architecture & design
Zadar. You board a ferry to the island of Ugljan, and in about fifteen minutes you arrive in Kali, for many one of the most charming fishing villages along the Dalmatian coast. Here, that slower side of Dalmatia still breathes and lives on, the embodiment of a Dalmatian core moment we will always cherish.
The soft opening of Hotel Kali last summer revealed a new, exciting and highly elegant hotel address. A tourist one, you might say, but also deeply committed to the local community. “From the very beginning of creating the hotel, the idea was not just a hotel but a place with a broader role within the local community,” I learn quietly from the private investor, a family originally from Kali, who wanted through this project to give the town a building it truly deserves; “a hotel that, beyond accommodation, also functions in a way as a cultural center for the town.” Outside the main season, various events and cultural programs for the local community are organized here.
Photo: Mood Authors
Design with a global signature
I was already familiar with the work of the Mallorca based studio Rôck&Villa, and this is yet another project through which they prove their success when it comes to elegant, welcoming interiors interwoven with timeless pieces. Kali is a boutique hotel with just 15 rooms, located on a site of deep local significance; for decades this was the only restaurant in the village, a social landmark of the 1970s and a place rooted in the collective memory of the community. That is where the inspiration for the design came from, because instead of erasing history, Rôck&Villa decided to build upon it.
Photo: Mood Authors
The interior concept is based on a dialogue between Mediterranean nostalgia of the 1970s and the Adriatic coastal landscape, transforming memory into a contemporary hospitality experience. “The design draws inspiration from the aesthetic language of the 1970s, reinterpreted in a refined and contemporary way. Elements such as glass bricks, warm earthy tones and soft, rounded forms evoke the optimism and materiality of that period, while remaining timeless and subtle,” the team at Rôck&Villa tell me, emphasizing the balance of retro influences. “They are balanced with materials and textures that directly reflect the Adriatic and Mediterranean context: natural stone, wood, tactile textiles and a palette inspired by sun, sand and sea.”
Photo: Mood Authors
Everything here feels gentle, in sandy hues, unhurried, as if you want to stop time and gaze at the sunset forever. Graphic elements further reinforce the narrative. Custom prints inspired by the movement of Adriatic Sea waves appear throughout the interior, discreetly connecting the space with its maritime surroundings.
“One of the key custom elements of the project is a specially designed bed, conceived as a sculptural focal point. Its curved upholstered headboard evokes a sunset over the Adriatic Sea, serving both as a functional design element and as a poetic detail in the guest rooms.”
A very personal story of Hotel Kali
Beyond aesthetics, there is also a deeply personal story woven into the Hotel Kali project. For Paulo Valcic, co founder of Rôck&Villa, Kali is his hometown. “Designing a hotel in the place where I grew up gave it an emotional dimension and shaped a sensitive, respectful approach by our studio. The result is an interior that feels authentic, rooted in the place and closely connected to the local identity.” The balance between past and present, a former restaurant transformed into a contemporary boutique hotel where the retro spirit of the 1970s, Adriatic heritage and Mediterranean warmth meet, exists here in a special synergy. With this project, the studio Rôck&Villa wanted to pay tribute to memory while simultaneously offering a new, timeless hospitality experience.
The new Kali restaurant for a new gastronomic experience
The restaurant within Hotel Kali revives a once iconic gathering place, with the idea of renewing the town’s rich culinary and cultural tradition. It is located directly opposite the church and respectfully draws on history. As the former first restaurant on the island, it lived through legendary moments of celebration and weddings, moments the walls could tell us about if only they could speak. The terrace is a special feature, offering an impressive view of the Zadar Channel. As Kali is known for its strong fishing tradition, the connection between the sea and the local way of life is also felt on the menu. A special place is given to dishes that reinterpret inherited local recipes. The cuisine is therefore rustic yet thoughtful, with an emphasis on sustainability and using every ingredient to its fullest potential.
Photo: Mood Authors
The menu changes with the seasons, offering a refined interpretation of classic Adriatic dishes. Mornings begin with breakfast for hotel guests, while evenings are also open to the public, “with sunset dinners, candlelight and a gentle sea breeze.” An intimate lounge bar is the place for an aperitif and small bites or a pause after dinner. “Here, every drink tells its own story, from the herbal notes of Dalmatian gin to fresh white wines from nearby hills. Sit down, slow down and let the evening unfold at its own island rhythm,” they tell us. And we will be happy to accept the invitation soon.
Photo: Mood Authors
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