Written by: Velimir Cindrić
When a person finds themselves surrounded by nature of exceptional beauty, a deep gaze into pristine abyss brings about dormant magic – a sudden clear understanding of everything. And if they make up their mind to add even more value to that place, they will face a considerable task, for the most striking aspect of beauty cannot be conveyed neither by pictures nor words.
And yet, the Tomlinović family has somehow managed to achieve this in the Vinogradišće Bay, better known as Palmižana, on the enchanting islet of Sveti Klement. The result of their long-held dream is the Zori Timeless Hotel, a magical fusion of an exclusive restaurant and four branded luxury residences, a villa complex ready to meet the needs of even the most demanding guests.
It all started back in 2006, when the Tomlinović family took over the management of the family restaurant Zori and started dreaming up an ideal place for pleasure and relaxing, nestled at the very heart of the Vinogradišće Bay, where one has a chance to reinvent themselves completely – if only for a couple of days. The bitty seed of this idea sprouted into the Herculean task of arranging and decorating the space to make it all come to life.
A clear vision and impeccable execution made the whole process easier, but there is one ruthless rule of design that goes: you can design and create all you want, you can construct the most beautiful place in the world, but in order to make a dream come true – you need people. And the owners of the Zori Timeless Hotel, Iva and Renato Tomlinović, played that crucial role.
After the initial refurbishment and a whole series of subsequent investments, as well as continuous efforts to improve the quality of service, Restaurant Zori has become a hot spot for all lovers of innovative cuisine. In addition to using top-notch foods, whoever manages a restaurant like this must also bear in mind the region’s peculiarity and its culinary traditions. Simply put, Zori has always been enthralling and one of a kind, with its unorthodox blend of indigenous and exotic foods, which put it on the gastronomic map of Croatia and beyond. From its very inception, the restaurant has been swimmingly expanding its pool of satisfied guests, who consistently return for more.
However, that is just the beginning of the story that Iva and Renato have been cooking up together for many years.
– Zori has always been more than just a restaurant. When it all started, it was flanked by several buildings, some of which were vacation properties, so the idea of renovating these facilities was always on the table. The quality of the restaurant itself called for equally exceptional accommodation for guests, one that would be able to meet the needs of even the most discerning visitors who wish to soak in just about everything that Palmižana and the Paklinski Islands have to offer: the pristine beauty of nature, a pleasant micro-climate, and vibrant tradition – says Iva Tomlinović, adding that their long-standing and loyal guests were thrilled when they heard about their idea to provide accommodation that would uphold the highest standards while giving priority to the natural setting.
Although the world fell on hard times during the project’s critical stage, it was during the pandemic that the Tomlinović family decided to begin its realisation, with the help of the design studio Visković&Visković from Split, headed by two young, creative and passionate architects and designers, Vatroslav and Zrinka Visković.
– We spent many years dwelling on the right approach for the project and selecting the right partners, that is, designers who would be able to grasp our vision and sensibility, but at the same time carry out the project professionally and passionately. Vatroslav and Zrinka swept us off our feet with their conceptual design, which we accepted right away, and at the same time we embarked on the rebranding journey that gave birth to the Zori Timeless concept – explains Renato Tomlinović.
Iva and Renato entrusted the aforementioned design studio with the task of designing and then building a place to be, relax and unwind by the sea. It was very important to them that the guests experience Palmižana as it is, without presumptuous architecture – a magical place in the middle of pristine nature, a place where lush greenery meets the sea in perfect harmony.
As was the case with all ambitious projects around the world at the time, the first year of the pandemic forced the Zori Timeless concept to shift towards sustainable business practises. The restaurant’s capacity has been reduced to enhance the comfort and privacy of guests, and the construction of four branded luxury villas made it possible for the guests to fully indulge in exquisite cuisine, high-class accommodation, impeccable service, and the breathtaking nature of Palmižana and Paklinski Islands.
The pandemic was actually their blessing in disguise, for it shaped the Zori Timeless as we know it today: a one-of-a-kind boutique hotel where guests have just about everything they need for the ultimate hedonistic vacation. In addition to the VIP section within the Zori restaurant, they also have access to personal concierge service, which ensures that all guests at the Zori Timeless Hotel have an experience to remember.
The Zori Timeless Hotel officially opened its doors in April 2023. It sits on top of a stone podium, like on a pedestal, overlooking the sea. As the hosts say, the line between reality and fantasy becomes blurry at that special spot and “one feels the tremendous energy that reigns only at the deepest points of the Mediterranean bays.”
Each of the four residences – Infinity, Cloud, Eternity and Horizon – is one-of-a-kind and each has its own unique story to tell. Only natural materials such as stone and wood were used in their construction and decoration for they perfectly fit into the habitat mosaic and do not disturb the landscape’s beauty. The goal was to design a space where the interior and exterior seamlessly blend into one another, in perfect agreement with the sea and the luxuriant, methodically planted vegetation in the gardens of the residences, all the while ensuring the privacy and safety of guests.
The Zori Timeless residences, i.e. villas, are furbished with top designer furniture and luxurious details that exude minimalism, ethereality and create an air of lightness of being. Their meticulously decorated interior perfectly complements the stunning, spacious terraces adorned with lush vegetation, hammocks, swimming pools and jacuzzies. Each terrace offers a direct view of the Vinogradišće Bay, considered by many to be one of the most breathtaking in the Mediterranean.
The Infinity Residence is named after the infinity pool at the very edge of its spacious terrace. It is also the largest in terms of capacity and can comfortably accommodate four adults with the option of extra beds for children. The two bedrooms are joined by a stately living room, and the many carefully selected details, including the huge projection screen that turns this room into a private cinema, are bound to take the guests’ breath away. Its large, comfortable terrace, with its secluded corners, is an ideal place for hanging out, but also enjoying peaceful solitude with no disturbances.
What makes the Cloud residence special are its two swimming pools, one of which is located on the roof, providing guests with an idyllic view of the bay and surrounding islands. Just like the other two residences, Cloud can accommodate two adults and two children.
The Eternity Residence is a small, charming oasis surrounded by various plants and flowers, whose intoxicating scents make for a perfect aromatherapy while one is relaxing in a hammock or the jacuzzi. The Horizon residence, on the other hand, hits the spot with its quaint terrace with two swimming pools and a magnificent view of the bay.
Finally, we should go back to where it all started – the Zori restaurant. A young chef called Siniša Jevrosimov is in charge of the restaurant, and he is simply on fire. This man has conquered kitchens all over Zagreb, Split, Copenhagen and Prague, as well as two of the world’s top restaurants– Disfrutar in Barcelona and Osteria Francescana in Modena. He joined the Zori Timeless restaurant team in 2021 as executive chef.
According to the hosts, Siniša likes to explore all possible local and organic products from the Adriatic, nearby islands, and the greater Dalmatia area, using them as the basis for each and every dish he prepares. Relying on various cooking techniques, he develops delightful, brand new flavours and spices up traditional recipes to get the best out of each of the ingredients and bring forth their essence.
The menu features a wide variety of enticing and delicious appetizers such as strawberry gazpacho, semi-cured sashimi, tempura squid, watermelon ricotta salad and many more. Needless to say, his numerous takes on classic meat, fish and vegetarian main dishes appease even the most discerning palates, and there is no shortage of exceptional desserts, such as his nectarine Pavlova, indulgent chocolate desserts, refreshing sorbets and the restaurant’s signature dessert featuring figs, honey, and lavender. All flavours are but a topping to the restaurant’s delightful surroundings.
– Hvar and the Paklinski Islands are a truly unique and globally recognised destination that can only go with the finest offerings, and the stunning natural beauty and captivating atmosphere of this region require a dedicated effort to preserve the environment and cultural heritage. We believe that the Zori Timeless Hotel checks all these boxes, and we are sure that our guests will enjoy every day they spend here. We want the Zori Timeless Hotel to be a pleasant and relaxing place for guests, urging them to explore and discover all the charms and wonders of central Dalmatia and beyond – conclude the owners, Iva and Renato Tomlinović.
