January 17, 2018 - It has become a byword for island luxury, and leading boutique hotel Lesic Dimitri Palace is quite a fascinating operation, an operation which extends far beyond the island of Korcula.
It has just nine rooms, all of which are themed on exotic climes that would have made Korcula native Marco Polo proud - Venice, Ceylon, China, India and Arabia - and is rightly regarded as one of the premier hotel experiences in all Croatia. I haven't stayed there, but have met many people who have, and the feedback has been beyond positive.
My first meeting with Lesic Dimitri occurred over lunch on THAT terrace last summer, a lesson in gourmet seduction from British owner Michael Unsworth - you can take the course by course journey here.
I will confess to feeling unfaithful to my adopted island of Hvar, but I was utterly enchanted by my visit to Korcula, which is truly a blueprint for developing luxury tourism in Croatia authentically and responsibly.
As often happens when two Brits abroad meet, Michael and I became thick as thieves, and it has been a true privilege to get to know the man who has done so much to promote Korcula as a luxury destination. He told me would be in Zagreb this week and invited me to the Lesic Dimitri Palace office in Zagreb before a spot of lunch.
A 9-room island hotel with an office in Zagreb? This I had to see.
And rather impressive it was too.
While there is a conference room, why be so formal when you can discuss things over a glass of wine in living room comfort?
The Zagreb office has three full-time staff, a real hive of operations, from logistics and supplies to hotel maintenance and marketing.
Touches of traditional Korcula at every turn.
During my brief social relationship with Lesic Dimitri, I have been very impressed with the team spirit of this young and dynamic team. A happy workforce is a productive workforce, and while that may seem an obvious concept, it is rare to find businesses in Croatia who work hard to make it a reality. The Lesic Dimitri management understand this perfectly, and I don't think I have come across a happier team anywhere on my Croatian travels. A rather nice place to stay for staff travelling through the capital.
A really lovely office, with Korcula breathing from every wall.
Michael and wife Masa kindly invited me to the Lesic Dimitri Christmas lunch last month, an annual event in Zagreb which takes place with staff and friends at a restaurant called... Korcula, in the heart of Zagreb. I love occasions like these, and it is really nice to be a fat fly on the wall and see these hard-working professionals - professionals like these two, the chef and sommelier partnership which is so crucial to Lesic's gourmet success.
There will be a Lesic Dimitri roadshow before the season starts, as the team will be cooking in a variety of locations - Meneghetti in Istria, two nights in Zagreb, and one night in Linz in Austria. We will bring you details of all as soon as they are confirmed.
With a staff this happy and well looked after, imagine what the guest experience must be like on gorgeous Korcula. Why not find out and plan your visit to Lesic Dimitri Palace this summer? Learn more from the official website.
