11 Best Luxury Hotels In Split Croatia

What makes Split in Croatia so special is that not only is it the country’s second-largest city, but it’s also a beautiful little tourist town. Built around the magnificent Diocletian palace, this town also connects the hip islands off the coast of the country to mainland Dalmatia. Thus, Split has the rare distinction of being beautiful in a modern way. So, we thought, why not stay in luxury in this gorgeous Adriatic seafront city? The best luxury hotels in Split, Croatia, lie all across the town: whether it’s the Old Town, the Promenade, or the beachside resorts just outside the Old Town. What’s more, they ranged from traditional five-star luxury to smaller, but more intimate boutique stays, where the amenities were as thoughtful as the design. If there was a place to stay stylishly with both traditional and modern vibes, Split is where you should be.

Despite growing immensely in popularity, Split still remains completely authentic. The water of the Adriatic coast is stunning and gorgeous, and the town itself has a fascinating history. Think of every piece of history having lived here, from Roman and Austrian to Italian and even former Yugoslavian rule. And, of course, foodies can have the sea’s bounty to their heart’s content. To that end, here’s a roundup of the most luxurious stays in Split, Croatia.

Also read: Hidden Gems You Must Visit In Croatia

Heritage Hotel Antique Split

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We begin with the Heritage Hotel Antique Split, a fantastic B&B-style heritage hotel sitting in a fourth-century structure within the UNESCO-listed Diocletian’s Palace. In fact, the street-facing rooms probably had the best views in Split Old Town – directly overlooking the palace’s central square and the Saint Domnius Cathedral. Despite sitting in a pedestrian-only zone, the hotel arranged for parking nearby and even shuttled us and our baggage to and fro via electric golf carts.

The small, family-run heritage hotel is one of the few of its kind that sit within the walls of the fourth-century palace. So, staying here allowed us to experience a slice of Roman history in all its glory. Moreover, the completely renovated interiors complemented the exposed stone walls, classical decor, period photographs, heavy drapes, and dark wood furniture. That’s why the ground-floor terrace and the compact breakfast room were the only places to mingle, but we had no complaints. Despite there being no restaurant or room service, there was a fantastic Mediterranean buffet-style breakfast, as well as a dining room with local brandies, juices, coffee, tea, fruit, and homemade cakes all day. We were blown away by the excellent staff, who picked us up and dropped us off for free and assisted us with everything.

Choose from 8 double rooms, which have big comfy beds, hardwood floors or wall-to-wall carpets, exposed stone walls, high ceilings, and creature comforts like smart TVs and minibars. Moreover, bathrooms were luxurious and spacious with rainwater shower heads.

Residence by Vestibul Palace

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An acquired residential neighborhood in Split, just 10 minutes from Diocletian’s Palace, is a purpose-built apartment-hotel that’s home to just five, but smart, contemporary, and spacious self-catering suites. Welcome to the Residence by Vestibul Palace, which is the epitome of low-profile luxury and is perfect for longer stays.

Discrete and private, this gated residence offered us the choice of five functional but smart self-catering apartments, which was ideal for us as we were a group of friends traveling together. We love this setup: it was set in a small garden and had ample underground garage parking. Despite being self-catering apartments, there was a staff that was excellent, whether it was sharing tips to explore Split or arranging for excursions, transfers, sailing trips, and restaurant reservations. If that wasn’t enough, there was even a residents-only small spa with a hammam and a hot tub. And even though there was no restaurant, each unit had a fully equipped modern kitchen for cooking meals.

Three junior suites 2 slightly larger luxury suites comprise the five smart self-catering suites here. Notwithstanding their sizes, they all came with living spaces with sofa beds, slick, fully-equipped kitchens, dining spaces, glass-fronted balconies, and spotless, grey marble bathrooms with Molton Brown bath products, slippers, and bathrobes.

Marvie Hotel & Health

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Restorative luxury comes to Split in the form of Marvie Hotel & Health, which caters to travelers looking for a wellness break. Not only does it have the usual five-star amenities, but it’s especially known for its on-site spa and health clinic, which specializes in dentistry, physiotherapy, and dermatology, and focuses on healthy, revitalizing food menus. Not only is it just two streets from the seafront, but it’s also just a 10-minute walk to Firule Beach.

Sunlit public spaces aside, there are lots of opportunities for pampering on the menu: the Renevie wellness zone has a fitness center, a Caribbean Storm shower, a Turkish bath, a Finnish sauna, a whirlpool tub, and an indoor pool. Additionally, there’s even the inviting rooftop infinity pool. If that wasn’t enough, the staff has health practitioners on the payroll who specialize in nutrition, dermatology, and physical therapy. Finally, the light-filled Damar restaurant and Mareo Bar serve food and drinks. What more could we ask for?

We loved the modern, minimalist digs, which came with sleek black furnishings and bright bursts of color. Bedside lamps, soft mood lights, floor-to-ceiling windows, and mod-cons like minibars and televisions added to the comfort. If you’re looking for something special, the Premium Suite has a hot tub.

Hotel Luxe

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Hotel Luxe is a contemporary hotel with a fun vibe, and its best feature is its location. Since it sits right next to the old town, tourist attractions are no more than a five-minute walk away. Not only that, but also the sea front promenade, the ferry terminal, and the sandy Bačvice Beach are all a short walk away.

We loved the friendly vibe of this modern, mid-sized hotel, where the bright public spaces had mirrored wall art, flashy purple neon lights, funky hanging lamps, and white furnishings. What’s more, the staff would share tips on the best places to see and eat. In the basement, we found a fitness room, a small sauna, and a whirlpool, complete with piped music and mood lights. Other amenities included secure paid parking, laundry services, and a lobby cigar lounge. Did we mention that there was a buffet breakfast and a lobby bar that served drinks all day long? Yes!

Not only were all rooms sea-facing, but most had views of the Adriatic Sea. Our room even had a balcony! What’s more, the digs were light-filled, spacious, and featured modern decor, upscale in-room amenities, including minibars, and sleek bathrooms.

Briig Boutique Hotel

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Best design hotel. Briig Boutique Hotel sits in a gorgeous residential neighborhood overlooking the popular sandy Bačvice Beach. So, we were a 15-minute walk to the Riva seafront promenade, Split Old Town, and the Unesco-listed Diocletian’s Palace, and less than a 10-minute walk to the ferry port. It’s Split’s first design hotel, and it shows: think hard artwork by Croatian artists of the 1950s/60s, Wegener chairs, Serge Mouille lighting fixtures, and Fritz Hansen furnishings. We were blown away by the centerpiece, a stunning sculptural, S-shaped black-steel staircase, with natural light from the glass atrium ceiling illuminating it.

We were impressed by the on-site amenities, which checked all boxes. Zenith, literally, was the inviting pool on the rooftop, with a sun deck and panoramic sea views. Right next to it sat the spa, which had massage rooms, a sauna, and a compact fitness center. Excellent service, a fantastic restaurant, and the BarCaffe bar wrapped up the amenities here.

That being said, the digs were the main draw here. All 62 rooms and suites featured contemporary furnishings; think sleek black furnishings, wood paneled walls, and hanging lamps. We had chosen one of the six rooms that featured wall-to-wall windows with tons of natural light and beach and sea views. While all rooms had all standard amenities, plus stocked minibars and coffee machines, the three suites even came with complimentary wine bottles, biscuits, and fresh fruit. Finally, the two top-floor Executive Suites even had terraces with jacuzzis and sunbeds! 

Heritage Hotel Fermai MGallery

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The welcoming Heritage Hotel Fermai MGallery sits in a stately Vienna Secession structure, just outside Split’s Old Town. Hence, we were of 15-20-minute walk from the ferry port and a less than 10-minute walk from Diocletian’s Palace in the heart of the UNESCO-listed Old Town. Even though the road out front was very busy, the hotel made for a very peaceful haven, away from the touristy crowds of the Old Town.

On the inside of the imposing façade, the hotel retains the early-1900s floor tiles and the original stone staircase, with contemporary, Croatian-made lighting and furnishings the old-world charm. Not only was the staff lovely, but it also made sure that we were well looked after. They arranged for everything, from excursions and sightseeing to car rentals, transfers, and luggage delivery, sharing travel tips with us. While amenities are limited, we love the private parking around the back, especially since it’s rare in Split. That being said, there’s a small, ground-floor restaurant, which serves delicious breakfasts. However, the all-day bar was our favorite, as it served excellent teas, espresso coffee, and Croatian spirits and wines.

“A fantastic location and a noon checkout? Nothing is more luxurious!”

WOW Travel

We had the choice of 35 rooms and suites across 4 floors, all of which came with high ceilings, wooden parquet floors, king-size beds, and espresso coffee machines. Electronic roll-down blinds on the windows allowed us to sleep till late, and the bathrooms were delightful, with Molton Brown bath products, big mirrors, and rain showers.

Hotel Park Split

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Most historic. The historic Hotel Park Split, which sits just outside the Old Town, right by the sea, is the town’s most prestigious and oldest hotel. Dating back to 1921, it sits in a gorgeous leafy garden in a peaceful residential neighborhood, directly above Bačvice Bay, the main town beach in Split. So, the ferry port was just a 5-minute walk away, while the Old Town was a 10-minute stroll.

This city landmark and grande dame’s interiors draw inspiration from the bay; think pastel hues of beige, blue, and green. Moreover, the art deco style is everywhere in the form of fresh flowers, upholstered furnishings, and the use of wood and marble. Besides the excellent local staff, what we loved was that Bačvice, Split’s main beach, lay right below the hotel. So, we could enjoy the beach whenever we wanted. Furthermore, there was even a garden with sunbeds and a small outdoor pool, and a hot tub with a wooden deck. While the Art Deco-style restaurant, complete with a leafy sea view front terrace, served all meals, we especially loved the garden’s seasonal Terrace Park bar and the black marble Imperial Bar indoors. Rounding things up was the wellness center in the basement, complete with a Finnish sauna.

Choose from just 72 rooms and spacious in varying configurations, all of which have slick grey marble bathrooms with Penhaligon’s bath products, sweeping floral curtains, golden freestanding lamps, and super comfy beds. The superior rooms are really special, as they have access to a raised terrace and wooden deck with sunbeds and sea views.

Le Méridien Lav

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Best beachside luxury. One of the best 5-star hotels in Split is Le Méridien Lav, which has long been one of the town’s most upmarket and impressive hotels. Not only does it boast a prime waterfront location, but it also features a private beach, a marina, and stunning sea views, making it an all-around popular property among everyone. The best bit is that even though it sits a few miles southeast of the Old Town, a local bus service covers this route. Moreover, a shuttle bus runs between the Old Town and the hotel during the summer months! What could be better? That’s why it’s one of the best luxury hotels in Croatia on the beach.

Luxurious, modern, and stylish, the private beach and the marina added an extra dash of exclusivity and glamour at the hotel. The Méridien Lav had a wealth of amenities, with the private beach, the only one in all of Split, and the outdoor infinity pool being the highlights. There was also the marina, the indoor pool, and tennis courts. Afternoons were reserved for the Diocletian Spa, nine treatment rooms, three Roman baths with heating lounges, and even a Finnish sauna. include a Finnish sauna, three Roman baths with heating lounges, and nine treatment rooms. Not only was there a kids’ swimming pool and playground, but there was also a kids’ club, making this perfect for families. Four restaurants and multiple bars and cafes, including a stylish champagne bar and a marina Italian restaurant, round up the amenities here.

With nearly 400 rooms and suites, this is one of the largest hotels in all of Split. However, they were all spacious and light-filled with balconies overlooking the marina and the Adriatic Sea. If you’re looking for something special, choose the enormous sweets, which have panoramic views from the upper floors. 

Cornaro Hotel

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Staying at the Cornaro Hotel proved to be an absolutely amazing decision. Not only were we a mere two-minute walk from the Old Town’s main entrance, Zlatna Vrata (Golden Gate), but we were also away from the seafront noise and summer crowds. At the same time, we stayed in absolute luxury, especially since the hotel had courtyard terraces and a fantastic rooftop bar, complete with a whirlpool tub, a splash pool, and amazing views!

The hotel sits across three adjoining structures, which include a pink Italianate mansion and the former main post office. Not only was the concierge service excellent, but the hotel also had a wellness center in the basement. It boasted a spacious fitness center, treatments using Thalgo products, a hot tub, a steam room, and even a Finnish sauna. However, we loved the secluded rooftop terrace, which had two outdoor whirlpool tubs and a fantastic and rather funky splash pool, all with unobstructed views. When we wanted to explore, the hotel could arrange everything from guided tours and cycling maps to bike rentals. While both restaurants do generous breakfast buffets and other meals, the rooftop panorama bar and the basement wine bar were our absolute favorites.

Choose from 158 functional yet comfy rooms and suites, all of which have tasteful local references, coffee- and tea-making facilities, wooden floors, and stone-tiled bathrooms.

Vestibul Palace

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Best luxury boutique hotel. We were looking for a boutique stay in Split with a dash of magic, and the Vestibul Palace fit the bill perfectly. This chic heritage boutique hotel sits across a cluster of historic structures in the heart of Diocletian’s Palace. The location couldn’t get any better.

The carefully restored main structure has stonework from the Renaissance, Gothic, and Roman eras while cleverly incorporating modern details and comforts. What’s more, the highly personalized and discreet service was excellent, with the concierge’s services particularly standing out. We were thrilled by luggage delivery and valet parking, especially since the Old Town is closed to traffic, as well as wine tasting and guided walking tours. If that wasn’t enough, the concierge could even arrange private excursions to cultural attractions and national parks, and speedboat trips around the Dalmatian islands. The on-site restaurant served delicious breakfasts and dinners, and even hosted wine tastings on request. Finally, the Villa Dobrić annex, which is an extension of the hotel, even had a small alfresco bar and was open for continental breakfasts, all-day drinks, and coffee.

We had a choice of many spacious rooms and suites, with a mishmash of old-world and modern charm. Think sections of exposed ancient stonework and Roman brick complemented by architectural drawings, earthy beige fabrics, contemporary wood furnishings, and wooden floors. Moreover, the sleek Italian bathrooms had rain showers and huge bathtubs, massive mirrors, and Molton Brown bath products. If you want a splurge, choose the double-height Luxury Suite.

Radisson Blu Resort & Spa

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Best overall. The modern, coastal Radisson Blu Resort & Spa is a less than 10-minute ride from Split’s city center. Its standout feature, though, was its private pebble beach, where we had a fantastic time swimming in the water and lounging on the daybeds, sipping on drinks. For us, it was the perfect luxurious city break right beside the sea.

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The pebble beach isn’t the only amazing thing here. We loved the outdoor pool, which is surrounded by modern daybeds, palm trees, and restaurants and bars. There’s also the Mistral Beach Club, which has steps leading directly to the deep blue sea. Additionally, it also had a bar area, Ibiza-style chillout DJ music, sunbeds with umbrellas, and four-poster cabanas. We especially loved the use of glass in the architecture here; glass balconies, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a low-level glazed wall on the pool’s edge allowed us amazing views over the Adriatic Sea. Besides the concierge services, the standout here was the massive Spalato Spa, which had an indoor pool, a whirlpool, plunge pools, an ice fountain, a Finnish sauna, and multiple treatment rooms. Did we mention the fitness center and the yoga room? Yes!

We loved the rooms and suites, which were categorized according to the color palette of their particular floor. Moreover, most of them had seaviews from floor-to-ceiling windows that opened onto balconies. If that wasn’t enough, all bathrooms had “This Works” bath products, Deluxe rooms had Nespresso machines, and Suites even had sea view terraces with sun loungers and splendid freestanding oval bathtubs right in the bedroom. That’s why it’s also one of the best hotels in Split, Croatia.

Our Verdict!

While we loved all the stays in Split, here are our favorite ones:

• Best overall: Radisson Blu Resort & Spa
• Most historic: Hotel Park Split
• Best design hotel: Briig Boutique Hotel
• Best beachside luxury: Le Méridien Lav
• Best luxury boutique hotel: Vestibul Palace

Where to Stay in Split?

What sets Split apart from most major European cities is that its core attractions are remarkably compact. So, most of the top things to do in Split were within a 30-minute walk of each other, with the popular Žnjan beach zone being a short bus ride away. The best bit? The city’s most popular touristy districts, including the interior of Diocletian’s palace and the Old Town, were largely flat, making it very easy for us to walk around. 

Firstly, this is one of those rare towns where you can actually stay inside the palace, or more precisely, within the rebuilt, extended walls of the original Roman-era structure. What’s more, it’s home to some of the finest boutique stays in all of Europe, along with excellent cafes, restaurants, and shopping within the original stone walls. Secondly, there’s the Old Town around the Palace, which is crammed with gorgeous, luxurious stays. Additionally, it’s home to Split’s nightlife along the cobblestoned laneways.

We loved the harbor area of Riva, which extended from the remarkable Matejuška marina to the Palace. Not only was this place buzzing with energy, but it also had a Riviera-style vibe, with tons of bars, restaurants, boat charters, and sightseeing tour starting points, and even Indian-style tuk-tuks! The likable inner city suburb of Veli Varoš, or just Varoš, was virtually an extension of the Old Town and had lovely and charming boutique hotels.

Finally, there are the two popular and laid-back beach areas of Žnjan and Bačvice. While the former is a bus ride away, the latter is barely a 20-minute stroll from the Palace. Žnjan has a slew of spacious beachside resorts, and Bačvice has a lovely beach with a likable, suburban sun, sand, and sea vibe.

Which is the most luxurious hotel in Split on the beach?

That would be Le Méridien Lav, which not only has luxurious digs and amenities, but also offers direct access to the beach.

Which is the most luxurious hotel in Split Old Town?

The Hotel Vestibul Palace is easily the most luxurious and historic hotel in Split Old Town.

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