Hotel Belveder

The receptionist was friendly, but that couldn’t make up for the basic problems we ran into. The photos online make the hotel look fresh and charming. In person, the building felt like an abandoned construction site, with rusty AC units, cracked walls and damaged facades. Even the star-rating sign was rusted. Our room smelled of garbage and old fish whenever we walked in, and the nearby beaches were among the worst we’ve seen in Croatia. The lift wasn’t working. Staff first insisted it was, but when we asked them to try it, nothing happened. A maintenance worker eventually confirmed it was broken. We got denial and excuses instead of anyone taking responsibility. During a heatwave, the room had no AC for our two kids. We were told it had worked the day before and offered a room change for one night, then a move back the next day. The bathroom had no light either. We were told the same thing, that it had worked yesterday, and had to use a phone flashlight so our daughter could use the toilet. The food was awful. Both dishes we tried were overcooked, stale, and tasted as if they’d been frozen for days. My wife has never refused a meal while traveling, but she couldn’t eat a bite. After checking in, having one dreadful meal and seeing the state of the room, we left after only a few hours. The kids were sweaty, tired and restless, with no AC, no bathroom light and nowhere to relax. We tried to rebook because of wildfires nearby. The hotel blamed Expedia, while Expedia said it was the hotel’s decision. In the end, no one could do anything. We left the hotel and nearly €1,000 behind, with no refund, and drove to Zadar to salvage the rest of our trip. It was an expensive choice, but the right one. We travel to Croatia every year and love it, and this mistake ruined the start of our holiday. We’ve stayed everywhere from budget inns to high-end hotels across Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia, Austria, France and Italy. This was the worst accommodation we’ve ever had. The pattern was denial and pretending things were fine. Our concerns were brushed aside, and nothing was properly fixed. The staff hid behind policies. A smile doesn’t help when basic comfort and responsibility are missing. Don’t be taken in by the pictures, low price or sea view. If working AC, lights, cleanliness, safety and honest treatment matter to you, avoid this hotel.

The breakfast was terrible and definitely needs an upgrade. The room had a great view, and the AC was super quiet. The cleaning lady was lovely and did a great job. The beach in front of the hotel is better than the public one, but rent a car to explore the island’s other beaches. They’re breathtaking.

The staff were really nice, but when we spoke with them, they were working like animals. The beach was a catastrophe, and there were some insects in the room. Parking was a mess, with too many cars for such a small lot. Sometimes we were parked in and couldn’t get out because cars were left in front of ours.

I’ll miss the breathtaking view from the balcony. The staff were kind and helpful, and when my father had to go to the hospital during our stay, they supported us in every way they could. Parking is difficult because there isn’t enough room for every car, but they organize it very efficiently. Thank you for everything!