The Best Luxury Hotels to Book in Croatia

Part village, part hotel, San Canzian is made up of a collection of old Istrian houses – all crumbling brickwork, worn wooden shutters and quaint terracotta roofs – now restored into luxury guest rooms. It’s tucked away in the tourist-free far north of Croatia – a region known for its fine food and wine. Accordingly, experiences include olive-oil tastings, truffle-hunting trips and private picnic dinners around the estate. The centrepiece Luciano Restaurant sources from the immediate Istrian larder and the adjoining bar – with its jaw-drop terrace and views – is renowned as one of the best in Croatia. Add a spa, pool and lovely gardens, and you’ll be wanting to make this village your home.

On the gorgeous Opatija Riviera – in the north of Croatia, near Pula – Ikador has 16 sea-view rooms and suites overlooking the Kvarner Bay. Tiered gardens tip down towards the water, along with a beautiful pool and bayside deck – from where you can hop in the hotel’s private speedboat to check out the Kvarner archipelago. On land, hike the Učka mountain and explore the evergreen forests of Gorski Kotar, or walk the short distance to the seaside town of Lovran and the centre of Opatija. Don’t miss in-house restaurant Nobilion for fresh Mediterranean food from an up-and-coming Croatian chef.

Flanked by the Adriatic Sea and the leafy Forest Park Velika and Mala Petka, Dubrovnik Palace is a private oasis hidden away from the tourist bustle. Each of the 308 rooms boasts glorious sea views as well as slick decor. When you’re not sunbathing on your private balcony, take a dip in one of the hotel’s three pools or book yourself in for a sea diving course.

Overlooking both the Old Town of Dubrovnik and the shimmering Adriatic, views don’t get much better than this. Built in 1913 as a royal villa, Hotel Excelsior’s storied history has seen the likes of Queen Elizabeth II and Elizabeth Taylor as guests. Today, rooms are minimalist with pops of mustard, rose and midnight blue – and many feature standalone tubs in the bathrooms as well.

Situated above Lapad Bay, guests of the Royal Palm Hotel will be lulled to sleep by the gentle waves below. Rooms are light-filled, clad with neutral tones, and make the most of the sea views. A booking at on-site Restaurant Zoe to sample local seafood is a must. Be sure to time your reservation with sunset to watch the pink-hued sky as the sun dips below the horizon.

With views over the Elaphiti Islands, Sun Gardens Dubrovnik lies just north of Dubrovnik in the pretty village of Orašac. Each of the 201 rooms and 207 residences sits swathed in Adriatic-inspired hues – think teal blues and olive greens. It’s best to head straight to the spa, regarded as one of the best in Croatia, for a facial or treatment using Croatian-made products.

The sister hotel to the Royal Palm – both are part of the same complex – the Royal Princess Hotel is one for the romantics. The decor is opulent with regal mahogany headboards, marble-clad bathrooms and expansive balconies to take in the endless Adriatic coastline. Need pampering? Visit the on-site spa to bathe in one of its nine pools or unwind in the Finnish sauna.

As the first and only Croatian member of Design Hotels, you know the vibe in Hotel Lone is going to be excellent. Reminiscent of an art museum, the lobby is designed with white-beige stone inspired by ancient woodlands that surround the Istrian hotel. Rooms are minimalist with floating bedside tables, however, most of your time will be spent in or next to the free-form outdoor seawater pool.

In the heart of Split, where the cobbled alleyways are narrow and there’s a ruin around every corner, Villa Nepos blends in rather neatly. A Roman building built in the fourth century, its restoration was guided by Unesco – leaving many of the features in this four-room hotel beautifully preserved. Rooms are opulent, with lashings of red velvet draped over old stone walls – and many overlook the Diocletian’s Palace next door, too.

Perched on the very edge of Opatija’s coast, with the Adriatic stretching as far as you can see, Hotel Navis is a design-led marvel. Its private beach offers an air of exclusivity and the spa, with its Finnish sauna and Turkish bath, embraces the sea views. Rooms are slick, walls are lined with art by local creatives, and the restaurant serves Istrian delights. Dine al fresco if it’s warm enough.