November 12, 2020 - When you think of an international hotel, what pops into your mind is probably vacation in a luxurious room with a jacuzzi. However, Zagreb recently received a brand new cool place - the first hotel for plants called Djardin! It is a project initiated by the awarded Croatian designer Marita Bonačić, the winner of numerous world awards, among which Red Dot stands out.

"So, you bring the plant, we register it and record the condition (there are conditions in which we cannot receive the plant because, for example, there are pests and it is dangerous for roommates), but if the examination is successful, you will receive a confirmation and we will keep it for a certain fee, and caress it until you come for it", Marita explains how hotel for plants works.

Marita says that this idea came about quite spontaneously and unplanned because customers complained that their plants were dying because of inadequate care and ignorance, but also that they had no one to leave them with when they were on vacation, which is why they avoid decorating their home with greenery. Except on vacation, you can bring the plants for inspection or transplantation, but you can also buy some new ones.

"We offer outdoor plants, indoor plants, cut flowers, jars, exterior and interior decoration services for plants, plant maintenance services, transplants, storage, ie hotel for plants, plant rental and thematic workshops", Marita adds.

In addition to the above, there is also a walk-in Garden option. This means you can walk through Djardin even with your pet, enjoy the beautiful green oasis, read or hang out over coffee or tea.

The organizers also plan to launch interesting educational workshops in which those who know a lot about plants and those who know little but share a love for plants and a willingness to learn, will be able to participate.

Asked if they are guided by eco-policy in their work, Marita claims that it is difficult to be zero-waste when the system is not ready for it yet, but she claims that they use sustainable materials in their work and encourage recycling and reuse.

"Our opinion is that plants love everyone equally and unconditionally, it’s just a matter of how to learn to give it back to them. We believe that really everyone can and should be the owner of the plant and the whole jungle of plants - we should be aware that those with 'green thumbs' weren't born that way, but developed an interest and got to know the plants. If you want to go that way, you can start by walking through our Djardin", Marita concludes.

All photos © Nikola Zelmanović

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