Villa Nai 3.3: Unique Croatian island luxury hotel immersed into 100-year-old olive grove opens

(Photo: Villa Nai 3.3)

The head-turning Villa Nai 3.3 luxury boutique hotel has opened on the Croatian island of Dugi Otok. 

Carved into a hill underneath a century-old olive grove, Villa Nai 3.3 is located near the village of Žman on the island which is in the heart of Dalmatia. 

Situated only a few minutes away from the stunning Telašćica Nature Park and other attractions on the island, Villa Nai 3.3 has 8 deluxe accommodations. 

“Twenty-nine members of the villa crew learned the ropes, tasked only with making our guests feel comfortable on their delightful Dugi Otok journey,” Villa Nai 3.3 said. 

(Photo: Villa Nai 3.3)

(Photo: Villa Nai 3.3)

The man behind the design of the impressive luxury hotel was leading Croatian architect Nikola Bašić. Bašić harboured the hotel, oil mill, and tasting room inside a hundred-year-old organic olive grove.

(Photo: Villa Nai 3.3)

The facilities are built from stone harvested from the olive grove. The interiors feature designer furniture, flawlessly in sync with nature.

(Photo: Villa Nai 3.3)

(Photo: Villa Nai 3.3)

Restaurants open to general public 

The two restaurants at Villa Nai 3.3, Grotta 11,000 and 3.3, are not only open to guests but also to the general public. Since opening, they have been popular among tourists sailing around the area. 

Using traditional recipes from the island, Both Grotta 11,000 and 3.3 serve dishes using ingredients from local farms to the depths of the Adriatic. 

“Our restaurant menus relive authentic culinary experiences enjoyed by ancient Dalmatians, including the first to live on this island – Šime. The original Dugi Otok gourmand caught fish and savoured oysters. Today, our culinary team prepares the same delicacies, paired with innovative techniques and modern flavours.”

Grotta 11,000 (Photo: Villa Nai 3.3)

With its location near Kornati, the most populated group of islands in the Mediterranean with 140 islands, the hotel’s restaurants are already proving popular among sailors. 

(Photo: Villa Nai 3.3)

Villa Nai 3.3, which is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, also has indoor and outdoor swimming pools, Finnish / Bio sauna and extensive spa facilities. 

(Photo: Villa Nai 3.3)

Olive oil tastings 

The hotel is named after their award-winning handcrafted olive oil Nai 3.3. 

“One of the secrets behind the exquisite taste of our multi-award-winning olive oil is the early harvest of 100-year-old olives and young olives processed on the same day. Our olive oil is produced in compliance with the most rigorous organic standards. We have an oil mill and production, and proudly organiSe Olive Oil Days in our olive grove, including an olive oil tasting, olive harvest, themed dinners, olive growers’ gatherings, various lectures, and many pleasant get-togethers.”

You can find out more about Villa Nai 3.3 and restaurant bookings you can visit their website here.