Coastal fly drive from Dubrovnik to Split with breaks at Orebic and Tucepi

Approaching the hotel you would be forgiven for thinking that it was a grand family residence. It once was. Now it is a three star hotel with 24 rooms and owned by a Croatian family. It stands at the end of a beautiful garden housing the outdoor pool and outdoor terrace with trees and shrubs surrounding. It is a gorgeous spot.

Located in the Lapad Bay area with restaurants, bars and shops close by and also the bus stop which brings guests to the old town within 15 minutes. There are four floors of rooms with a restaurant on the lower ground floor which leads up to the outside garden terrace opposite the pool where guests take breakfast and meals.

The pool is large and surrounded by shrubs. Free pool towels, free sunbeds and pool towels plus drinks service to the pool.

The a la carte restaurant is for breakfast and meals although most people prefer the outdoor terrace. Half board dinner is a served menu if there are fewer than 10 people choosing it and it is buffet style for more than 10 people. Prices of a la carte dishes are very reasonable.

Live music on the terrace usually twice per week from late June to mid-September.

The well managed public Sunset Beach (small pebbles and some sand at low tide) is under five minutes walk and has a good range of facilities. In the same direction is a pedestrianised street with bars, shops and kiosks selling boat trip excursions to the islands. The start of the lungomare seaside promenade which hugs the Lapad Bay and continues onto the Babin Kuk peninsula is in the same area. Everything is to hand for a perfect stay.

Aquarius is a superb choice and provides great value for a holiday in famous Dubrovnik.

Accommodation

• There are 24 rooms, 12 with balcony with a variety of room types including small doubles for single use, doubles, twins and a few suites. Décor is traditional with use of Italian wood.
• There are no sea views as the hotel is located slightly inland near to other buildings.

Amenities/Features

• Beautiful garden with pool and furnished terrace
• Restaurant and bar with outdoor terrace seating. There is enough space and capacity for everyone even when the hotel is full.
• Safety deposit boxes at reception
• Free WiFi throughout the hotel
• Lift
• Occasional live music (late June to mid-September)
• Parking (free parking, no pre-booking required)

Situated right on the beachfront in the small village of Orebic on the distinctive Peljesac peninsula. Orebic is famous for the tradition of seafaring and the peninsula is famous for wine and olive oil production together with oyster farming.

Originally a shipyard, the hotel is owned by the Violic family, and almost every family member is involved in the running of the hotel together with staff who have worked at the hotel for many years. The name of the hotel derives from a nickname given to the current owner’s grandfather who passed away while travelling in the Indian ocean. The family’s tortoises roam in the hotel garden! The family has been making wine since 1975 and owns vineyards producing the distinct red Dingac and Plavac Mali wine and are happy to organise tasting visits to their wineries.

The location is striking, with the white pebble beach, Adriatic sea and the island of Korcula in view to one side of the hotel and the silver grey peak of the Peljesac peninsula mountain on the other side. Orebic itself is a 10 minute walk along the seafront path where there are a few shops, several café-bars and 5-6 restaurants from pizzerias to local cuisine eateries. It’s a laid back place. Not to be missed are the houses of famous sea captains and the maritime museum.

Indijan is traditional in design and rooms have original parquet flooring and wooden furniture with décor in light colours.

When not enjoying swimming in the sea, most guests spend time on the hotel’s huge outside terraces (the Korta restaurant) or the Korona café-bar which has hand carved columns made of Korcula stone.

Here and on the beach, the scent of the sea mingles with the scent of pine trees and palms. Nature at her beautiful best.

The beach has straw huts for shade and sunbeds, free to hotel guests and drinks can be served to the beach. There is a ramp and hydraulic chair lift into the sea for persons with mobility challenges.

Korta restaurant serves buffet breakfast and a la carte lunch and dinner specialities including local Dalmatian dishes. Fresh fish and seafood feature strongly.

The indoor pool has a retractable roof allowing light and fresh air to the area. There is also a jacuzzi, gym and adjacent treatment rooms (massage services should be booked 1-2 days in advance at reception).

The car ferry departs from the long jetty in centre of Orebic to the island of Korcula (15 minutes journey) and the foot passenger boat departs from the waterfront in the centre of Orebic (7 minutes journey). The last foot passenger boat leaves Orebic at 20:50 and leaves Korcula at 21:10.

From mid May to mid June the Peljesac Captains’ Festival offers tours, music and theatre in various locations and around 20 restaurants, konobas (like a bistro), shops, wineries and oyster tour businesses offer discounts and special offer menus.

Accommodation

• There are 19 spacious bedrooms including standard, superior double, single rooms and suites. All superior double rooms and suites have balcony and full sea view.
• Rooms with sea view have spectacular views of the Adriatic and a view of island of Korcula
• Rooms have robes and slippers
• Single rooms are compact and have inland views

Amenities/Features

• Kolona café-bar on the first floor with expansive outdoor terrace with beach and sea views
• Korta a la carte restaurant for buffet breakfast and a la carte lunch or dinner, terrace and sea views
• Live music usually twice a week on the terrace in July and August
• Free WiFi throughout the hotel
• Lift
• Sunbeds free of charge on the beach
• Indoor pool with relaxation beds, jacuzzi, treatments and small gym
• Optional visit with family members to their own vineyard
• Parking, free of charge

The Marija is situated in Tucepi, a small seaside town on one of the most beautiful stretches of the Makarska Riviera and just a five-minute stroll to the pebble beach, marina, shops, café-bars and excursion agents.

A small, family run, four-star hotel with a long tradition in welcoming guests and many return each year. Until late 2021 a grandmother was still helping the chef in the kitchen and greeting guests at reception. The tradition continues with family members still working at the hotel.

While the hotel is stylish with traditional wood décor and light Mediterranean colours throughout, there is a chill-out ambience and the outdoor terrace with its palm trees is a popular place for morning coffee or drinks at sunset.

This is a perfect base for enjoying some time in or by the Croatian Adriatic Sea and with visits to famous Split and Dubrovnik and to a number of National Parks.

Daily boat trips to the islands from the marina.

Accommodation

• There are 29 stylish furnished bedrooms all spacious standard rooms
• Rooms are located throughout the hotel with inland-park side views or seaside views (which may be partly obscured by trees)
• All rooms have balcony

Amenities/Features

• Lounge and bar leading out to a lovely Mediterranean terrace
• Restaurant serving breakfast and half board dinner
• Buffet breakfast
• Half board evening dinner offering a choice of dishes from a set menu, waiter served
• Small indoor pool, gym and sauna
• Traditional “konoba”, a typical Dalmatian wine cellar, where big match sporting events are shown on a large screen, free of charge
• Free WiFi throughout the hotel
• Lift
• Parking (free of charge, pre-booking advised for stays in July and August)

This is a family-owned hotel and has gained a reputation for attentive service.

Located away from the centre of Split and in an area that locals call “Beverly Hills of Split”, it is on the southern slopes of Marijan Hill surrounded by pine forest. While within easy reach of the centre by bus or taxi, the hotel is situated on a steep slope which may be worth considering if there are mobility challenges. Walking down to the Old Town will take 15 minutes and longer on the way up!

Taxis to the centre cost around £5 one way and the local bus stop is around five minutes walk from the hotel. 

The nearest beach is under 10 minutes walk going down and then there is the return uphill! Subject to availability, the hotel will arrange for guests to be driven to and from the lovely Jezinac pebble beach and a charge applies.

When the hotel was being designed, attention was given to the size of rooms and all are spacious, many with balconies with both inland and sea views.

Since it opened, most of the hotel guests have been couples or groups of friends. Due to the nature of the balconies with a small ledge, the hotel is not suitable for young children.

A slightly retro design aspect prevails with high velvet bar stools and Chesterfield sofas in public areas.

Accommodation

• There are 62 spacious, furnished bedrooms and suites including superior, deluxe and exclusive room types
• Most superior rooms with balcony have inland views
• Most deluxe rooms with balcony are at the front of the hotel and are south facing

Amenities/Features

• Lounge and bar indoors and the pool terrace becomes a popular spot for early evening drinks
• Outdoor pool which is usually heated in April and May and is accessed from reception area by a few steps. Pretty poolside terrace with free sunbeds and pool towels
• Indoor lap pool with Finnish sauna, steam room, massage treatments and gym.
• Solar panels provide power for the hotel’s hot water and heating of the indoor pool
• Buffet breakfast featuring Dalmatian ham, cakes, fish dishes, sparkling wine and a la carte hot dishes
• Restaurant opens in the evening serving Dalmatian and International cuisine and there is a pretty outdoor terrace
• Free WiFi throughout the hotel
• Lift
• Parking (free of charge. Pre-booking is required)