The Best Hotels in Opatija, Croatia

Croatia’s flair for architecture, sea views and the culinary arts come together in this exclusive 10-room hideaway. Expanded from a legendary Seventies restaurants that once lured the stars to glamorous Opatija, it’s been revived in the area’s recent renaissance: its neutral-toned suites have treats including sunken hot tubs, sprawling balconies and wine fridges with optimum temperatures. All this centres around a wow-factor fine-dining restaurant facing the Adriatic.

This long, squiggly structure is eye-catching from the off – perched on a rocky sliver of coast and backed by puffy Croatian pines. Two of the highlights are its crescent-shaped sun terrace, where you can meditate on the sparkling shallows with a glass of local Istrian wine, and an all-natural spa with a sauna and steam room. Bold style dominates the communal areas, with graphic arts and jewel-toned chairs set against charcoal walls and floors.

Huge sun hats and shades are a must at this central palace hotel, which is every inch the grand dame, with heavy satin curtains, monogrammed seats on a sprawling drinks terrace and towering palm trees set against its ivory façade. Try to score a room with a sea-view balcony for ultimate coastal luxury – then, it’s just a choice between a dip in the full-sized indoor pool or a lounging session on the striped sunbeds at the private beach.

A stroll along the Lungomare, Opatija’s Italian-influenced seafront promenade, leads you to Hotel Istra, with its 171 rooms and large-scale, resort-style facilities. Rooms are sharply designed with low lighting, geometric mirrored walls and serene sea-view balconies. Downstairs, a huge indoor seawater pool beckons for a swim, while a swanky beach-club set-up has been added to the concrete waterfront.

Blessed with rooms and terraces looking out over Opatija harbour and the luminous shallows of Kvarner Bay, Amadria Park is most loved for its crescent of cushioned waterfront loungers, where Croatia’s jet set comes to unwind. Not too shabby, either, are the polished walnut cocktail bar, with a live pianist on hand to tinkle the ivories, and elegant cream and navy suites, which have the feel of cabins on a superyacht.

Topped by a turreted tower, this grand waterfront hotel has a lovely sea-facing restaurant, where you can dine on the local seafood shaded by a classic portico. Rooms here are the stuff of chintzy palace fantasies, some extending to chaise longues, sprawling terraces and spiral staircases, and unlocked by heavy, tasselled keys. In the mood for a retreat? Join in with daily workout sessions, and hit the glam, chandeliered spa with its Jacuzzi, sauna and steam rooms.

Sibling to the Amadria Park Royal, the Milenjj is a fabulous Mediterranean villa the exact colour of strawberry ice cream and set in tropical-feeling gardens with manicured lawns overlooking the sea. The indoor-outdoor pool area with its sliding-door conservatory makes the most of Croatia’s sunshine, as does the waterfront fine-dining restaurant, Argonauti. Set up camp here for a wine-soaked long lunch of truffle-infused pasta.

Don’t be put off by its prosaic website – the Mozart is a class act, with a pedigree in upscale hospitality dating back to 1894. As at the Savoy, the key here are size and style. Containing only 26 rooms, the Mozart can fill many of them with unique heritage furniture and offer a personal touch to guests, many of whom are repeat customers. It’s a five-star hotel with a spa centre, a piano bar, a restaurant and a cosmetic studio – not to mention a garden terrace, where you can indulge in exquisite desserts after a day on the beach.