On your tour of Croatia, choose only the best luxury hotels to stay at! From small historic hotels, and trendy boutique hotels, to chic wine or beach resorts, below you will find the best places to stay in Croatia.
Whether you are a foodie in search of great food and wine, an outdoor enthusiast looking for the next adventure, a family interested in a relaxing time by the beach, or a history buff ready to walk the cobblestone streets of ancient Croatian towns, you’ll find a great hotel in Croatia to suit your needs.
You will find Croatia’s best hotels in all major Croatian destinations including Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik, Hvar, Istria, Losinj, Zadar, Korcula, and Brac.
If you enjoy history and the old-world charm, then hotel Esplanade is THE best hotel to stay in Zagreb.
If service, location, beautifully appointed rooms, quiet night’s sleep, and delicious breakfast are important for you, then you can’t go wrong with choosing Palace Judita for your stay in Split. With exposed stone walls and modern furnishings, the Vestibul Palace Hotel in Split is cozy and charming yet very elegant.
We only need two words to describe why you should stay in the Hotel Excelsior in Dubrovnik: location and views! On the other hand, Villa Dubrovnik is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World and one of the best luxury hotels in Dubrovnik. Located just outside the Pile Gate, Hilton Imperial Hotel is the oldest operating hotel in Dubrovnik.
If you are looking for a relaxing getaway, the Little Green Bay Hotel is the ultimate place to stay in Hvar. A recently opened, Palace Elisabeth Heritage Hotel in Hvar is the first 5-star property on the island.
The Grand Park Hotel Rovinj is one of the hottest hotels in Croatia at the moment. If you are looking for a small and intimate beach hotel in Croatia with top-notch service, a heated outdoor swimming pool, and a great beach club, then Monte Mulini Hotel in Rovinj is right up your alley. The gorgeous Meneghetti Wine Hotel is one of the most secluded and unique hotels in Istria. Valamar Marea Suites Hotel is a great gateway for families with children as it offers spacious accommodation, complimentary buffet-style breakfast and dinner, a sandy beach, and lots of entertainment and activities for the whole family.
At the Lesic Dimitri Palace, the most luxurious hotel on the island of Korcula, you get the comfort of fully-furnished apartments with top-notch hotel services. A small and secluded hotel Alhambra on the island of Losinj is simply the finest and the most luxurious hotel in Croatia. The splendid garden full of Mediterranean scents, private beach club, stylish stainless steel swimming pool, and harbor-side location are the reasons guests love the Lemongarden Hotel in Sutivan on the island of Brac!
Let yourself be pampered in one of the best hotels in Croatia.
Table of Contents
Hotel Esplanade, Zagreb
If you enjoy history and the old-world charm, then hotel Esplanade is THE best hotel to stay in Zagreb. Beautiful art-nouveau hotel with top-notch service, 2 onsite restaurants, health club and great location, hotel Esplanade attracts tourists and locals alike. Since its opening in 1925, the hotel has always been an important part of Zagreb social life. Sunday brunch in Le Bistro is especially popular! The Esplanade hotel features 208 elegant and well-equipped rooms and suites with city vews and splendid amenities including marbled bathrooms, Wi-Fi, L’Occitane toiletries, velvety bathrobes, flat TV and minibar. If you can afford it, we can only give one piece of advice: choose it for your stay in Zagreb.
Palace Judita Heritage Hotel, Split
This historical boutique hotel in the heart of Split’s old town is full of old-world charm and character. If service, location, beautifully appointed rooms, quiet night sleep, and delicious breakfast are important for you, then you can’t go wrong with choosing Palace Judita for your stay in Split.
Housed in the 16th-century building, the hotel offers 19 luxurious rooms suites, some with balconies, exposed stone walls and city views. All rooms come with modern amenities including flat-screen TVs, soundproof windows, complimentary Wi-Fi, minibars, and premium organic toiletries.
A lovely courtyard with a historic water well as its centerpiece creates a cozy bar’s terrace, ideal for grabbing a drink on hot summer nights.
Hotel Vestibul Palace, Split
A member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the Vestibul Palace Hotel in Split features 7 tastefully designed rooms and suites across three historic buildings dating back from 3rd, 16th and 17th century. The hotel leans against imperial Vestibule that once served as the entrance to Roman emperor Diocletian’s private quarters. It doesn’t get more historic than this!
This small boutique hotel is located amidst hustle and bustle of old town Split. However, the rooms remain quiet and they provide a good night’s sleep. With some exposed stone walls and modern furnishings, the Vestibul Palace Hotel in Split is cozy and charming yet it remains elegant and contemporary. Add to that helpful and welcoming staff, and a breakfast cooked to order, and you have all the right reasons to stay at Vestibule Palace hotel in Split.
Hotel Excelsior, Dubrovnik
TThe iconic Dubrovnik hotel, this amazing hotel hosted many celebrities from social and political life from all over the world during their stay in Dubrovnik.
We only need two words to describe why you should stay in the hotel Exclesior in Dubrovnik: location and views!
Hotel’s superb location, a stone-throw away from the old town, and unobstructed views of the city walls, old port, and the old town Dubrovnik, makes hotel Excelsior one of the most sought-after hotels in Dubrovnik.
Last refurbished in 2017, hotel’s 158 rooms and suites spread across the 1913 royal villa and a contemporary tower wing. Famed Croatian designers Franic and Sekoranja sign hotel’s interior design. Rooms feature modern perks like flat screen TV, free Wi-Fi, minibar, and fluffy bathrobes. Other facilities include lovely, landscaped gardens, 3 restaurants, indoor swimming pool, a spa and a gym.
Villa Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik
Dramatic cliffside location with stunning views over the sea, Lokrum island, and the old town Dubrovnik, private beach, a top-notch service, yummy breakfast, and a shuttle boat to Dubrovnik’s old port are all reasons to stay in Villa Dubrovnik.
Chic and contemporary white interior make a perfect contrast with the exterior and the blue of the Adriatic Sea. Some of the 56 thoughtfully decorated rooms and suites feature full-glass walls, teak terraces, private jacuzzi, and enchanting views over the old town of Dubrovnik.
Other facilities include onsite restaurant, wine bar, a spa with indoor pool and various saunas, as well as a private seaside platform for swimming and sunbathing.
Villa Dubrovnik is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World, and one of the best Dubrovnik luxury hotels.
Hilton Imperial, Dubrovnik
Hotel Hilton Imperial doesn’t have Excelsior’s views, but its location is literally few steps away from Dubrovnik’s old town.
Constructed in 1897, the Hilton Imperial Hotel is the oldest operating hotel in Dubrovnik, and it still boasts many period details in its architecture and design.
The rooms are on the smallish side, but well-appointed and nicely decorated. They were last refurbished in 2018. Unfortunately, the toilets are a bit dated as they didn’t go through a renovation. Get a room with a balcony, it’s worth extra money.
Facilities include a restaurant, a bar, a spoa with indoor pool, saunas, massage rooms and a gym. A breakfast room is excellent with glass walls and outdoor terrace.
Little Green Bay, Hvar Island
Set in a quiet bay on the northeast part of the Hvar island, Littlegreenbay is a beachfront property featuring 15 beautifully decorated rooms. Here seclusion and privacy is the utmost luxury!
The former farm house has been transformed into a lovely guest house, or as Littlegreenbay likes to label itself a “non-hotel”. All rooms feature earthy tones, minibar, espresso coffee machine, private terrace or balcony, bluetooth speakers and a flat-screen TV.
Guests love Littlegreenbay for its superb service, peace and quiet, lovely beach, a great onsite restaurant serving fresh food and veggies from their garden, and a small rooftop spa.
If you are looking for a relaxing getaway, Littlegreenbay is the ultimate place to stay in Hvar.
Palace Elisabeth Heritage Hotel, Hvar Town
A recently opened, Palace Elisabeth Heritage Hotel in Hvar is the first 5star property on the island. This landmark hotel, located right at Hvar’s promenade, above the city hall, overlooking the harbor, the sea, and the main square, is set in a historic building dating back to the 13th century. Later, in 1899, during the Austrian imperial rule, the palace served as a hotel. Interesting architectural details from Venetian and Austrian time are preserved and nicely incorporated in hotel’s design.
Palace Elisabeth Heritage Hotel features 33 rooms and 12 suites, a spa, an indoor swimming pool, bar, and a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The rooms are modern, comfy, and tastefully decorated with lovely views. The Palace Elisabeth Heritage Hotel is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World.
Grand Park Hotel Rovinj
The Grand Park Hotel Rovinj is one of the hottest hotels in Croatia and THE place to be at the moment. It is a signature property designed by the 3LHD, a top Croatian architect studio and Pierro Lissoni, a famed Italian interior designer.
The hotel boasts the best views over Rovinj’s old town, the sea, and the marina. Two of hotel’s three restaurants are run by prominent chefs: Jeffry Vela runs Cap Auero whose menu is heavily based on veggies, while Emanuele Scarello, 2-Michelin-star Italian chef is in charge of the restaurant Agli Amici.
The hotel aslo features another two restaurants, two bars, a pastry shop, a 50 m long indoor/outdoor pool, a spa, and a shopping zone. Guests have at their disposal three dedicated beaches, but all three a bit away from the hotel. All 209 rooms and suites come with Wi-Fi, terrace or balcony, kettle and espresso machine, bathtub and rain shower, instant campera to capture your precious moments, flat-screen TV. Majority of rooms boasts spectacular views over the sea and old town, and some rooms also have private plunge pools.
Grand Park Hotel Rovinj is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World.
Monte Mulini, Rovinj
Located at the entrance to the Zlatni Rt Park, overlooking the sea, hotel Monte Mulini is easily THE best hotel in Croatia.
If you are looking for a small and intimate beach hotel in Croatia with top-notch service, a heated outdoor swimming pool, and a great beach club, then Monte Mulini Hotel in Rovinj is right up your alley.Other facilities include a spa with indoor pool, saunas and a gym, three restaurants, and three bars.
All 113 rooms and suites are spacious and feature balcony or terrace, minibar, sitting area, complimentary Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TV. Bathrooms come with double vanities, walk in shower and a bathtub. Suites also have a kitchenette.
Monte Mulini is also a member of the Leading Hotels of the World and Virtuoso.
Meneghetti Wine Hotel, Bale
This beautiful wine estate offers luxury accommodation in 50 rooms, suites, residences, and villas. Gorgeous Meneghetti Wine Hotel is the most secluded and unique property in Istria. If you enjoy peace and quiet, a romantic gateway away from it all, then Meneghetti Wine Hotel is the place to stay in Croatia.
The estate spreads on 30 acres, surrounded by olive groves, vineyards, and Mediterranean greenery, with no other house in sight, Meneghetti Wine hotel features a fine dining restaurant, wine cellar and wine tasting room, spa, indoor and outdoor swimming pool, and a designated beach for hotel’s guests in nearby Barbariga.
It’s a part of Relais&Châteaux!
Valamar Marea Suites, Porec
This upscale beachfront hotel in Porec features 108 spacious suites all equipped with modern amenities like LCD TVs, Wi-Fi, Nespresso coffee machine, fluffy bathrobes and slippers, and branded cosmetics. Some suites offer separate sleeping area for the kids, while other have spacious sitting area, separate toilet or even two bathrooms.
Valamar Marea is a great gateway for families with children as it offers spacious accommodation, complimentary buffet-style breakfast and dinner, sandy beach, and lots of entertainment and activities for the whole family.
Other facilities include indoor and outdoor heated pools, two restaurants and three bars.
Lesic Dmitri Palace, Korcula
This lovely boutique hotel, set in the heart of Korcula old town, features only 5 spacious apartments, a Michelin-star restaurant, and a spa.
Housed in the 18th century Bishop’s palace, the design is elegant, yet quirky. The oriental elements mix with typical architecture from the time of the Dubrovnik Republic. The inspiration for this unusual blend came from Korcula’s most famous resident – Marko Polo and his travels along the Silk Road.
At the Lesic Dimitri Palace, the most luxurious hotel on the island of Korcula, you get the comfort of fully-furnished apartments with top-notch hotel services.
The hotel is a member of the Relais&Châteaux.
Hotel Alhambra, Mali Losinj
A small and secluded hotel Alhambra on the island of Losinj is simply the finest and the most luxurious hotel in Croatia.
Service, architecture, cleaning, food, everything is incredibly well thought and run.Location can’t be better, right at the seafront, amidst a thick pine forest, and with its own private beach.
The onsite restaurant is top-notch, but even more, The restaurant Matsunoki in sister hotel Bellevue is one of the best Japanese restaurants we’ve tried.
Alhambra is a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
Hotel Lemongarden, Brac Island
The splendid garden full of Mediterranean scents, private beach club, stylish stainless steel swimming pool, and harbor-side location are the reasons guests love the Lemongarden hotel in Sutivan on the island of Brac! Other facilities include onsite restaurant, bar and a private spa.
This upscale adults-only hotel features 35 suites and rooms. All rooms and suites feature Murano chandeliers, Paul Smith and Missoni silk fabrics and rugs, Wi-Fi, minibar, flat-screen TV, high-quality toiletries, marble floors and bathrooms.
Our Tips for finding the best hotels in Croatia
Before you go ahead and book your hotel in Croatia, check out some of our top tips. These tips will help you save money, and understand the important aspects of your hotel stay.
Why Stay in a Hotel in Croatia
The main advantages of staying in Croatian hotels compared with other types of accommodation include complimentary breakfast and dinner, daily cleaning, ample facilities, and a superb location.
All hotels in Croatia offer complimentary breakfast. And, many coastal hotels also offer a buffet dinner. This can save you lots of money on your holidays in Croatia.
When staying at the hotel, you don’t need to worry about making the bed, washing towels, or passing a vacuum cleaner. When you stay in Croatian hotels, you get a daily room cleaning.
A majority of hotels on the coast offer facilities like outdoor and indoor swimming pools, wellness and spa, designated hotel beach, gym, onsite bars and restaurants, parking, etc… Sometimes it’s simply more convenient to stay at the hotel than anywhere else.
Oftentimes, hotels benefit from the prime location, whether it’s right at the beachfront, within walking distance from the town, or overlooking the old town, in every Croatian town you’ll find at least one hotel with the best possible location.
What to expect in Croatian hotels
All Croatian hotels are inspected and licensed by the state in order to operate legally. Depending on a set of requirements a property meets, each hotel is categorized with 2 to 5 stars. The higher the star rating, the more luxurious the hotel is.
Croatian requirements are strict. So, generally speaking, within the same category, you’ll find that hotels in Croatia are more comfortable than Italian or French hotels.
But in any case, travelers’ reviews are much more important and relevant when deciding on a hotel in Croatia than the official category. We usually consult Tripadvisor, Booking.com, and Holidaycheck (German-only) when browsing for a hotel in Croatia or elsewhere.
Room types
A majority of hotels here were constructed in the 60s and 70s and then later renovated. Not too many hotels are completely built anew.
As hotels were upgraded from 2 or 3-star to 4 or 5-star properties, smaller rooms would get knocked down and reconnected to make them bigger, and so on. For this reason, many hotels today offer really lots of different room types.
If you wonder should you pay that little extra for a better room, here are our few tips on what to look for when choosing a hotel room for you.
A room with a balcony is worth the money. The same goes for the room with a sea view.
Many hotels here use the expressions “sea view room” and “seaside room” when describing the room types. However, a seaside room doesn’t necessarily have a sea view (and in that case, you can as well book a cheaper park view room).
Sometimes different amenities are the only thing that distinguishes two room types. Make sure these amenities are worth the money.
Some hotels offer economy or basic room types when running on low occupancy. Oftentimes this is your standard room type offered for less money. Read the description carefully, and if it is the case, don’t miss the opportunity.
Room size
Expect to have at least 21 m2 room (including bathroom). However, though rare, you can still find some old, 2- and 3-star hotels with smaller rooms.
Meals
All Croatian hotels offer complimentary breakfast. Many hotels along the coast also offer a complimentary buffet dinner (half-board meal plan). Sometimes hotels encourage you to book a half-board offering a buffet dinner included in the price of a room for as little as 3€ per person per day. Check, for example, these Valamar hotels in Porec.
A few hotels have an all-inclusive light and all-inclusive formula. The all-inclusive light is pretty much a Croatian invention. It means that you get three meals a day, and unlimited selected drinks during meals. Drinks usually include hot beverages, soft drinks, water, wine, beer, and local liquors. Check out our post on the best all-inclusive hotels and resorts in Croatia.
Parking
The majority of hotels in tourist resorts provide free parking. Hotels in downtown areas of bigger towns, like Zagreb, Split, or Dubrovnik, usually either have their garage or lease nearby parking spaces from the town. While these hotels provide parking for hotel guests, they also charge for it.
In general, parking isn’t such a big problem except in Dubrovnik. While it’s worth looking for a hotel that provides parking whether paid or free, parking shouldn’t be a deal-breaker when choosing your hotel in Croatia.
Entertainment
Hotels in resort towns in Croatia, like Porec, Rovinj, or Bol, all provide an entertainment program for children and adults.
The entertainment program usually includes aqua aerobics, evening music, movie and disco nights for kids, and various sports tournaments. But certain family hotels go beyond the basic entertainment and provide more elaborate programs through kids’ clubs for different age groups, as well as educational programs.
Hotels in the center of towns often don’t have any entertainment besides some music evenings.
Internet
A majority (if not all) of hotels offer free wifi internet to their guests.
Many times the access is completely free, and sometimes you need to give your email address and consent to be contacted in order to access the free wifi.
Other facilities
All 4* and 5* hotels in Croatia are air-conditioned, and so are many 3* hotels (although it is not mandatory).
Many coastal hotels have an outdoor swimming pool, and a majority of 4* and 5* hotels also have an indoor pool and spa, and wellness center.
In-room entertainment means you get a Sat TV. Sat-TV usually means a limited number of free international channels available via Astra and Hotbird satellites.
In-room amenities always include bathroom toiletries, fresh towels, and linen (changed daily, or every three days depending on a hotel category). Other common amenities are a kettle, and sometimes a selection of teas and bags of instant coffee.
Seasons
Tourist demand in Croatia is very seasonal. July and August are the most popular months for visiting Croatia.
Other seasons, especially in Istria, more or less follow Bavarian school holidays. This means that the high demand (and thus higher prices) you can expect in the period between Whitsunday weekend (celebrated 7 weeks after Easter) and Corpus Christi weekend (2nd Thursday after Whitsunday). Weekend over Corpus Christi is often the busiest of this entire period.
Why this is important to know? Because when Easter is in late March/Early April and the Bavarian holidays in May, many hotels, particularly hotels in Istria, will run discounts and promotions for June. You can often secure a great deal in June if this is the case. When Easter is in mid-April, and the Bavarian holidays are in June, then hotels will run promotions for stays in May.
Other highly sought-after periods out of the high season include Easter weekend and the 1st of May.
Prices
How much you will pay for your hotel in Croatia depends on many factors, including destination, location, category, popularity, season, length of stay, booking window, events, and time of the week, …
Expect to pay 70 € for a double room with breakfast in a 3* hotel in the shoulder season, and 120 € in the high season.
For a double room with breakfast in a 4* hotel, expect to pay around 230 € in high season, and around 110 € in shoulder season.
And a double room with breakfast in a 5* hotel expect to pay 170 € in the shoulder season, and 350 € in the high season. A room in some top luxury properties, like the hotel Monte Mulini in Rovinj or Villa Dubrovnik, will cost around 550 € a day for a double room with breakfast in high season.
Take these prices only as an indicator. The exact price that you will pay will depend at the end on many factors that we explain below.
Croatia Hotel Rates Explained
Some destinations in Croatia, like Dubrovnik, Rovinj, and Hvar, are more expensive than others. If you are interested in cheap hotels in Croatia, avoid hotels in top destinations. Visit them for a day but stay somewhere less popular and cheaper.
The closer to the attractions the hotel is, be it a historical center, beach, or any popular landmark, the more expensive it is.
The higher the hotel category, the more expensive it is. You pay for the level of luxury.
The more popular hotel is, the more expensive it gets. Sometimes 3-star hotels are more popular than 4-star. Island Hotel Katarina in Rovinj is one such hotel.
When you travel matters! The highest rates are in July and August. Rates drop in September and June, but even more in October, May, and April. From November to March, Croatian hotels that remain open are usually cheaper during the week than on weekends.
For example, in Hotel Lone in Rovinj, a double room costs 320 € per day in July and August. In early June that same room will cost 250 €, in mid-April 150 €, and in February 110 €. The price in July and August is almost 3 times higher than in February!
Many hotels offer long-stay discounts. In April, a 3-night or 4-night stay is considered a long stay, while in August it is rather a 6- or 7-night stay.
The rates depend also on the time of booking. Croatian hotels usually run early booking discounts applying a discount to all bookings made until March.
Popular events, like Summer Salsa Festival in Rovinj, draw 3000 participants and influence hotels’ rates. Sometimes business guests fill up rooms and drive the rates for leisure guests up.
Local, regional & international brands
You won’t find many international hotel chains in Croatia. While countries like Italy, Greece, or France have a large number of independently owned hotels, in Croatia ten largest national hotel chains control over 40% of all hotel rooms in Croatia. Thus, these companies have operational know-how, and marketing budgets big enough to manage their hotels themselves, and also to develop their own hotel brands.
These national hotel chains run the majority of hotels and resorts within one destination.
Croatian hotel chains
Valamar Hotels and Resorts have hotels in Istria (Porec, Rabac), islands (Krk, Rab, Hvar), Makarska, and Dubrovnik.
Plava Laguna has hotels in Porec, Umag, and Rijeka, while their sister company Adriatic Luxury Hotels has hotels in Dubrovnik.
Maistra Hospitality Group owns and manages hotels in Rovinj, Vrsar, Zagreb, and Dubrovnik Riviera.
Blue Sun has hotels along Makarska Riviera, an island of Brac, Paklenica, and Marija Bistrica, while Suncani Hvar has hotels in Hvar Town.
International hotel brands in Croatia
Hilton has four properties in Croatia: Hilton Imperial in Dubrovnik, DoubleTree by Hilton, Canopy in Zagreb, and Hilton Costabella Beach Resort in Rijeka.
Marriott’s brands in Croatia include Westin and Sheraton in Zagreb, Design Hotel Lone in Rovinj, Sheraton in Dubrovnik, and Le Meridien in Split.
Radisson Blu is in Split, Best Western in Zagreb, and Kempinski Hotel is in Istria.
Park Plaza manages three hotels in Pula, while Sol Melia manages hotels in Umag.
Menenghetti in Istria, Bevanda in Opatija, Bastion in Zadar, and Lesic Dimitri Palace in Korcula all belong to Relais & Chateaux hotel collection.
Grand Park Hotel Rovinj, Monte Mulini Hotel in Rovinj, Villa Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik Sun Garden Hotel, Ikador in Opatija, Palace Elisabeth in Hvar, and Villa Nai 3.3. in Dugi Otok are members of the Leading Hotels of the world.
Small and Luxury hotels include Villa Orsula and Hotel Excelsior in Dubrovnik, hotel Vestibul in Split, D-Resort in Sibenik, Alhambra Hotel in Mali Losinj, and San Canzian in Istria.
Besides international hotel brands, you will also find some European hotel chains and associations like Austrian hotel chain Falkensteiner with hotels in Zadar, and Punat on Krk Island; or Kinderhotels, an Austrian-based hotel association with a portfolio of family-friendly hotels in Rovinj, Rabac, and Mali Losinj.
What to bring with you
When you stay in hotels normally you can travel light, as hotels offer lots of amenities, from free toiletries, bathrooms, and beach towels, to coffee and tea bags. However, we’ve listed below some things you might consider bringing along if they are important to you.
Mosquito repellent
Many towns in Croatia spray against mosquitos. However, some hotels are amidst nature, in beautiful, but unfortunately mosquito-friendly environment. Croatian hotels don’t have mosquito nets on the windows and balcony doors. Check AVON Skin-So-Soft SPF 30 sunscreen lotion and mosquito repellent for mosquito-free and sun-protected holidays in Croatia.
Slippers or flip flops
Not all hotels provide sleepers for guests. In fact, the majority don’t. If you are anything like me, you don’t like walking in a hotel room barefoot. It’s simply gross! You might consider bringing a pair of slippers with you. Or even better, bring a pair of flip-flops that you can use in the room, but also at the beach.
Travel size shampoo and shower gel
All hotels in Croatia provide soap, shower gel, and shampoo. Better hotels provide also body lotion and other toiletries. However, except in five-star hotels, and some 4-star upscale properties, hotels offer their home-branded toiletries. You know a bottle that is a face-wash-cum-shampoo-cum-body-wash-cum-tooth-paste (ok, now I am exaggerating, but you get the point). Well, some people (ok, us) don’t like (ok, don’t trust) these products. If you are similar, you might consider bringing with you small travel size bottles and filling them with your favorite toiletries brand. If you need to save space in your bags, you can also plan on buying them in Croatia.
Foldable electric kettle for travels
We often travel by car in Croatia and in Europe, and we always carry a small travel-size electric kettle. We like to enjoy a cup of coffee in our hotel room, especially first thing in the morning. The ultimate pleasure would be to get a portable espresso maker. But that’s on hold for us for now.
Travel size hairdryer
Many hotels here still have those terrible hair dryers that are fixed on the wall, offer no control over the airflow, and where you need to hold the ON button pressed at all times while drying your hair. If you are sensitive about your hair, you might consider taking a travel size hairdryer with you.
Teas
Croatians generally only drink herbal teas. And it’s still difficult to find a good quality black, green, or English tea, particularly in small coastal towns.
Water shoes
Pebbly and rocky Croatian beaches can be difficult to walk on, that’s why you will need a pair of water shoes. Choose shoes that dry quickly, and have a gripping sole.
Photo camera
As long as you bring your camera along, it doesn’t matter if you like a simple point-and-shoot camera like this Canon, an action camera like a GoPro Hero, DSLR, or light and small Panasonic Lumix with interchangeable lenses.
Adapters and converters
Croatia uses 220V, 50 Hz frequency, and type C & F plugs. Both are similar plugs with two round prongs with 19 mm between the two. Check here for the great choice and best prices.
Swimming suit
This one is obvious, but we didn’t want to leave it out. Check this lovely Tempt Me monokini, or this stylish Ekouaer vintage tummy control swimwear.
Tips for finding discounts, promotions, and Croatia holiday deals
Many hotels in Croatia run Early Bird discounts. Try to book your stay as early as possible. Preferably by March 1st.
Have your dates flexible and travel in need periods. Need periods aren’t always off-season periods. For example, Croatian hotels often have low occupancy in the last week of June and the first week of July. Check rates in this period if you are flexible. You might find some good deals.
Travel out of the main Bavarian and Croatian school holidays (May or June depending if Easter is in late March or mid-April, Easter, the 1st of May, July, or August).
Non-refundable rate is often cheaper than the regular rate. If you don’t intend to cancel, book a non-refundable rate to save. Another approach would be to book a refundable rate and check regularly on your hotel of choice and if you see that the price has dropped, just re-book the stay.
Check the hotel’s website for exclusive online deals.
Check daily coupon deals for special promotions. Most hotels in Croatia offer discounted rates for limited periods through Crnojaje (Croatian site), and 1nadan (Slovenian) websites. While these sites are intended for Slovenian and Croatian markets, nobody stops you from using them with a little help from Google Translate. They sometimes have really great deals.
Subscribe to hotel loyalty programs. Hotels often offer members-only deals and perks to their subscribers.
Use the Booking.com site to compare different hotels and book the best deals. Some hotels (especially smaller hotels) use Booking.com as their sole website.
Different types of hotels in Croatia
Whether you are interested in an exquisite getaway in one of 5 star Croatia beach resorts, in a small and cozy family-run boutique hotel, or just in a no-frills clean hotel with good breakfast in a town’s center, Croatia has them all: from all-inclusive family-friendly beach resorts to adults-only boutique hotels and anything in between.
All-inclusive hotels
If you are just looking for some fun under the sun, a relaxing beach holiday with everything covered, Croatia’s all-inclusive resorts might just be the right choice for you.
Although Croatia isn’t really known as an all-inclusive holiday destination, it still has some all-inclusive hotels all along the coast.
To be completely honest, in Croatia, the majority of all-inclusive hotels have an all-inclusive light formula. This means that you get three meals a day and unlimited selected drinks during meals. Drinks aren’t free of charge out of these hours, or out of the main buffet restaurant. No midnight or afternoon snacks either.
However, it’s still a nice way to spend your holidays in Croatia. Here is our full post on all-inclusive hotels in Croatia.
Family Hotels
Safe, easily reachable by car from anywhere in Europe, with a variety of accommodations for every budget, a plethora of kid-friendly attractions and activities, and hotels with kids-friendly amenities makes Croatia one of the favorite destinations in Europe among families with children.
Our favorite family hotels in Croatia are the Family Hotel Amarin in Rovinj, Valamar Girandella Maro Suites in Rabac, and Funimation Club Borik in Zadar.
Read our full post on the best family hotels in Croatia.
Boutique hotels
Boutique hotels are small, stylish, unique, and intimate and we love them for all those reasons.
Our favorite boutique hotels in Croatia include the Palace Judita, a lovely historic hotel in the heart of the 1700-year-old Diocletian Palace in old town Split; a 15-room hotel Little Green Bay set at the beach in a secluded bay on Hvar Island; and the Wine Hotel Menenghetti set amidst vineyards in the Istrian countryside.
Luxury hotels
Luxury hotels in Croatia are still rare finds. You will find Croatia 5-star hotels, but they are more upscale hotels than real luxury hotels. In fact, you’ll find luxury hotels only in four destinations in Croatia: Rovinj, Zagreb, Dubrovnik, and Losinj.
Grand Hotel Park Rovinj and Hotel Monte Mulini, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, are the two best hotels in all of Croatia. We also love Esplanade Zagreb Hotel for its old-world charm, superb service, and great onsite restaurant.
Villa Dubrovnik has awesome views over the old town, and a boat to bring you the old town Dubrovnik in style. Hotels Bellevue and Alhambra on the island of vitality – Losinj make a world of luxury and style surrounded by thick pine forest and right at the seafront.
Croatia beach hotels
The majority of people visit Croatia for the ultimate Croatia beach holiday. This is especially true of European tourists, and it’s particularly true in July and August.
Many Croatian hotels are in coastal towns, and the majority of them are right by the beach, or at least at the seafront.
Some of the best Croatia beach hotels are Valamar Dubrovnik President, Medora Auri Family Beach Resort in Podgora, Hotel Jadran in Tucepi, and Hotel Istra in Rovinj.
If you are interested in luxury hotels in Croatia on the beach, then we would highly recommend the Monte Mulini Hotel in Rovinj.
Recommended travel guides
- Fodor’s Croatia Travel Guide (we are co-authors!).
- Lonely Planet Croatia Travel Guide
- Rick Steves Croatia & Slovenia
Further reading
- Croatia Travel Guide: 26 Things To Know Before Traveling To Croatia
- Car Rental in Croatia
- Driving in Croatia
- Croatia Apartments Guide
- A guide to renting villas in Croatia
- Things To Do In Croatia
- Ultimate Guide To Accommodation In Croatia
- Packing List For Vacation In Croatia
- How To Choose Your Destination In Croatia
- Outdoor Activities in Croatia
- 49 Awesome Beaches In Croatia
- Snorkeling In Croatia
- White Water Rafting In Croatia
- 20 Must-Try Foods In Croatia
- 18 Tips For The First-time Travel to Croatia
Hope we gave you some ideas about the best hotels in Croatia. If you have any questions, suggestions or comments leave them in the comment section below.
