A Trip to Remember
Croatia | Sep 9 - Sep 20, 2023

Maria
Maria S.
Columbia, SC | Reviewed on Sep 27, 2023

Our local specialist was Vesna Luzar and she was incredible! From tracking our luggage which made a 3-day side trip to Vienna and dispatching our driver to the airport to retrieve it in time for our departure to the next destination, to assisting in locating my cell phone left behind on the speedboat excursion, Vesna was a shining star! Our only regret is that we did not get to meet her and personally thank her for her excellent service! She handled each of our challenges with great efficiency and aplomb and we feel pretty certain that she breathed a sigh of relief when it was all over!

Each of our guides was very well-informed and personable and in very short order made us feel like friends. Every excursion exceeded our expectations and left us wishing there were more hours in the day!

Hotel Reviews
Residence Stine
Split

Lovely little boutique hotel tucked at the end of a narrow street. Initially was a bit difficult to find as we had to be dropped off at the bottom of a somewhat steep street with our luggage since cars cannot go past a certain point on the narrow street. Warm and welcoming staff. Although this is a new construction only a few years old, it fits right in with the surrounding area's character. Had requested two beds but only had one in the room so we used the sofa as an extra bed. However, the staff was very accommodating in providing extra linens. Easily accessible to the center of town.

Authenticity & Character
Small 8 room hotel with a charming feel. It and fit right in with surrounding buildings even though it is new construction.
Location
Easily accessible to center once you get your bearings!
Staff
Very warm, welcoming, and helpful. Although we had requested 2 beds and the room only had one, the staff immediately offered to open and set up the sleeper sofa. We opted to just use it as it was without opening it so that the room would not be too crowded. They brought the linens and set it up just as requested.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Everything was very clean and classy and the inconvenience of the bed situation became a minor issue.
Hotel Lero
Dubrovnik

Very nice and centrally located. Caring staff went above and beyond to assist in tracking our missing luggage by making phone calls to professional connections.

Authenticity & Character
Nice, comfortable room. Choice of nice restaurant adjacent to hotel as well as very good dining facility for breakfastA
Location
Walkable to Old Town area and also close to bus stop if preferred to walking or returning late.
Staff
Very professional and concerned about our missing luggage. Contacted professional connections in an attempt to help track location of luggage.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Nicely appointed room. Maneuvering shower function a bit tricky for not-so-tall individuals. Also would suggest better non-slip flooring in tub.
Pharos Hvar Bayhill Hotel
Hvar

Have written this review 3 times and have not been able to send it. Will not attempt to provide many details again. Least favorite of all the hotels.

Authenticity & Character
Decor was reminiscent of a college dorm with bathroom tiles portraying animated characters and words like "WOW" and "ARRRGH!"
Location
Difficult to approach from the marina. A lot of steps uphill while carrying luggage. No one to assist.
Staff
Unwelcoming and not very caring registration staff. Dining room and bar staff was not very friendly or accommodating either. Waited at bar to get a drink and it took so long that we finally left. We could not figure out what the problem was.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clean but not very comfortable in terms of lighting and mirror placements. Could not find a hair dryer when my own dryer failed. Asked a staff member in the hallway and found it in a drawer in the bedroom under the minibar. Would have never thought to look there! The lady responsible for our room was the only person who seemed to care when I asked about a hairdryer.
Teatro Verdi Boutique Hotel
Zadar

Lovely boutique hotel. Helpful and friendly front desk staff.

Authenticity & Character
Nice decor, small breakfast area but very nicely appointed.
Location
Walking distance to boardwalk and the city center.
Staff
Friendly, helpful, accommodating
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Dubrovnik
Zagreb

Established hotel. Public areas have been updated.

Authenticity & Character
Nice restaurant for breakfast. Also open for later dining but did not try it.
Location
Right in the Center, easy walking distance to everything including trams/cablecars.
Staff
Nice registration staff, but not too responsive to a plumbing problem in bathroom sink which I reported the first morning and had not been addressed when we returned. I spoke with one of the room staff and she was able to send someone to fix it right away.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Private Walking Tour of Dubrovnik
Private Walking Tour of Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik

Our guide was so knowledgeable and personable! She provided a lot of details and information and made us feel like long-time friends! We spent the entire time in the Old Town and it was really interesting. After she departed we stayed and explored on our own using the maps and information she had provided.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Knowledgeable, friendly, and interesting
Local specialist: Tina Rajkovic
Tina
Tina Rajkovic
Local specialist in Rijeka, Croatia | Replied on Sep 27, 2023

Dear Maria,
thank you so much for the review which I forwarded to Vesna, and below is her reply:

Dear Maria, thank you very much for your wonderful words, you touched me deeply. It was my pleasure to be of service to you and Judy. I hope that one day you will return to Croatia again and that we will have the opportunity to get to know each other. Best wishes to you and Judy. Take care! Vesna Luzar

Thank you one more time,
Kind regards
Tina