In partnership with the Croatian National Tourist Board
From seaside escapes and rustic retreats to spa havens and city slickers, these sunshine destinations tick so many boxes you'll be inclined to stay forever.
Have you ever been to a hotel so in sync with its surroundings, there's almost no need to venture beyond? Welcome to Croatia, where the hotels offer much more than a bed and breakfast: they're full-on fantasy breaks, reflecting the country's crystalline shores, multidimensional culture and soul-warming climate – even beyond the well-visited summer months. Whether you're after a city stay, a countryside retreat, or a coastal escape these spots have every mood covered, from kid-free moments to rosé-drenched afternoons or a mind-stilling hour (or three) at the spa.
Villa Nai 3.3, Dugi Otok
@villanai33
Best for... The soul-searching solo traveller
Dugi Otok is the westernmost and therefore lesser visited island in the Zadar Archipelago. Known for its rugged landscapes and sensational seafood, it's a no-brainer for anyone seeking serenity and unspoiled beauty, and where you'll also find Villa Nai 3.3 – set within an organic olive grove just outside the village of Žman. The adults-only hotel is carved into the rugged hillside, its unusual geometric design the work of Croatian architect Nikola Bašić. With just five rooms and three suites, it has an intimate feel to it, which is ideal if you're travelling solo. Go olive oil tasting, swim in the seawater infinity pool, feast on grilled fish, read on your shaded private terrace – and repeat.
Hotel Dubrovnik Palace, Dubrovnik
@adriaticluxuryhotels
Best for... The multi-generational seaside escape
Finding somewhere that will keep grandma as amused as hard-to-please teens can be a challenge. This seafront hotel, in the history-rich, stone-walled city of Dubrovnik, is your answer. It perches on the Lapad peninsula away from the city's busy-in-the-season promenade, its proximity to the Adriatic allowing for water sports and a dive centre; plus, there are two freshwater infinity pools and a padel court. While young ones burn off their energy, grandparents can watch all the action over plates of fresh scampi and lobster in the breezy beachside Maslina Tavern. As for parents? They'll likely be enjoying some well-deserved R&R in the spa's Finnish sauna or steam room.
Hyatt Regency Zadar
@hyatt
Best for... Celebrations with friends
This 133-key property is a Croatia debut for Hyatt, and the perfect jumping off point from which to explore Zadar's Venetian fortresses and Byzantine churches. The hotel itself fizzes with energy, fusing historical elegance with contemporary cool. The guest rooms and suites come in multiple sizes, with balconies from which to appreciate the region's idyllic sunsets. Head downstairs and let the fun begin... Will it be chilled beats and casual vibes at the poolside Estival, modern Asian-South American fusion at Fenix, or one of the mixologist's specials at Alfred's bar? The hammam and hot tubs at Lavanda Spa are just the place for recuperating after a late night.
Maslina Resort, Hvar
@maslinaresort
Best for... The back-to-nature family
Prepare to be enchanted by the natural beauty of this resort, which is nestled in Maslinica Bay on the pine-forested, lavender-sown north coast of the island of Hvar. Built from local stone, terracotta and wood, the low-slung hotel complements the wild landscape, its grounds spotted with ancient olive trees, the scent of rosemary in the air. Days are spent exploring pebbly coves and floating in the pool, while little ones will be living their best lives on treasure hunts, eco crafting and at open-air movie nights. The family suites are spacious, with loggias offering far-reaching views: the newly opened A Bay Beach Bar is just the place for cocktails and club sandwiches.
Esplanade Zagreb, Zagreb
@esplanadezagreb
Best for... Remembering the golden age of travel
Everything about Esplanade Zagreb says old-school glamour. One of the more elegant expressions of the capital's Austro-Hungarian history, the hotel opened in 1925 as a stopover for passengers aboard the Orient Express. A century on and the grand dame's Art Deco aesthetic continues to shine. The lobby is a vision of gilt, marble and crystal: sweep up the grand staircase and you'll be following in the footsteps of Orson Welles, Elizabeth Taylor, Ella Fitzgerald and Maria Callas, not to mention presidents and royalty. With this retro charm comes modern-day comfort – rooms are sumptuous, the restaurants stand-out (notably Zinfandel's) and the service renowned for its warmth.
Hotel Lone, Rovinj
@maistra_collection
Best for... The tired parents with young kids
A little mermaid school, mini discos, magic shows, a gaming lounge... Hotel Lone in the sun-drenched, cobblestoned port of Rovinj, knows a thing or two about entertaining children. The kids' club is open for three hours in the morning and again in the afternoon, giving grown-ups time to refresh in the sea, decompress at a yoga class or long-lunch at the highly rated sushi spot Tekka by Lone. E Restaurant and Lounge caters for younger palates. Many of the 248 rooms and suites are designed with families in mind, with interconnecting rooms, separate living rooms and balconies overlooking the Adriatic or the tree-covered trails of Golden Cape forest park.
Boutique Hotel Alhambra, Lošinj
@boutiquehotelalhambra
Best for... The gourmet-loving couple
Lošinj island's five-star Hotel Alhambra is spread across a pair of turn-of-the-century villas on the pristine shoreline of Čikat Bay, where a private wooden deck allows guests to plunge straight into the sea. And swim you must, not only for the cobalt water but to work up an appetite for dinner at the award-winning Alfred Keller restaurant (named after the architect who designed the hotel). Austrian chef Michael Gollenz's a la carte and tasting menus are layered with complex flavours and the finest Croatian ingredients. The wine cellar has 600 wines, many of them local – perfect for toasting your beloved under the stars.
Hotel Lemongarden, Brač
@hotellemongarden
Best for... Adults-only down-time
Overlooking the harbour in the pretty fishing village of Sutivan on the island of Brač, this hotel is a pocket of paradise. Rooms are in a trio of old manor houses surrounded by a garden that bursts with bougainvillea, hibiscus and more than 150 lemon trees. Spread your towel on the private beach or around the pretty swimming pool and enjoy the peace – Hotel Lemongarden is for 14 years old and over. After an afternoon of sunshine, cool off with a homemade lemonade from the beach club or ice-cream at Gelateria Rosa before strolling to the hotel restaurant. Ask for a table right by the water's edge to watch the boats bobbing in the water.
Meneghetti Wine Hotel & Winery, Bale
@meneghetti.hotel
Best for... Farm-to-table enthusiasts
If produce-led, authentic cooking is high on your holiday agenda, then you'll love Meneghetti. The hotel, inland in the truffle-dotted Istrian countryside, comprises a series of rustic-luxe rooms, residences and villas, which open out onto vineyards and olive groves. There's a swimming pool and a spa offering treatments rooted in nature. But it's the food which brings the X factor, with seasonal ingredients sourced directly from the hotel's own garden, local farms and sustainable producers. The fact that it is also a winery, producing zesty whites and fruity reds, is all the better.
Hotel Materra, Osijek
@hotelmaterra
Best for... Spa-loving, zen seekers
A slower pace of life is what many of us seek when on holiday, and where better to unplug than in a hotel spa? Spend a day pounding Osijek's baroque streets before ratcheting up your wellbeing at Mattera, which adopts a back-to-nature approach. Every room has been designed to offer a panorama of the rising sun, while the spa is 1,500 sq metres of natural materials and serene colours. Spend your stay wallowing in the Jacuzzi, alternating between the saunas and the ice fountain or getting your glow on with a vegan skincare facial. The reset-committed can sign up for the individualised rejuvenation programme.
Discover more fantastic restaurants, bars and hotels with 50 Best Discovery, and start planning your next adventure.
