March 12, 2026
The Green Building Council Croatia has awarded Arba Resort 4*, Valamar Collection on the island of Rab, a Gold DGNB Pre-Certification—one of the highest international recognitions in the field of green building.
Arba Resort is designed as a nearly Zero-Energy Building (nZEB), with construction carefully planned to minimize environmental impact, while preserving the natural surroundings of the Suha Punta peninsula and enhancing the centuries-old Kalifront forest. The project was realized through the reconstruction of the former Hotel Eva, retaining and further strengthening the load-bearing structure, while rooms were kept in their original proportions with new functional solutions. The original character of the building has been maintained throughout the project, alongside the implementation of modern construction standards, energy efficiency, and design.
Sustainable construction materials were used, and the interior features natural elements such as wood, stone, and natural fabrics, creating a warm atmosphere and contributing to energy efficiency. Stone obtained from excavation was reused for the façade and landscaping around the hotel and pool areas. Landscaping, including green roofs and façades, ensures harmony between architecture and nature, while providing additional energy stability for the building.
Arba Resort uses 100% renewable energy sources, including its own solar power plant and advanced heat pumps for heating spaces, sanitary water, and pools. Intelligent energy management systems have been implemented to adjust consumption according to actual needs within the building, while water usage is optimized with flow regulators on all faucets and showers, monitored daily through smart systems.
“With Arba Resort, we can see how a top-quality holiday experience can be successfully combined with the highest sustainability standards and care for the local community and natural environment. Arba Resort was named Family Holiday Hotel of the Year in its first year, and the DGNB Gold Pre-Certification is proof that it meets all key sustainability criteria, which is also recognized by our guests,” said Marin Lazarić, Valamar’s Director of Development.
“We are extremely pleased that Croatia’s leading tourism company, Valamar, has chosen to validate the sustainability of its projects according to the strictest international DGNB standards. Through the Arba Resort project, Valamar confirms and demonstrates how ecological, economic, and socio-cultural quality—considered with equal importance—jointly contribute to the sustainable development of a tourist destination. This project shows that high sustainability standards can be successfully integrated into the planning, design, and execution phases, while simultaneously ensuring long-term sustainable and profitable operations for the benefit of the local community and the wider environment,” emphasized Dean Smolar, Executive Director of the Green Building Council Croatia, the national DGNB system partner for Croatia.
DGNB is one of the world’s leading certification systems, objectively and holistically assessing the ecological, economic, and socio-cultural aspects of construction projects, in alignment with the European Union’s regulatory and strategic framework as well as ESG principles.
Arba Resort 4*, Valamar Collection, represents an example of modern and responsible tourism that contributes to the sustainable development of the destination, the quality of life of the local population, and the preservation of the natural values of the island of Rab. Arba Resort can accommodate 654 guests and features several restaurants and bars, six swimming pools, a wellness & spa area, and a children’s playroom covering 1,500 square meters. In addition to accommodation, the resort offers a variety of amenities accessible to both the local community and visitors: organized beaches, sports courts, water sports zones, a bike center, and numerous recreational and educational trails and promenades near the hotel.
Public Relations, Valamar
