Maistra Select Petalon Resort

At Petalon Maistra, our holiday began with a check-in that took over 40 minutes. There wasn’t a queue or a complicated request behind the delay. The reception staff seemed unprepared, moving between computers and paper files without getting things sorted, and the whole process felt chaotic and frustrating. The welcome and basic service were so poor that I’ve rarely had a worse hotel experience. It left me wondering whether this is what Maistra considers an acceptable standard. I left feeling that the reception team lacked the training and efficiency needed for even simple tasks. A deeply disappointing stay, especially if you value your time and patience.

The food was fresh, enjoyable, and varied, and there’s an à la carte restaurant on site too. Everyday needs are easy to cover without leaving the resort, thanks to the convenience store, ATM, and all-day dining. The resort is spread across cottage-style units among pine trees, so it feels natural and there’s good shade. Parking is plentiful, the beaches are spacious, and guests can use the pool, rent bikes, try SUP boards, and enjoy other activities. It seems suited to families, couples, children, and seniors looking for a relaxing break. Most staff were polite and professional, though our overall impression was neutral. Noise from a neighboring room went on for two days. We reported it, but management didn’t resolve it and didn’t seem particularly willing to. It made us wonder whether group or team-building stays are common and whether disturbances are simply tolerated. That wasn’t ideal for us as regular guests.

We came back from our week at Maistra Select Petalon Resort feeling rested and full of lovely memories. The whole place is kept up well and sits naturally among the pine trees, with a peaceful feel. The coast and clear water are beautiful, and we especially enjoyed the beach access and paths along the shore. Breakfast and dinner were generous, tasty, and varied enough for everyone. Staff were kind, helpful, and professional from the moment we arrived. We had such an easy, enjoyable stay that we’d happily return and recommend Petalon for a quiet seaside break surrounded by nature in Istria.

The surroundings are lovely, and the Croatian people we met were friendly. Everywhere we visited was spotless. At the hotel, the staff were nice, but our room took ages to be ready. Then they asked us to pay, even though it was a package holiday we’d already paid for, and they didn’t seem to understand. There was plenty of food to choose from and it was okay, but the hot buffet was never actually hot. On the second day, about nine coachloads of teenagers arrived for a school trip and ran wild for the rest of their stay.