Hotel Waterman Kaktus

The rooms at Hotel Kaktus Brač had an unpleasant smell, especially from the bathroom, and it made the stay uncomfortable. The all-inclusive package was also misleading: drinks, coffee, and even some pool services cost extra, despite being presented as included. Meals were poor in both quality and choice. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were nearly always the same, so it got boring quickly and wasn't satisfying. For the price I paid, the value was very low. I expected better service and quality from an all-inclusive stay, and what I received wasn't worth the cost. I can't recommend this hotel to anyone wanting a genuine all-inclusive experience.

The staff were all very friendly and the hotel was spotlessly clean, which made for a lovely holiday atmosphere. We enjoyed the two dining rooms, including the outdoor one, and there was always something to choose from. The omelettes were delicious. Ranata, the manageress, was helpful and told us the entertainment was at the Foram, not the dome, and that it had its own bar. At the main reception bar, Carmel and another barman were efficient and remembered what we liked. The ice cream hut in the grounds had some of the best ice cream I've had in ages, with three flavours to choose from. We were first given room 119. The bedroom was quite nice, but its tiny 3ft by 3ft balcony faced a wall. Turning around, we could see a gap with a very thick tree and a rooftop. The receptionist asked us to come back at 11.00 am the next day when the manager was in. He arranged for us to see room 323, which was amazing, with a stunning sea view and a much nicer balcony. Thank you. We had a great holiday and would certainly recommend Waterman Kaktus.

We made the best of our week and had a nice time. The location and grounds are lovely, it's clean and close to the beach, but bring bug spray for evenings. The food was basic and repetitive, though nothing was horrible. If you don't like pizza or pork stew, you may struggle. The drinks were the biggest letdown. The non-alcoholic option was sickly squash; alcoholic choices were mediocre red or white wine, beer my husband enjoyed, and cheap, nasty cocktails. No rosé or fizz, which didn't feel like four-star all-inclusive. I drank a lot of water. Better drinks cost extra, but the options still looked limited and not much better. Last year I had four-star all-inclusive elsewhere in Croatia, with fizz and lovely cocktails like Hugo and Aperol with fruit garnish. They may not have been branded, but they were good, a world away from Waterman's pigswill. There was no kettle in the room, so a morning hot drink meant walking to reception. So don't panic if you've already booked, you'll still have a nice time in a lovely part of the world. But this isn't four-star, and the all-inclusive offer was disappointing. I've had better at three-star all-inclusive hotels. If you're booking and want a little luxury, I'd avoid Waterman Kaktus. I won't book Waterman again. I'm also confused about how Kactus is linked to Svpetrvs. They're both Waterman and next door to each other. I can see staff answering Svpetrvs reviews, but not Kactus ones. Searching for Kactus on Google brings up information about Svpetrvs, so check you're looking at the right details.

The rooms and restaurant were clean, and the food was pretty good for an all-inclusive stay. The complex has everything you could need, and the staff were generally friendly. It's right on the beach, about a five-minute walk from the harbour, with plenty of bars, restaurants, and shops nearby. The port for the mainland ferry is close too. I'll definitely come back.