Hotel Croatia in Hvar, anyone stay there yet? going July, need opinions
May 19th, 2006, 11:22 AM
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Hotel Croatia in Hvar, anyone stay there yet? going July, need opinions
Hi all!
I posted on the most recent trip report by salt777 this question as well, but in case no one sees that post, I wanted to know if anyone has stayed at the Hotel Croatia in Hvar yet. We are booked July 16-19th
It's so strange there is nary a review on it (TA and other sites) , yet the hotel looks the nicest of the hotels I researched in Hvar.
I know Syl you'll be staying there, but later than me.
Has anyone recently gone in May.
Syl, you mentioned they won an award for landscaping, which tells me at least they are conscience of their appearance. do you have any more information on the hotel as it seems your trip there is pretty well planned.
Any info is so appreciated.
thanks a mil......
I posted on the most recent trip report by salt777 this question as well, but in case no one sees that post, I wanted to know if anyone has stayed at the Hotel Croatia in Hvar yet. We are booked July 16-19th
It's so strange there is nary a review on it (TA and other sites) , yet the hotel looks the nicest of the hotels I researched in Hvar.
I know Syl you'll be staying there, but later than me.
Has anyone recently gone in May.
Syl, you mentioned they won an award for landscaping, which tells me at least they are conscience of their appearance. do you have any more information on the hotel as it seems your trip there is pretty well planned.
Any info is so appreciated.
thanks a mil......
May 20th, 2006, 05:34 AM
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Okay guys,
I chose it because of:
1) nice location
2) price
3)it looks well kept from the outside
Someone on the bd did say that there's no air conditioning. I don't care because I'll be there 3rd week of Sept.Friends will check it out early July & I'll post their email to me.
I chose it because of:
1) nice location
2) price
3)it looks well kept from the outside
Someone on the bd did say that there's no air conditioning. I don't care because I'll be there 3rd week of Sept.Friends will check it out early July & I'll post their email to me.
May 29th, 2006, 01:54 PM
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I know that there are several people anxiously awaiting a firsthand report about the Hotel Croatia in Hvar, so I will tell you our experience (just returned from a week in Croatia today). Will post a more lengthy trip report in a few days.
We stayed 3 nights last week at the Hotel Croatia. Arrived in Hvar from Split at 3:00 p.m. via the Jadrolinia catamaran (1 hour). Coming in to the port we saw what we thought might be the hotel, nestled on the hill amid lovely pines. When we got to the harbor we were pleased to see a minibus from the hotel there to meet the boat! We hadn't arranged for it and may have just lucked out, because there were a few other people going to the hotel, and they seemed to have been there before. We hopped on the bus and in about 5 minutes were at the hotel, via a road that wound up behind the town.
The hotel's setting is nice--nestled in a terraced garden among the pines, with a good view to the sea. Just below the hotel, about 50 yards down the steps through the garden, is the seaside promenade that runs about a mile and a half from the Hotel Podstine to Hvar town. The Hotel Croatia itself is less than a mile from town (about 15 minutes), and the walk is wonderful--we did it a couple times a day and at night (felt very safe at all times). The hotel has plastic lounge chairs that you can use along the small pebbly beach in front. We didn't use them (there are better places along the promenade), but others did.
There's a pleasant terrace for eating breakfast, and an inside dining room that no one used. The breakfast wasn't very good--the usual suspects (orange juice, coffee, tea, bread, cheese, yoghurt, salami, ham, jellies, eggs), but the quality left much to be desired. Definitely, the breakfasts were the worst part of the hotel. We didn't have any other meals there, though they offer half board, and some guests did do that. We wouldn't recommend it, based on the breakfast.
The staff spoke English and were as helpful as we needed (we weren't very needy). Our room was on the third floor, and there's no elevator. No help from the staff in carrying up bags, but we were traveling very light, so no problem.
Our room (#210) faced the sea, with a small balcony (fitting a small table and 2 chairs). We highly recommend getting the sea view--rooms on the back side of the hotel are about $5 cheaper but about $100 less nice (a few pines and the road).
The room? Simple but comfortable and clean. Blue and lavender. The bed was firm, there were reading lights, the view was lovely, the bathroom adequately equipped (shower and all the other essentials). Because limestone dominates in this area, the water is hard, and the towels are hard. (I don't think they use a dryer.) But there were enough towels. No clock. The TV had good reception (including CNN Europe).
This hotel is not fancy, not luxurious in any way, but a good value. There was a mix of guests -- older (mostly), some youngish, middle aged (like us). Mostly European -- German, British, Croatian. The hotel got fuller over the three days we were there.
We were leaving Hvar for Dubrovnik on the ferry, so we arranged with the hotel for a ride to Stari Grad. $35
So here's the score card: Pluses for location, price/quality ratio, and cleanliness. Minus for the breakfast. Bottom line: this is a traditional hotel that works if you want a decent place to stay at a good price in a nice setting. We would consider staying there again, though next time we would probably try for something right in town.
Have fun!
We stayed 3 nights last week at the Hotel Croatia. Arrived in Hvar from Split at 3:00 p.m. via the Jadrolinia catamaran (1 hour). Coming in to the port we saw what we thought might be the hotel, nestled on the hill amid lovely pines. When we got to the harbor we were pleased to see a minibus from the hotel there to meet the boat! We hadn't arranged for it and may have just lucked out, because there were a few other people going to the hotel, and they seemed to have been there before. We hopped on the bus and in about 5 minutes were at the hotel, via a road that wound up behind the town.
The hotel's setting is nice--nestled in a terraced garden among the pines, with a good view to the sea. Just below the hotel, about 50 yards down the steps through the garden, is the seaside promenade that runs about a mile and a half from the Hotel Podstine to Hvar town. The Hotel Croatia itself is less than a mile from town (about 15 minutes), and the walk is wonderful--we did it a couple times a day and at night (felt very safe at all times). The hotel has plastic lounge chairs that you can use along the small pebbly beach in front. We didn't use them (there are better places along the promenade), but others did.
There's a pleasant terrace for eating breakfast, and an inside dining room that no one used. The breakfast wasn't very good--the usual suspects (orange juice, coffee, tea, bread, cheese, yoghurt, salami, ham, jellies, eggs), but the quality left much to be desired. Definitely, the breakfasts were the worst part of the hotel. We didn't have any other meals there, though they offer half board, and some guests did do that. We wouldn't recommend it, based on the breakfast.
The staff spoke English and were as helpful as we needed (we weren't very needy). Our room was on the third floor, and there's no elevator. No help from the staff in carrying up bags, but we were traveling very light, so no problem.
Our room (#210) faced the sea, with a small balcony (fitting a small table and 2 chairs). We highly recommend getting the sea view--rooms on the back side of the hotel are about $5 cheaper but about $100 less nice (a few pines and the road).
The room? Simple but comfortable and clean. Blue and lavender. The bed was firm, there were reading lights, the view was lovely, the bathroom adequately equipped (shower and all the other essentials). Because limestone dominates in this area, the water is hard, and the towels are hard. (I don't think they use a dryer.) But there were enough towels. No clock. The TV had good reception (including CNN Europe).
This hotel is not fancy, not luxurious in any way, but a good value. There was a mix of guests -- older (mostly), some youngish, middle aged (like us). Mostly European -- German, British, Croatian. The hotel got fuller over the three days we were there.
We were leaving Hvar for Dubrovnik on the ferry, so we arranged with the hotel for a ride to Stari Grad. $35
So here's the score card: Pluses for location, price/quality ratio, and cleanliness. Minus for the breakfast. Bottom line: this is a traditional hotel that works if you want a decent place to stay at a good price in a nice setting. We would consider staying there again, though next time we would probably try for something right in town.
Have fun!
May 30th, 2006, 02:55 AM
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The room at the Croatia was big for a European hotel room (the biggest of our trip). Definitely nice in that regard. Expect something clean and simple and you will be happy. P.S. -- there is no air conditioning. Weather last week was in the high 70's. We kept the balcony doors closed while we were out, so the room was fairly stuffy when we came back, but it cooled off nicely at night.
We did take two wonderful day trips to the Palkeni Islands -- the best was to St. Klement. Caught a small boat at the harbor at 11 (also goes at 10) for the 25-minute ride to the island. 70 kuna each (about $12). The boat came back for us at 4:30. We explored the lovely island--a tiny village, a simple old church, beautiful views, wildflowers galore, a nice 20-minute walk on a path across the island to a perfect bay (well, perfect if you don't mind cobble beaches). I don't like swimming in cold water (and it was cold), but the other couple who went over on the boat with us did swim and enjoyed it. Maybe it will be warmer when you go.
The highlight of St. Klement for us was the Dionis Restaurant, probably the most perfect country restaurant we've ever eaten in. Very rustic--walls on three sides only, eclectically decorated, set on the edge of a vineyard (yes, the house wine is grown there), fantastic views across the fields to the sea. Very friendly staff. And food to die for--the best we had in Croatia. No menu, but you are offered a few choices from whatever is fresh and available. We had field artichokes and peas (an awesome dish), cheese, capers, and olives drenched in olive oil, a cucumber/tomato/onion salad, grilled eggplants and zucchini, grilled whole fish (red mullet, called arbun in Croatian), sparkling water, and a liter of house wine. 460 kuna ($80). Slow cooking at its best--the meal took 2 hours. The restaurant is on the path to the cobble beach. If you go, you can eat before you go to the beach (as we did), or after (as the other couple on the boat did), spend some time on the beach, walk around the village back near the boats, and still make the 4:30 boat pickup. Though there was an open table or two at the restaurant when we were there (there are only about 6 tables), we were told that it fills up in the high season, so be sure to stop by and reserve a table if you go to the beach first.
The other island we went to was Zdrilca (sp?) / Mlini Beach. Not quite as perfect as St. Klement, but still lovely. Only 35 kuna each ($6) round trip, about a 15-minute ride. Again, the boat left at 10 and 11 and returned at 4 and 5. We recommend Antonio's restaurant there--you'll see it from the boat landing when you get to the island. Very good!
You won't believe the colors of the water around these islands. You'll love it!
We did take two wonderful day trips to the Palkeni Islands -- the best was to St. Klement. Caught a small boat at the harbor at 11 (also goes at 10) for the 25-minute ride to the island. 70 kuna each (about $12). The boat came back for us at 4:30. We explored the lovely island--a tiny village, a simple old church, beautiful views, wildflowers galore, a nice 20-minute walk on a path across the island to a perfect bay (well, perfect if you don't mind cobble beaches). I don't like swimming in cold water (and it was cold), but the other couple who went over on the boat with us did swim and enjoyed it. Maybe it will be warmer when you go.
The highlight of St. Klement for us was the Dionis Restaurant, probably the most perfect country restaurant we've ever eaten in. Very rustic--walls on three sides only, eclectically decorated, set on the edge of a vineyard (yes, the house wine is grown there), fantastic views across the fields to the sea. Very friendly staff. And food to die for--the best we had in Croatia. No menu, but you are offered a few choices from whatever is fresh and available. We had field artichokes and peas (an awesome dish), cheese, capers, and olives drenched in olive oil, a cucumber/tomato/onion salad, grilled eggplants and zucchini, grilled whole fish (red mullet, called arbun in Croatian), sparkling water, and a liter of house wine. 460 kuna ($80). Slow cooking at its best--the meal took 2 hours. The restaurant is on the path to the cobble beach. If you go, you can eat before you go to the beach (as we did), or after (as the other couple on the boat did), spend some time on the beach, walk around the village back near the boats, and still make the 4:30 boat pickup. Though there was an open table or two at the restaurant when we were there (there are only about 6 tables), we were told that it fills up in the high season, so be sure to stop by and reserve a table if you go to the beach first.
The other island we went to was Zdrilca (sp?) / Mlini Beach. Not quite as perfect as St. Klement, but still lovely. Only 35 kuna each ($6) round trip, about a 15-minute ride. Again, the boat left at 10 and 11 and returned at 4 and 5. We recommend Antonio's restaurant there--you'll see it from the boat landing when you get to the island. Very good!
You won't believe the colors of the water around these islands. You'll love it!
May 30th, 2006, 04:43 AM
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A:
Thanks so much for posting htis; it helps ALOT
We are going to catch the same 3pm catamaran from Split. Should we let the Hotel know that? It seems you did luck out with a bus waiting, but that might not happen to us.
Did the pictures on the hotel website pretty much match what you experienced?
Is there no one to assist with bags or did you just figure you'd do it yourself?
After staying there, do you have any idea why it NEVER shows up in any guidebook anywhere.
Did you take a look at the Hotel Podstine? If so, do you think that would have been better?
In town, did you see where you would like to stay next time?
Sounds like you had a nice trip!!
Thanks again for posting!!!!!
Thanks so much for posting htis; it helps ALOT
We are going to catch the same 3pm catamaran from Split. Should we let the Hotel know that? It seems you did luck out with a bus waiting, but that might not happen to us.
Did the pictures on the hotel website pretty much match what you experienced?
Is there no one to assist with bags or did you just figure you'd do it yourself?
After staying there, do you have any idea why it NEVER shows up in any guidebook anywhere.
Did you take a look at the Hotel Podstine? If so, do you think that would have been better?
In town, did you see where you would like to stay next time?
Sounds like you had a nice trip!!
Thanks again for posting!!!!!
May 30th, 2006, 09:33 AM
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Answers to Tripgirl:
Minibus: Yes, I suggest letting the hotel know your arrival time. They may charge you 10 euros if they send the bus specifically for you (a sign I saw at the desk implied that, but I didn't confirm).
Hotel photos: The pictures on the web site are accurate. I will be posting our pictures on Shutterfly later this week and can give you the link if you'd like to see more.
Luggage: There appeared to be no one to assist with the bags (and the desk clerk who led us up 3 flights of stairs to the room didn't offer to help), though I did overhear one person saying that she was grateful for the help she got with her bags...it sounded to me like she was lucky with her bags like we were with the minibus.
Why no reviews: That one puzzled me, too. I suspect it is because until recently most guests have been Europeans. Americans would likely be the ones posting on Fodor's, TripAdvisor, etc. Note that there is now a positive review on TripAdvisor (posted 5/24). And not from me! (Will add a review there soon.)
Hotel Podstine: We walked along the promenade from the Croatia to the Podstine. Again, a beautiful walk. Couldn't get to all the way to the hotel, though -- the last part of the walk is gated, and we would have had to backtrack and turn up the hill on some back streets to get to the entrance. We met up with a couple who were staying there and stopped on our way back from St. Klement for a drink with them. The Podstine is more upscale, with a gorgeous bar/terrace area and a nice dining room (didn't look at the bedrooms). Lots of people sunning themselves on the concrete terrace that substitutes for a beach. The couple we had drinks with thought it was nice but too far out from the action in Hvar town. It took them about 1/2 hour to walk into town; the hotel provided transportation for a fee (seems tacky). Probably wouldn't stay there ourselves because of the price and the distance from town, but it was fun to have drinks there.
Next time: If we went for a hotel, we'd probably try the Slavija. Not sure what it's going to cost -- it's currently under total renovation, so it may not be ready for a while. It's located right on the harbor. Reviews say it's very noisy (close to the bars), but perhaps the renovation will improve the soundproofing. As an alternative, we would definitely consider renting a room in a private accommodation overlooking the harbor, or, if we could get friends to come, renting an apartment. Or we might even go back to the Croatia! The price was certainly right.
Minibus: Yes, I suggest letting the hotel know your arrival time. They may charge you 10 euros if they send the bus specifically for you (a sign I saw at the desk implied that, but I didn't confirm).
Hotel photos: The pictures on the web site are accurate. I will be posting our pictures on Shutterfly later this week and can give you the link if you'd like to see more.
Luggage: There appeared to be no one to assist with the bags (and the desk clerk who led us up 3 flights of stairs to the room didn't offer to help), though I did overhear one person saying that she was grateful for the help she got with her bags...it sounded to me like she was lucky with her bags like we were with the minibus.
Why no reviews: That one puzzled me, too. I suspect it is because until recently most guests have been Europeans. Americans would likely be the ones posting on Fodor's, TripAdvisor, etc. Note that there is now a positive review on TripAdvisor (posted 5/24). And not from me! (Will add a review there soon.)
Hotel Podstine: We walked along the promenade from the Croatia to the Podstine. Again, a beautiful walk. Couldn't get to all the way to the hotel, though -- the last part of the walk is gated, and we would have had to backtrack and turn up the hill on some back streets to get to the entrance. We met up with a couple who were staying there and stopped on our way back from St. Klement for a drink with them. The Podstine is more upscale, with a gorgeous bar/terrace area and a nice dining room (didn't look at the bedrooms). Lots of people sunning themselves on the concrete terrace that substitutes for a beach. The couple we had drinks with thought it was nice but too far out from the action in Hvar town. It took them about 1/2 hour to walk into town; the hotel provided transportation for a fee (seems tacky). Probably wouldn't stay there ourselves because of the price and the distance from town, but it was fun to have drinks there.
Next time: If we went for a hotel, we'd probably try the Slavija. Not sure what it's going to cost -- it's currently under total renovation, so it may not be ready for a while. It's located right on the harbor. Reviews say it's very noisy (close to the bars), but perhaps the renovation will improve the soundproofing. As an alternative, we would definitely consider renting a room in a private accommodation overlooking the harbor, or, if we could get friends to come, renting an apartment. Or we might even go back to the Croatia! The price was certainly right.
May 30th, 2006, 09:55 AM
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a:
Thanks a boatload, you are so very kind to answer my questions.
It all sounds fine, we are there for 3 days too.
We normally stay at 5 star and usually the best. But this will be fine, as other hotels on this trip are 5 star and luxurious.
Again, thanks a mil.....
Please add anything further if you wish!
Thanks a boatload, you are so very kind to answer my questions.
It all sounds fine, we are there for 3 days too.
We normally stay at 5 star and usually the best. But this will be fine, as other hotels on this trip are 5 star and luxurious.
Again, thanks a mil.....
Please add anything further if you wish!
May 30th, 2006, 03:09 PM
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tripgirl... glad you got such great info.. we never did make it to Hvar so couldnt check out the hotel for you. We were just too interested in relaxing 8-) so didnt get to see all the spots we had planned to. We went to Dubrovnik, Mljet and Trogir. Posting a report probably tomoro. Enjoy Croatia! its definitely beautiful.
May 31st, 2006, 10:48 PM
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tripgirl-- you mentioned a specific ferry from split to hvar. i see the slow ferries listed on the web site, but can't find schedules for the fast ones? where did you find a fast ferry schedule form split to hvar? (we will be there 2 weeks before you and will post as soon as we return.) we will stay at a b&b on the ocean near the podstine... but plan to rent a scooter to get around the island on (yikes!) so will use that to get in and out of town.
-kawh sebastopol, ca.
-kawh sebastopol, ca.
Jun 1st, 2006, 02:46 AM
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The catamaran we took on May 20 left Split at 2:00. However, that doesn't seem to be on the schedule for June. There's a cat listed from Split to Hvar at 11:30 and one at 3:00. (Get to the dock 1/2 hour ahead of time to get good seats.) You can check the Jadrolinija web site -- www.jadrolinija.hr for the date you are leaving. Click on "Sailing Schedule" and choose "Arrivals". Select Hvar and you'll get the schedule. The car ferries don't go to Hvar (they go to Stari Grad).
Have a great time!
Have a great time!
