Croatia Travel Blog

Archive for the ‘Accommodation’ Category

It’s a race to the top in Dubrovnik as hoteliers outdo themselves to capture high-end tourists. The latest entry on the scene is the incredible Villa Dubrovnik. Clinging to a cliff that juts into the Adriatic, the unparalleled views make the Villa Dubrovnik the most romantic hotel in Dubrovnik. It’s in the Ploce neighbourhood which already boasts two other five-star hotels: Hotel Excelsior and Grand Villa Argentina. The Villa Dubrovnik is a few minutes further along the scenic road but still an easy walk to town. And there are free boat transfers!

The Villa Dubrovnik closed for three years to renovate and the result is spectacular. The architecture seems to capture the sea and sky and bring it into the splendidly appointed rooms. Some rooms have private jacuzzis but, if not, the wellness center is there for the ultimate in pampering. The indoor pool makes the hotel the ultimate Adriatic experience even in winter and the two restaurants are first- rate. Find out more.

At last! After years of stalling, PayPal has decided to let Croatians into the system. What that means is that Croatians can now receive money via PayPal as well as use PayPal for online purchases which they have been able to do for years.

This change has a potentially large impact both on travellers looking for budget accommodation and on suppliers of rooms and apartments that market internationally. Previously, owners of private accommodation would demand a cash deposit to hold a room, particularly during the high season. The problem was that sending money via a wire transfer or via Western Union is costly which somewhat defeats the purpose of trying to save money on accommodation. Many travellers were uncomfortable sending money into the ether but accommodation owners felt they had little choice.

Now they do. Anyone in Croatia can open a PayPal account and receive payments that can be withdrawn either onto a Visa card or to a US bank. If you are a merchant or supplier of rental accommodation in Croatia this is the way to go. Just go to this link to get started.

If you are shopping for private accommodation in Croatia and the owner asks for a transfer via wire or Western Union as a deposit, show them this post and urge them to sign up!

See more on private accommodation in Croatia.

The southern Dalmatian islands of Hvar and Korcula tend to get a lot of press, so I was happy to see travel writer Jon Henderson venture to the Kvarner islands in the northern part of the Dalmatian coast and write an article about his trip for the LA Times. I wish I could comment on his comparison of the turquoise waters of the Kvarner to French Polynesia but, tragically, I haven’t yet visited the latter location. I have visited the Kvarner though, most recently in a cruise of the Croatian coast last August and I can say that it wasn’t quite the tourist-free paradise that Mr. Henderson visited in May. How could it be?  The advantage of an August visit though, is that the water is swimmably warm after the summer heat, unlike the ice pond that Mr. Henderson encountered.  It’s true that the water temperature remains several degrees below the waters of southern Dalmatia but the prices are also less, even in high season. There are hundreds of rooms to rent on Cres, Losinj and Krk islands and the towns Cres, Mali Losinj and Krk are as fun to explore as Mr. Henderson describes.

I also appreciated the writer’s anecdote about finding a room in Cres town. Many people think that you’re bound to get a better deal with a private person hawking a room on the street but no. As Henderson pointed out, he actually got a better deal at the tourist office. So, budget travellers beware! Don’t get too smart for your own good. See more about finding private accommodation in Croatia and about Croatian islands.

Way back when, there was only the Hotel Neptun, a perfectly acceptable three-star hotel on Dubrovnik’s Babin Kuk peninsula. With its calm surroundings and rooms with sea views it had always been a favourite. Then, with the dawning of the new millennium it seemed ready for an upgrade. And so it was done. Now there’s the four-star Hotel Neptun and the five-star Hotel Ariston, Importanne Suites and Villa Elita, all part of the Importanne Resort.

A recent stay in the  Importanne Suites revealed accommodation ready to take a top spot on the global luxury hotel scene. These spacious suites are lodged in their own building, discreetly bordered by stone walkways and Mediterranean greenery. As the resort reception area is in Hotel Neptun, walking into the Importanne suites is like entering a private home with plush rugs and comfortable sofas. It was thoughtful to place a row of umbrellas downstairs just in case the weather turned.

The suites are composed of two rooms: a bedroom and a living room with a small kitchenette area should you want to prepare champagne and canapes. The decor was soothing but cheerfully modern. Each room had its own bathroom which would be convenient both for couples and for those entertaining business guests. I liked that there was free internet access; so many hotels charge for it. Plus there was a flat-screen TV and telephone in each room–again perfect for those combining business and pleasure.

Perhaps the best part was the immense balcony facing south. The view over the Adriatic was unforgettable, particularly with the sun setting on the right.

The breakfast buffet (shared with the Importanne Resort) was copious and delicious with freshly-baked pastries, meat, eggs, cheese and lots of fresh fruit. Afterwards, there’s lolling by the swimming pool, plunging into the Adriatic, taking a peaceful seaside stroll to Lapad or hopping on a bus for a quick ride to the Old Town. It was the full resort experience and I loved it.

See more about the Importanne Resort.

At first, I thought it would be a good idea to stay in central Trogir. I’m so glad I didn’t. Although the architecture of this World Heritage Site is wonderful, it’s not exactly a hidden treasure. Wow, was it busy! So, I stayed in Ciovo, a beach resort just outside the Old Town, and sampled the hospitality of Ira and Boris Rakic who run Villa Pape.

I’ve often extolled the virtues of staying in private accommodation in Croatia, and Villa Pape is one of the reasons why. Set on a hill overlooking the Ciovo islet, the guesthouse is in a quiet location away from the hubub. It’s easy to reach Trogir but who wants to? Ira and Boris have created such a warm and welcoming atmosphere in their guesthouse, it’s hard to leave. I felt so at home in my spacious, well-outfitted apartment I could have stayed forever. For those new to the region, Ira provides a wealth of sightseeing tips as she has made a study of local history and lore, especially the Roman ruins of Salona.

And, here’s a tip: sample one of Ira’s homecooked meals. The lady is an amazing cook, specializing in the kind of local fare you don’t find in restaurants. The Villa Pape website has some good recipes but there’s nothing like letting the expert cook. Plus, Ira is committed to supporting local products and sustainable agriculture. No store-bought produce for her!

Villa Pape has an assortment of rooms and apartments, all modern and reasonably-priced.

Read more about

• Villa Pape
• Trogir Travel Guide
• Jeanne’s Croatia 2008