In the second half of 19th century when Austro-Hungarian Aristocracy
discovered the beauty and climate of the Kvarner Bay, they began building
luxurious villas and hotels. Soon the area of Lovran and Opatija became known as
a winter health resort of the royalty.
Completed in 1905 in Venetian Floral Gothic style, the Villa was designed by the
well-known architect and master-builder, Atilio Maguolo, for the Guerra family.
The exterior surface and windows of the villa are richly ornamented and well
preserved.
In 2002 the Villa Astra (originally Villa Guerra) was carefully renovated
with loving attention to every detail, from harmonious colours, rich fabrics and
handsome eclectic blend of charming old elegance and contemporary comfort. It is
surrounded by palms, laurels, oaks and beautiful garden.
An elegant, spacious villa represents a perfect example of Venetian Gothic
built by master-builder Attilio Maguolo at the beginning of the 20-th century.
The exterior and the windows of the villa are richly ornamented and well
preserved. The first in an array of summer-houses situated at the beautiful
location, opening to the magnificent view of the Kvarner bay, lying by the very
sea, the villa is distant from the main road leading from Opatija to Lovran, and
can be reached by 5 minutes walk from center of Lovran.
It is surrounded with attractive, green garden and has a direct access to the
beautiful seaside promenade „Lungomare“. Villa features 6 guest rooms, an
intimate, gourmet restaurant, the reception and the adjoining aperitif bar, a
heated outdoor swimming pool, open-bar by the swimming pool, wellness area and
parking spaces for its guests.
Restaurant 'Villa Astra', was restored in the spirit of the golden era
of Austrian-Hungarian monarchy. Warm and refined friendliness is the “credo” of
the owner, the Martinko family: «Serve friends with love and respect».
Restaurant offers creative cooking adjusted to the new culinary criteria, and
combines many continental and Mediterranean spices creating an inviting, fresh,
regional, seasonal and healthy food offer. Rich selection of Croatian and
foreign wine brands will complete your pleasure.
Decoration of the three restaurant rooms was enriched with 3 «humorous»
portraits of Emperor Franz Joseph *.
Small groups will enjoy the privacy of the Library area called “the Austrian
room”, while the “the Croatian room” represents the elegant central parlor, with
beautiful view of the garden and the sea, particularly attractive at sunlight.
Comforting sounds of piano coming from “the Austrian room” will cheer up your
soul during your dinner.
Gentle, soft, romantic tonalities of the green “Hungarian room”, are offering
you the possibility of seeing the actual preparation of the meals, making you a
part of the cooking procedures, that you can witness with your eyes in the
transparent “visible kitchen”.
With several open terraces, restaurant "Astra" is also a pleasant place for
meetings as well as the vital part of the modern style of life.
We are inviting you to meet our Chef de cuisine, which will gladly recommend
some of the inviting courses according to your taste and introduce you to the
small secrets of his culinary art.
The friendly personnel will be glad to help you with suggestions and selection
of various specialties of the house. The musicians will warm up the atmosphere.
With prior notice, we can prepare a special “gourmet excursion” for you,
bringing cooks outside the restaurant, and introducing to you the taste of
home-made traditional meals at our farmhouse Oraj.
The restaurant is open: Sundays from 12:00 till 17:00h, other days from 17:00
till 23:00h.
Closed on Mondays.
Open bar at the swimming-pool serves drinks and snacks to the guests
at the swimming pool and is also used in special
events. Garden and swimming pool are available for swimming, sun-bathing and
relaxation.
