12 Best Hotels in Istria, Croatia

The beachfront location and expansive sea views from every floor make this grand hotel a welcome addition to the Pula scene. From the welcoming helpful staff and the peaceful blue and sand tones to the thoughtful open design and comfortably elegant decor, the atmosphere here is truly luxurious. Don't miss enjoying a cocktail at sunset at the Lobby Bar Terrace overlooking the large infinity pool, which visually flows into the sea below. After a day at the beach, you can spend a few hours in the full-service spa and then enjoy dinner at one of the lovely restaurants—each one offering spectacular views.

Emerging from the fragrant pine forest, this hotel has an unbelievably perfect location on the waterfront opposite Sveta Katarina Island and the charming Old Town of Rovinj, an excellent restaurant, a top spa, and luxurious accommodations. Designed by the renowned Italian architect Piero Lissoni and Croatian 3LHD Studio, this elegant but unfussy hotel offers artfully designed rooms and suites, many with plunge pools and gardens. Views of Rovinj are mind-blowing and romantic, particularly from the well-regarded Cap Aureo Signature Restaurant and on the marina at the Michelin-starred restaurant Agli Amici. Albaro Wellness & Spa has one of the most intriguing spa menus found in Europe, inspired by Istrian tradition as well as local flora and fauna. Bringing nature into the hotel was critical to the award-winning design, as shown in its use of 30,000 native plants.

A luxurious boutique hotel has been created from several old houses found in the medieval village of Mužolini Donji, near Buje, Momjan, and Grožnjan. Each room, suite, or villa is designed with the Istrian countryside in mind, using natural textures and high-end modernity, but blended together within the renovated medieval stone buildings. At the heart of the resort, you will find a stylish restaurant, café/bar, outdoor gardens, saunas, and an incredible infinity pool and pool cabana. Local farmers, olive oil, and wine producers provide Istria's best gourmet products.

This family-run hotel has an excellent location right across the seafront promenade just a few yards from the water, and its spacious, modern, and well-equipped rooms have balconies overlooking the sea. The ground-floor units have a nice terrace with a small grassy area, but that wonderful sea view is partly blocked. Restaurants, bars, beaches, and shops are all within walking distance, but you can also take a tourist train to reach popular beaches at the other side of the village. The staff are extremely helpful and friendly. Pets and children are also welcome.

This stylish waterfront boutique hotel is in Pješčana Uvala, the posh seaside suburb just 3 km (2 miles) from Pula's city center. The spacious rooms include a penthouse with a private plunge pool. It sits on a private beach, offering a modern pool deck, medical spa services, free parking, and a large furnished cabana overlooking the beach. Gorgeous views, delicious breakfasts (not included with room), and restaurants, cafés, bars, sailing, snorkeling, and water sports are all within walking distance of this chic mini-resort.

A luxury glamping resort in the peaceful countryside overlooking the sea, Floria offers lush gardens, private pools, Jacuzzis, a large community pool, a wellness center, saunas, a cocktail bar, a gift store, and a restaurant. There are 8 glamping tents and 10 camping pitches for RVs and caravans, as well as electric charging stations for cars and bikes (you can even rent an e-bike or scooter). Just a 15-minute walk from Old Town Labin, Floria also offers transportation to the Old Town and nearby restaurants via their electric golf cart shuttle. Several beaches are within 10 minutes by car. 

Founded in 1912, this harborside boutique hotel is the oldest (still functioning) one in town, and is modern, artsy, and as cosmopolitan as anything in New York or London. Rooms are spacious, with all conveniences and stunning marble bathrooms, and front-facing rooms have great views over the harbor. All rooms and suites contain original art made exclusively for the hotel by renowned international and Croatian artists. With a lovely bar serving everything from coffee to specialty gins and the on-site Brasserie Adriatic restaurant, today the Adriatic is a focal point of social life in Rovinj.

Rovinj's first boutique heritage hotel is housed in a beautifully restored 16th-century building on a cobblestone street in the heart of the Old Town. All rooms and common areas have been updated to a chic modern standard, but they still embrace their original elegant old-world charm with well-placed antiques and warm residential decor. Free breakfast is served in the courtyard garden, as is the afternoon aperitivo; the area transforms into a late-night lounge after dinner. Some spa services are also available. Although the hotel's parking lot is outside the Old Town, a posh golf cart will collect you and deliver you to the front door.

Considered one of the top luxury hotels in Croatia, the Hotel Monte Mulini has a stunning location just a 20-minute walk from Rovinj’s Old Town, in a landscaped park next to the nature park Zlatni rt and 164 feet from the sea. The rooms and bathrooms are spacious and well appointed, with amenities including bottled water and handmade local sweets; those in suites can enjoy olive oil tastings and Illy espresso coffee machines. All rooms have a balcony and great views over Lone Bay and the sea; higher floors naturally offer better views. The staff is friendly, accommodating, and helpful. Two on-site restaurants, top-notch wellness and spa facilities, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and the Mulini Beach Club make Monte Mulini a perfect getaway for those looking for true relaxation.

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.

Formerly a fisherman's cottage, this 100-year-old waterfront hotel in Verudela offers stylish hotel rooms, a posh penthouse apartment, a modern sauna, and an outdoor pool. For generations, dignitaries, businessmen, tourists, and locals have come to the koliba because it dishes up some delicious seafood. You can also venture up to the chic rooftop bar for a tapas-style menu of local cheese, prosciutto, and crudo, all while enjoying stunning views over a sailboat-filled marina.

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.