The increasingly popular holiday destination of Croatia offers fine weather, stunning coastline and ancient heritage to explore. We’ve rounded up the best family hotels and resorts around this European gem to ensure that families have a holiday to remember.
Photo: Hilton Resorts
1/9 Hilton Dubrovnik
Location
The Old Town of Dubrovnik is on the doorstep of this UNESCO Heritage Site that the Hilton calls home. The airport is just 14 miles away from the hotel, which has views of the Adriatic sea and is near to Banje beach.
Food and Facilities
Guests can choose from four distinctive dining areas, from the funky Lounge Bar to the Executive lounge. Free Wifi and an atmospherical pool and fitness room will keep you busy in between sightseeing. There’s also a spa offering beauty treatments, massages and personal training.
Rooms
Decorated in earthy tones to reflect the Old Town, the guest rooms offer views of the ocean, city or countryside through oversized windows. Fluffy bathrobes and luxury amenities wait in the bathroom and a minibar with tea and coffee making facilities is in each room as standard.
Why it’s great for families
The Location of the Hilton Dubrovnik means that families can step out of their room and into the heart of local attractions. The five-star concierge will arrange sightseeing trips so parents can relax and enjoy time with their kids.
Book your family holiday to Hilton Dubrovnik here
(c) 2017 DoubleTree by Hilton
2/9 DoubleTree by Hilton Zagreb
Location
The DoubleTree by Hilton in Zagreb is situated two kilometres from the historic city centre within the award-winning Green Gold shopping and dining complex.
Food and facilities
The OXBO Urban Bar & Grill will keep little tummies filled from the children’s menu; it also offers hearty breakfasts. A stunning pool with floor-to-ceiling windows displaying panoramic views of the city is the perfect place to cool off, or hit the gym to get the day off to an energetic start.
Rooms
The contemporary rooms feature Wifi, air conditioning and a HDTV. Tea and coffee facilities in every room and a king-sized bed will ensure the perfect night’s sleep for guests. Modern bathtubs with fluffy bathrobes, slippers and luxury amenities are in every bathroom.
Why it’s great for families
Guests of all ages are welcomed to the DoubleTree in Zagreb with a warm double chocolate cookie fresh from the bakery. The picturesque swimming pool will provide hours of fun for families and child friendly conveniences are available on request from the concierge.
Book your family holiday to DoubleTree by Hilton Zagreb here
3/9 Melia Istrian Villas
Location
This beautiful villa is situated in the popular tourist destination of Istria, with its towns Umeg and Porec voted as some of the best holiday hotspots in Croatia.
Food and facilities
Families can choose catering options from room only to half-board. Choose from the Grille restaurant, authentic pizza delivery or the buffet restaurant popular with families. An outdoor swimming pool and children’s pool provides hours of fun and an Aqua Chill Out complex hosts a whirlpool, bar, ‘relax’ area and indoor pool. A sun terrace with relaxing music completes the leisurely vibe around the resort.
Rooms
The villas are a home away from home with spacious bedrooms, separate living area and full-sized dining table. A fully equipped kitchen is in each villa and the rooms are light and airy. Some villas have an outdoor hot tub, hammock or sun terrace with dining furniture.
Why it’s great for families
The villa style of this resort offer families plenty of space for kids to roam and the convenience of home with the luxury of hotel services. There is a fantastic kids’ club for all ages and a programme of entertainment and activities for children and adults. The catered options are perfect for a relaxing break while the room only options are ideal for families on a budget.
Book your family holiday to Melia Istrian Villas here
4/9 Apartments Polynesia
Location
This ocean-front Location in Umag is ideal for beach lovers; sitting at the pool guests can enjoy views of the Adriatic sea and wander straight onto the sand from their sun loungers.
Food and facilities
The resort offers a restaurant with buffet and a la carte service, a pizzeria, beach bars and snack bars. An outdoor pool and children’s pool are situated near the beach along with a terrace and dance floor for the evenings. There are several sports courts including tennis and volleyball as well as a mini golf course. A supermarket, smaller shops and medical services are also within the resort.
Rooms
The bright apartments comfortably sleep up to five people, with outdoor fireplace-furnished terraces and garden views. A kitchenette with fridge and coffee maker is in each apartment for convenience and the televisions offer satellite channels.
Why it’s great for families
An entertainment programme throughout the day and evening ensures that boredom is not an option! There are kids’ clubs for children from babies to teens and a clubhouse in which to hang out. Children can enjoy arts and crafts, board games, team games and themed parties with the childcare staff.
Book your family holiday to Apartments Polynesia here
5/9 Sol Aurora All Inclusive
Location
Overlooking the Adriatic sea, the Sol Aurora is the only all-inclusive hotel in the popular region of Umag, 2.5 km from the city centre.
Food and facilities
The award-winning hotel offers all-inclusive board including an all-day buffet, cafe areas and snacks. Sports and entertainment is also included, with everything from pilates to archery on offer. Guests can while away the days playing badminton or football, hire windsurfing equipment or enjoy banana boat rides.
Rooms
Family rooms offer comfortable beds with bunks for the kids as well as a furnished balcony so guests can soak up the sun from the comfort of their room. A fridge, satellite television and two bathrooms ensure the comfort of guests throughout their stay.
Why it’s great for families
With its all-inclusive concept, the Sol Aurora allows parents to say ‘yes’ to all kinds of fun activities, to second ice creams and to hours spent having a blast in the kids’ club. Its sea-front location is ideal for families who can pop down to the beach without having to worry about lugging hot and sandy kids a long way home!
Book your family holiday to Sol Aurora here
6/9 Radisson Blu Resort & Spa
Location
Sitting on a pebble beach on the coast of Split, the hotel has direct views of the islands of Brac and Hvar and is near to Split’s Old Town.
Food and facilities
Guests at the Radisson Blu can choose from three al fresco dining options, from a beachside restaurant to contemporary grill. There are also outdoor cooking stations according to the season. There are indoor and outdoor swimming pools; direct access to a pebble beach and beach services such as watersports and a dive centre.
Rooms
Each room is decorated to a nautical theme, and the Junior Suites for families offer a separate living and sleeping area with rollaway beds for kids. Enjoy a complimentary branded coffee machine, plush bathrobes and slippers and luxurious freestanding bathtub.
Why it’s great for families
The luxury resort is ideal for families looking for a sophisticated yet relaxed holiday. With attentive concierge, two swimming pools and direct access to the beach it is perfect for a convenient family holiday even if you never leave the resort!
Book your family holiday to Radisson Blu Resort & Spa here
7/9 Sun Gardens
Location
Situated in the cultural heart of Croatia, Sun Gardens resort is in Dubrovnik surrounded by gardens and offering sweeping views of the Adriatic ocean.
Food and facilities
With seven bars and nine restaurants around the resort, choose from pastries on comfy sofas to roof top breakfasts. The Sunset Pool is a lovely spot to watch the sun go down or splash about in the daytime. There’s also a kids’ pool, a family pool, an adults-only pool and direct access to the beach. A sports academy for kids and sports facilities for adults, including a climbing wall, ensure that guests stay entertained throughout their stay.
Rooms
Families can stay in Deluxe Suites that offer free Wifi, designer toiletries and luxury coffee maker. The private terraces and balconies overlook the Adriatic for a peaceful panorama.
Why it’s great for families
The Marco Polo kids’ club provides fun in the way of Croatian dancing, treasure hunts and arts and crafts. In the evenings children can enjoy discos, jungle-themed parties and Around the World shows. The programme changes every week so the longer you stay, the more fun your loved ones will have!
Book your family holiday to Sun Gardens here
8/9 Sol Stella Apartments
Location
These coastal apartments are two kilometres from Umag city centre and a short walk away from the ATP tennis stadium.
Food and facilities
Three restaurants and several snack bars ensure guests won’t go hungry at the Sol Stella apartments, with indoor and al fresco dining areas. There’s also a pizzeria and family friendly buffet restaurant. Two swimming pools and children’s playgrounds offer all-day fun while the on-site supermarket and free Wifi are ideal for families that want a convenient holiday.
Rooms
The classic apartments offer more space than a standard hotel room, with separate living and sleeping areas and a fully equipped kitchen. Complimentary toiletries and a furnished balcony or terrace are in each apartment as standard.
Why it’s great for families
The location within a larger resort means that there are plenty of activities on offer such as various sports as well as a full entertainment programme. The beach is close by and there are several watersports available for younger and older guests.
Book your family holiday to Sol Stella Apartments here
Photo: Falkensteiner Hotels & Residences
9/9 Family Hotel Diadora
Location
Situated on the Dalmatian coast in Zadar, the Family Hotel Diadora is set in the Punta Skala resort a stone’s throw from the ocean.
Food and facilities
Not only are there seven dining options at the Diadora, there is even a special children’s restaurant where kids can help themselves from the buffet under the care of the “Faulky-Land” staff. The Acquapuria spa offers massages and beauty treatments for parents in need of relaxation while the kids hang out in the mini-club before heading to the water park, children’s playground or family room with soft play area.
Rooms
The family rooms at the resort have separate living and sleeping spaces; air conditioning and soft bathrobes and slippers. Upgrades include kids’ videos on demand, refilled minibar and children’s bedroom.
Why it’s great for families
The resort’s “Faulky-Land” is a bright and colourful world featuring a huge children’s play area and water world complete with pirate ship. This kids’ area along with the children’s restaurant, kids’ club and family room means that the Family Hotel Diadora is one of the best equipped family hotels in Croatia.