Stele di Nora

The spa charge caught us off guard, since we had several times been left with the impression that access came with the stay. The time we spent there was very short, especially for one guest. The hotel is beautiful, with a great location and phenomenal interior. Breakfast was a bit patchy on day one, perhaps because it wasn't high season: several things were missing, including yogurt, and the only bread was sliced toast in bags. The bar staff didn't replenish anything, so we thought that was simply the breakfast setup. On the second morning, the selection was much more complete.

The serving staff were the bright spot at Pizzeria Stela di Nora in Pula. They were friendly, attentive, and quick to help, and brought a bowl of water for our dog Toffee straight away. He enjoyed being there. I came hoping for a really good pizza, but it was just regular, without the wood-fired flavor I wanted. It wasn't bad, just unremarkable, and although the pizzas were large, much of them was the cheap part you'd cut away anyway. Dessert was a ready-made, deep-frozen industrial one. Mine was okay, but not fresh or creative, and it was a shame they had no homemade dessert. Stela di Nora has potential, though some things need work. For great pizza, you may want to try somewhere else nearby.

We came with our three children and found it very family friendly. The staff were wonderful, and nothing felt like too much trouble. Even the drinks were served with care and looked lovely. It's impeccably clean, stylish, and immaculate. Lovely restaurants are a short walk away, with beautiful beaches a short drive away. We'd highly recommend it.

The constant traffic and noise were the main drawback. A busy road is just a few meters away, and opening the window brought in terribly bothersome noise. There was also constant car movement in the parking lot, and a local supermarket on the ground floor attracted a crowd of buyers. I'd limit a stay here to one or two nights at most. The room and bathroom were of a good standard, the bed was comfortable, and the hotel is close to the town center. Breakfast was good, and having car parking was a plus.