Choosing the Best Resort in Croatia for Your Holiday

Croatia has been going through a renaissance in recent years – even before the national team’s World Cup exploits this summer. A favourite beachside retreat for everyone from Roman emperors of yesteryear to today’s canny bargain-hunting Westerners, Croatia’s huge expanse of Adriatic coastline is strewn with many different types of holiday destinations. We’ve picked out a few of the best resorts in Croatia, grouped below into some of the most popular categories for UK holidaymakers.

For Families

At opposite ends of the country are two hotels owned by the same company, which specialises in family-friendly fun. One of Hotel Valamar’s locations, Club Tamaris in Poreč on the northern Lanterna peninsula, is a stone’s throw from Venice across the Gulf of Trieste. The area benefits from its proximity to Italy when it comes to cultural influences like food and wine.

The resort itself has been cited in the top five nationally, with a variety of amenities to keep everyone happy. There are three separate playrooms for different age groups, pools with a Turkish bath and sauna and football fields and basketball courts. It’s 100m from the sea, and the dining options compare favourably with any of the best resorts, in Croatia or further afield.

At the southern end of the country, the medieval-walled city of Dubrovnik hosts another Valamar Hotel. The area was made famous recently as a set for sunnier scenes in HBO’s Game of Thrones and is jaw-dropping. The hotel itself is ten minutes by car from the old town and its pebbled beach, and its amenities include tennis courts, an on-site gym, a pool and kids’ activities.

Adults Only

For couples, solo travellers and friends touring together, two properties in particular spring to mind, both with a hint of prestige and style, and lots to do. No children means more time to explore the local area, and Hotel Ola on the Dalmatian Coast is just ten minutes from the medieval walled city of Trogir, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The well-preserved cathedral and bell tower match the natural beauty of the coast and the nearby Krka National Park’s waterfalls and forests. If you tire of the daily market and shops Trogir also has to offer, then the tourist hotspot of Split is around 30 minutes away by car or bus.

If you prefer a resort holiday, then Hotel Adriana Zadar could be right for you. With its boutique nature and top-class facilities, it holds its own against some of the best resorts. In Croatia, hospitality is important – and you can see how much this hotel prides itself on how welcoming it is, bragging that four out of every ten guests will have stayed there at least once before.

Beach Lovers

Croatia, although dominated by coastline, is fairly light on sandy stretches, with pebbles being more prominent. There are two notable exceptions to the rule: Brela, halfway between Split and Markarska, and Lumbarda to the east of the Island of Korčula.

The location and variety of Brela is impressive and home to some of the best resorts in Croatia, but of the two we’d recommend Lumbarda. With its Ancient Greek heritage, the unspoiled charm of its fishing villages and pine and olive forests and its gorgeous beaches, the idyllic surroundings encapsulate everything that has made Croatia a dark horse for unforgettable holidays.

Whether you’re searching for beaches, family fun or an adults-only holiday, Croatia has something for you.

John Dixon is an experienced world traveller and the Managing Director of Prestige Holidays. For over 30 years, he has been providing holidays in the best resorts in Croatia, as well as holidays in Bermuda, Sicily and many other destinations around the globe. John tries to visit each of the destinations regularly in order to ensure the quality of his properties, and stay up-to-date about the latest local news and events. He has a taste for the finer things in life and has an interest in arts, history and culture.