The Esplanade Hotel celebrated its 100th anniversary
The gala evening combined the glamour of the past with a vision of the future
Last night, Zagreb’s Esplanade Hotel marked its impressive 100 years with a magnificent gala event on the iconic Oleander Terrace. The evening was graced by numerous statespeople, ambassadors, numerous guests, partners, members of the city’s social scene, and the media, this evening will be remembered as a true tribute to the hotel that has made a lasting impact on the history of Zagreb, Croatia, and the international hotel industry.
Built in 1925 to provide luxurious accommodation for passengers of the legendary Orient Express, the Esplanade Hotel has hosted numerous royal families, world stars, political leaders, and artistic greats over the century. It has become synonymous with impeccable service, exceptional architecture, art deco design, and a place that has stood at the centre of the capital’s most important social and cultural events for decades.
The centennial celebration was more than just a memorable event: it was a true musical, cultural and artistic homage to the history, present and future of the hotel and Zagreb. Under the creative leadership of Krešimir-Tadija Kapulica, guests experienced an evening filled with emotion, top-notch entertainment and a visual spectacle. The impressive production and dramaturgy highlighted the stunning architecture of the Esplanade, making it the central motif of the event.
The program was hosted by popular television presenter Iva Šulentić. The guests were addressed at the very beginning by long-time General Manager of the hotel Ivica Max Krizmanić, Director of the Zagreb Tourist Board Martina Bienenfeld, Mayor of Zagreb Tomislav Tomašević, and Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia Andrej Plenković.
“Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Esplanade Hotel is not just a celebration of a century of history, but also an acknowledgment of all those who, through their work and passion, have moulded this hotel into a symbol of Zagreb, Croatian and European hospitality. I would like to thank all of our employees, partners and clients who, with their commitment and trust, have enabled Esplanade to remain a meeting place for history, culture and luxury. This celebration confirms our commitment to excellence and hospitality, as well as our desire to continue being proud guardians of tradition and innovation in the heart of Zagreb”, said Ivica Max Krizmanić, General Manager of the Esplanade Hotel.
“Zagreb wouldn’t be the same without the Esplanade. Its significance goes beyond tourism: it shapes the image of the city as a sophisticated, open and culturally rich destination. It is an inspiration for everything that is yet to come, especially for those involved in the hospitality and tourism industry”, said Martina Bienenfeld, Director of the Zagreb Tourist Board.
“The centenary of the Esplanade Hotel represents more than just the anniversary of a hotel – it is a celebration that symbolises the development and growth of Croatian tourism through the lens of excellence, authenticity, and global standards. The Esplanade has long since outgrown the boundaries of a hotel – it has become an international ambassador of Croatian hospitality and top-notch service. Thanks to institutions like these, Croatia is recognized not only as a country of natural beauty, but also as a destination for a refined urban and cultural experience”, said Tonči Glavina, Minister of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Croatia.
The elegant celebration on the famous Oleander terrace was attended by Zdenka Kovačiček, Tony Cetinski, Miro Ungar, Luka Peroš, Mia Begović, Mila Elegović, Mirna Maras Batinić, Ida Prester, Barbara Kolar, Vanja Halilović, Mate Granić, and numerous others.
Famous Esplanade Chef Ana Grgić Tomić, along with her entire team of sous chefs, cooks and pastry chefs, prepared a unique feast of savoury and sweet delicacies for the guests. The menu featured foie gras, truffle dishes, caviar, tuna marinated in soy and sesame, poached oysters, marinated scampi, steak tartare, but also irresistible desserts and the iconic Esplanade štrukli – prepared according to the same recipe for almost half a century. Guests toasted the centenary in grand style with top-quality French champagne. Throughout the evening, whisky, Zagreb gin, cocktails, cognac, and Cuban cigars were also served for true connoisseurs.
The musical and stage performance was particularly impressive, featuring actors from the Zagreb City Theatre Komedija, as well as Dino Antonić and the band Dnevnik Velikog Perice. They skilfully performed well-known chansons and hits, transporting the audience back to the golden age of the Esplanade dance hall. The performance took the audience on a journey through the decades, infused with humour, theatrical charm, and film romance.
The highlight of the evening was the cabaret segment, “Cabaret Orient Express”, directed by the famous Miro Ungar, with choreography and costume design by Magdalena Matijević. On two stages, the audience witnessed the magic of music, dance and costumes – with dynamic scene changes and LED projections. The performances included impressive musical acts by Edith Piaf (Katarina Vukadin), Josephine Baker (Rea Bašić) and Mr Fulir (Luka Matić), all produced by the City Theatre Komedija. As a special surprise of the evening, opera diva Tamara Rađenović performed on the hotel’s magnificent balcony. Her rendition of the song “May This Whole World” by Alfi Kabiljo left the audience breathless. The impressive façade of the Esplanade, illuminated by spotlights, served as a magical stage for this performance. Soprano Tamara Rađenović is a young, brilliant and unique icon in the classical music world, constantly pushing boundaries with her performances. Based in London, Tamara has captivated audiences around the world from New York to Tokyo. She is a symbol for a new generation of celebrity guests at the Esplanade.
After the ceremonial part, DJ Jurki and Urban Events continued to get the guests dancing with contemporary rhythms in the glamorous ambience of the Oleander Terrace.
Esplanade is a place that is both classic and modern, nostalgic and innovative. It continues to create unforgettable stories and set the highest standards in the world of luxury and hospitality in the new century.
PHOTOGRAPHS (Goran Jakuš, Mario Poje, Bruno Fantulin) can be downloaded at the link: Veličanstvena proslava 100 godina zagrebačkog hotela Esplanade
EVENT PARTNERS
The event was organised in collaboration with many long-time associates and partners of the hotel. The hotel extends its sincere gratitude to them for their support and joint celebration of this important anniversary.
Renowned wine houses and premium beverage brands added a special touch to the celebration. Miva Wine Gallery ensured that guests enjoyed top labels, including French champagne Veuve Clicquot and Hennessy cognac. Throughout the evening, guests also had the opportunity to taste Croatian spirits such as Old Pilot’s and Antique Pelinkovac. The array of flavours was further enhanced by Tanqueray and Aperol Spritz cocktails, as well as Croatian craft beers from Zeppelin Craft Brewery. The luxurious selection of drinks was provided by the companies Fine Stvari, Brza Distribucija, and Alca. The wine selection included top domestic labels such as Terra Falconis, Benvenuti, Kozlović, and Krauthaker. The non-alcoholic drinks offering includes Pago juices, healthy pressed juices from Green On, and water from Acqua Panna and S. Pellegrino, as well as Fever Tree tonics. The real surprise of the evening was Hyggis Artisan Gelato, a new star in the ice cream market that delighted guests with its flavours and will soon become a permanent feature at the Esplanade 1925 Lounge & Cocktail Bar. Ice Product company provided perfectly chilled drinks.
The gastronomic aspect of the celebration was lavish and authentic, thanks to long-standing partners who supported the event with their high-quality ingredients. Among them, Dukat stands out, as their President cheese has been an essential component of Esplanade’s famous štrukli for many years. Metro and Nikas provided a wide range of fresh and premium ingredients, while Pietro & Pietro Natura Tartufi offered authentic ingredients for top-notch delicacies. The menu was further refined by Ora Adriatica with delicate seafood, and Mant, whose specialties gave a special charm to every bite. The authenticity of local products was also brought by the Anita Majdak family farm, known for its organic beef farming. Additional support for this festive event was provided by Gala d.o.o. from Bjelovar, Lareto Food, Prominent, Lovrenski Zdenec, Hercigonja, and Ruske Delicije, which provided a true culinary experience.
The realisation of such an event would not be possible without the technical and creative support of reliable partners and sponsors. The impressive audio-visual production and set design are by the company Eldra, while the creation of the magnificent photo wall was undertaken by the company Majc. Numerous other partners were also involved in the implementation: Bombica, Permansio Deluxe Getaways, Padma Flowers, Catering Zvona, Hoteza, Salesianer, Qushin, Agramservis, Voir Events 360, which handed out souvenir photos to guests, Sekom, Croata providing uniforms for employees, Aveda Perman salon, HŽ Infrastruktura, Vrtni Centar, Zenn’s Photo, Cerovski, Lisak, and Catering Kvatrić, whose contribution made the evening unforgettable and worthy of a great anniversary.
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Published: Zagreb, 4 July 2025
