Croatia Travel Guide

Hotel room prices in Croatia vary considerably with location and time of year. Generally, hotel prices in larger inland cities and towns are the most stable, while hotels in major tourist areas along the coast sometimes publish as many as seven rate schedules based on time of year, as well as price variations based on amenities. Croatian hotel rates almost always include breakfast, while private accommodations almost always do not. Private accommodations rented through individuals are the least expensive and can cost as little as $10 per night. In one word: BARGAIN.

For example, one night in a double room at a hotel in central Zagreb (Sheraton) costs $100 to $150 with breakfast, while a similar room in New York would go for $180 to $200 or more without breakfast. In London, the same Sheraton room without breakfast costs $265. These are Internet rates, which tend to be lower than rack rates.

Croatia has more than 400 star-rated hotels that are a combination of '60s and '70s high-rises; stately, ornate, turn-of-the-20th-century buildings; and, more recently, family-run boutique hotels. Currently, the country seems to be in a "renovate and rebuild" mode, and many establishments have completed or are undergoing updating.

Hotels -- Most hotels in Croatia carry international star ratings from one star to five stars, which seem to relate to amenities only and don't consider service, atmosphere, or quality of accommodations. In addition, the star ratings can seem arbitrary: In some cases a room in a one-star hotel might offer rooms with private bathroom, TV, and restaurant, while another one-star hotel might sell rooms with the bathroom down the hall, no TV, and breakfast in the lobby. In general, a one-star hotel offers a bare-bones room with a bathroom down the hall; a two-star hotel room has a private bathroom and usually a TV. A three-star room has a private bathroom (usually with a shower, not a tub), TV, and perhaps other amenities, though this category is unpredictable and can be a value or a rip-off depending on management. Four-star hotels will offer a room with a larger bathroom, possibly with tub; good quality furnishings; little extras like toiletries; and other facilities like a fitness center, several restaurants, and a pool. Five-star hotels are few and far between and mostly in larger cities, though increasingly some of the smaller hotels are earning their fifth star by adding a swimming pool, an elevator, or some other amenity to meet the requirement. They offer the highest level of luxury and in some cases rival the best the U.S. has to offer.

Croatian chains tend to be local: Arenaturist in Pula, Liburnia in Opatija, Hoteli Borik in Zadar. These generally manage either package hotels in resort areas or former grande dames in various stages of repair from crumbling to completely refurbished. Many establishments are single-site houses, usually owned by a family or group of friends who live on-site or nearby.

Private Accommodations -- Private rooms and apartments are by far the most common accommodations (and the best deals) in Croatia. These are divided into three categories: An A-level room has a private bathroom, perhaps a TV, and good quality furnishings. A B-level room has a private bathroom. A C-level room will have a bed, a place to hang clothes, and a shared bathroom. What you get in any given category can vary wildly, so it is always a good idea to inspect the rooms before you plunk down any money. Private accommodations are often unused apartments or rooms that generate extra income for the owner. Frequently proprietors will refuse to rent their extra space for fewer than 4 nights, and if they do, they will charge extra. Licensed private accommodations are best booked through local tourist agencies but you can find and book private villas and rooms via www.adriatica.net, too.

Sobes -- Another tier of accommodations in Croatia is the sobe, or room in a private home. These are generally cheaper than those procured through agencies, but they are unregulated and thus can be anything from a suite of rooms with private bathroom to a bed in an attic. Sobe signs are often found outside houses in smaller towns, but sometimes they are "advertised," usually by older men and women who whisper, "Need a room?" to new arrivals at ferry, bus, and train stations.

Campgrounds -- Camping is very popular in Croatia, especially on the coast. Most autocamps are minicities with campsites, markets, restaurants, laundries, and sports facilities. Frequently, campgrounds will be located on prime real estate close to the beach or near a large resort facility.

FKK Campgrounds: Croatia has more FKK campgrounds (naturist camps) than any other European country. Many regular campgrounds have sections set aside for naturist campers. Most of these camps are outside cities in the northern Adriatic resort areas (Vrsar, Rovinj, Pag, Porec, Krk) and are similar in size and scope to the larger regular autocamps.

Youth Hostels -- Croatia doesn't have a strong network of youth hostels, but these establishments do exist in Zagreb, Zadar, Dubrovnik, Pula, and a few other locations. Most of the time they are quite reasonable, though they usually have check-in and checkout times and rules similar to those enforced in college dorms.