Croatia Travel Blog

Archive for the ‘Krk Island’ Category

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.

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:

 

Dubrovnik

Hotel More

More is more. After a six-million euro investment, the Hotel More has received its coveted fifth stary. The 34 rooms and 3 apartments are super-classy with what the tourist office calls “artistic paintings” on the walls. And the restaurant is set up in full theatre mode; watch the chef sweat over your supper while you enjoy your cocktails.

Hotel Lapad

One of Dubrovnik’s oldest hotels, the Hotel Lapad is finally getting some attention. Eleven million euros should bring about quite an improvement in everything from structure to amenities to services. And it should be ready by 2008.

See more about Dubrovnik hotels.




 

Krk Island

Hotel Koralj

It’s a nice hotel to begin with but what hotel couldn’t be improved by a pool? Next year, this three-star hotel will boast a 200 square metre outdoor pool which might even bump it up to a four-star category.

Hotel Marina

This one could really use an overhaul and I’m happy to see it will get one. The hotel is well-located in the centre of Krk Town but has been allowed to fall into major drabitude. It’s being kicked into shape as I write. The attractive facade will remain but the interior will be outfitted with newly enlarged rooms with crisp new features and services that should be thoroughly four-star.

Lovinac

Huh? Okay so maybe you didn’t come to Croatia to hurry over to Lovinac, somewhere between Zagreb and Split. But if you need a place to rest your head while driving the Zagreb-Split motorway, you can now avail yourself of the new Lovinac motel. Conveniently located near the Zir petrol station, this new motel has 35 rooms AND a restaurant. It may be the only restaurant on the motorway. Plus, it’s an easy drive to ever-popular Plitvice Lakes National Park. The regional tourist board should have more info..

 

While everyone else was skiing, Croatia’s hoteliers have been busy, busy, busy renovating, restoring and rebuilding. The Hotel Meridien Lav has been perhaps the most exciting opening but there are others. For example, the luxurious Hotel Elaphusa in Bol on Brac Island has added a whole new conference hall centre to welcome business travellers. What with the Hotel Riu Borak and Riu Bonaca, there’s no shortage of places to stay on Brac Island.

Krk Island is getting a new tourist centre as well, located in Malinska although this complex won’t be finished until August–when the tourist season ends. Oh well.

Just finished is an astounding new spa and wellness centre, the Terme Tuhelj in Zagorje. I’ve been a big fan of Croatia’s Zagorje spas and they deserve to be better known. Some are in need of makeovers but this new one makes me drool. Saunas, ice caves, ice pools, relaxation rooms, mud massages plus an aquacentre with waterfalls, geysers, glaciers (no, I made that up) and all in the green, rolling Zagorje interior. I feel well-er already.