Sofitel arrives in Kaštela: Odien and Accor sign contract for a 137-room luxury hotel
Kaštela will get its first Sofitel-branded hotel in Croatia. The Odien Group's project includes new luxury accommodation, wellness and conference facilities, and under the latest plan the opening is expected at the end of 2029.
The hotel being developed by the Odien Group An international hotel brand has been introduced in Kaštel Stari. The signing of the franchise agreement with Accor on 10 November 2026 confirmed that the future property will operate as Sofitel Kaštela.
The contract was signed at Vitturi Castle in Kaštel Lukšić. It concerns a project on the site of the former Zeničko resort, between Split and Trogir, approximately five kilometres from Split Airport.
Sofitel will thus enter the Croatian hotel market for the first time, while Odien continues to expand its portfolio in Dalmatia, where it already operates the Le Méridien Lav resort in Podstrana.
New capacities for the luxury and MICE segment
According to the latest plan, Sofitel Kaštela will have 137 rooms and suites, as well as restaurant, wellness and recreational facilities. The project also includes approximately 700 square metres of adaptable space for meetings and events.
For Castles The combination of a seaside location, proximity to the international airport and the ability to host business events is particularly appealing. This could make the future hotel attractive to smaller conferences, incentive travel and individual guests with higher spending power.
The hotel is designed for year-round operation, although the actual level of off-season demand remains to be confirmed after its opening.
Franchise model: Odien remains the hotel operator
Sofitel Kaštela will not be a directly managed Accor hotel. Operational management will be taken over by Odien Hotels, the hotel division of the investor, while the hotel will operate in accordance with Sofitel's brand standards.
Such a model enables the investor to retain operational control while utilising an international hotel brand and Accor's distribution ecosystem.
For travel agencies and TMCs, this is relevant because an internationally branded hotel can be more easily recognised by customers and integrated into established booking channels. However, the specific agency sales terms, pricing and the start of bookings have not yet been announced.
Opening postponed to the end of 2029.
Earlier plans envisaged approximately 150 rooms and completion of the project by the end of 2028. New project data now state 137 accommodation units and Opening at the end of 2029.
According to the investor's information, the project has the necessary permits, and preparatory works on the site began in 2026. The main construction phase is planned for the second half of 2027.
Sofitel is part of the Odien Group's broader investment programme, which envisages investments in Kaštela of over €100 million over the next five years. That sum relates to multiple projects, not exclusively the new Sofitel.
Alongside the large hotel complex, the group plans to restore the historic Štafileo Castle and convert it into a smaller luxury heritage hotel.
For agencies planning long-term programmes in central Dalmatia, the new Sofitel is worth keeping an eye on. However, at present it is a confirmed brand and a project under development, rather than a hotel capacity available for booking.
