We will not do nothing and allow Croatia put to a public auction the former Yugoslav military resort in Baška Voda, said Zoran Ristić, the president of the “Stolen Property” association from Serbia. He said that the hotel was actually Serbia’s property, reports Večernji List on Octobr 31, 2018.

In the article “Croats Are Selling Our Military Hotel”, the Večernje Novosti daily from Serbia write that “the famous military resort in Baška Voda is the first piece of real estate that the Croatian authorities have put up for sale by public tender under the new law on state property management.” The law allegedly allows for the lease of real estate “belonging to companies, institutions and banks from the former Yugoslavia, which Croatia transferred to its own ownership in 1991.”

Ristić pointed out that the former Sutjeska hotel, later renamed Croatia, was built in Baška Voda by the Hidrogradnja company from Sarajevo, and that it gave it to the Yugoslav federal ministry of defence in the late 1980s to finish the construction, with a request that company’s workers would be allowed to use it during the summer months. Later, Hidrogradnja added another floor to the hotel, which was financed by the military.

“Before the war, the then Yugoslav defence ministry, whose legal successor is Serbia’s defence ministry, entered its ownership of the hotel in the land registry in Makarska. The hotel has three floors, with 180 rooms, and 12,500 square metres of gross surface,” Ristić explained, adding that "at the outset of the war, the hotel, just like all other Serbian properties, was taken over by the Croatian state which transferred the ownership to itself.”

He said that the Croatian government announced a public invitation for purchase of the hotel on September 13, and that the deadline for applications expired on October 26, with three bids received. The highest price, of about two million euro, was offered by the Marea Alta company from Makarska, owned by Herzegovina entrepreneur Petar Ćorluka, also known as the “the king of the toilet paper” since he made his fortune as owner of the well-known Violeta brand. Other two bids were reportedly received from the Adria Coste Tourism company from Zagreb and Maros Nekretnine from Slatina.

Ristić explained that he had sent information about the case to Serbia’s Directorate for Property, which collects data on the properties of Serbian institutions and companies in Croatia.

“This hotel has not yet been subject to court proceedings and that is probably why it was the first to be offered for sale. But we are not going to just sit and do nothing,” said Ristić. The association has already contacted the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, challenging Croatia for discrimination, and is preparing for arbitration proceedings in The Hague.

Večernje Novosti claim there are around 180 cases being considered by the Croatian courts involving restitution of property owned by companies and institutions from Serbia.

For more articles on relations between Croatia and Serbia, click here.

The most important award in Croatia’s tourism industry has been presented – and the winners are known. At the annual tourism event – the Days of Croatian Tourism held on 24 and 25 October in Hvar, organized by the Croatian National Tourist Board, the Croatian Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of Tourism – prizes and awards were given for the best in several categories. Esplanade Hotel in Zagreb has received awards in two categories – the best city hotel and the hotel of the year. The awards were presented to general manager Ivica Max Krizmanić, who has been leading the hotel for nearly seven years and who has worked at Esplanade for a quarter of a century.

“Esplanade is truly an exceptional hotel and my whole team and I are particularly happy and proud to be part of its spectacular and lavish history. Esplanade is an institution and an icon of the Croatian hotel industry, gastronomy and design, which has attracted guests with its irresistible charm and personality for almost 95 years. The hotel has always been known for its top-class service, and we strive to continue this tradition by following the needs of modern guests, new trends and the development of new technologies to provide the best possible level of service to our guests,” said Krizmanić.

There is no doubt that Esplanade Hotel was and is the centre of Zagreb’s social life, a favourite gathering place for many generations of residents, and the first choice for statesmen, royal families and showbiz stars who come to Zagreb. From its beginnings, Esplanade has had great significance not just for the city of Zagreb but also for Croatia.

Andrea Ozegovic

"I am proud of these great accomplishments and acknowledgments and of my whole team, which helps guests create wonderful memories thanks to their positive energy, an individual and personalised attitude, and the love for the hotel. Our prestigious hotel is the pride of Zagreb and these awards are just a confirmation of our efforts, dedication and successful business results. I would like to thank the tourism experts who have recognized this and once again I congratulate everyone,” added Krizmanić.

Since the beginning of this year, Esplanade Hotel has received many prestigious awards and international prizes and has been included in globally-renowned hotel guides. The Oscars of the hotel industry – World Luxury Travel Awards – have been awarded to the hotel in three categories – Luxury Architecture Design Hotel, Luxury Historical Hotel for Croatia, and Luxury Heritage Hotel for Southeast Europe.

The TripAdvisor Hall of Fame certificates have been awarded to the Zinfandel's restaurant, Le Bistro and the Esplanade Hotel due to many years of excellent guest reviews. For two years in a row, both hotel restaurants have been included in the Michelin guide, while chef Ana Grgić was named the “Great Chef of Tomorrow” according to the Gault&Milau gourmet guide for Croatia for 2018.

If you would like to read more about Croatia's hotels, click here.

ZAGREB, October 24, 2018 - The Restructuring and Sale Centre (CERP) said on Wednesday it had received three binding offers for the purchase of a 68.94% stake in the Dubrovnik-based Hoteli Maestral company.ZAGREB, October 24, 2018 - The Restructuring and Sale Centre (CERP) said on Wednesday it had received three binding offers for the purchase of a 68.94% stake in the Dubrovnik-based Hoteli Maestral company.

The hotel is located at the site of the former Arcotel Allegra hotel in Branimir Centre.

The new hotel is one of the most luxurious ones in Croatia, with rates of up to 21,000 euro a night.

The hotel is categorized as “platinum five stars”.

Tourism development strategy at its best.

ZAGREB, August 23, 2018 - The Centre for Restructuring and Sales (CERP) on Thursday advertised a public call for binding offers for the purchase of shares in the Hoteli Maestral chain as well as advertising another public call for binding bids for the purchase of business shares in the Club Adriatic tourism company.

The incident occurred in July.

The famous hotel joins the football craze.