Grand Metropolitan to Run Sealeven Hotel Opatija

Published on Nov 6, 2025, 2:41 pm CST

3 min read

Key points

Grand Metropolitan Hotels will manage the new Sealeven Hotel in Opatija under Destination by Hyatt
Opening is scheduled for spring 2026 with 85 units across 11 interconnected buildings
Plans include sea-view rooms and suites, multiple dining venues, wellness facilities and a large outdoor pool
Sealeven marks Destination by Hyatt's debut in Croatia

Impact

Booking Window: Leisure travelers planning Adriatic trips for late spring or summer 2026 can pencil in Opatija with a Hyatt-affiliated option
Loyalty Angle: World of Hyatt members should expect brand-standard earning and redemption once the property opens
Stay Experience: Apartment-style layouts with hotel services suit longer stays and families along the Opatija Riviera
Regional Choice: Adds a premium non-resort alternative on Croatia's northern coast compared with Dubrovnik and Split
Advisor Notes: Flag the opening timeline and wait for confirmed on-sale dates before promising specific room types

Grand Metropolitan Hotels will assume management of the forthcoming Sealeven Hotel in Opatija, Croatia, which is scheduled to open in spring 2026 under the Destination by Hyatt brand. The aparthotel development sits on the Adriatic coast and is planned as a multi-building complex with sea-facing accommodations, several dining options and a wellness program anchored by a large outdoor pool. The project positions Opatija to gain a new premium, apartment-style option with the backing of a global loyalty platform once doors open.

Sealeven Hotel & Residences

According to project summaries and brand listings, Sealeven is designed as 11 interconnected buildings with 85 units. Materials published by Hyatt refer to apartments and studios facing the coast, which signals layouts geared to longer stays, families and travelers who value kitchenettes and additional living space over standard hotel rooms. Public plans also highlight multiple dining venues and a wellness offering that includes an outdoor pool.

Latest developments

Trade and company communications over the past few weeks align on the management arrangement and the opening window. Grand Metropolitan has promoted the project as Destination by Hyatt's entry into Croatia, with the opening timeline set for the first half of 2026. Industry coverage reiterates that management will transfer to Grand Metropolitan and that the target season is spring 2026. These statements place Sealeven's debut after the winter shoulder and in time for early summer travel demand on the Adriatic.

Analysis

For travelers and advisors, the combination of residence-style units and Hyatt affiliation is the practical headline. Apartment-style suites typically deliver more space and flexibility for families and longer leisure trips, while Destination by Hyatt adds loyalty earning and redemption once the property is live. In Opatija, that widens premium choices beyond heritage spa hotels and boutique properties and offers a northern-coast alternative to Dubrovnik or Split for travelers who want Adriatic access with easier overland links to Central Europe.

Sealeven's planned 11-building configuration suggests a campus feel rather than a single tower, so wayfinding, on-site dining distribution and pool placement will shape guest flow. Advisors should watch for how unit mix breaks down by bedroom count, whether kitchens are standard across categories and what the housekeeping cadence will be, since aparthotel operations sometimes vary service levels by room type.

Background

Destination by Hyatt is Hyatt's soft-brand portfolio for properties with a strong sense of place, bringing independent design under a global distribution and loyalty umbrella. While Hyatt already operates in Croatia, notably in Zadar, Destination by Hyatt's arrival extends the company's brand mix in the country and gives World of Hyatt members additional ways to use points on the Adriatic coast once Sealeven opens.

From a timing standpoint, a spring 2026 opening would catch Opatija's seasonal ramp. If the property meets that target, early summer availability would likely be the first broad window for point redemptions and paid stays. Until the hotel publishes booking calendars and rate plans, travelers should hold off on fixed itineraries that depend on a confirmed Sealeven stay.

Final thoughts

Grand Metropolitan's management of Sealeven Hotel in Opatija, Croatia, under Destination by Hyatt, creates a new premium, residence-style option on the Adriatic. With 85 units across 11 buildings and a spring 2026 opening goal, Sealeven is positioned to serve longer leisure stays, families and Hyatt loyalists looking for a northern-coast base in Croatia.