ABOUT - Our Origins

The ideal of transformation began with the dream of our founder, Vjeko Martinko, to change his life: from international corporate businessman to host at his personal Boutique Hotel Villa Astra". He found the place for his dream to come true in Lovran, a medieval town nestling in Kvarner, the Adriatic Gulf known for its islands, mountains and pure clean air.

This charming town had been discovered in the late 19^th century by Austrian princes and Italian nobles, who built here fine, neo-Gothic trophy homes like Villa Astra. It played its part in the celebrity of Croatia's Opatija Riviera,where Dr. Eder found his perfect air and climate - between Mount Ucka's botanical secrets and the clear Adriatic - for spa and healthy living alike.

All along the lungomare, you can see and smell the tree after which Lovran was named - the laurel, tree of transformation itself. Here our founder began transforming old, neglected properties into special places to stay. His guiding themes were heritage and tradition, friendship and creativity.

In transforming spaces, your host himself was transformed. In this, his love-job and passion, he learned that sustainable business and responsible living depend on open eyes, mind and heart. He learned how to connect old and new, present and future, work and self.

He continues to learn and share with others how to expand your consciousness, achieve clarity in your life and tap into your highest human potential. By using the natural energy of this place, he and his team developed a special ayurveda program in order to transformation of his life leads to transformation for visitor, guest and friend.