7 Best Hotels in Istria, Croatia

In a tiny village just below Grožnjan, you'll find Bolara 60, a lovingly restored 18th-century stone farmhouse surrounded by peaceful rolling hills, vineyards, and olive groves. Anna and Matthew thoughtfully attend to every cozy detail with a high creative standard— from the vintage doorknobs to the wisteria-covered pergola, outdoor pizza oven, cozy open kitchen, antique beds with fine linens, bikes and boots to ramble with, and produce picked fresh from the garden. Anna's a chef, cooking teacher, food writer, and culinary anthropologist with many years working with Alice Waters to draw on, so anything she makes is amazing. But her breakfasts are truly fantastic, especially when eaten in the warmth of her open kitchen, with almost everything on the table made from ingredients grown right on the farm. And if they don't grow it, they know the best farmer, grower, or producer who does. This is a special culinary adventure not to be missed.

Located in the countryside near the village of Žminj, La Casa di Matiki may not be a fully working farm, but you’ll find donkeys, chickens, and three dogs here—you can even opt to sleep on hay in the converted barn, or in the more traditional apartments and cottage. While the apartments can be booked as accommodation only, it's strongly recommended to include breakfast: Sonja, the owner, is well-known across the area for her sumptuous breakfast feasts, which include homemade bread, jam, honey, and farm-egg omelets, not to mention her tasty crepes. People who stay here repeatedly claim it was an experience of a lifetime.

Ideally situated close to the Roman Arena, this small family-run boutique hotel occupies a tastefully refurbished old town house decorated in cheerful yellows and greens with simple modern furniture. Rooms are air-conditioned and comfy, small pets are welcome, the staff is very friendly, and there is good strong (and free) Wi-Fi.

For those desiring an apartment-like stay but with maid service and a shared lounge, dining room, and garden, the sophisticated Terra Residence is for you. Located just a one-minute walk from the main square in Old Town Labin, Terra's beautifully designed luxury apartments combine apartment living with boutique hotel services. Although children are welcome, Terra is highly regarded by couples for romantic getaways. Next door, you'll find the always filled-to-the-max Pizzeria Napoli for casual eats and wood-fired pizzas.

Located a mile south of Old Town Poreč in the Brulo neighborhood, this large hotel is surrounded by pine forest but still close to the sea and a favorite for travelers looking for an activity-rich vacation. Modern styling and a new emphasis on sports and wellness have given this local favorite a new life, including the introduction of their Balance Mediterranean Spa and professional physiotherapy treatments. Great sports facilities—tennis courts; covered multipurpose sports hall for basketball, handball, fitness gym, or mini-soccer; diving center; bike rentals; indoor and outdoor pools; and beach volleyball courts—make this hotel an ideal choice for travelers seeking active holidays. Additionally, the hotel has its signature Maro family services and facilities, including playrooms, a cinema, and a multimedia game lounge.

On the seafront promenade, where Poreč's oldest hotels are found, the Valamar Riviera is an adults-only hotel with a chic restaurant and comfortable, traditionally appointed rooms, most of which have sea views and balconies. The restaurant does a generous buffet breakfast, and there are outdoor tables on the seafront for à la carte dining. There's good air-conditioning throughout and all the perks available—beaches, pools, restaurants, and activities—via the hotel's private shuttle boat to Sveti Nikola Island.