In a strategic move to deepen its Mediterranean resort portfolio, Minor Hotels has signed a management agreement with MK Group for two luxury resorts on Europe’s Adriatic coast. The signings mark the group’s official entry into both Croatia and Slovenia, expanding its European footprint beyond established city hotel markets.
From 12 February 2026, Minor Hotels will assume operations of the two properties, with both scheduled to reopen for the 2026 summer season in late March. Following extensive refurbishment programmes, the resorts will relaunch under Minor’s luxury brands in the first quarter of 2027 — introducing Anantara Hotels & Resorts to Croatia and Minor Reserve Collection to Slovenia.
Strengthening the Mediterranean Resort Strategy
The Adriatic expansion reflects Minor Hotels’ broader European growth strategy, shifting focus from primarily urban centres to high-potential resort destinations. Slovenia’s reputation for sustainable tourism and long-standing wellness traditions, coupled with Croatia’s enduring appeal as a Mediterranean lifestyle destination, presents a compelling opportunity for luxury hospitality development.
The Istrian peninsula, in particular, has emerged as Croatia’s leading tourism region, celebrated for its dramatic coastline, culinary excellence and culture of outdoor living — qualities increasingly sought by experiential and high-end travellers.
A Refined Retreat in Portorož
Minor Hotels will debut in Slovenia with the historic Hotel Palace Portorož in the coastal resort town of Portorož. Designed for guests seeking privacy and personalised service, the 183-key property blends contemporary luxury with the region’s wellness heritage and gastronomic traditions.
The resort features three restaurants, three bars, a full-service spa, indoor and outdoor pools, direct beach access and dedicated MICE facilities, catering to both leisure travellers and the growing demand for upscale business events. After refurbishment, the hotel will relaunch in Q1 2027 as Hotel Palace Portorož, Minor Reserve Collection Slovenia, aligning with the brand’s ethos of curating independent luxury properties while preserving their individual character.
Minor Reserve Collection, positioned as a soft luxury brand, enables distinctive hotels to maintain their identity while leveraging Minor’s global marketing, distribution and loyalty platforms — a model particularly suited to Europe’s landscape of character-rich independent properties.
Anantara’s Adriatic Debut in Istria
Less than 30 minutes from Portorož, the 186-key Adriatic Istria Resort in Savudrija will mark Minor Hotels’ entry into Croatia. Set along the Istrian coastline, the property offers three restaurants, four bars, a comprehensive spa and wellness centre, indoor and outdoor pools, and direct beach access. A dedicated MICE area supports rising demand for high-end corporate retreats, destination weddings and exclusive events.
A standout feature is its proximity to Golf Adriatic PGA National Croatia, an 18-hole, par-72 championship course that runs alongside the coastline, enhancing the resort’s appeal to golf enthusiasts and luxury leisure travellers alike.
Following its transformation, the resort will reopen in early 2027 as Anantara Adriatic Istria Resort. The relaunch will introduce Anantara’s hallmark experiences, combining heartfelt hospitality with immersive cultural journeys into Istrian heritage and curated nature-led activities.
Regional Connectivity and Growth Outlook
Both properties benefit from strong regional accessibility, with convenient links to Trieste Airport in Italy, Portorož Airport in Slovenia, and Pula and Rijeka airports in Croatia — positioning them well for both European and long-haul markets.
Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of Minor Hotels, described the expansion into Central and Southeastern Europe as a response to sustained tourism growth and increasing demand for distinctive luxury experiences. He emphasised the strategic importance of the partnership with MK Group in establishing a strong Adriatic presence.
Mihailo Jankovic, CEO of MK Group, characterised the brand introductions as a transformative step for the region’s tourism landscape, elevating its profile within the premium segment through sophisticated, wellness-driven luxury offerings.
With a robust global development pipeline, Minor Hotels continues to prioritise the expansion of its luxury portfolio across Europe and beyond. The addition of Croatia and Slovenia not only diversifies its geographic presence but signals growing confidence in the Adriatic as one of Europe’s most promising frontiers for high-end, experience-led travel.
