible for this is Head Chef Daniel Engelhardt, who, after years in Germany’s top gastronomy, is now developing a modern interpretation of Istrian cuisine.

For those who want to learn more about his culinary philosophy, Croatian truffles, wild asparagus, and what he brought with him from Michelin-starred gastronomy – and what he deliberately left behind – the in-depth interview with Daniel Engelhardt is available on GENUSSPUNKT.

The transition from day to evening works exceptionally well. The Sunset Bar opens daily from 2 PM. Cocktails and casual bites like focaccia accompany the afternoon, along with that ever-present sea view. Starting at 6 PM on restaurant days, the kitchen of Porporela takes over. That means a sundowner doesn’t require a change of scenery: You simply stay seated, order another glass, and let the afternoon seamlessly blend into dinner. It sounds simple, but in the realm of hospitality, it is no small detail. Because true luxury increasingly means removing friction from a journey. Not every great experience requires a reservation, a transfer, and the next itinerary item. Sometimes, it’s enough just to stay seated.

The regional ethos is carried through just as consistently on the wine list. Featuring producers like Fakin, Kozlović, Kabola, and Roxanich, there is a clear focus on Istria and Croatia. The selection is complemented by bottles from Italy and Slovenia, as well as international Champagne houses. This allows you not only to taste the region through food, but to drink it as well: from the aperitif through diverse interpretations of Istrian wines to dessert wine. For guests wanting to get to know Istria through its cuisine and wine, this is a genuine highlight. After all, a great regional wine list is far more than just a drink pairing – it has the power to translate a landscape.

For us, it’s a true highlight: Having breakfast in the morning with a view of the Adriatic. Afterwards, heading down to the sea or simply staying put. Later, ordering a snack, sampling Istrian olive oil, enjoying a coffee. In the afternoon, the Sunset Bar kicks off, and eventually the first glass of Malvasia arrives at the table. And in the evening, the spot by the sea turns into dinner at Porporela. Breakfast, the sea, snacks, sundowners, Istrian wine, and a restaurant, all without having to leave the hotel. This isn’t a revolutionary reinvention of the hotel industry. But it is astonishingly rare for all these elements to mesh together so effortlessly.

Blu Mare is located in the car-free Old Town. Just outside the front door lie narrow streets, historic walls, small squares, and the sea. The town’s manageable size is a major part of its charm: Novigrad doesn’t need to be tackled with a long sightseeing checklist. You can simply drift along and later return to the water. Arrivals are organized accordingly: Cars remain outside the pedestrian zone in designated parking areas, from where guests are brought to the hotel via golf cart shuttle. A subtle detail that feels almost symbolic upon departure: one last ride through the car-free Old Town, one last glimpse of the sea, before everyday life begins again.

For those who genuinely want more to do amid all the relaxation and indulgence, Blu Mare offers a sauna, steam bath, and treatments. For business stays, a fully equipped meeting room is available. Another compelling option is the possibility of booking the entire boutique hotel exclusively for weddings or private events. With just 27 rooms, the concept of a buyout takes on a whole new dimension: For a weekend, a hotel can truly become your own private sanctuary by the sea.

Blu Mare is not a conventional resort. 27 rooms and suites, 27 sea views, a car-free Old Town right outside, and the Adriatic virtually at the foot of your bed. Added to that is Porporela, a restaurant that interprets Istrian cuisine with a modern touch. For us, this is the most wonderful way to experience a destination: not by checking off as many items on a list as possible, but by sitting by the sea with a glass of Istrian wine and realizing there is nowhere else you’d rather be.