Villa Berulia

The setting was breathtaking, but I came away with mixed feelings. The hotel has huge potential, yet it doesn’t feel close to five-star in terms of service or luxury. It was packed, and getting a drink by the pool meant walking up a lot of stairs. Drinks came in paper cups, and there was no pool service. Towels for the loungers weren’t available until 11am, even though it was already boiling by 7am. Those small details make a big difference. There was no bar service after midnight either, and the loungers were plastic. The breakfast was nice and clean. We ate out in the evenings, so I can’t say much about the dinner buffet. If we return to the area, we’d definitely rent an Airbnb. That’s what the hotel felt like we were getting, unfortunately.

I travelled on my own as a very senior citizen, but I never felt lonely or unsafe. I spent ten lovely nights here at the start of the season. It was quiet at first, which suited me because I’m partially disabled, then got very busy over the holiday weekend. The restaurant was a bit of a struggle for me, but the staff were excellent and did everything they could to help. There are a lot of steps, as another reviewer mentioned, and accessibility could be better. Still, I’ve already booked another 14 nights for October. Everyone throughout the hotel was magnificent, friendly, and helpful. Nothing seemed too much trouble. The restaurant food was very good. I’m Coeliac, so I was worried at first, but all the food was clearly marked and I needn’t have been. I ordered breakfast to my room. It arrived on time, hot, plentiful, and with a smile. I’ll do that again in October. It’s a very civilised way to start the day. My room was good, with a balcony looking from the sea to the mountains. The chambermaid was efficient and helpful, and reception dealt with my couple of queries right away, also with a smile. The pool bar staff were attentive, and brought my delicious cocktails promptly. Sara, the lovely Concierge, was wonderful. Some excursions hadn’t started yet, she explained, but she arranged a taxi and driver to take me sightseeing. I thought the cost was worth it for the beautiful countryside. She also organised taxis to nearby towns, booked dinners at lovely restaurants, and sent me details of excursions for my next visit. I’d also like to thank Josef, apologies if I’ve got the name wrong, for taking me to other local restaurants.

We loved the quiet setting, direct beach access, and the charming stretch of coast, with a pleasant walking path between Brela and Baska Voda. We stayed just one night while driving from Dubrovnik to Split. The exterior and amenities initially impressed us, but the first impression faded, and I’d give it four stars rather than five. Even though it’s secluded, parking costs extra. The lifts don’t go down to the beach or pool, which didn’t bother us, and didn’t take us directly to our room either, as there was still a short flight of stairs to climb. The biggest issue was that the air conditioning wasn’t on in early spring because the whole property was still in heating mode. We loved our stop in the area, but aren’t sure we’d stay here again.

The spa service was very good, but there’s no indoor pool. The hotel is pleasant and quiet, with modern, clean rooms, and the breakfast was excellent. Dinner had limited options, and even tap water was charged separately, which felt restrictive. Water was complimentary only on the first night, then we had to pay, which was disappointing for a hotel of this standard. Getting here is another drawback. There’s no public transport from Split Airport, so you need a car. We took an Uber for around €80, making the transfer quite expensive. The food selection could also be better for a hotel advertised as five stars. With these limitations, I’d rate it four stars rather than five.