Best Renters 2025: How the Best Private Hosts Raised the Bar for Croatian Tourism
In Villa Propuh in Fužine on December 9, 2025, awards were presented as part of the national project Best Renters 2025, one of the most prestigious initiatives dedicated to private accommodation in Croatia. In the warm atmosphere of the mountainous ambiance of Gorski kotar, with a view of the lakes and forests around Fužine, hosts, representatives of institutions, tourist boards, and media gathered to pay tribute to the renters who, through their facilities and approach to guests, are changing the image of Croatian tourism.
The Best Renter project is carried out by the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, the Croatian National Tourist Board, and Novi list, with media support from Glas Istre, Zadarski list, and Glas Slavonije. Through a months-long process of field visits, the commission visits facilities across the country – from Slavonia and Žumberak, through Istria and Kvarner, to Dalmatia and Gorski kotar – looking for examples of excellence in private accommodation, responsible resource management, and true, personal hospitality from the hosts.
This year's edition, for which more than three hundred applications were received from all regions, confirmed several clear trends: a continuous growth in the quality of facilities, a stronger emphasis on sustainability and authenticity, but also the increasing visibility of continental destinations. Fužine and Gorski kotar have thus further strengthened their status as destinations for year-round vacations, where natural resources and the tourist offer strive to develop in balance, with attention to the local community.
Opening the ceremony, the president of the commission and Novi list journalist Edi Prodan pointed out that the Best Renter project is directly linked to the Sustainable Tourism Development Strategy until 2030 and that private renters carry the “local face” of Croatian tourism. Their role, he emphasized, goes beyond mere statistics of beds and overnight stays: hosts interpret local tradition, gastronomy, landscape, and everyday life, from breakfast served with products from their own garden to recommendations for lesser-known paths, viewpoints, and events.
The importance of hosts and their contribution to Croatia's tourism image was also reminded by other speakers. The editor-in-chief of Novi list, Slavica Bakić, emphasized the editorial office's long-standing partnership with private renters through a series of reports and field stories, while the director of the Croatian National Tourist Board, Kristjan Staničić, recalled that family and private accommodation make up the majority of total capacities in the country and are key to extending the season. The State Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, Monika Udovičić, particularly highlighted four- and five-star facilities, assessing that it is precisely the investments of such hosts that raise the standard at the level of the entire sector.
The Best Among the Best: Laureates Defining New Standards
The central part of the ceremony was the announcement of this year's laureates. In the category of best villas, the host Villa Propuh from Fužine, where the award ceremony was held, celebrated. Owners Nikola and Ivana Malbaša designed the house as a blend of modern comfort and the Gorski kotar landscape: a spacious facility with a pool, wellness zone, and a view of the forests remains firmly immersed in the local context. The hosts live in the immediate vicinity, which gives guests a sense of security and personal contact, and the possibility to receive recommendations for walkways, lakes, cycling routes, and the gastronomic offer in the area upon arrival.
The award-winning villa further popularizes Fužine as a mountain destination and is a logical choice for guests looking for accommodation in Gorski kotar or thinking about finding accommodation near the event venue, with a combination of a peaceful vacation, outdoor activities, and a quality interior.
The title of the best holiday home went to Istria, to the place Brkač near Motovun, where Le Grand Cru of Viktorija and Leo Gržinić is located. The holiday home situated among vineyards is designed as an experience of the Istrian interior: the emphasis is on local gastronomy, wine, and the peace of the hilly landscape. Guests here stay near Motovun, one of the most famous Istrian towns, but at the same time get the opportunity to get to know the quiet rhythm of everyday life outside the main tourist flows. Such a concept is particularly attractive for visitors who want to explore accommodation offers in Motovun and surrounding places, and are looking for a facility that combines privacy, design, and authenticity.
The award for the best apartment this year was awarded in Rijeka, where the Calafati apartment of owner Manuela Fabris was recognized as an example of how city accommodation can combine industrial and maritime tradition with modern urban style. The interior of the apartment is carefully shaped, with details reminiscent of the city's port identity, while a personalized approach to guests – from recommendations for cultural events to suggestions for local bistros and cafes – positions Rijeka as a city where accommodation is not just a necessary logistical element, but a starting point for discovering the urban story.
A new category – “Best Host” – further shifted the focus from the facility itself to the people behind it. This first recognition was received by Ivana Kruljac Pergl and Alen Pergl, owners of the Atar holiday home from Bartolovci near Slavonski Brod. The award is a reflection of the comments of the guests themselves, who in their applications highlight the hospitality of the hosts, attention to detail, and readiness to adapt the stay to different needs – from families with children to visitors who come to Slavonia for food and wine, wine roads, or themed events.
Special Awards: Heritage Preservation and Responsible Construction
Along with the main categories, the Best Renters project traditionally includes special awards that further emphasize the values of the program. The award for the preservation of architectural heritage this year was given to the 19th Century Stone Art House in Nature Park from Makarska, owned by Vito Gavrilović, and Javor Holiday House from Javor in the Žumberak area, owned by Senka and Branko Radovanić.
Both facilities are examples of how dilapidated or abandoned buildings can be renovated with respect for the original form, materials, and ambiance. In Makarska, an old stone house was turned into modern but unobtrusive accommodation that preserves the identity of Dalmatia and invites guests to get to know the local way of life, while in Javor, the house was reconstructed to retain the character of traditional architecture, but gain all the comfort needed by today's visitors. Such projects show that it is possible to develop the tourist offer without aggressive interventions in space, while encouraging guests to explore lesser-known parts of Croatia and consider accommodation for visitors outside the largest tourist centers.
A special award for the implementation of modern construction in the natural environment was awarded to Mala Vila from Stari Glog, owned by Kristina Dončević. The expert jury recognized the facility as an example of successful integration of modern architectural expression into the rural ambiance: large glass surfaces open the view towards the greenery, while the materials used, energy solutions, and landscaping are designed to burden the environment as little as possible. The focus is on long-term thinking – from the conceptual solution to the daily management of the facility – which confirms that sustainability is not just a marketing label, but a way of working.
Local Host Philosophy: The Host as the Key to the Destination Experience
One of the concepts often mentioned during the ceremony in Fužine is the “local host” philosophy. It starts from the idea that a true host is much more than a person who hands over the apartment key and issues an invoice. A local host is a contact point between the guest and the destination – someone who knows how to explain where it is best to go for a walk, where to taste dishes that locals eat, how to behave in protected nature areas, and which customs to respect during the stay.
It is precisely this philosophy that the Best Renter project systematically nurtures. When selecting finalists and laureates, not only the number of stars, level of equipment, or interior design are valued, but also the way hosts communicate with guests before arrival, during the stay, and after departure. The inclusion of local products in the offer, cooperation with family farms, the use of services of local guides, and the inclusion of the guest in activities that contribute to the preservation of nature and heritage are especially valued. In destinations like Fužine, Motovun, or Makarska, where the season is gradually extending, it is precisely this approach that distinguishes a one-time visit from a return year after year.
Private Accommodation as the Backbone of Croatian Tourism
Data from the Ministry of Tourism and Sport and the Croatian National Tourist Board in recent years point to strong growth in the segment of household accommodation. Private and family accommodation makes up more than half of the total accommodation capacities in the country, and in some counties, that share is significantly higher. At the same time, tourism participates with approximately one-fifth in the total domestic economy, which ranks Croatia among the countries most dependent on tourist consumption, but also imposes an obligation for development to be sustainable and balanced.
In such a context, the quality of private accommodation directly affects the perception of the country as a destination. Investments in raising the category of facilities, energy efficiency, digital tools, and additional content are no longer just a matter of prestige, but also a condition for competitiveness in a market where guests increasingly compare details – from the quality of mattresses and kitchen equipment to the availability of local experiences. Projects like Best Renters serve as public recognition to hosts who have recognized these trends, but also as an informal educational platform for those who are just thinking about a more serious investment in accommodation.
The Sustainable Tourism Development Strategy until 2030 and the new Tourism Act introduced a series of criteria encouraging responsible destination management, reducing pressure on space, and a better balance between the interests of guests and the quality of life of the local population. In this framework, private renters who adapt to new rules, invest in sustainable technologies, follow market needs, and build a recognizable destination identity become one of the key partners of the public sector, and their role is recognized through awards like these.
Fužine and Gorski kotar as a Symbol of Year-round Vacation
The choice of Fužine and Villa Propuh as the venue for the ceremony is not accidental. Gorski kotar has been recording more and more visitors during all seasons in recent years, and the demand for facilities offering a combination of nature, outdoor activities, and comfortable accommodation is constantly growing. Guests looking for accommodation in Fužine often decide precisely on facilities that offer additional content such as a pool, wellness, proximity to lakes and hiking trails, but also the possibility to experience the peace of the mountain region without the crowds characteristic of the summer peak season on the coast.
When such a destination hosts a national award ceremony, a clear message is sent that Croatian tourism is not exclusively tied to the sea and summer months. Mountain regions, the interior of Istria, Slavonian plains, or areas along lesser-known rivers and lakes are an increasingly important part of the tourist offer. In them, guests seek silence, authentic local products, a slower pace, and an opportunity to meet the local population. Quality accommodation near the event venue, whether it is a festival, sports event, or an award ceremony like Best Renters, is often decisive for the decision to come and the length of the stay.
Looking Towards 2026: A Continuous Search for Good Examples
The finale of the ceremony in Fužine was reserved for an invitation to new and existing renters to get involved in the Best Renters 2026 competition. The organizers' message is clear: regardless of whether they are located in a coastal town, a mountain village, a wine region, or an industrial city, everyone who invests in quality, sustainability, and a personal approach to the guest has the opportunity to be recognized.
Through reports, field visits, and every new cycle of the award ceremony, the Best Renter project gradually creates a kind of map of best practices in Croatian private accommodation. This year's laureates from Fužine, Motovun, Rijeka, Makarska, Stari Glog, Bartolovci, and other regions have set the bar high, but have at the same time shown that behind a good tourist result stands primarily the relationship towards space and people. It is precisely in this that the broader message of the whole project lies – Croatian tourism builds its future on hosts who know how to combine professionalism and warmth, and guests return because of that, recommend destinations to their friends, and discover new corners of the country in search of even better experiences.
Sources:
- Croatian National Tourist Board – press release on the Best Renters 2025 awards (link)
- Novi list – report from the ceremony “These are the Best Renters 2025 – we awarded people who discover new standards of hospitality” (link)
- HRT – news “Best Renters 2025: Facilities that combine comfort and authenticity” (link)
- Novi list – text on the concept of the action, sustainability and the role of private accommodation in the Sustainable Tourism Development Strategy 2030 (link)
- Regional tourist and local portals – announcements and information on the Best Renter 2025 project and the introduction of the Best Host category (link)
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