June 30th 2008
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.
June 30th 2008
To me, one of the ultimate hotel luxuries is being able to fall asleep to the sound of waves on the shoreline. Air-conditioning is nice of course, but if I can leave the windows open and get a refreshing breeze while the sea’s rhythm lulls me to sleep, I’m in heaven. And I was in heaven at the four-star Dubrovnik President Hotel.
June 30th 2008
I’ve known the Bebic family for years, ever since I first started writing Lonely Planet guides, so staying at the Pansion Bebic in Lumbarda, Korcula was a kind of homecoming. But I think it’s kind of a homecoming for everyone that stays at their hospitable guesthouse. Just walking into their terrace-restaurant makes you feel at home. Their spacious dining terrace forms a center to the modern and comfortable apartments and rooms that make up this traditional pension. And, it signals the importance of meals to the “Bebic Experience”.
November 12th 2007
Now that visitors have returned home, it’s facelift time for Croatia’s hotels. Renovations, reconstructions, additions and improvements are underway in time for the 2008 season. Here’s the rundown: Continue Reading »
August 21st 2007
It took a while but Split finally has a brand-new five-star hotel only steps from the celebrated “Diocletian’s Palace” and Split’s historical town centre. For years Split has suffered from a shortage of decent accommodation, let alone luxury accommodation but that era is past. The Hotel Atrium is primarily designed for business travellers (FREE wireless access from every room!) but leisure travellers will also find a lot to love. Such as, the indoor swimming pool, wellness centre, jacuzzi, sauna, on-site restaurant and its excellent location. The hotel is so comfy it just might encourage you to stick around Split for a while before running off to the islands. Find out more about Split accommodation.
May 31st 2007
June 6 will see the opening of a fabulous new hotel on super-trendy Hvar Island. Actually, the Hotel Adriana is not a new construction but a totally overhauled, updated, re-designed version of the former Hotel Adriatica. The venerable old Hotel Adriatica was built sometime in the 60s I believe, when Yugoslavia was still catering to mass tourism. I stayed there once about 10 years ago and was definitely unimpressed. Still, it was the only hotel in Hvar with a view of the old town from across the water. That’s probably what inspired the Orca group to undertake the rebuilding project. The result should be awesome. The indoor rooftop swimming pool has a unique canopy top that allows it to be both indoor and outdoor, if you will. There’s and enormous spa and wellness centre plus the usual acoutrements that go along with a top-class luxury hotel. The opening should be quite an event in Hvar. Read more about the Hotel Adriana. Find out more about Hvar accommodation.
February 15th 2007
The 220 million euro development will be the largest wellness center in Croatia when finished. The Austrian Falkensteiner group is financing the construction of a 460,000 sq metre complex in Punta Skala, near Zadar, that will contain one five-star hotel with 210 rooms and suites and one four-star hotel with 252 suites not to mention pools and saunas in each. Nearby will be 28 Dalmatian-style villas. Plus there will be a marina and a golf course. WOW. The first phase will be completed in 2008. No word yet on when it will all be done.
January 18th 2006
Whew. It’s after the holidays and our thoughts turn to. . .SUMMER VACATION!!yeah. Ah, the warm, sunny Dalmatian coast. Not now of course but definitely later. Croatia is looking forward to an incredible holiday season with lots of new air routes opening up especially from London and Germany.
