Born in nature and made in nature, Villa Nai 3.3 is an architectural gem located in the Adriatic. The exquisitely designed property has recently won the ‘Architecture and Interior Design as Experience’ category at the BIG SEE Tourism Design Award 2023, and in this feature, we’ll look at how and why.
Located on the remote island of Dugi Otok, Croatia, Villa Nai 3.3 was exquisitely designed by renowned Croatian architect Nikola Bašić. The celebrated architect built the hotel to blend in seamlessly with the rustic landscape and pay homage to the outstanding natural beauty of the island.
A member of Leading Hotels of the World, Villa Nai 3.3 perfectly captures the feeling of being on an elegant yacht and being in constant touch with the natural world. Nikola Bašić’s concept for the five-star hotel was born from nature and contains chic, designer furniture that soothes guests with calming natural colours.
Each of the eight lavish rooms and suites is decorated with Milan-based Giorgetti furnishings, uses Italian woven Frette linens, and boasts spectacular Italian marble bathrooms by Agape. Just as every boat has its own sail, every room has its distinctive style.
Understanding the importance of showcasing the sheer beauty of the region, Villa Nai 3.3 effortlessly combines the raw beauty of the destination with luxury, comfort, privacy, and world-class hospitality.
Hidden from sight, the natural design is not obtrusive to the environment, has an A+ energy rating, and reduced its carbon dioxide emissions during construction by building the walls using excavated stone and materials.
The BIG SEE award was founded by the Slovenian Ljubljana-based foundation and showcases true excellence in architecture, interior design, and the creative industries.
Awarding organisations in six different categories across 21 countries in South-Eastern Europe, the jury assesses projects based on several criteria, including innovation, intelligent design and originality, sustainability, social awareness and functionality. Since its inception, BIG SEE has grown to be considered the pinnacle of design excellence and a major architectural recognition.
“Villa Nai 3.3 has brought a new design dimension to northern Dalmatia, and we are delighted that our hotel has been recognised for being the architectural gem that it is. We would like to say a huge thank you to BIG SEE for this prestigious accolade, and we look forward to welcoming more guests to discover the magnificence of Dugi Otok and the Kornati National Park.” Enthuses Maksim Juricic, General Manager of Villa Nai 3.3.
Surrounded by 500-year-old olive groves, Villa Nai 3.3 is also world-renowned for its multi-award-winning olive oil that uses olives harvested from the 1,000 olive trees that immerse the property in nature. The delectable “liquid gold” is used as a base in the delicious dishes at the refined 3.3 Restaurant and the rustic Grotta 11000, as well as the innovative and indulgent treatments at the spa.
With two seawater pools, extraordinary island and Adriatic views, and thrilling excursions, including sailing through the Kornati National Park and tasting the extraordinary olive oil, guests can expect an experiential, culinary, and wellness journey at Villa Nai 3.3.
Getting There
Many airlines, including Easy Jet, RyanAir, Eurowings, and Wizz Air, fly from numerous regional and London airports directly to Zadar. The flight time is approximately two hours and 30 minutes. From Zadar Airport, transfer by catamaran takes approximately 45 minutes.
You can learn more about Villa Nai 3.3 by visiting https://villanai.com/.
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