There are certain names in the nautical world that immediately conjure a sense of place, style, and old-world elegance. Riva is one of them. For decades, the renowned Italian boatmaker has been associated with polished mahogany, clean lines, sunlit decks, and the epitome of Mediterranean pizzaz. Now, that spirit has found a new home on Croatia’s Istrian coast, as Hotel Monte Mulini in Rovinj celebrates the beginning of an exclusive partnership with Riva Destinations.
The collaboration places Rovinj among a select group of international locations already linked with the Riva lifestyle, including Monaco, Venice, Paris, Como, and Mallorca. For Monte Mulini, it also signals the start of a fresh chapter following the hotel’s recent reopening on 14 May, after a €9 million investment programme that saw its rooms, restaurants, and public spaces refreshed.
At the centre of this new identity is the Riva Lounge, a chic gathering space designed around the codes that have made the Riva name so recognisable over the years. Inspired by the world of classic Riva masterpieces, it brings together mahogany details, elegant nautical references, and subtle nods to the Aquarama, the legendary boat that helped define Riva’s image in the 1960s. Here, the sea is not simply a backdrop but is intentionally intertwined with the experience, delivering a slice of the Italian Riviera to the Adriatic while still keeping the setting in sharp focus.
The launch was honoured with an evening at Monte Mulini featuring live music, sunset views, and a stellar menu created specially for the occasion. The atmosphere drew on the easy charm of la dolce vita, but its appeal lies in how naturally that sensibility fits Rovinj. With its old town rising from the water, its harbour edged by boats, and its enduring relationship with the sea, the destination already has a romance of its own. Riva’s arrival simply enhances the picture.
Beyond the lounge, hotel guests will also be able to experience the brand on the water, with private cruises aboard the Riva Aquariva Special. A contemporary interpretation of one of Riva’s most iconic models, the boat brings the partnership to life in its most natural form: out at sea, moving along the Istrian coast. After all, a Riva is best understood on the water.
The opening comes at a moment when Rovinj continues to grow in confidence as a premium travel destination. Long admired for its beauty, the town has increasingly become more than a stop on an Istrian itinerary. It now has the ingredients travellers want from the Mediterranean: character, good food, old-town atmosphere, clear water, and hotels that understand luxury.
And that’s where Monte Mulini shines. Known for its sense of privacy, proximity to greenery and the water, and its relaxed Mediterranean pace, the hotel has always been one of the region’s standout seaside escapes. With the addition of the Riva Lounge, Monte Mulini heightens its allure, blending modern hospitality with a more evocative, lifestyle-led experience. It feels like a perfect fit: Italian craftsmanship meeting Croatian coastline.
For Rovinj, this is another small sign of a destination coming into its own. For Monte Mulini, this marks a refined step forward. And for guests, it means the simple pleasure of a drink by the water, a stylish boat waiting nearby, and the kind of summer glamour that feels effortless. For travellers drawn to coastal sophistication, it’s also a compelling reason to look again at Rovinj—not only as a beautiful beach town, but as one of the Mediterranean’s most enchanting addresses.
To find out more about Monte Mulini and make a booking, visit the links below:
Monte Mulini Adults Exclusive Hotel by Maistra Collection
A. Smareglia 3
52210 Rovinj
Croatia
Web: maistra.com
Tel: +385 52 808 000
Email: hello@maistra.hr
Instagram: @maistra_collection