Esplanade Zagreb Hotel

So many would say that this is the very best hotel in Croatia, let alone in Zagreb. This is truly a world-class top-level hotel. In the capital, Esplanade is an iconic landmark, a beautiful historic building, a luxurious five-star hotel loved by local residents and visitors alike.

It was built in 1925 for travellers on the famous Orient Express train to provide a luxurious resting place between Paris, Venice and Istanbul. This explains the proximity to the railway station just a few minutes’ walk away through the terrace gardens.

Esplanade is an Art Nouveau gem. So much has been written by journalists and travel professionals, never mind guests who return again and again. Words include “sumptuous”, “inspirational”, “sophisticated”.

Stepping into the Esplanade has a very special feeling, one of luxury yet real warmth. Being a historic building, each renovation has been carefully designed to preserve original features including marble staircases and wide curved corridors.

The huge entrance foyer gleams with polished wood, brass fittings and elegant furnishings, rich velvet and silk drapes. It is stunning.

The Esplanade 1925 is the lounge and cocktail bar that leads from here and the interior design and furnishings have been inspired by the old Orient Express’ prime stops of Paris and Venice with a hint of the Orient as in Istanbul. Coffee, drinks and snacks are served in the morning with afternoon tea later and cocktails and snacks in the evening hours.

Zinfandel is the elegant main restaurant with an extensive outside terrace where a rich buffet and a la carte breakfast choice are served. The a la carte menu for lunch and dinner offers a wide variety of international and Croatian specialities and an extensive wine list. Michelin Recommended.

Le Bistro feels just like a stylish Parisian bistro which serves trendy, seductive French cuisine including an ever-popular “menu du jour” loved by hotel guests and Zagreb residents. It’s also famous for the Zagreb speciality of “strukli” a warm pastry dish stuffed with soft cheese and covered with cream, it also comes in savoury form. There’s a pretty outdoor terrace area looking towards the street giving a real capital city vibe.

We cannot overstate how glorious the terrace-gardens at Esplanade are, which are extensively used for relaxation, meals, snacks, drinks and coffee. In December, the hotel creates its very own Advent winter wonderland here with small wooden huts serving festive specialities.

The New Year’s Ball takes place each year in the magnificent circular Emerald Ballroom and follows all the traditions of the Vienna New Year’s Eve ball including evening dress, classical orchestra and food and wine serving. Advance booking is essential as the event sells out early each year.

On the lower ground floor there is a health club featuring a gym with state-of-the-art cardiovascular equipment and saunas together with a range of massage treatment and facial therapies.

Accommodation

• There are 208 luxurious, spacious rooms and suites including superior and deluxe rooms, junior and deluxe suites, together with some interconnecting rooms.
• Views are a mix of city and terrace-garden
• Few rooms on the second floor with a stone balcony.

Amenities/Features

• Sumptuous 1925 Lounge and Cocktail Bar
• Zinfandel award-winning a la carte restaurant with beautiful outdoor terrace seating
• Le Bistro award-winning, a la carte Parisian style brasserie with metropolitan vibe outdoor terrace-
• Health Club with state-of- the- art gym, saunas and treatments
• Emerald Ballroom for large private celebrations and smaller elegant function rooms for
• private events
• Outdoor terrace gardens in fine weather for drinks, snacks and meals
• December mini–Advent Festival Village on the outdoor terrace
• Lift
• Free WiFi throughout the hotel
• Concierge service for travel, tours, restaurant bookings
• Parking (limited number of spaces, charge applies, pre-booking advised)

Superior Room

Superior room, spacious (30 sqm) with air conditioning, queen double bed or twin beds, marble bathroom (bath with shower and hairdryer, and additional walk-in shower), Free WiFi, telephone, satellite TV, mini-bar, safe, robes and slippers.

Deluxe Room

Deluxe room (36 sqm) with air conditioning, queen double bed or twin beds, marble bathroom (bath with shower and hairdryer, and additional walk-in shower), telephone, Free WiFi, satellite TV, mini-bar, safe, robes and slippers.

Junior Suite

Junior suite with air conditioning, queen double bed, sitting room, marble bathroom (bath with shower and hairdryer, and additional walk-in shower), telephone, Free WiFi, satellite TV, mini-bar, safe, robes and slippers.

Deluxe Suite

Deluxe suite with air conditioning, queen double bed, sitting room, marble bathroom (bath with shower and hairdryer, and additional walk-in shower), telephone, Free WiFi, satellite TV, mini-bar, safe, robes and slippers.