Penzion and Sobe. And a 3-yr old.

Anyone? Advice is really appreciated.

Thanks,
D

dukkar,
Rick Steves' book on Croatia describes sobe (rooms) and apartman (apartments). No mention of penzions.

Two cousins and I traveled to the Trogir area (Seget Donji to be precise where we have family) last fall and booked an apartment which I found on the internet and was able to contact the owner directly. It was a two bedroom, 1 bath apt w/kitchen and clothes washer in a new building with six units altogether, each with a terrace overlooking the Adriatic for what came to less than $90/night. The sight where I found it is from the UK with the price listed in GBP and the local currency in kuna, but the owner computed the charge in US dollars which I wired to him with no problems. To give you an idea of one of the many sites, I have the link below:
http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/rentals/trogir/41094
There were many, many "apartments" listed for rent with very good descriptions and photos of the accomodations. Some are very reasonable. Google "Croatia apartments." You will be amazed at the number available. You may want to inquire about the type of terrain the property sits on as the coast is very hilly. Our apartment was on the "first level" but there was a climb up steep stairs above the street-level parking. Steep stairs or balconies may influence your decision since you have a 3 yr old.

Good luck.

We just stayed at a tourist farm in Slovenia with our 4 year old. We had an apt., so it had space for up to 4 people.

During our trip, our daughter wound up sleeping in our bed alot, so we didn't need to really even have a second bed. We always told the hotel that we were traveling with a child. Usually not a big deal, but at times they charge per person, as opposed to per room...in that case, make sure you try to negotiate a discount for your child.

But back to your initial question, I think it is doable to stay in a sobe, just let the owner know that you have a child with you.

We just got back from Slovenia & Croatia. It seemed to me the pensions (or pansions as you'll see over there) were more like small, family-run hotels or B&Bs. Many we saw had restaurants and some of the best meals we had over there were at pansions.

We traveled with our 3 year old in Croatia in September a few years ago. We only stayed in sobes. Our first stop in each town was the TI office, and they would find an appropriate sobe for us. They were all very comfortable, and the kitchens or mini-kitchens were very helpful. You can ask for sobes with private bathrooms and kitchens or kitchenettes if it's important for you. Many, many sobes included kitchen facilities.

Thank you for all your replies.

Regards,
D

Depending on where and how you arrive, you may find the "Landladies" waiting for you. I arrived in Dubrovnik by ferry and they were standing at the Ferry exit with signs. Not every sobe is the same. If you get your sobe through a landlady you can get the best price but it pays to ask them what theirs is like before you agree to go see it. If you book through the Tourist agency the agency gets a fee so the price will be higher. It's an interesting phenomonon.

Grassshopper, did you negotiate on price before you saw the sobe? Did any of them have pics with them? I will be arriving in Sept by ferry and would like to stay in a sobe, I am debating whether to book ahead or just go this route. I may be by myself or with one other girl. I used to do this regularly in Italy and never got a bad place, however, I've become a bit more of a planner over the years.

One of the coolest rooms we stayed in during our Grand Tour of Europe was a sobe in Korcula. We arrived without reservations and just walked along the waterfront until we saw a "SOBE" sign hanging on the side of an apartment. When we inquired, they showed us the room (small but nice, with bathroom) and sent us back into town (just a few hundred meters) to find the owner, who was drinking at a cafe. $27 for the night, and we could spit into the Adriatic out our window. Gorgeous.

Is a "sobe" a bed and breakfast?

Jen, sorry, I didn't stay in a sobe. I just observed the landladies there. They can be anything from a stand alone apartment to a room in someone's home. It's good to ask questions and yes, I think it's appropriate to negotiate. As a solo traveler to Croatia, I found it a little unsettling to hop in a car with a stranger and go see their sobe. I stayed at Villa Argentina in Dubrovnik, which was fabulous. It has gotten a lot pricier since that visit.

Lauren:

A sobe is an individual/single room in a house which may or may not have a private bathroom.

Thanks. I just did not recognize the word.