As Zagreb continues to spread its wings as a destination in its own right – rather than a spot to lay over before the coast – hotel options continue to grow. Here are the best.
The best Zagreb hotels
Zagreb hotels range from swish business hotels to chic hostels, complemented by the welcome arrival several mid-range venues. Our local experts sort out the best in Time Out's Zagreb hotel guide
The best hotels in Zagreb
Since it opened in 1925 to cater to travellers on the Orient Express, the beautiful and opulent Esplanade has accommodated Alfred Hitchcock, Elizabeth Taylor, Queen Elizabeth II, the King of Spain and Louis Armstrong. Fabulous luxury and top-notch service are the name of the game at this art-nouveau gem beside the train station. After a complete refurbishment, it reopened in 2004. The lobby is a veneered wonder and clocks display the time in six world cities. Stylish guestrooms range in size and configuration, but all come with perks such as heated floors, goose-down bedding, mist-free mirrors and fancy toiletries in the marble bathrooms. The chef at Zinfandel's restaurant conjures up modern Med cuisine and Croatian traditional dishes, while Le Bistro does the best štrukli in town. Relaxation packages are popular: hot-stone and chocolate massages in the treatment and sauna rooms. There are also deluxe room service options like a Bath Butler, who'll draw the perfect, bubbled tub. Combine it with the Great Gatsby treatment for men: a cognac and a cigar. Even the pooch gets in on the action here. Pets receive a bone, a welcome letter and a bed when they arrive.
A courtyard on Zagreb’s main shopping street harbours this engaging former dry-cleaning and textile-dying factory, still featuring an atmospheric combination of exposed brickwork and industrial floors. There are some cute double rooms alongside the regular dorms, and the communal areas (complete with kitchen facilities, bar, and leafy backyard) come with exactly the right mix of laid-back vibe and social buzz.
Hotel Dubrovnik
Right on the main square, the four-star Dubrovnik is a Zagreb classic. The complex comprises two buildings. The older, a six-storey number from 1929, has a beautifully spruced-up façade; the younger is seven storeys and a 1980s glass extravaganza. Inside the pair, 258 rooms and eight suites come in different shapes and sizes, but all boast unfussy decor with old-world flair, dark wood and modern trimmings such as Wi-Fi and modem connections. Rooms in the new part look onto Gajeva and the café crowd. Rooms in the older section offer fantastic views of the main square.
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