For the first time ever, the Michelin Guide isn’t just talking about food, it’s talking about architecture. This year, Michelin introduced its new Architecture & Design Award for hotels.

Out of thousands of hotels worldwide, only five have been shortlisted: Dubai’s Atlantis The Royal, Saudi Arabia’s Shebara Resort, Rosewood São Paulo in Brazil, Japan’s Benesse House, and Croatia’s very own Villa Nai 3.3. The winner will be announced in Paris on October 8, 2025, at the launch of Michelin’s new Key Awards program, which celebrates not just luxury and service, but also creativity, sustainability, and authenticity.

‍Perched above the Adriatic and wrapped in ancient olive groves, Villa Nai 3.3 is more than a luxury hotel; it’s a love letter to the island. Designed by celebrated architect Nikola Bašić, the villa seems to grow straight out of the hillside. Built entirely from stone excavated on-site, the property disappears into its natural surroundings, offering guests the rare sense of sleeping inside the landscape rather than beside it.

A Sanctuary in Stone and Olive Trees

At Villa Nai 3.3, luxury feels effortless. With just eight rooms, the experience is intimate and deeply personal. One moment you might be tasting organic vegetables from the villa’s biodynamic garden, the next savoring award-winning olive oils produced in its very own mill. For some guests, days slip by without ever leaving the property; the stillness, sea air, and grounding energy of the stone seem to reset the nervous system.

But for those who crave adventure, the villa’s team curates bespoke escapes: boat trips through the Kornati archipelago, hikes in Telašćica Nature Park, or diving into the crystalline Adriatic. Come autumn, guests are even invited to join the olive harvest, a rare glimpse into island life.

Dining Beneath the Stars

Perhaps the most magical corner of Villa Nai 3.3 is Grotta, a restaurant carved into living rock. By day it feels primal, timeless; by night, it transforms into a stage where fire-cooked lobsters, fish, and steaks share the spotlight with the stars glittering above. It’s less a dinner than an elemental experience; earth, fire, and sky colliding in one meal.

Redefining Luxury, the Croatian Way

Michelin describes its nominees as “more than beautiful spaces—they’re immersive, sustainable, and visionary.” Villa Nai 3.3 checks every box. Its interiors are crafted from natural materials, its architecture mirrors the island’s contours, and its energy efficiency proudly holds an A+ rating.

It’s a new vision of what Croatian luxury can be: not about size or spectacle, but about authenticity, intimacy, and a genuine connection to place.

On October 8, 2025, in Paris, Michelin will announce the winner. Whether Villa Nai 3.3 takes home the top honor or not, its nomination places Croatia on the map of the world’s most forward-thinking destinations. And for travelers lucky enough to stay, it’s already clear: this is one of the most extraordinary hotels on earth.

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