22 Best Hotels in Kvarner, Croatia

It's hard to imagine a more romantic setting than this harborside inn that sits in a perfectly restored medieval villa with balconies and a gorgeous garden overlooking the Rab Marina and the hills of Barbat in the distance. Rooms are decorated in warm tones and rich fabrics, and include bathrooms with fluffy bathrobes. Free breakfast is served in the restaurant's leafy garden partially enclosed by the old city walls.

With only 10 rooms—each with its own private view of the sea—this luxurious design hotel is one of Opatija's best. The rooms are all named after a famous person who has visited the resort town—and whose faces have been painted on the wall that sits behind the hotel in Angiolina Park. The personalized service and attention make this hotel a standout in a town where many of the hotels are managed as part of a group. The elegant hotel-restaurant sits right on the Opatija Lungomare, where the sea breezes flow through the open-air seating in summer.

This modern luxury hotel has a spectacular beachfront location between Rijeka and the Opatija Riviera. Each room and public area is designed to face the expansive sea views of Kvarner Bay. Six restaurants are found within the resort, including the Michelin-starred Nebo. Locals come for the fabulous over-the-top Sunday brunch and for the delicious cocktails served at sunset in the terrace bar off the lobby. Private beaches, indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, spa services, and fitness and outdoor activities are available at the resort, making the Costabella an oasis in the region.

Docked at the pier in Rijeka, the first Croatian boat hotel is a cool place to stay, with 35 modern rooms, from doubles to dorms, all furnished with comfy beds and en-suite bathrooms. A breakfast buffet is served on the boat's top deck.

Named after a Greek statue recovered from the seabed near Mali Lošinj in 1999, this renovated villa turned modern boutique hotel imposes itself on the seafront close to the main square. Remarkably clean, the polished marble interior lends itself to a feeling that the establishment eagerly awaits guests' arrival. Rooms are comfortable, luxurious, and protected from noise on the busy seafront by double-glazed windows, though the decor may seem a bit pedestrian compared with the exterior's promise. The staff are efficient and eager to please.

The modern interior here is more South Beach than Austro-Hungarian grandeur, and with its coastal perks, the Astoria is justifiably popular with young international travelers. The central location and more affordable prices make it popular with seniors, too. Big breakfasts are served in the cheery dining room.

In the city center, one block back from the Korzo, the Hotel Bonavia is a modern high-rise with comfortable rooms, specially-designed furnishings, and original oil paintings. Rooms on the top two floors have balconies and views of the Kvarner Bay, and the conference facilities offer options for business travelers. The restaurant has a sophisticated dining room with tables on the terrace in summer.

A good 20-minute walk (or 10-minute bus ride) from central Rijeka, this pleasant hotel is situated right on the water with incomparable views of the Kvarner Bay. Modern and comfortable rooms have extra-large double beds and Wi-Fi. Spacious balconies let you enjoy the sound of the sea lapping the breakfront, and hearty breakfasts set you up for farther travel onto the islands.

A 16th-century building that once served as a bishop's summer residence, this resort hotel is on a large expanse of land that is surrounded by palm, pine, and olive trees. Accommodations include hotel rooms, apartments, and small stone houses—all modern, clean, and comfortable. The stone houses are perfect for families. Seaside hotel rooms have large terraces, some with views over Punat Marina and the sea. The on-site restaurant serves hearty Krk dishes on its relaxing covered terrace. There's also a wellness center with spa amenities and an outdoor swimming pool with many cabanas and sun loungers. 

Tucked away in a shady pine forest just a stone's throw from the town beach and a 10-minute walk from the center, Kimen's four stories provide the only hotel accommodation in Cres Town. Built in the 1970s, it's not the most glamorous hotel, but its clean straight lines are perfectly functional. The location does much to compensate for any small annoyances, but you'll hardly need to spend any time actually at the hotel anyway.

On the coastal promenade, this bright pink luxury villa is part old and part new; rooms are furnished accordingly, with either Louis XV–style antiques heavily striped in silk or modern designer pieces. Owned by the Amadria Park hotel brand, you will find their signature luxurious touches throughout the property. There's a pleasant but pricey tiered terrace café overlooking the sea and a chic piano bar, as well as indoor and outdoor pools and beauty, fitness, and business facilities.

Located in the small seaside village of Porat, just next to Malinska, this hotel is perfectly positioned close to the sea but also surrounded by greenery. The hotel's beach—small and pebbly—is just a few meters' walk. The wellness and spa area features an indoor swimming pool, saunas, relaxation rooms, and a small gym. The on-site restaurant is one of the best on the island, serving creative Mediterranean dishes, and many guests rave about the welcoming, friendly, and efficient hotel staff. 

A 10-floor skyscraper may not look like the rest of the traditional Opatija Riviera, but this luxurious hotel is surprisingly elegant inside, with an airy lobby area and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the sea. Stylish rooms all have pleasant balconies, and corner suites offer 180-degree panoramic views. The hotel has a Five Elements Wellness and Spa center, fitness center, outdoor pool, and a good garden-style restaurant, Hortenzija.

The former summer residence of European royalty, Kvarner's oldest hotel first opened its doors to guests in 1884. This grand neoclassical-style building, with peaceful gardens and a terrace overlooking the sea, is close to Park Angiolina. The historical hotel features a crystal ballroom that hosts a classic Viennese Ball in winter and the Croatian version of the Grammys in the spring. Rooms have crown molding and lovely wood paneling; top-floor rooms have the best views and hardwood floors.

Come to Petehovac to escape the city and be surrounded by nature. There is no better place to stay in Gorski Kotar than up in the hills, surrounded by thick pine forests. This is a privately run mountain lodge that scouts or school groups often use during winter and summer school breaks. Rooms are basic but affordable; during the summer, they can go as low as €80 for a double with breakfast included. The staff is super friendly, and the on-site restaurant offers hearty regional dishes. It's a great place to recharge and enjoy nature.

A complex of five hotels stretches across the peninsula at this family-friendly resort that surrounds the famous sandy Paradise Beach. The focus here is on activities, ensuring that the kids are never at a loss for something to do—including a pet-friendly program offering services, pools, and pampering for family pets on holiday with you.

On Baška Bay, just steps from the famous Vela Plaža Beach, the Atrium Residence has spacious luxurious rooms and apartments. All the apartments feature a balcony and a fully equipped kitchen, and some have an outdoor hot tub. Sea-facing rooms and apartments have wonderful views over the beach, and the resort is pet-friendly.

Amid the greenery of Komrčar Park, this peaceful 1930s-era heritage hotel is a stone's throw from the center of Rab Town. The pine and evergreen trees surrounding the hotel give the impression that the location is far from the busy town; on the contrary, it's actually quite central and walkable. Stylish details like the fun colored lighting in the pool and the comfortable marble tables and polished wood furniture invite guests to relax and feel at home in a luxurious environment. Rooms are spacious and smart, and offer both seaside and park views. There are also excellent wellness facilities and a large pool lounge area.

For long days on the beach and all conveniences on tap, this hotel on the edge of Krk Town is a decent choice; half-board (breakfast and dinner) is included in all rates, though those who plan busy evenings may want to find somewhere closer to the center. Perched among the trees above a tidy beach, the rooms are small but comfortable. Apartment suites on the ground floor have terraces. There's lots of entertainment for the kids during the summer, including sports tournaments, movie nights, mini disco nights, and scavenger hunts. Off-season, Valamar Koralj turns into a quieter and more romantic place to be. If traveling as a couple, ask for the Romantic Suite with robes, slippers, and in-room breakfast.

As one of Valamar's "Maro" hotels, the Padova has thought of everything regarding family-friendly vacations, including a free on-site professional babysitting service that gives parents with young children a chance to get away for a few hours. There is even a gaming center for parents with older children who can't do without their video game fix. Bikes, a ping-pong table, and a long list of sports activities and entertainment are available. The restaurant offers child-friendly meals, and the staff is eager to engage in the many special requests often required for individual families. Combine all that with modern well-appointed rooms with sea and Rab Town views, balconies, pools, spa services, a gym, and beach access and you have paradise for all.

The attractive colored blocks of this four-star property in Veli Lošinj line the seashore in a style that complements the island's traditional architecture surprisingly well. Brown and lavender colors dominate the rooms, most of which have balconies and sea views; modern apartments open onto large balconies. An on-site restaurant is on a terrace just above the beach, and a swimming pool is nearby. The wellness center—with full facilities—is possibly the best feature, especially given Veli Lošinj's tradition as a convalescent center.