tripgirl

ok, I'm back....

Questions about hotels this time:

For Ljubljana: We did decide on the Grand Union, Executive side of the hotel. Since the location looked liked the best one. Above poster did report it is a bit tired, but that is ok. If anyone has stayed there, which rooms would be the most elegant? Is it worth it to book a jr suite?

For Dubrovnik: We have decided to stay at the Villa Argentina, the location we liked better versus the Villa Dubrovnik and the Pucic Palace we felt was too much $ for no water view. Questions are:

In viewing the website for the Argentina, I know there are is the Hotel , Villa Argentina, Villa Orsula and then two more villas all on the the same property.

The rooms featured on the website I liked best was at the Villa Argentina, the deluxe room.

However, I have read that the Villa Orsula is now the place to be, but when I looked at the rooms online ( and I realize online pictures don't always do justice) I did not like them as much as the one at Villa Argentina.

Also is staying at the Hotel in any way preferable to the villas?

In Hvar: We have decided the Adriatic is probably the best in terms of location. We realize that no hotel will give us luxury here. But the Adriatic seems to have good reviews and I noticed on the website you can book a suite, but I have no idea what it looks like as there are no pictures of a suite. Is the Podstine however, in any way more luxurious and nicer than the Adriatic. Do not wish to stay at the Palace, so please do not recommend.

I'd like to get this portion handled and then onwards to some activities I will certainly have some questions about.

We have our flight booked from the US to Paris and then onward to Ljubljana. We arrive Ljubljana by 12:40pm. Have not worked out from Slovenia to Dubrovnik or from Dubrovnik to Havar and then Hvar ( probably via Split) back to Paris where will spend a few days with friends.

thanks a mil...

Catbert

I stayed in Villa Argentina. I think the rooms are nicer than the Hotel proper. The only disadvantage is there is no elevator. I recommend a room upstairs for the best view. It's just across a narrow road from the hotel. Because the hotel goes down the hillside, it's not in the way of the view.

offwego

I agree with Catbert. The no elevator part was no big deal-keeps you in shape for moving around Dubrovnik!

We also stayed at the Adriatic in Hvar. It's a basic hotel, nothing luxe about it but the rooms are clean, the view is outstanding, service is great and the breakfast is nice. The acoustics in the harbor make it very LOUD however. We had a heck of a time sleeping there until we just gave in to it, got dressed, went downstairs and partied with the revellers until we were tired/drunk enough to go back up and pass out. If loud bothers you, you may want to reconsider.

tripgirl

offwego,

The noise is that bad, huh?

I need quiet to sleep so what else might you suggest, hmmmm.. might be a dilemma?

We need something central and views are a must, so we might be stuck with noise????

Are there any hotels that are not basic?

offwego

tripgirl

The Podstine hotel is a 2km walk from town. Not sure what the views are like. Since it's out of town a bit, perhaps it's more quiet. I know several people on this forum have stayed there. Perhaps they can comment.

Even with the noise, the location and the view are so great at the Adriatic I would stay there again in a heartbeat. Who knows, maybe we were just there on a particularly "party hearty" weekend. Miss Universe was there; maybe that was the problem!

tripgirl

offwego,

Did the noise go to 12mid, 1am, 2am, or beyond?

Up to 1:30 or 2am is not a problem, but all night along would be!!

ivson

www.podstine.com

offwego

tripgirl

It was only noisy until about 1-2am. We are the types who go to bed early and be up at sunrise so for us it was a problem.

No, it did not go on all night and like I said, we just went downstairs, partied with them and slept a bit later in the morning.

It did not go on all night.

tripgirl

offwego,

Now for the rooms at the Adriatic. did you get to see any rooms besides your own? Are there suites? It is difficult to find alot pictures of the property. would you mind describing your room.

did you take some pictures I might be able to peruse?

thanks a mil....

offwego

tripgirl

I didn't take any pictures of the inside of the room, though I did take a couple out the window. Those are posted at http://www.snapfish.com/thumbnailsha...862/t_=7208397

IMG_0615 (view during the day) and IMG_0861 (at night)

IMG_0741.JPG is the breakfast area.

I don't recall there being any suites, but I didn't ask. I did find this one website with a picture of the room and that is exactly what it looks like.

http://www.yeego.com/hotel.php?h=10029&aff=642251

The good news is, we only slept and showered in the room--it's so wonderful in town, at the beach, the surrounding area, you will not be inside AT ALL.

The movie I made of our trip is on DVD and I think I may have some footage of the room on it. If you're keen on seeing it, I will gladly send you the film. You can email me at [email protected]

Carta_Pisana

I stayed at the Hotel adriatic ( room 110) - perfect view of the harbor. The room is modestly appointed - functional - not lux in the least. I was a bit concerned about noise from Carpe Diem but with the windows closed and the "air conditoner" on - didn't hear a sound.

The apartment I rented this september had a great view of the whole harbor and pakleni islands. Only negatives: located at the top a long set of stairs and the noise from the clubs could be heard even though the balcony doors were shut. Apartment was modestly furnished - air conditoner was very good.

http://www.captnovak.com/

Another apartment I found that maybe more to your liking:
http://www.geocities.com/mayaway78/index.htm

dcdee

We were in Hvar in early Oct. 2004. We checked the only room that was available at the Adriatic. It was dark, somewhat rundown, utilitarian and utterly without charm and no view. Admittedly, that might explain why the room was still available.

We stayed at the Podstine which appears to have been refurbished recently. The room was much brighter and cheerier. We had a room with a balcony and a pretty view of the Pakleni Islands. It was very quiet although, keep in mind, we were there in Oct., not midsummer.(There are a few rooms without a balcony or view, so be sure to request one.) Breakfast is served on an outside terrace and there is a rocky beach and chaises down by the shore.

We had a car so can't tell you how long the walk was into town, although I seem to recall that others have commented that it is a pretty walk of 15-20 minutes on a path along the shore.

You might consider having dinner at Panorama Restaurant, located a few km outside town in an old military observation post high on a ridge with a panoramic view over the surrounding sea and islands.

I gather from your recent posts that you have given up on visiting Zagreb. If that changes, I highly recommend the Regent Esplanade. It reopened in May, 2004 after 18 months of renovations and is very nice-- quiet, comfortable and attractively furnished.

tripgirl

back again...

For those who stayed at the Villa Argentina: How did you book: called, online, etc?

Same with those who stayed at the Adriatic, called, online, etc?

I just want to be sure at both places we have the exact rooms we want with sea views.

I usually look online first and then end up just using the hotel website to book or call them directly but I wanted to see what you all did.

Thanks a mil...

tripgirl

Also, if anyone has a recommendation for the best restaruant in terms of view and food in Hvar for dinner. July 17th will be DH's b'day and we'll be in Hvar. (I'll do some research on my own and then ask your opinions as well)

I need the most upscale restaurant that has a wonderful view. It needs to be a place that you do get a little dressed for, not the shorts crowd for this night out!

Thanks a mil....

ivson

Here is web page of some restaurants in Hvar http://www.gastronaut.hr/restupit.asp?mjesto=21450 , supposedly the best and something really special is restaurant Palmizana www.palmizana.hr/restaurant.htm but you need a boat for a short sail to this tiny island just across Hvar town. I ll check out if I can find if there are some boats that take visitors just to the restaurant.

Carta_Pisana

Macondo, in the town of Hvar, sounds what you may be looking in regards to high quality seafood and a smartly dressed crowd - the only negative, no view. But having dinner at one of the outside tables along the walkway is wonderful. My first two dinner there were memorable, the third was a bit rushed and hurried due to the crowds. There is a place in Humac, east of Jelsa - that has an incredible view and incredible food - very atmopsheric -a true konoba near an abandoned village - however taking a taxi there would be very expensive from Hvar (probably $75 to $100 - each way) and it is somewhat casual but the lamb and plavic wine were amazing.

http://www.humac.info

There is one other place - in Ptive, a semi-abandoned village - Knoba Dubokovic. Beautiful belveders looking out over Jelsa and Stari Grad towards Brac - and good to very good food. The mussels buzara (sp?) was disappointing but the otopus under the bell and their bottled red wine were fantastic.

Carta_Pisana

Mispelled Pitve - should read...

"..There is one other place - in PITVE, a semi-abandoned village.."

tripgirl

thanks all!

I'll keep checking too.

and also if anyone out there can respond to my earlier post abouthow they made their hotel reservations, do tell!!1

Thanks a mil...

Catbert

I just walked in off the street. I wouldn't recommend it. I think I was awfully lucky.

tripgirl

Being the ultimate planner I would NEVER WALK into a hotel without reservations.

Even in China last summer, although I was told numerous times by Fodorites that you bargain a better deal, I still made reservations.

To bargain a deal, first is not my cup of tea, and second, to save a few bucks but exhaust myself in the process is not IMHO a vacation!!!!

so anyone out there: how did you make your reservations for Villa Argentina and Adriatic? Also anyone who has stayed at Grand Union Executive in Ljubljana, also do tell how you did your reservations.

Thanks a mil...