San Canzian Hotel & Residences
Croatia
San Canzian Hotel & Residences
Mužolini Donji 7, 52460 Buje, Croatia
HOTEL INFORMATION
Group
Small Luxury Hotels of the World
Shareholders
Privately owned
Date of Creation
Aug 1, 2019
Hotel General Manager
Bruno Šarić, our young but experienced General Manager, started as a food and beverage enthusiast working in numerous boutique and luxury hotels on Croatian coast. He joined San Canzian team in 2020 and as of 2023 he has served as a GM and guiding light for the passionate San Canzian team. Bruno’s inspiring dedication to work and attention to detail ensure bespoke and uncompromised service for our discerning guests.
Hotel Positioning
5-star boutique luxury, proud member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World
Development Strategy
San Canzian Hotel & Residences is striving for excellence and setting new standards of luxury and service in Croatia. With that mission in mind, our development strategy includes an ultra-luxe hotel extension on a sale & leaseback model, set to open in the spring of 2026. Spanning across lavishing 36,000 square meters, the new estate will include 34 villas and residences that will have private heated pools and array of amenities that will redefine luxury living.
San Canzian Hotel & Residences
History & Story
• Nestled in the heart of idyllic Istrian inland, San Canzian is a love story between nature, heritage and luxury. This enchanting property rose from the mediaeval village of only three inhabitants, surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. Its story began with the remains of the chapel foundations dedicated to St Cantianus that were found on the location. Deeply rooted in local heritage and tradition, San Canzian was entirely revamped as luxury boutique haven with authentic Istrian vibe.
• Twenty-six rooms and suites are individually styled, providing state-of-the-art amenities and ultimate comfort. Award-winning Luciano Restaurant emphasizes farm-to-table approach and proudly serves local flavours with a sophisticated touch. Cozy wellness area, resplendent outdoor pool and nooks and crannies scattered around the property create a perfect hideout from the world’s hustle and bustle.
Renovation date
Opened in 2019, San Canzian is a tribute to Istria’s tradition and architecture. The design can be defined as traditional, minimalist and eclectic, celebrating the eternal beauty of Istria’s heritage. The interior design is an art of a renowned Croatian decorator Boris Ružić, who has always been in love with all things Istrian. Architecture is designed by award-winning Siniša Bjelica, with talented young architect Nika Serdar as a coordinator of the project.
Date added extensions
In 2026 a new chapter of the hotel with 34 new ultraluxe villas and residences will be introduced. The new estate will blend harmoniously into the landscape and honor the Istrian heritage of the original hotel. Architectural accents will celebrate natural imperfections of wood and stone and intertwine with state-of-the-art facilities, taking five-star Croatian luxury to new heights.
Main Strengths, Special Touch
• Situated in a medieval village in Istrian countryside, San Canzian creates authentic Istrian vibe with traditional architecture reminiscent of old stone-built Croatian villages. The hotel views verge on divine – resplendent outdoor pool, bar and pool bar offer sweeping vistas of idyllic countryside and a dramatic backdrop for dreamy sunsets.
• As artisans of experience, our service is discreet and flawless, with guests’ preferences reflected in every encounter. Our team carefully creates bespoke experiences for guests who go off-the-beaten path, immerse themselves in local culture and explore uncharted Istria.
• Our farm-to-table approach focuses on local flavours and adds a sophisticated touch. Proudly serving local truffle delicacies, award-winning olive oil and wines, our Luciano Restaurant introduces Istrian gastronomy to the modern luxury traveller.
Location
Istria’s hilltop charmers, historic treasures and culinary delights have never been closer. San Canzian is situated between picturesque hilltops towns of Buje and Grožnjan, a stone’s throw away from the most renowned restaurants and wineries in the region. Major airports in the close vicinity are Trieste, Pula, Zagreb, Ljubljana and Venice.
Key sites/activities in the area
• Poetically called Terra Magica – the magic land – Istria combines idyllic inland, historic towns and postcard-perfect seaside hamlets.
• The most sought-after activities include wandering hilltop towns of Motovun, Grožnjan and Buje, cultural explorations in Poreč, Rovinj and Pula towns, biking on Brijuni Islands National Park, hiking the famous countryside trails and indulging in culinary delights of Croatia’s most famous food and wine region.
Fun Facts
Occupying much of a mediaeval village of Mužolini Donji, we also have 3 neighbours living in charming stone-built houses that blend perfectly into our property. Our most famous neighbour is Mr Luciano, who can be seen roaming the vineyards in his tractor, followed by his chickens, and putting a smile on our guests’ faces. An encounter between a tractor, a chicken and a Porsche in a common sight in our estate! We love him so much that we’ve even named our restaurant after him!
Children’s Corner
Children of all ages are welcomed; we promote the concept of returning to nature and encourage our youngest guests to play outdoors, run after the neighbours’ chicken and watch nature, which benefits their physical and mental wellbeing. We provide baby cots free of charge and extra beds at additional cost. We provide colouring books with San Canzian motifs, puzzle games, jenga, colouring pencils etc. and we are constantly updating our offer for the youngest.
HOTEL FEATURES
Accommodation
26 keys
• 5 x Superior Rooms up to 33m²
• 8 x Deluxe Rooms up to 35 m² with balcony/terrace
• 8 x Executive Rooms up to 42 m² with terrace
• 1 x Romantic Suite 31 m², separate living and sleeping area, romantic terrace
• 1 x Family Suite 45m², one bedroom with king size bed, one separate bedroom with twin beds, one bathroom, balcony with garden view
• 1 x Maisonette Suite 65m², duplex, 2 separate bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms
• 1 x Villa San Canzian 58 m², duplex with private garden and heated outdoor pool, with a living area with kitchenette on the lower level and sleeping area with king-size bed & bathroom on the upper level
• 1 x Three-bedroom villa 146 m² on two levels with fully equipped kitchen, open dining and living space, private garden and heated pool on the lower level and 3 bedrooms (of which one bedroom can be twin) with private bathrooms on the upper level.
Additionally in 2026 new extension of the hotel will be introduced with 34 ultraluxe villas and residences.
Restaurants & Bars
• Embracing local traditions and adding a sophisticated touch, Luciano Restaurant celebrates the culinary heritage of Istria. The menu of this Michelin-recommended restaurant an artistic interpretation of Istrian legacy and cultural identity. The capacity is 15 tables indoor + 20 tables on the terrace, 36 seatings inside + 50 outside.
• The property has additionally 2 bars, 1 by the front desk and 1 by the pool, and 1 lounge area by the pool. New extension of the hotel (coming in 2026) will have additionally 1 more restaurant (more traditional and casual), 1 cigar bar, 1 bar by the restaurant, 1 pastry shop.
Wellness
• San Canzian has a cozy spa area with a large jacuzzi, sauna and a treatment room. It also has a large outdoor pool with sweeping views of Istrian countryside.
• New extension of the hotel (coming in 2026) will have additionally a fitness, a wellness and a sauna center.
Corporate & Celebration Events
• Ideal for celebrations, San Canzian has a charming Orangerie event space (40 m²) with the capacity of 40-50 people, where we usually conduct beautiful wedding ceremonies, smaller festivities and business meetings.
• New extension of the hotel (coming in 2026) will also have a loely chapel for ceremonies, additional conference space (50 m²) and another 2 offices, each 15 m².
Extra Notable Features
• Our team carefully creates unique experiences for our guests that include yoga classes, cooking lessons, chef’s table as well as wine and olive oil tastings on-site.
Hotel and restaurant Awards
2023
Hotel:
• Tripadvisor Traveler’s Choice Award
• Booking.com’s Traveler Review Award in 2023
Restaurant Luciano:
• Pavo Klarić has won the Best Young Chef award in Croatia in 2023
• Michelin-recommended restaurant in 2021, 2022 and 2023
Number of employees
51