November the 12th, 2026 – A new dawn for luxury tourism in Kaštela is beginning with the arrival of one of the world’s most recognisable brands in the high-end hotel segment.
It’s genuinely no exaggeration to say that a new tourism dawn of sorts in Kaštela is now beginning. Sinisa Malus reports for Poslovni that the international Odien Group, headquartered in Prague, is bringing Sofitel, one of the world’s most recognisable brands in the luxury hotel segment, to Kaštela and Croatia. The contract with Accor, one of the world’s leading hotel groups that includes the Sofitel brand in its portfolio, was formally signed at the Renaissance Vitturi Castle in Kaštel Lukšić.
high-end tourism
Sofitel Kaštela, which will be constructed on the site of the former Zeničko resort in Kaštel Stari, is expected to open its doors in 2029 and will be managed by Odien Hotels, the hotel division of the Odien Group. The hotel will have 137 rooms and apartments, including spacious junior suites and higher-category accommodation units with private balconies or terraces overlooking the sea. Guests will have access to several restaurants and bars, a spa centre, indoor and outdoor pools, a beach club, and spaces for business meetings and various events. It goes without saying that this is an important milestone for Croatian tourism, and especially for Kaštela, which with this project is positioning itself on the international map of luxury hospitality. For the Odien Group, Sofitel represents much more than a new hotel project. It is an important part of the group’s long-term investment strategy aimed at developing Kaštela into an internationally recognisable tourist destination.
a luxury hotel brand blends with heritage
Kaštela will get an internationally recognisable luxury hotel brand, as well as an intimate heritage hotel located in a Renaissance building.
“Our ambitions go beyond the mere construction of luxury hotel facilities. We want to contribute to creating a destination with a strong international identity, recognised for quality, authenticity and the experiences it offers. Kaštela has exceptional potential: a rich history, valuable architectural heritage, an authentic Mediterranean character and an ideal location between Split and Trogir. Combining all these qualities with the international recognition and reputation of the Sofitel brand, which is synonymous with quality, will undoubtedly open a new chapter in the city’s tourism development,” said Mike Saran, owner of the Odien Group.
“Croatia has become one of the most attractive European tourist destinations, recognised for its unique combination of natural beauty, rich culture and authenticity. We are proud that, through this exceptional project with the Odien Group, we are bringing Sofitel to the Croatian market as the first international luxury hotel brand in the country. Sofitel Kaštela will embody the elegance of French luxury while embracing the spirit, heritage and lifestyle of the Adriatic coast, creating a unique destination for travellers from around the world,” said Maud Bailly, CEO of the Sofitel, Sofitel Legend, MGallery and Emblems brands. The arrival of this prestigious hotel brand is part of the Odien Group’s long-term development strategy and commitment to Kaštela. As part of that strategy, the group will, through its companies Odien Hotels and Odien Real Estate, invest more than 100 million euros over the next five years. In addition to the new Sofitel Kaštela hotel project, the company this year also purchased the historic Štafileo Castle in Kaštel Štafilić, which it plans to renovate and convert into a luxury heritage hotel.
These two projects bring two different but harmoniously connected hotel concepts: an internationally recognisable luxury hotel brand and an intimate heritage hotel located in a historic Renaissance building, which will offer guests an authentic experience of local heritage. Together with the group’s existing hotel operations in Croatia, these projects are part of its long-term vision of creating new tourism content and value in Kaštela and throughout Dalmatia.
international luxury tourism for Kaštela
“These projects give the Kaštela the opportunity for a significant step forward in the segment of international luxury tourism. The city’s growing recognition as a tourist destination, its rich cultural and historical heritage and its geographical location form solid foundations for the development of a tourism offer that goes beyond the framework of traditional seasonal tourism,” said Denis Ivanović, Mayor of Kaštela.
“This is an extremely important moment for Kaštela. The arrival of an international luxury hotel brand and the Odien Group’s investments in our city confirm that Kaštela has the potential to become a recognisable high-end tourism destination. It is particularly important to emphasise that this is not just about one hotel project, but about a series of investments that can contribute to the development of the city, open new jobs, strengthen the local economy and extend the tourist season. For us, it is of key importance that this development takes place in parallel with the preservation of Kaštela’s identity and in close cooperation with the local community,” the mayor added. The Odien Group has otherwise been present in Croatia since 2015, when it took over the Le Méridien Lav Split resort in Podstrana.
