Located on the Croatian island of Lošinj, this contemporary rental property has a team of staff who can arrange lavish itineraries. Jenny Southan reports

Opened in summer 2023, the 450 sqm Villa Contessa is represented by Icon Private Collection, which was founded by travel expert Luke McCormick, a British entrepreneur who has more than a decade of experience in the luxury villa rental market. “We connect the most discerning international clients with the owners of the most exceptional properties in the world’s most sought after locations,” says McCormick.

LOCATION

International guests typically fly to Zagreb airport in Croatia, and from there take a private plane to Lošinj island in about 30 minutes. It’s also possible to drive and take the ferry, although of course this takes longer, at around four hours. Some clients also arrive by yacht.

Located on a portion of land by the sea, the villa was named after the Contessa Hilda sailing ship – shipbuilding and seafaring was big business on the island back in the 19th century, an industry that made locals rich. Today, most of its revenue comes from tourism. The property is in a village and has a modest garden and views of an avenue of pine trees flanking a public footpath. It feels a little confined as it doesn’t sit on a large estate but is high-spec.

ETHOS

Villa Contessa is a purpose-built family home owned by an IT company founder. When the owners aren’t in residence, the property is rented out via Icon Private Collection. Based in Zagreb most of the time, the owner came to the island as a child when Chernobyl happened, and subsequently has a special relationship to it.

SERVICE

Unlike your average self-catering villa, Contessa is run like a hotel. Guests are interviewed before arrival about how they would like to organise their stay, and a programme is tailored in advance, with day-by-day adjustments made by the concierge based on people’s desires and the weather. In total there are five staff including a waiter, chef and cleaners, and they are all included in the cost of the stay.

GUEST PERSONAS

Villa Contessa is most commonly booked by wealthy families. In terms of Icon Collection clients more generally, McCormick says: “Our portfolio consists of an incredible collection of on- and off-market properties from around the world that rent for around €50,000 to €250,000 per week. Our select international clients include family offices, high- and ultra-high net-worth individuals, heads of industry, sports and entertainment stars and successful entrepreneurs, all of whom receive a friendly, highly personalised and discreet service.”

ROOMS

There are four bedrooms plus a dorm for kids with four beds, a TV, PlayStation and toys. In total the villa can sleep 12 people. The modern en suite rooms are comfortably attired with attractive illuminated, glass fronted wardrobes for displaying designer attire. My room had a generous balcony with comfortable seating. There is also an unpacking service available.

FOOD AND DRINK

The villa has a well-equipped Miele kitchen. All food and drink comes at an additional fee because, as McCormick explains, “some clients request caviar and limited-edition wines, while others prefer a combination of fine dining and simple family style meals”. To ensure stays are personalised, clients provide their dietary requirements and preferences in advance, and properties then conduct a full briefing interview with the team prior to arrival. On this occasion, the team missed the fact that I was vegetarian and didn’t eat fish, which did cause some problems for our much-loved private chef “Mama Cucina” who hadn’t properly catered for me. At our welcome lunch, my starter of seafood soup was taken away and I was given nothing to replace it, but after that a more effort was made to ensure I was fed. (One night she made a tasty truffle pasta for me.)

For inspiration, there is a cook book of Croatian dishes and menus. Local fishermen often arrive selling fish, scampi and squid that they caught by hand earlier in the day – Mama Cucina will cook it fresh on the barbecue. Downstairs is a snack boutique and wine cellar where you can help yourself to crisps, nougat, cheese, prosciutto and other Croatian products but you need to pay for them. In the morning, a breakfast buffet is laid out.

EXPERIENCES

One of the great things about staying at Villa Contessa is the array of activities that the concierge can arrange for guests. These encompass everything from sailing boat charters from €1,500 per day, helicopter rides to national parks, big game fishing and truffle hunting to private parties with a DJ by pool, photographers from €150 per hour and Porsche American Roadster rentals from €1,500 per day.

There are also loads of options for kids and teenagers: you can borrow kayaks, jet skis and bikes; book art and cooking classes; go on treasure hunts and dolphin safaris; and even do laser tag in the forest.

WELLNESS FACILITIES

One of the island’s unique assets is its clean air, thanks to the thousands of pine trees planted here by Croatian botanist Ambroz Haračić in the 1800s. Many locals believe that time here, combined with sea swimming, is good for respiratory problems. A tennis academy by Ivan Ljubicic (Roger Federer’s coach) and the Bellevue Beauty clinic are close by.

The villa itself has a neat little Norhd gym with some stylish equipment, as well as a hot tub, sauna and heated pool (best for floating rather than laps). Guests can book massages and personal training sessions from €150 per hour. It’s just a short walk to the sea where you can climb in down a ladder from the rocks – this was a highlight of the stay for me, even in the spring when the water was cool.

WHERE TO WORK

These days there is usually someone in the group who needs to work while on holiday (including the owner himself) so there is a slick home office suite, which can also be used as a bedroom. Wifi is free throughout so you can also sit in the spacious over-plan living room and watch your friends or kids in the pool while you catch up on emails.

STANDOUT INNOVATIONS

There is a subterranean games room (opposite the kids’ dorm) and a sound-proof screening room for movies, complete with recliner armchairs.

INSIDER TIP

The villa concierge can tailor experiences and itineraries for guests – special experiences include a shopping trip to Venice, which is just a 20-minute flight away by private jet, with a famous fashion stylist. This costs from €5,500. On the island, there is a beautiful coastal path that is ideal for running or walking. Just take a taxi to the Hotel Bellevue.

VERDICT

A contemporary family bolthole on the under-appreciated island of Lošinj, with a supportive cast of staff who can organise busy days for adults and kids. Catering is best suited for lovers of seafood and Croatian cuisine.

PRICE

Villa Contessa is available from €2,000 to €5,500 per night via Icon Private Collection