An Oasis of Tranquility: Unparalleled Relaxation at Boutique Hotel Alhambra & Spa

Our adventure continued with a move to the Boutique Hotel Alhambra, a superb Belle Époque building fusing modern architectural folly with flamboyant colours and sculptural luxury. I was greeted each morning by the breathtaking view of the bay and the stately Villa Sea Princess Nika across the water. The hotel radiated a cosy ambience and unparalleled hospitality. The spaciousness of my room rivalled that of a country house, complete with an expansive bathroom featuring a grand bathtub and an immense shower area.

The Alhambra stands as a testament to architectural ingenuity, seamlessly integrating three distinct structures: The Alhambra Hotel, The Augusta Villa, and a unifying Annex. The Alhambra Hotel provides luxurious accommodations with modern amenities, while The Augusta Villa offers a more intimate and historic ambience. The Annex serves as the connector, facilitating flow and interaction between the distinct areas.

The Alhambra is justly renowned for its Cube Spa, offering a unique pine massage that has been developed over generations. Here, inhalers combine the healing properties of boiled seawater with a quartet of local herbs: pine to bolster the immune system, rosemary to sharpen memory, sage to improve circulation, and myrtle for its anti-ageing benefits. This blend is like a wholesome hookah, delivering health benefits with each breath.

I experienced one of the best massages here from Lucia, with her raven hair and adept hands. She possessed an uncanny ability to identify and soothe the areas in need with deft fingers, applying pressure and gentleness with psychic precision, ensuring an hour of rejuvenation that worked the muscles without pain.

After a fantastically refreshing swim in the bay off one of the hotel's private piers, complete with comfortable beds and fresh towels, we dined at the Michelin-starred Alfred Keller Restaurant. Guided by the acclaimed 2-Michelin Star chef Christian Kuchler and infused with the creative vision of chef Michael Gollenz, the restaurant offers a menu that celebrates the purity of each locally sourced ingredient and an exclusive selection of fine wines. Simply inform the knowledgeable sommelier of your wine preferences, and he will suggest the best local or international wine to suit your palate. And like Harrison Ford playing Indiana Jones in The Last Crusade, he chose... wisely.

Is two massages over two days too much? Well, not if you want to cover all the spas in the Lošinj Hotels & Villa portfolio. Among these, the Bellevue Hotel stands out as a contemporary haven reminiscent of a luxury yacht. Its red brick, sleek glass panels, and white lines make it a symbol of modernity amidst the lush greenery of the Čikat forest. Beyond offering a rejuvenating escape, the Bellevue Hotel carries on the noble tradition of Čikat as a healing location, a legacy that dates back to 1912 with the architect Frederich Zigmund.

With 200 rooms available, the highlight lies in the suites on the third and fourth floors, each comes with a large jacuzzi on the balcony. Suites and balconies can be opened to connect for larger families, facilitated by connecting doors and clever sliding walls. Alongside these luxurious accommodations are indoor and outdoor seawater pools, providing additional relaxation options. Among the plethora of offerings, the Sea Tox Programme, which offers a soothing waterbed massage accompanied by light patterns, is distinguished as the best detox course at the 2023 World Spa Awards.

The Bellevue Spa is extensive and partnered with spa guru Bastien Gonzalez. Guests can indulge in a unique beauty ritual that rejuvenates the nails, hands, and feet, blending wellness with elegance. The hotel's SPA Clinic features a range of tailor-made treatments designed to pamper and relax, from the signature Bastien’s Pedicure to the invigorating Black Diamond Scrub. It's the full medical evaluation that had me tempted. And, all spas are available to guests at each of the hotels and villas.

My masseuse, Irena, made it a perfect two-for-two as she proved to be just as skilled with her hands as Lucia. She effortlessly located all the most troublesome knots and tense muscles, expertly kneading them until they surrendered. Undoubtedly, it was the best two massages I have benefited from in a long time

A freshly squeezed lemonade served with a glass straw on the terrace completed the perfect day.

Finally, we indulged in lunch at the last of the dining options, enjoying the ambience of the terrace at the Bava Restaurant. Helmed by the master Italian Head Chef Theodor Falser, the restaurant artfully combines classic Italian recipes with contemporary innovation, delivering light, fresh, healthy meals that perfectly complement the surroundings. Not to mention that all the herbs are grown right in the resort. The commitment to local sourcing extends to the seafood, with all fish sourced locally.

As the afternoon progressed and the wind picked up, I wandered over to the Sunbird Windsurfing School, a charming traditional water sports shack offering old-school activities like kayaks, catamarans, sailing, and windsurfing, which suited my taste perfectly. The two Ivans at the school set me up with a small, light board and a 6.0 sail, and I ventured off across the bay into a state of heavenly bliss. The water in Cikat is remarkably clear, with no sand at the bottom and minimal wind, ensuring an unblemished, crystal-clear paradise. For a couple of hours, I zigzagged across the bay, venturing out to sea to catch the stronger winds.

Last but certainly not least, our final adventure was a guided tour along the Lošinj coastline path to Veli Lošinj, a picturesque fishing village adorned with charming cafes and restaurants overlooking the port. From there, we journeyed up the mountains to the Providenca cafe, perched high above the island, with tables laid out at different levels on the mountainside, offering panoramic views of the entire landscape. We savoured a sunset drink and a delightful delving platter, concluding our island exploration with unforgettable memories and breathtaking vistas. Adjacent to our table, we were entertained by the sight of a dozen nuns chatting and giggling away as they watched the sunset alongside us.

That evening, I learned the Croatian word "Bura," which in Lošinj means a northeast wind, but my favourite discovery was "behind God's trousers," indicating a faraway place.

Čikat Bay is an oasis of tranquillity, capable of transporting you to another world entirely. In all my travels, I have yet to discover a location as magnificent as this. Hidden in the valley, overlooking the bay, you find yourself in a place of unparalleled beauty. The bay offers a sanctuary from the wind, transforming the sea into a tranquil swimming pool, perfect for unwinding and relaxation. The water is crystal clear, reflecting the calmness that envelops your mind after just ten minutes here. The only sound you hear is the melodious call of birdsong, enhancing the sense of serenity and well-being.

There is truly no spot more pristine and appealing anywhere else in the world. The ambience evokes memories of the 50's French or Italian Riviera in its prime—a place of almost otherworldly luxury, forever bathed in a warm Kodachrome glow with a permanent warm tone filter. The Lošinj Hotels & Villas serve as the curators of all that is finest in Croatia, while Villa Sea Princess Nika stands as the Koh-i-Noor diamond in the crown of Čikat Bay. They offer extraordinary luxury for all, majestic architecture, top-notch cuisine, unmatched spa facilities and exquisite personal service. A must-visit.

Losinj Hotels & Villas
Villa Sea Princess Nika
Villa Alhambra
https://www.losinj-hotels.com
booking@losinj-hotels.com
+385 (0)51 661 111

All tours are available to all guests and arranged by the hotel concierge.

Catriona II Yacht
https://catriona2.com/en/

Sunbird Windsurf School
https://www.sunbird.de/

And just to help with the language here are some basic Croatian words to get by with:

Please - Molim
Thanks - Hvala
Hi - Bok 
Good day - Dobar dan
Goodbye - Doviđenja
OK - U redu
Island - Otok
Nearest restaurant - Molimo najbliži restoran
Two glasses of wine please - Dvije čaše vina, molim
Dark bora wind - Škura Bura