Hotel group Lošinj Hotels and Villas has unveiled a newly refurbished integrated fitness and wellness destination at its four-star hotel in Veli Lošinj, Croatia.

The 5,000sq m wellness centre at Vitality Hotel Punta is among the largest of its kind in Croatia, and has been kitted out with new fitness facilities along with a complete overhaul of its existing 2,890sq m spa facilities.

Zagreb-based architect, Rusanov Ured, completed the work, with Andrija Rusan and Nikolina Mikulicic helming the project as lead architects.

Lošinj Hotel’s corporate spa director Liliana Matic Moore, acted as lead project coordinator and was instrumental in realising the redesign, having worked closely with architects during design stages.

The nine-treatment room spa has been reimagined with the help of thermal specialists, Klafs, who refurbished the existing Sauna Zone, which offers a range of experiences, including bio-sauna, steamroom and Finnish sauna therapies.

Designed to facilitate a unique local experience, the company created a new aroma sauna which uses 230 different local aromatic and medicinal plants to help to relieve pain and strengthen immunity.

Speaking to Spa Business, Klafs explained its aim was to create a comprehensive thermal bathing journey, featuring showers, comfortable footbaths and thermal experience rooms, all with different temperatures and humidities.

The company helped realise its vision with help from Zagreb-based thermal equipment supplier, Spa Studio.

Klafs chose to reimagine the spa with grey tinted glass fronts to create more privacy in the wellness area and provide a cosy atmosphere.

Spa facilities also include a Kneipp bath, relaxation lounge, bucket shower, ice fountain, indoor and outdoor pool, heated loungers supplied by Rudex and a dedicated 100sq m spa fitness room with an outdoor exercise terrace ideal for group and individual training.

“The challenge of designing a spa in such a unique place and creating cabins which would add value and function to an already unique wellness destination was appealing from the very beginning,” said Simone Helmik, Klafs’ key account manager of international sales.

“The result is a stunning blend of great design and architecture along with high-quality craftsmanship, technology and expertise by Klafs.”

The spa menu offers facials, massages, scrubs, medi-spa consultations and nail services, supplied by either Comfort Zone or Pharmos Nature, along with curated blends of locally-sourced plants and ingredients.

The Croatian island is claimed to be a health destination with more than 200 years’ of healing traditions which inspired the spa to offer a pulmonary rehabilitation programme developed with a team of doctors and a kinesiologist.

Participants will combine long walks alongside the sea coast with breathing exercises and support from nutritionists to help boost pulmonary health.

“Croatia and wellness are a natural pairing,” explained Helmik, “Lošinj has long been known as a healing destination, with its natural sea air, abundant medicinal plant life, clean air and beautiful ocean scenery.”

The renovation has also seen Hotel Punta open a brand new standalone fitness centre including a beachfront-facing 270sq m gym equipped with Technogym’s Omnia 8 range.

The space features a multifunctional exercise room for aerobic and functional training, with ceiling anchors, mirrors and bars, which can be used for group exercise classes including hammock yoga, TRX, Pilates and more.

The update has also added an artificial climbing wall, two large outdoor infinity pools, an outdoor exercise terrace and five outdoor wooden exercise plateaus overlooking the sea.

The fitness and wellness hub is available daily for both hotel guests – for private and group training – and the local community when using an annual membership, priced at €480 (US$571, £434).