For saving money in Croatia, nothing beats an all-inclusive resort especially if you'll be vacationing with kids. Not only are meals included but the resorts below are chock-full of activities to keep the young ones occupied. There's a real comfort in knowing in advance how much your holiday will cost. Plus your price is locked in so you'll be protected from currency fluctuations. Could you spend less money if you book your hotel and arrange your meals independently? Maybe but not without cutting corners on quality.
The downside of all-inclusive resorts is that, with one or two exceptions, the hotels have several hundred rooms often filled by package tourists. Mealtimes can be hectic, pools are filled with splashing kids and the nightly entertainment may not be to everyone's taste. As the Croatian coast is popular with visitors from continental Europe, there is a cross-cultural blend that can be stimulating or annoying, depending on your point of view.
But there's a lot to be said for a hassle-free holiday where you're free to laze around or pick from a full menu of fun activities without having to make tedious arrangements. Nor are you imprisoned in the resort! Staff will be happy to help you book a visit to nearby attractions whether independently or on a tour. All of the resorts below are highly rated by visitors. Figure out what features you want, read the fine print and enjoy!
Umag
Umag is a small town bordering a large resort area in Istria's northern corner. Only 2.5km from the town center, this four-star hotel is near a paved beach and in a safe child-friendly environment with plenty to do. Adults will appreciate the fitness program that includes aquagym and stretching, free bike rental and ecologically sensitive management. Nearby extra activities include tennis courts, watersports, handball and basketball courts, bowling beach volley, mini-golf and riding. The all-inclusive offer here includes drinks and there's a regular (paying) electric train into town. Parking is extra.
Rooms
The 306 rooms include singles, economy doubles, classic with balcony, superior with park view, premium seaside, family rooms with bunk beds park side or seaside, family rooms, junior suites, presidential suite.
What do guests say?*
Pluses
Spacious rooms
On the beach
Clean
Evening entertainment
Attractive landscaping
Minuses
Concrete beach
Dated decor
Check reviews, rates and availability
Porec
Porec is known for its Byzantine basilica and Roman ruins. This four-star resort is located 5km south of Porec with an electric train to shuttle visitors back and forth. The resort is only 100m from the beach where you can have fun with water skiing, parasailing, windsurfing, sailing or diving. Other activities include tennis and horse riding. Or, stay in the resort and enjoy the two outdoor freshwater pools and a children's pool. There's a local bus stop nearby if you want to head off on your own. Meals are vegetarian-friendly and there's a thematic or gala dinner once a week. Drinks are included. Parking is €1/day. Children up to 13 are free.
Rooms
The 324 rooms sprawling over seven floors include singles with balcony, doubles, doubles with balcony and extra bed, doubles with balcony seaside, doubles with balcony seaside with extra bed, suites with balcony, seaside suites with balcony .
What do guests say?*
Pluses
Good food
Beautiful surroundings
Minuses
Worn carpets
Meals lack variety
Evening entertainment disturbing for seaside rooms
Check reviews, rates and availability
Right on the beach 5km south of Porec, this three-star resort has tons of things to do for adults and kids. The beach is right outside where watersports like kayaking, pedalo are included in the price. Mini golf, tennis and bikes are also included. Or, stay in shape with a morning workout at the gym while the kids play in the Kids Club. There's sailing, golf, cycling and volleyball during the day and musical entertainment at night. Drinks are included. Like the Albatros above (same management) meals are vegetarian friendly and there's a gala or thematic dinner each week.
Rooms
The 211 rooms are spread out over five floors and include singles, doubles and doubles with a balcony.
What do guests say?*
Pluses
Variety of included activities
Attractive surroundings
Close to the sea
Minuses
Only one lift
Small rooms
Mediocre food
Check reviews, rates and availability
Rabac
Rabac is a coastal town on the eastern shores of Istria, just outside Labin. This three-star hotel is right on a pine-shaded beach, about 700m from town and offers half-board. There's a sea water pool, children's pool, tennis courts and all-day entertainment program. A variety of watersports are available at the beach for an extra charge. The hotel prides itself on facilities and services for cyclists (rental extra) who will enjoy the many kilometres of nearby bike paths. A hyperallergenic room is available and parking is free.
Rooms
Rooms include standard twin, superior twin with balcony seaside, superior triple with balcony, superior triple with balcony seaside.
What do guests say?*
Pluses
Good food
Close to the sea
Friendly staff
Minuses
Difficult parking
Dated furnishings
Small rooms
Check reviews, rates and availability
Zadar
The name says it all! this four-star hotel is great fun for the whole family. The 2500 sq meter wellness centre is the highlight with massage, sauna, fitness, hot tub and solarium facilities. If steaming in a hammam isn't your thing, there's always the nearby sandy (!) beach and watersports galore. Kids will love the long slide into the pool. Central Zadar, one of the Adriatic's most ancient cities is only 5km away. Parking is free and drinks are included.
Rooms
The 292 beds are divided among standard doubles, superior doubles, superior doubles seaside, standard family, standard family extra large, comfort family, comfort family seaside, superior family, superior family seaside, standard and superior family suites. Most, but not all, of the rooms have been recently renovated.
What do guests say?*
Pluses
Child-friendly
Friendly staff
Good food
Minuses
Some nudity in the mixed sauna
Check reviews, rates and availability
30km from Zadar, this rustic complex features Polynesian-style straw huts. There's no electricity or running water in the huts but there are full facilities right outside and you're only 200m away from a kilometer-long sandy beach. The complex once belonged to Club Med and retains a relaxed, joyful ambiance. Included activities are beach volleyball, soccer, basketball, kayak and boules, archery, sailing and more.Parking is free and there's an Internet Corner for your Wifi needs.
Bungalows
The 480 bungalows include doubles, doubles seaside and family rooms.
What do guests say?*
Pluses
Variety of included activities
Minuses
No double beds
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Bol
Tiny Bol on Brac island makes a big splash with Zlatni Rt beach, one of Croatia's best beaches. This three-star hotel is a couple of minutes walk from the beach and has a plan that includes all three meals, plus snacks, drinks, free bike rental and one hour on the tennis courts. The staff works hard to keep everyone entertained; kids will especially enjoy the kids club and playground.
Rooms
The resort has a total of 188 rooms in a main building and 14 annexes. There are doubles, doubles seaside and 48 family rooms.
What do guests say?*
Pluses
Location
Beautiful surroundings
Minuses
Caters to French tourists
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Tucepi
Tucepi is only 4km from Makarska but it's much quieter and this three-star hotel is the place to relax. Included are three main meals, two snacks and drinks. There's a sports centre right next to the hotel and on site there's a kids club, free bike rental, a fitness centre and a day care service.
Rooms
The 100 rooms are distributed between a main building and and annex and include standard doubles, doubles with sea view, superior doubles with sea view, suites with sea view. As there are no lifts, persons with mobility issues should request a ground floor room. Rooms in the main building are of higher quality and slightly more expensive than the annex.
What do guests say?*
Pluses
Near the beach
Large pool area with plenty of sun loungers.
Minuses
Limited evening entertainment
Small bathrooms
Check reviews, rates and availability
Korcula
This new hotel in Brna on Korcula island provides more of a honeymoon experience than a family experience although there is a Kids Club. As the hotel is relatively small, large package tour operators are absent which makes it a great place to chill and enjoy the sea views. Stairs lead to the sea from a private hotel beach platform with sun loungers. Head out to sea on a kayak, rent a surfboard or relax by the freshwater pool. Bicyles are available for rental. The little village of Brna is a short stroll or bike ride away and has a few restaurants and cafes. Want to explore fascinating Korcula town? A hotel shuttle will take you there. The hotel offers half-board and parking is free.
Rooms
All 76 rooms have balconies and face the sea. There are doubles, suites and luxury suites.
What do guests say?*
Pluses
Stylish rooms
Good food
Great staff
Minuses
Difficult to find a parking space
Check reviews, rates and availability
Vrboska
Vrboska is a charming former fishing village on Hvar island, 2km from the resort. Located just steps from the sea, the three-star Labranda Senses was completely renovated in 2016 in a style best described as modern-Mediterranean. The thick pine tree forest creates a calm and quiet cocoon around the hotel. Adults will love the spa and fitness facilities which include a variety of massages using local products. Families may find fewer activities for kids than other resorts but there is a playroom and the usual watersports. The all-inclusive program includes all three meals, drinks with meals and at the bars, sauna, tropical rain shower and fitness centre. Parking is free.
Rooms
The 182 rooms include doubles or twins with full or partial sea views, suites, deluxe king suites, budget doubles and doubles with balcony and sea view.
What do guests say?*
Pluses
Great location
Quiet
Minuses
Small pool
Insufficient sun loungers
Mediocre food
Check reviews, rates and availability
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik's only all-inclusive resort, this three-star hotel is near the beaches of Babin Kuk with a full array of watersports on offer at nearby Copacabana beach. There's also an all-inclusive "light" which means that breakfast and dinner with drinks are part of the package along with soft drinks throughout the day for kids. Kids will also enjoy the entertainment program, packed with activities. There's a clay tennis court nearby (extra charge), a seaview terrace bar and regular public buses to Dubrovnik's old town. Parking is an extra €6/day but bikes are free. Sun loungers and umbrellas around the pool are extra.
Rooms
The 338 rooms are distributed on five floors (with lift) and include standard doubles with park view, standard doubles with balcony and park view, superior doubles with balcony and sea view, standard family with balcony and park view, standard doubles with airport transfer or day trip included.
What do guests say?*
Pluses
Quality and variety of food
Evening entertainment
Minuses
Smallish rooms and bathrooms
Check reviews, rates and availability
Cavtat
Cavtat is a relaxing alternative to Dubrovnik and this three-star hotel on the beach is a good place to indulge in your favorite watersports. The hotel is a short walk from town. Choose from breakfast included, all-inclusive, or breakfast and dinner included. There's a PADI centre on site to learn scuba diving or brush up on your skills. Sun loungers and umbrellas around the outdoor pools, drinks and some sports are part of the all-inclusive offer.
Rooms
The 312 rooms were refurbished in 2017 and include economy and standard doubles and twins, superior twins with side and full sea views and family rooms.
What do guests say?*
Pluses
Seafront location
Landscaping
Quality and variety of food
Minuses
Too many cats outside
Small pool
Check reviews, rates and availability
Package Holidays
And don't forget about flight-hotel packages that may include full or half-board. Try
TUI--an industry leader in affordable package holidays
Just You--packages for singles
*Summarized from booking.com and TripAdvisor
Last updated April 18 2022
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