Split’s pedestrian-only Old Town, centering on Diocletian’s Palace, is magnificent. Here you’ll find some lovely boutique hotels, in centuries-old stone buildings. Beyond the Old Town, lie the suburbs, with several fine waterside hotels. Here, we look at four of our favorite special hotels in Split.
Hotel Park
This gracious historic hotel, dating from 1921, stands by the sea, making it one of the best-loved special hotels in Split. It stands in gardens above Split’s oldest bathing establishment, Bačvice Bay, just a ten-minute walk from the Old Town. The Art Deco lounge and restaurant feature wood, marble, velvet armchairs, and vases of fresh flowers. The 72 rooms and suites come with marble bathrooms, and the best ones have private balconies too. In the basement, a small spa offers massage, beauty treatments, a sauna, and an unusual Salt Room. Bačvice beach does get very busy, but if you get up early, you might have it to yourself. Afterward, enjoy warm croissants and Italian coffee on the garden terrace, shaded by palm trees. The restaurant also does a “Chef’s Table” dinner, where you get to shop and dine with the chef, on a personalized choice of dishes.
Vestibul Palace
Impressively located, above the Roman peristyle within Diocletian’s Palace, this luxury boutique hotel has just seven rooms. In fact, these are the quarters where Split’s founder, Emperor Diocletian, would have slept, some 1700 years ago. As a result, this is one of the most special hotels in Split. Each room is unique, but all have wooden floors, some exposed ancient stonework, and contemporary furnishing. On the piazza out front, guests enjoy breakfast in the shade of big white parasols, followed by Contemporary Mediterranean dishes at dinner. You might even be treated to an impromptu klapa (Dalmatian a capella) performance. The Vestibul Palace has limited facilities (no pool, no spa), but the concierge will do everything they can to fulfill your wishes. This is a low-profile hideaway, perfect for couples. Note that there are four extra guest rooms in a nearby annex, but they’re less atmospheric.
Divota
Varoš is the former fisherman’s quarter, built into the hillside between Diocletian’s Palace and the pinewoods of Marjan hill. Here, at several locations in renovated old stone cottages, you’ll find Divota’s rooms and apartments. All have wooden floors, some exposed stonework, white modern minimalist furnishing, a coffee machine, bathrobes and slippers, and beach towels. Each apartment also comes with a fully-equipped kitchenette. Best of all, Divota has a holistic spa and yoga garden. This is a newly-built pavilion, set in a lovely walled garden, combining Oriental-style landscaping and Mediterranean planting. Consequently, Divota merits including on our list of special hotels in Split.
Radisson Blu Resort & Spa
This is a modern hotel, overlooking the Adriatic towards the island of Brač. It’s the perfect choice if you’re arriving from afar and are worried about jetlag. Here, away from the noise and crowds of the Old Town, you can recuperate in the extensive spa. It has a big sea-view indoor pool, plus massage, sauna, beauty treatments, yoga, and a gym. The spa alone makes this one of the most special hotels in Split. The 252 rooms and suites are modern and stylish and color-themed around Mediterranean flora. There’s a garden pool, a pebble beach out front, and a Kid’s Club, making it ideal for families. It lies 2 miles from the Old Town.
Enjoy one of these fine hotels before or after your Croatia Yacht Charter Vacation.
