Based in Dubrovnik, Croatia, Adriatic Luxury Hotels is a collection of the finest independent luxury hotels and villas. Senior Advertising Executive Silvija Valjalo outlined the company’s commitment to sustainability and promoting the local community. Report by Phil Nicholls.
Highlighting the sights and culture of Croatia, Adriatic Luxury Hotels (ALH) delivers unique travel experiences with its high-quality service.
“We inspire guests by immersing them in the rich heritage of Croatia,” explained Senior Advertising Executive Silvija Valjalo.
“Situated at the heart of Dubrovnik’s most stunning locations, we enhance our guests’ unique travel experience with impeccable and dedicated service.”
Originally operating a few of the most prominent properties in Dubrovnik, the current company was created when the management of ALH was acquired by the Lukšić Group in 2011. This unified and extended the portfolio of both companies.
Today, ALH has 10 hotels, one villa and 3,110 beds. Of its 1,084 employees, almost 80% are local, supporting the communities where ALH operates.
A taste of Croatia
“The ALH brand is a blend of stunning seaside retreats, exquisite hospitality, and unique character,” said Ms Valjalo. “Our stunning collection of luxury hotels showcases landmark properties that embody
Croatian heritage, offering spectacular views and a vibrant connection to the local culture. Each distinctive hotel provides authentic experiences with personalised service and high-quality dining.”
This delivery of authentic Croatian dining is achieved through several close partnerships. For example, working with Dingač-Skaramuča Winery lets ALH feature Croatia’s first legallyprotected Dingač wine (as of 1961), enhancing the guest offerings while strengthening ties to Dalmatia’s winemaking heritage. Partnering with Crvik Winery offers guests authentic Malvasija Dubrovačka wine (dating to 1897), enriching the holiday experience.
ALH’s collaborations also extend to local food. Aeterna supplies locally-grown microgreens and edible flowers without pesticides. The partnership with Mihaljević med provides guests with the purest Croatian honey and supports sustainable beekeeping practices.
Olea BB’s authentic Istrian extra virgin olive oils enhance the hotels’ culinary offerings.
All of these partnerships support local producers, strengthen the local economy and showcase the Croatian cultural heritage. This culture is also explored at Hotel Supetar Cavtat, turning ALH’s boutique
heritage property into a vibrant intersection of hospitality and art. The SupetART art-inresidence programme provides Croatian artists with a platform to exhibit to a global audience. Through a monthly rotation, local and national artists showcase their arts, transforming Hotel Supetar’s communal areas into a dynamic pop-up gallery.
Unique holidays with style
With an expansive portfolio, ALH caters to all travellers, from corporate to leisure, from honeymooning couples to multi-generational families. Close relationships with local suppliers help ALH deliver holidays with style, further boosting the local economy.
“Collaborating with Hilding Anders d.o.o. delivers premium sleep comfort to guests,” continued Ms Valjalo. “These high-quality beds and mattresses also maintain our high environmental sustainability standards.
“Through cooperation with LUMAL d.o.o., we created a signature corporate fragrance, Adriatic (br) Ease. This can be sensed in all our hotels, reinforcing the uniqueness of our hotels and our emotional connection with guests.”
By collaborating with Croatian cosmetic company Magdis (through partner Majur Hotelski Servis d.o.o.), ALH has created an authentic and sustainable eco-friendly cosmetic line that is completely recyclable.
chain are clear, but ALH has a much deeper commitment to sustainability.
A commitment to nature
“Sustainability is a corporate responsibility and a deep personal matter for everyone at ALH,” explained Ms Valjalo. “We are beginning a long, challenging but exciting journey. Steadily, we are improving our sustainability performance, embedding it in our culture and defining concrete objectives and measures.
“Embracing sustainable life isn’t a passing trend, it’s a timeless commitment to preserving the world we all call home.”
The company is also dedicated to environmental management, which has been driven forward by its Committed to Nature project.
recycling to limiting resource use and responsible sourcing.
Close partnerships with local companies also play a crucial role in ALH’s sustainability journey, offering guests a more sustainable stay and showcasing a commitment to innovation. Integrating Darrer d.o.o.’s biowaste decomposition machines helps ALH to reduce CO2 and methane emissions.
Forte Solar d.o.o.’s solar panels reduce hotels’ energy costs and carbon emissions. Meanwhile, DUCATI Komponenti d.o.o.’s electric vehicle charging stations cater to eco-conscious travellers.
“Recently, we launched our Plastic Free Adriatic initiative, where we are cleaning plastic waste from the seabed and shores,”
Ms Valjalo continued. “Our efforts into sustainability have led us to be awarded the Travelife Gold Award, which is recognised by the GSTC. We hope to continue leading the way for sustainability in the industry.”
Building partnerships
ALH endeavours to provide a positive impact through its Committed to Nature programme. This has resulted in participation in several sustainability initiatives, which became an integral part of the ALH culture. For example, the partnership with local non-profit organisation Maritimo Recycling helps ALH collect, sort and repurpose plastic cleaned up from the Adriatic Seabed and shores.
“One of our first sustainability efforts to embed truly sustainable practices around our key values and everyday operations was partnering with Earthbound™ – a true Croatian pioneer in eco-footwear,” said Ms Valjalo. “For workwear, our employees
wear Earthbound Eco Sneakers – a Croatian bio-based sneaker brand, crafted for all the right reasons. Earthbound is the first Croatian B Corp certified company.”
ALH cares deeply about the local community. Starting in 2023, the company has sponsored Dubrovnik’s Touch Rugby School League– Rugby Club Dubrovnik. In 2024, ALH sponsored and donated €197,767 to various community initiatives.
“Looking ahead, we are positive that through our Committed to Nature programme, we will continue to actively manage our overall environmental impact,” said Ms Valjalo. “This puts sustainability at the heart of our business and means we only achieve growth in a responsible manner.”
For the longest time, ALH has measured quality in one key metric: guest satisfaction score. If the processes, operations and designs at ALH meet the highest quality standards, then the reception of its products and services will
Ivan Musladin Quality Assurance Analyst
undoubtedly be positive. A core driver of guest satisfaction is the attitudes and behaviours of the ALH team.
“Working in an industry that blends my love for my hometown, travel and hospitality keeps me passionate every day,” said Ivan Musladin, Quality Assurance Analyst at ALH.
“What makes it even more special is being part of a team that has grown together over the years, building a positive workplace atmosphere, making it truly enjoyable to step into the office each morning, knowing we all share the same goal: crafting unforgettable experiences for our guests.”
Ms Valjalo offered a final thought on ALH’s underlying philosophy: “In the journey
towards sustainability, we realise that our individual choices, no matter how small, have the power to make a positive difference and that our choices and actions today can build a better tomorrow.
“Our company plays an essential role in safeguarding Dubrovnik’s unique identity. By fostering deep connections to the region’s history, culture and heritage, we ensure that each stay reflects the essence of this extraordinary place. From curating experiences that celebrate traditional crafts and cuisine to collaborating with artisans and organisations committed to cultural preservation, we strive to honour what makes Dubrovnik special.” n
Visit us as www.adriaticluxuryhotels.com
