10 Best Hotels in Kvarner, Croatia

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.