Pine Beach Bungalows – all inclusive

The staff and food were great. Just be aware that the small bungalows are open, have no electricity, and let insects in easily. I’d recommend the mobile homes.

The bay is beautiful and the water crystal clear. That was the highlight. We paid extra for a supposedly better cabin, but it had five beds for the three of us, three dusty, smelly mosquito nets, no towels, and no chairs. Sitting outside meant finding a rock and pine needles. At check-in on Aug 8 there was just one receptionist, as the other was at lunch, so things started slowly. The food was edible but dull, and the coffee and soft drinks were awful. Sparkling water was the buffet’s one bright spot. My kids were excited about basketball, but the court felt like an ice rink and they both twisted an ankle within ten minutes. Volleyball seemed limited to people in their twenties, and players for the ping pong tournament never showed. SUP, kayaking, and swimming at least saved the day. On Aug 11, after we’d gone for a swim, we came back to find the resort had padlocked our cabin. Security and a woman wouldn’t let us in unless we paid for another night, even though check-in had promised late checkout. They said they’d call the police when I asked for a supervisor, who was supposedly too busy. The police came, and then the supervisor suddenly appeared, but only gave us angry looks. We got our things and were escorted out like fugitives. Croatia is amazing, but this place felt more like a factory than an eco resort. There were over 500 guests and no loungers. At €350 a night, a chair seems like the least you could expect.

Pine Beach in Pakoštane gave us a very good week in a mobile home. The natural setting is lovely and relaxing, with enough shade and sea breeze that even mid-August didn’t feel unbearably hot. There’s an outstanding range of sports and activities, all free, easy to book, and available whenever you want. The resort was very clean, and staff were generally friendly and professional. Dining was the weak point. At busy times, it was hard to find a table for four. On several occasions, eggs or beef had run out half an hour before breakfast or dinner officially ended, and only appeared after I insisted. Plates, glasses, and cutlery were often dirty, so I sometimes had to check three or four before finding something clean enough. A second, smaller restaurant with a more limited but varied menu could ease the pressure on the main dining room. Pine Beach combines nature, activities, and relaxation well, and I think it’s worth the price. The restaurant experience falls short of the rest, though. Better seating capacity, food availability, and dishware hygiene could make this place outstanding.

The kids were especially taken with the mini disco. We had a great two-day visit and the resort is a fantastic place to keep children entertained. Our hut was clean and comfortable, and the bathrooms and showers were very well maintained. The food was plentiful, tasty, and better than I expected from a resort, with lots of choices throughout the day. You won’t go hungry. One thing to keep in mind: huts with electricity only have USB ports, no regular outlets. That was tricky for me since I needed to charge my laptop during a work vacation.