Odien signs franchise agreement for Croatia’s first Sofitel

Odien Group has signed a franchise agreement with Accor for Sofitel Kaštela, the brand’s first announced hotel in Croatia. It is scheduled to open in 2029 on the site of the former Zenica holiday resort in Kaštel Stari. The project brings a new signed agreement to Croatia’s franchise sector, with the investor’s hotel division set to manage the property.

Franchise agreement signed in Kaštela

The agreement was signed on 10 November 2026 at Vitturi Castle in Kaštel Lukšić. According to an announcement reported by Financije.hr, Michael Saran’s Odien Group is bringing Sofitel to the Croatian market, while Odien Hotels, the investor’s hotel division, will manage the property.

Odien already owns Le Méridien Lav in Podstrana. The new development in Kaštela is therefore not its first hotel venture in Croatia, but it marks the planned arrival of another international brand. According to the press release, Sofitel has more than 120 hotels worldwide and participates in Accor’s ALL loyalty programme.

The division of responsibilities is key to understanding this announcement: a franchise agreement has been signed with Accor, while operational management has been entrusted to Odien Hotels. In this case, the arrival of an international brand does not mean that Accor will take over the hotel’s day-to-day running. This is an important distinction for entrepreneurs following how international hotel brands partner with local projects and investors.

Revised plan sets out 137 rooms and a 2029 opening

The latest announcement revises the details presented when construction began in early February. At that time, Odien announced an investment of around €50 million in a 150-room hotel, with completion expected by the end of 2028. It now plans 137 rooms and suites, with an opening in 2029.

These figures should be read as announcements made at different times, rather than as equally current descriptions of the project. For prospective guests and business partners, the newer capacity and opening plans are the relevant ones. The previously announced completion of construction is also distinct from the start of guest stays, so it is important to keep those milestones separate when tracking the project.

Some rooms and suites are expected to have private balconies or terraces with sea views. Several restaurants and bars, along with a beach club, have been announced. The plans also include a spa, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and spaces for business meetings and events.

When construction began, Odien announced that the hotel would operate year-round. The facilities outlined in the latest announcement therefore extend beyond accommodation to dining, leisure and business events. However, these remain planned facilities at a future property, rather than services already available on the market.

The €100 million-plus figure covers a wider programme

Sofitel Kaštela is part of an investment programme under which Odien plans to invest more than €100 million in Kaštela over the next five years. This figure has not been presented as investment in Sofitel alone, but as the value of a broader programme in the town.

The second project announced concerns Štafileo Castle, also known as Rotondo, a Renaissance fortress dating from 1508 on the waterfront in Kaštel Štafilić. Odien announced its purchase in April, stating that it would preserve the castle as a single property and convert it into a small luxury hotel.

The announcement, as reported, did not mention a Sofitel franchise agreement for that project. It should therefore be distinguished from the hotel in Kaštel Stari, although both form part of Odien’s plans for Kaštela. Among its reasons for investing, the company highlighted the town’s location between Split and Trogir and its architectural heritage.

What this agreement means for the franchise sector

For Croatia’s franchise sector, the main development is a signed agreement bringing together an investor and an international brand on a new project. The announced model clearly identifies the brand, location and future operator, while the opening date and facilities remain plans whose delivery will need to be monitored until the hotel begins trading.

Sofitel Kaštela also illustrates why investment announcements should be assessed project by project. Room numbers relate to a specific hotel, an overall investment programme may cover several properties, and a franchise agreement should not be confused with a management agreement.

Practical takeaway: when assessing a hotel franchise, check separately who is investing, who is providing the brand and who will operate the property. For Sofitel Kaštela, follow the latest plan: 137 rooms and suites, management by Odien Hotels and a planned opening in 2029.