Hotel Esplanade Zagreb

The service left me especially unhappy. Since I hadn't asked for housekeeping during my two-night stay, I called on the second day for extra disposable amenities and a replacement coffee cup. The first staff member who came had a poor attitude and said they couldn't communicate because they didn't speak English. The next person told me I'd be charged 5 euros each time I called housekeeping for items. I've stayed at countless five-star hotels across Europe and never had a fee for requesting complimentary amenities. That felt completely unreasonable. The facilities also seemed extremely outdated. The hotel has a history of over a hundred years, but the room gave me the impression that it hadn't been renovated or updated in a long time. Despite its five-star rating, there wasn't even a complimentary bottle of water, and the hairdryer was an old model. I honestly don't understand the five-star rating. The facilities and service fell far below that standard. The other five-star hotels I stayed at in Dubrovnik and Split on this trip were far superior. If the price difference isn't significant, I strongly recommend choosing another nearby five-star hotel.

The rooms were spacious and I slept really well, and this is a great place with a wonderful history and location. But it feels like the place is lacking love. The sauna is very functional, and while it's great that there's a sauna area, it could feel more welcoming and relaxing with a lounge area, water, and snacks. A few little extras could change a lot. Breakfast could be more worthy of a five-star hotel too, with more effort and better quality food. And last but not least, be kind, Croats! People around the world love you for your soccer team, coast, wine, Ivanisevic, Kostelic, Vlasic, and so many more. Love the world back and show some kindness in hospitality. Walk the extra mile. You can do it!

The dinner at the hotel restaurant was disappointing for families. As soon as we arrived, a waiter looked at my son, who hadn't said a word, put a finger to their lips, and said "Psst" to silence him. It felt incredibly unwelcoming, and we were uncomfortable from the start. The dinner service definitely isn't kids-friendly. If you're traveling with children, you may want to find somewhere else for dinner where your family feels more respected. The rest of the hotel was wonderful. Our rooms were comfortable, and the service overall was professional. We thoroughly enjoyed the hotel bar's atmosphere and the high-quality breakfast, which had plenty of variety.

The rooms were spotless and very comfortable, and the food was outstanding. The hotel itself is beautiful, and the staff made us feel welcome from the moment we arrived, always friendly and helpful. We had a wonderful stay. Everything exceeded our expectations, and we can't recommend the place highly enough!