October the 6th, 2025 – One of the most anticipated hotels on the entire Croatian coast has opened its doors in Pula, worth a total of 85 million euros.
As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, a spectacular reception on Friday heralded the opening of the much anticipated Heritage&Resort Hotel Monumenti in Pula. This is one of the most anticipated Croatian 5-star hotels of all, carrying a hefty total value of 85 million euros and breathing new life into the wider Pula tourism offer.
from austo-hungarian barracks to modern glam
This officially completed the investment cycle of the company Kermas Istra d.o.o. and the man at its helm, Danko Končar. This massive project has been in the making for an entire decade now on the peninsula of St. Catherine (Sv Katarina) and was divided into two phases. The first phase was intended for the construction of the Polesana nautical marina boasting an impressive 400 berths, and the second included the renovation of the protected Austro-Hungarian barracks. Those barracks have been transformed and are now home to the newly opened hotel. The construction of a completely new hotel wing was also opened.
Today, one of the most anticipated hotels is a unified and spacious resort in Pula with its own beaches, marina, swimming pools, congress centre, accommodation and all other associated infrastructure and amenities.
The opening ceremony was attended by President Zoran Milanović, Tourism Minister Tonči Glavina, while the Minister of Health Irena Hrstić, a native of Pula, came as an envoy of the Prime Minister Andrej Plenković. The dignitaries were welcomed by the Prefect of Istria County Boris Miletić and the Mayor of the City of Pula, Peđa Grbin.
The ceremonial programme was opened by a performance by the folklore society KUD Uljanik and the performance of the Pula majorettes, while singer-songwriter Elis Lovrić delighted all those present with her performance of both Croatian and local Istrian anthems. The ceremony then continued with fireworks and a projection in the impressive hotel garden, which showcased the chronological development of this enormous project.
In the hotel garden, Traumatic Arts delighted with a dance act, and then the guests were free to enjoy an exhibition of paintings by Zvonimir Mihanović, who personally presented his paintings to the state leadership.
a 50-year concession and the employment of local people
Speaking about the investment, Danko Končar expressed his satisfaction that he and his team of collaborators have brought such a demanding and challenging complex to completion.
“I’d like to note that this is a space that the company Kermas Istra received as a 50-year concession from the state. Therefore, everything we invested after that period will be returned back to the state. We invested a lot, and from a neglected and unsightly space, we created not only a micro destination, but also employed almost a hundred local people and strategically positioned both Istrian and Croatian tourism.
I’d also like to emphasise that this is not just another hotel in Pula, but a true resort that offers the highest per capita space per tourist in all of Croatia. It’s precisely in this comfort and the amount of premium content that I see what domestic tourism has been sorely lacking, and that’s high value service and a user experience that leaves you speechless,” said Končar, emphasising that it will still take several months for the hotel to position itself on the global map.
Minister of Tourism Tonči Glavina emphasised that such investments have a common goal – to develop a form of Croatian tourism that is sustainable, year-round and competitive.
the direction croatian tourism desires
“This is the kind of tourism we want and that brings not only numbers but also quality, new jobs, greater added value and a better life for the local community,” said Tonči Glavina.
The Prime Minister’s envoy, Minister of Health Irena Hrstić, emphasised that this huge 85 million euro investment isn’t only an important economic project, but also a clear message of trust in the city, the region and the people who live and work here.
The special feature of the new hotel and resort lies in the fact that all rooms have a sea view. On one side of the hotel, the view is of the ancient centre of Pula and the nearby beaches, and on the other, of the stunning Brijuni National Park. The facility also consists of two renovated buildings that will bear the name “heritage” and a completely new “deluxe” building.
The hotel itself evokes the cultural heritage and military and aviation history of Pula through its interior design. For example, the former military garden has been transformed into a green oasis with flowers, gazebos and fountains as a future cocktail party venue, and is already considered by many to be the best location in Croatia for weddings and various events.
spacious and modern
In one part of the renovated barracks there are 58 rooms measuring 33 square metres. In another renovated building there will be a conference hall with its own bar and meeting rooms, which can accommodate up to 400 guests. Then there is a modern, newly built and glazed part of the building, which will boast 40 rooms measuring 40 square metres and eight more apartments measuring from 70 to 120 square metres. The hallways and all the rooms will be decorated in a discreet, pastel and soothing way, and will transmit the vibrancy of old times through photographs, antiques and other symbolism.
The hotel also has a separate wing on two floors with an indoor heated pool, spa centre, wellness facilities, saunas, jacuzzi and a fitness centre. The hotel’s central restaurant will have one of the most modernly equipped kitchens, the offer of which will be in accordance with the tradition and ingredients of Istria’s local gastronomy. It’s also worth adding that the brand new complex also includes a beach with high quality amenities and a sunbathing area spanning about 1,500 square metres.
