Croatia's tourist board promises 'The Mediterranean as it once was' and many of the best places to stay in Croatia would certainly back this up. However, whilst this takes into account the spectacularly glittery sea and pockets of authentic architecture and culture protected from over development, it doesn't really do Croatia's glamour justice.

Croatia's wonderful stretch of coastline, with a thousand or so islands, has glitz, glamour, snazzy resorts and stylish locals aplenty. Fancy yachts cruise amongst the islands and Dubrovnik and Hvar especially, are great for star spotting. This is the bit referred to when people call Croatia 'The jewel of the Adriatic'.

Continental Croatia's pristine farmland and spectacular wildernesses definitely offer a slice of the old country as well as the new. Tucked into the farmland are agro-tourisms - some of the best places to stay if you’re here to experience ‘old Croatia’ - and outfits offering to support your biking, hiking, rafting or canoeing expedition against this beautiful backdrop.

This tale of two Croatias, the coastline and the interior, is probably a good dividing line for visitors too.

Some of our Croatian Collections:

• Best places to stay in Dubrovnik
• Best places to stay in Zadar
• Best places to stay in Split
• Best hotels on the Dalmatian Coast
• Best hotels on the Dalmatian Islands
• Best places to stay in Hvar
• Best places to stay in Istria
• Best places to stay in Opatija

If you want to sail the sunny, sparkling Dalmatian Coast it’s useful to know that Northern Dalmatia is best known for its scenery and pristine national parks where you'll find the less built up islands - like Pasman and Uglijan. Southern Dalmatia sprouts the palm trees and olive groves and magical Dubrovnik. During the seventies Dubrovnik's gorgeous red-tinted Old Town and shimmering seas were a Hollywood playground - a favourite of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. But by the nineties the only cameras here were recording the conflict. Today Dubrovnik is back to its beautiful, buzzy best. The architecture has been restored, the museums to the conflict have added to the town's historic soulfulness and Michelin chefs are moving in keen to work with locally sourced flavours.

Split is the Dalmatian region's largest city and an obvious base. The Dioclean's Palace is incredible. Zadar and Trogir are also well positioned to explore the coastline and if you want to island hop you've Brac, Hvar, Vis and Korcula. Solta is well developed and very visitor-friendly; Brac is lush with pines and figs and known for clear waters. Hvar has the fertile vineyards, gorgeous beaches and medieval towns. beautiful Pag has some of the region's best sandy beaches. Vis has more of those lovely, sandy bays and beaches and Korcula, the largest, is loved by cyclists.

If you are looking for rural or historic treasures, or even the countries vibrant capital then you’ll need to head inland. Zagreb is less touristy than Dubrovnik, but it's lively, with a rich cultural life - this is where you’ll find the ‘Museum of Broken Relationships’, and a reputation for excellent cuisine.

The Dinaric Alps, which stretch all the way from Italy on one side of Croatia to Albania on the other, are a craggy wonderland of sharp peaks, caverns and canyons, waterfalls and ‘v’ shaped lakes.

What not to Miss

Beyond the highlights above it’s worth considering:

• The turquoise waters and mineral rich caves of the Plitcive Lakes are a watery, inland paradise.
• Istria, the heart shaped peninsula south of Italy is oft referred to as 'the new Tuscany' because of its rolling green hills, but it’s also has a beautiful riviera-feeling coastline.
• The Kopacki Rit Nature Park is one of the largest wetlands in Europe and home to almost three hundred different bird species.
• Tribalj is a charming village of some 600 souls on the Vinodol coastal area of Northern Croatia. It lies in the hinterland of Crikevenica and dates back to Roman times. Tribalj is also a paragliding centre, and attracts enthusiasts from all over the world. It is a great place to simply come and enjoy walking, hiking and cycling in the lush Mediterranean landscape.
• And if you want mountains there are those of the Paklenica National Park, which provide a dividing line of peaks between the coast and continental Croatia.
• One of Dubrovnik's oldest and most original attractions is the Pharmacy in the Franciscan Monastery - here they sell hand creams and other toiletries made using ancient recipes. It has been in operation since the construction of the monastery until now, so there must be something in the products to keep people coming back.

With such a contrast across the country finding a space in one of the best places to stay in Croatia should not be a problem. The only problem is where to start.

The best places to stay in Croatia

In Zagreb

• The Hotel President Pantovcak is a fantastic place to stay in central Zagreb. It has only seven, individually decorated rooms, which are spacious. There is a beautiful garden.

The Dalmatian Coast

• Adults-only Hotel Adriatic Orebic is a stunning little property overlooking the sea. The six spacious rooms offer a charming blend of traditional period features and luxurious creature comforts. Plus there's an excellent waterfront restaurant and private beach too. A wonderful romantic hideaway.
• The 42 room Podstine Hotel is located in a beautiful bay on Hvar, surrounded by palms, cypress and hundred year old pines. It has a spa with outdoor pool, Finnish sauna and facilities for treatments, massages etc. There is an excellent seafood restaurant specializing in local wines – private tastings are available on request.
• Just along the coastline from Zadar in Petrcane, is the Falkensteiner Hotel & Spa Iadera. A fabulous contemporary spa hotel with panoramic ocean views, a vast state-or-the-art spa and a fantastic Dalmatian restaurant. The decor in the 110 rooms and suites has a nautical theme.
• Pag’s Hotel Boskinac is a stunning 11 room, stone house with wonderful balconies showing glorious views and a gourmet seafood restaurant. Extremely romantic, with its own wine cellars and tasting rooms.
• Once a castle holiday home now a 13 room boutique hotel, Boutique Hotel Kazbek is on the bay of Lapad and has stunning rooms and suites benefitting from the castle’s original features. There’s also a fantastic restaurant and pool.
• The Riva Yacht Harbour Hotel is on Hvar's promenade and boasts beautiful views of the harbour. It is a hip hotel and is very popular with young couples. Full of Hollywood glamour, it is a place to see and be seen.

In Dubrovnik

• The Grand Villa Argentina is a stunning villa turned 127 room hotel positioned right on the waterfront. It has a private beach as well as a full service spa and three excellent restaurants, two pools and lush gardens.
• The Villa Dubrovnik is certainly luxurious enough for Elizabeth Taylor to consider and its private beach, private ocean view balconies, excellent Mediterranean restaurant and the possibility of having a jacuzzi on your balcony may also have appealed.
• Glass fronted, state of the art Hotel Bellevue may be too modern looking for Liz. But if she was looking for fresh and neutral, with spectacular views and an excellent spa then who knows.
• The Hotel Kompas is a stylish, ultra-modern hotel in a spectacular spot right by the sea. There are 173 rooms, most with superb views, plus a choice of bars, an excellent restaurant and a deluxe spa.
• The Hotel Excelsior is modern five-star hotel in a great location close to the Old Town and with beautiful Adriatic views. There are 158 rooms - some are quite palatial with their own terraces, plus a superb spa.

In Split

• The Hotel Marmont is close to both the seafront and the heart of the Old Town. It boasts contemporary chic rooms encased in a beautiful 15th century shell, plus outside terrace and busy cocktail bar.
• Hotel Vestibul Palace is situated in the heart of the Diocletian Palace. One of the best places if you're looking for a spot of luxury combined with contemporary interiors located bang in the centre of the old town.
• The Judita Palace Hotel is also ideally placed for those who want to be immersed in Split's historic zone. Expect exposed stone walls and creamy furnishings in the stylish rooms and suites.

For Families

• Martinis Marchi is on Solta, a boat ride from Split, and is an excellent Croatian castle conversion with huge suites sleeping between four and six - so ideal for families. Especially when you consider how pretty and welcoming the island is!
• The Strandun Apartments are a collection of boutique style apartments in Dubrovnik’s Old Town. Light and airy with contemporary decor. Each apartment sleeps up to four and offers all the mod. cons. plus the style of staying in a 17th century townhouse.
• Split’s Divota Apartment Hotel is great for families or groups. A stylish collection of rooms, apartments and a three bedroom house all perfectly situated for exploring the city.
• If you’d prefer a villa holiday, consider the Villa Meneghello on Hvar. It has just two apartments overlooking the ocean, with white washed walls splashed with colour. There’s a dining terrace, and you can arrange a chef by request, plus there’s a pool, bikes, table tennis and the beach is practically on your doorstep.
• The Lesic Dimitri Palace is a gorgeous collection of boutique apartments right on the Bay of Korcula. As well as having beautiful creamy decor and all the mod. cons., the Palace has a lovely Mediterranean style spa and offers wine tastings. Apartments sleep between two and nine.

Most Romantic

• Dubrovnik’s Villa Orsula has just 11 rooms, but the amenities are fantastic including a terrace restaurant headed by a renowned chef. The sea views are incredible and the whole vibe is Mediterranean.
• For total seclusion, stunning views and excellent value for money book Palmizana. Just 10 mins by boat from Hvar, here you'll find an arty retreat with two restaurants serving fabulous Mediterranean cuisine.
• The Wine Hotel & Restaurant Meneghetti is a wonderful restaurant, vineyard and wine cellar with rooms, surrounded by stunning views of the Istrian countryside. The hotel itself has been converted from a stone farmhouse. There are indoor and outdoor pools and the choice of several dining areas all serving impeccable Mediterranean cuisine.
• The Hotel Monte Mulini in Rovinj is a relatively swanky affair in a great spot on the beautiful Croatian Riviera. The decor is modern and makes excellent use of the spectacular views. There are two excellent restaurants, four tennis courts and a top of the range spa.

For a Rural Escape

• Palmizana on Sveti Klement offers a collection of stylish bungalows, each unique with stunning views and sandy beaches. Fantastic seafood and local cuisine from its two fine restaurants. Good for walking, watersports, boat trips, diving etc..
• Tribalj’s Hotel Balatura is a 300 year old former manor house turned family run ‘ethno hotel’ situated in the quiet valley of Vinodol. Wine tastings and local excursions are also on the menu. Balatura is only 6km from the sea and surrounded by woods and mountains.
• The Ethno Houses Plitvica Selo is a beautiful hotel within the stunning boundary of the Plitvicka Jezera National Park. The 47 rooms are rustic chic, with deluxe hot tubs and private balconies and you’re surrounded by spectacular views - and wildlife!

For an Apartment or Villa

• If you’d prefer to stay in an apartment or private villa we recommend you visit our online partner Booking.com.

Travel Information

• Zagreb Airport, Dubrovnik Airport and Split Airport are well connected to the UK and the rest of Europe, while Pula Airport is less well connected, but useful if you’re travelling to Istria. Croatia’s land borders are easily crossed by train too, and it’s a relatively simple country to get around by train or by bus - which is cheaper.
• If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner Rentalcars.
• if you don’t need to travel during the school holidays then the best times to visit Croatia are the shoulder seasons, of May and June, and September and October. It’s busy during the summer, but you don’t want to miss the sunshine and warm seas. Some Croatian hotels and restaurants are closed between November and April, though if you’re here to see the cities then this can be a great time to visit.

Still not sure?

• Refine your search to the best places to stay on the Dalmatian Coast
• Or the best places to stay in Dubrovnik, Split or Zadar?
• Or expand your search to include the best places to stay in neighbouring Montenegro
• Or contact one of our friendly Gurus for advice.