There are tons of great hotels in Zagreb! But how do you choose the best ones? And, more importantly, how can you make sure that they’re guest-friendly. Well, that is what you have us for.
Read on to find out about:
- Zagreb’s luxurious accommodations
- The places with the best location
- The sexiest hotels, perfect for a getaway or for visiting your long-distance partner
- Saving money on accommodation in Zagreb by picking the best booking sites
Esplanade Zagreb Hotel
This one is the epitome of luxury in the iconic Esplanade Zagreb Hotel.
The building is a city sight in itself, too. It opened doors back in 1925 and was designed in Art Deco style. It has always been in the centre of Zagreb’s social life, where politicians mingled with local musicians, beauty queens, and even international film stars.
They have managed to maintain their highly personal customer service but they’ve also renovated their facilities. Today, the rooms blend the Art Deco heritage with contemporary touches.
Located in the very heart of the city, the Esplanade is one of the hotels in Zagreb that are closest to major sights and landmarks. And after a long day of walking around this beautiful city, you can enjoy the delights of the Esplanade Health Club. These include a gym and a sauna that are free to use for all guests, plus a variety of beauty treatments and luxurious massages.
You can even come down to the sauna with your guests. The hotel staff is very accommodating and will welcome their visit.
Best Western Premier Hotel Astoria
Another beautiful luxury hotel in the heart of the city, the Best Western Premier Hotel makes up in modern technology what it lacks in architecture. Granted, this may not be an Art Deco building that people drop by just to admire.
However, the Best Western might actually be a better choice for business trips. It has 98 rooms and two suites, all of which feature high-speed in-room Internet access, exclusive bathroom amenities, and impeccable design. The hotel recently went through a complete renovation and everything looks and feels brand new.
The Best Western Premier Hotel Astoria also has a fully equipped business centre, as well as two small meeting rooms with perfect audio and video technology. Many high-class boutique training events are held here. If you want to use the salons for your own purposes, make sure you call in advance and book them out. Oh, and did I mention that the business centre is open throughout the night, too? You can catch up on work anytime you need!
The Best Western Hotel Astoria is also a place where you should definitely try the food. Their Ragusa restaurant offers fine dining all day long, making it equally great for a business lunch and a dinner date. Once you are done with food, make sure you drop by the bar. Legend has it that some of Zagreb’s best mixologists work here. You wouldn’t want to miss out on that!
The Best Western And Eco-Friendly Hotels In Zagreb
Booking an eco-friendly accommodation used to be associated with hostels, vacation rentals, and hippie-vibe hotels. These days, though, big and luxurious hotels like the Best Western are also making a commitment to preserving the environment.
According to their own policy, they take a sustainable approach towards managing the hotel. This includes:
- Preventing pollution
- Minimizing waste, including food waste and water waste
- Recycling
- Pollution control where prevention is impossible
- Handling waste correctly
All in all, the Best Western Hotel Astoria is all the luxury minus the guilt!
Palace Hotel Zagreb
Yet another historical hotel, this one has long captured the hearts of Zagreb citizens. When it opened doors in 1907, the Palace Hotel was the first official hotel in Zagreb. It was built in the city park – today it is known as the old city park (but it’s still in the heart of Zagreb, though).
The location near the old city palace soon made it a favourite among foreign visitors. But did you know that the Palace Hotel was originally intended to be… Well, you guessed it, a palace?
It was built in 1891 for Karl Schlesinger and hence it got the name of Schlesinger’s palace. It wasn’t until 1907 that it became a hotel. The stunning neo-classic style of the building soon made it one of Zagreb’s most important landmarks. The interior was created in a characteristic Art Nouveau style and much of it is preserved to this day.
But how about the actual rooms?
There 116 luxurious rooms, plus suites and three semi-apartments and even an apartment for diplomats. All of the rooms have unlimited Wi-Fi and a safe, as well as the usual amenities like a well-equipped mini bar, air conditioning, and rooms for smokers.
Request a room that overlooks the park – it’s a little noisier but infinitely more beautiful!
The Westin Zagreb
The Westin Zagreb Hotel is located perfectly. It’s not as pretty as the last one but, much like the case with Best Western, it’s incredibly business-friendly. The area is green and calm, and you have the Mimara Museum and the National Theatre and Opera House. It’s a trendy zone but you still get peace and calm to rest at night.
The other major perk of the Westin is the discreet surroundings. The staff act professionally and are always happy to accommodate your guests. For that reason, the Westin is frequented by high-profile guests – it has even welcomed royalty!
Hotel Dubrovnik
The hotel Dubrovnik is slightly less expensive but just as high quality as the previous spots on this list.
The rooms are bright and spacious, featuring comfortable bedding and paintings. They all have air conditioning, cable TV and a mini-bar. Some also have a balcony with a beautiful view over the city.
The daily buffet breakfast is served and it’s always fresh and delicious. If you want to linger after breakfast, head to the Dubrovnik café. This is actually one of the oldest and most popular cafés in a city obsessed with hanging out in coffee shops.
Along with the best coffee and cakes in Zagreb, the Dubrovnik café offers tremendous people watching opportunities. The elegance and retro chic of the spot make it perfect for dates but you could also just hang out and look at the Ban Jelačić Square, as people rush around, getting ready for their days.
And you are just a step away from the city’s best spots – the Zagreb Cathedral, St. Mark’s Square, the Meštrović ‘Mosque’, Zrinjevac, Hrvatsko Narodno Kazalište.
Canopy By Hilton Zagreb – City Centre
Located in Donji Grad (the Lower City, where the historical centre is), Canopy By Hilton is your perfect choice if you enjoy getting lost in cobbled streets, hanging out at museums, and admiring the gorgeous architecture.
You are literally right in front of the main train station and inside the Branimir Complex. The building might not look very art deco (well, that is because it’s not art deco) but it blends with the surroundings perfectly. That’s because it was originally designed to mimic the industrial architecture of Zagreb. Considering how important that aspect of history was to the development of this city, props to the architects.
The modern and air-conditioned rooms all feature a work desk, a coffee machine, and free high-speed WiFi. Hard work is encouraged at Canopy By Hilton Zagreb – City Center but so is having fun.
The on-site restaurant ReUnion offers some of the best Croatian dishes you will try in the city. There is no need to get a reservation – the place is usually calm and intimate, making it perfect for a day. The lounge bar is also beautiful and it serves delicious drinks!
Hotel Laguna Zagreb
Moving on to more budget-friendly options, you have the Hotel Laguna Zagreb.
It’s not glamorous at all but it covers all the basics. The rooms are very spacious and tidy, everything is kept in order, they clean and change towels consistently.
The large bathroom is another perk and the free Wi-Fi in all of the rooms is just as good as what you find in much more expensive places. The breakfast features plenty of options, some of them vegetarian-friendly and vegans wouldn’t leave the table hungry either. The hotel may be ranked three-stars but this is a five-star breakfast right there.
Parking is free for the time of your stay.
The only point that I disliked about the Hotel Laguna is all the groups that stay here. I guess they offer lower prices or that they work with many tour agents. The fact remains that the lobby, no matter how huge it is, often gets incredibly crowded. It is very frustrating and makes check in and check out slower.
To make up for that, the hotel staff are among the friendliest people that I have met in Croatia. Not only do they try their best to make you feel at home and cater to your needs. They truly go above and beyond when it comes to service. And that, my people, is a true rarity these days!
Hotel Central
The Hotel Central is another one of the big and historical hotels in Zagreb. You are a mere 5-6 minute walk away from the main square and the historic centre of the city. If you are the party type, it’s nice to know that all the nightclubs are also here. You can easily get back home walking, provided that you can walk (I’m joking but also I’m not, please drink responsibly and never try to out-drink the locals)!
There are 69 rooms in total – out of them 24 singles, 33 doubles, six triples, and four family apartments. They are all equipped with:
- Free Wi-Fi Internet access
- AC that you can actually control
- Satellite TV
- A telephone with direct dial
- Room refrigerator
Breakfast is served at the dining room and there is also an aperitif bar, as well as two large conference rooms for meetings. They can accommodate up to 70 participants and are one of the best locations for business meetings, conferences, seminars, and lectures in the city. The location is perfect for everyone and the rooms overlook the beautiful streets of Zagreb. Besides, you have everything you need, including an LCD projector, a superb audio system, and all the flip charts that your heart desires.
The one downside to the Hotel Centrale is you have to pay for the parking. You can pay in the nearby Importanne Center (Level 3) for a price of 90 kunas (12,50 €) per day. Though this is not a lot, free parking would be much nicer, right?
Hotel Vila Tina
You would not believe this budget accommodation even exists! It’s perfect – it is cheap, the location is amazing, the staff is super friendly, and the rooms, though not anything special, is very clean and well-maintained.
Welcome to Hotel Vila Tina, a tiny, family-run hotel in the heart of Zagreb! Whether you are in the city for work or fun, Hotel Vila Tina is one od of the perfect low-cost choices. But the one thing it is amazing for is couples’ trips.
Let’s start with the location. Vila Tina lies amidst the woods of Maksimir Park, affectionately known as the green belt of the Zagreb centre. You have the zoo and a few tiny, picturesque lakes nearby. The atmosphere is chilled out, there is hardly any noise at night, but you are still very close to the main attractions.
They serve a huge buffet breakfast in the morning. Load up on carbs and spend the day exploring the city. You can also have lunch or dinner in their restaurant. It’s not super impressive but they have all the Croatian basics plus a few international dishes (I mean, pizza is everywhere so should you really be surprised?).
The rooms are spacious, they don’t have the top-notch design, but the beds are comfy and you have all the amenities that you need.
Hotel Jagerhorn
This boutique hotel may be tiny but it’s the epitome of perfect service. Here is a promising review:
My girls and I stayed here after an awesome long weekend on the beaches of Croatia. The hotel was super cute, in the heart of Zagreb with a wonderful staff. The breakfast was perfect and everyone was super nice. I really loved my single room, it was so cost and well decorated. The hotel is close to tons of restaurants and I felt in the middle of everything yet completely private at the same time. Very clean rooms and hotel in general. I would definitely stay again if I ever have the pleasure of visiting Croatia again.
All of the rooms have been refurbished recently and feature a combination of contemporary and upcycled vintage furniture. Design-wise, it is gorgeous. But the Jägerhorn is also very comfortable and 100% guest-friendly.
Each room features:
- LCD flat-screen TVs
- Complimentary bath products developed exclusively for the Jägerhorn
- High-speed wireless internet
- Coffee machine
By the way, you would not need that coffee maker anyway. The 200-year-old Café Jägerhorn is an attraction in and of itself. Located between the upper and lower town, the décor of the places reflects this merging of influences. Much like the rest of the hotel, it has been furnished with a mix of modern and retro furniture to “give an eclectic marriage of chic design and old world comfort.” (yes, this is from the actual website of the hotel).
Enjoy the beverages and coffee drinks by Cogito Coffee Roasters, one of the best local speciality coffee companies in Zagreb. Most the coffee beans are single-origin Arabica but don’t be afraid to also sample their blends.
If you are more of a tea person, why not try their tea menu. Their supplier is nearby “House of Green Tea”, where you can purchase more of the tea that you liked at the café.
At night, they have a range of craft beers and Croatian wine options. This is a great spot for a casual date, by the way. It’s way more sophisticated than Starbucks but not as fancy as an actual restaurant.
The Loop Hotel
You have before you one of the best value hotels in the whole city. The Loop is a mere 600m from the Zagreb Main Bus Station, a.k.a. it’s in the new city and that makes it perfect for party animals. The old town isn’t too far either – you can get a cheap cab there or walk 15 to 20 minutes.
The rooms reflect the general young vibe of the place. Instead of paintings, they hang up framed posters. The entire décor is eclectic and fun – both interesting and comfortable. You will have a flat-screen TV as well as a safe. All the rooms are air-conditioned and you will be very thankful for that once it’s summer in Zagreb. Don’t be fooled by the proximity to mountains. Temperatures rise a lot in Zagreb!
Most hotels in Zagreb feature a restaurant. This one just has a bar but it’s a bar worth checking out. The Loop bar is a relaxed café by day and a fun bar by night. Apart from their delicious cocktails, the Loop also serve coffee and tea, a variety of smoothies, and some snacks. Compared to other nearby bars, this one is actually super affordable so non-guests would often show up as well.
Even though The Loop is not a hostel, it can almost function as one. The staff are super friendly – you will instantly feel at home and the people you can meet range from super fancy business ladies to young couples touring around Europe on a train pass.
The Best Hotels In Zagreb?
Choosing accommodation in a city that you don’t know is a daunting task. Here are some tips for choosing what is best for you. Of course, tip number one is to re-read this article. I wrote it myself and therefore I take full responsibility for it.
But some other good ideas when seeking guest-friendly hotels in Zagreb are to:
- Double check the reviews on Tripadvisor and your favourite booking site
- Research the prices for your travel period and set a price alert if you can. Sometimes, if you plan too early, you may get overcharged. It’s much better to give it a few weeks to see if the prices change.
- At the same time, try not to book last-minute. Not only does it limit your choices, it’s also a good way to waste some money. It’s a silly thing to spend on – your procrastination habit. Plan a couple of weeks in advance and you are all good!
- Know what you are actually paying for. Double check if the price includes breakfast, access to all amenities, using WiFi, having people over for a night. If you have to, email the hotel. The staff speak perfect English so there is no need to worry about a language barrier. What does matter is that you get what you need?
- As real estate agents like to say “Location, location, location!” If you are wondering which hotel to choose, always pick the one with a better location. You will thank yourself when you save all that cab money later.
Is An Airbnb Better?
I recently had a friend refuse to book a rental. Apparently, she had heard some horror stories about Airbnb. Wanting to avoid a fight, I accepted booking a hotel and was soon reminded why rentals are not necessarily better.
Granted, sometimes they are cheaper. But in the mid-range hotels are actually better. They include maid service, breakfast, a reception desk full of people ready to help you, etc. If you are a very low-budget traveler yes, Airbnb is better. Otherwise, hotels in Zagreb are still staying strong against the vacation rental trend.
And there you have it – our suggestions for the best guest-friendly hotels in Zagreb. But I probably missed something so share your own thoughts and tips in the comments below.
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