Girandella Resort, Valamar Collection

We travel for work as agents and have stayed in many hotels across different countries. Girandella presents itself as a premium hotel and is considered high level in Croatia, but our experience didn't match that claim. We were greeted and escorted to our room with smiles, and then the hospitality seemed to stop. You don't feel welcome here. On “All Inclusive,” there wasn't even a bottle of water in the room, despite this being a family hotel where children mainly drink water. You have to bring bottles to the buffet to fill, like at the cheapest hotels. If you forget and get thirsty on a summer night, it's a long walk to the only stained bar, and you have to hope it's open. The Mini Bar costs extra. The cocktail bar for after putting the baby to bed closes at 22:00, and if you're late, the other open bar charges for the same drinks. Freshly squeezed breakfast juice costs €5 for exactly half a glass. They charge from €400 a night, yet this was the most impoverished all-inclusive we've ever seen. The standard room was terribly small and poorly laid out, like a ship's cabin but without making good use of space. The wardrobe wasn't made for two adults, and the closet had just two shelves. Furniture was in poor condition, the phone handset didn't work, only its speaker did, and the curtains were leaky. Staff still came in to clean after we pressed “Do Not Disturb,” so what's the point of that function? The food was okay, with some tasty dishes, but the selection was small. The main Family restaurant felt like a crowded dining hall, though the staff there were friendly. The children's club was the one area that seemed well organized, and the staff there made an effort. The children's area is good, but other family hotels offer much more for this money. Lots of adults smoke around the children's area too. The price and quality don't match at all. There is a price, but no quality. I don't recommend this hotel. Its “All Inclusive” was the worst we've had in all our years in tourism, and it shocked us.

The beach has different ways to get into the water for every age group, even for people who can't swim. In September, it was around 24-27 degrees, and we could sunbathe easily until 6pm. There are local restaurants, pubs, and shops nearby, worth a visit and not too expensive. A bit of bargaining in the shops helps ;) We had an amazing five days at Girandella Adults. Our 2+1 family suite with sea view was wonderful and always clean. The staff were kind and professional. The breakfast and brunch option had just enough choice and fresh food, with champagne and good coffee included. The gym and wellness facilities were great and fully functional. Dear Girandella Team, thanks again for a great holiday. We hope to be back at your hotel or one of the Valamar Collection hotels next year.

The hotel room was neat and clean, and we enjoyed the sea view again. Breakfast and lunch are consistently good, and there's a good choice of restaurants for the evening. As last year, our stay at Valamar adults only was wonderful. The staff remembered us, which made it feel a bit like coming home.

The people here made us feel welcome from the start, and Mislav deserves a special thanks. We’ve had another great holiday here. The adults-only hotel is comfortable, with a lovely location and layout.