Venari Lodges
Venari Lodges to Join Brionj – Luxury Hotel Collection with New Croatian Wilderness Resort Opening in 2027
Venari Lodges, a boutique wilderness project in Croatia, has joined The Brionj - Luxury Hotel Collection under a newly signed management agreement with Grand Metropolitan Hotels. The planned resort, set in Janja Gora near the Plitvice Lakes region, is scheduled to open in 2027 and will target guests seeking high-end, nature-based stays with a strong environmental focus.
Photo by Grand Metropolitan Hotels
Located close to Croatia's oldest and largest national park, the Plitvice Lakes area, Janja Gora is often described as the "Canadian wilderness of Croatia," characterised by waterfalls, dense forests and unspoiled lakes. Venari Lodges will sit within a private hunting reserve with an existing concession, positioned to appeal both to hunters and to non-hunting guests such as hikers, wildlife enthusiasts and nature-focused travellers.
From 2027, the resort is expected to offer around 60 design-led lodges, together with culinary venues and a wellness area designed to integrate with the surrounding landscape. The concept emphasises sustainability, nature awareness and a "nature-to-table" food philosophy, pairing locally sourced products with individualised service and guided outdoor experiences.
Guests will be able to access a landscape of forests, rivers, waterfalls, lakes and mountains, with opportunities to encounter wildlife such as deer, wild boar, bears, lynx and woodcock. Guided tours with licensed rangers are planned to offer structured, small-scale access to the reserve and its ecosystems, reinforcing the project's focus on managed, responsible immersion in nature.
The Brionj - Luxury Hotel Collection is a brand of Grand Metropolitan Hotels, which brings operational management expertise and a focus on high-end, experience-led projects. With Venari Lodges, the group is extending its portfolio into the Croatian hinterland, aiming to attract international guests looking for an authentic, low-density nature product within easy reach of one of the country's most recognised national parks.