A hotel with an interesting family-focused concept

A hotel with a truly comprehensive family concept, designed around holidays with children — from the look and feel of the property and the number of kids’ areas, to free nappies, baby formula, and the option to do your own laundry for children’s clothes. The hotel shares the same resort grounds as Falkensteiner Hotel & Spa Iadera, so you can use the other hotel’s beach, spa and restaurants. That said, it’s worth noting that Petrčane is a small resort: it doesn’t have the dramatic scenery of the Makarska Riviera, and there isn’t much infrastructure outside the hotel.

We stayed with children aged 5 and 7 and booked a Family Room, Balcony (Deluxe). The room had a small but separate kids’ bedroom with three children’s beds. The kids especially loved the small climbing wall and the play area above the beds. Many rooms have bunk beds and a dedicated play zone almost up by the ceiling (shown in the photos). Downsides: the bathroom layout wasn’t very convenient, and we really missed having an extra door separating the bathroom area from the main room.

We chose FB (full board), but if you don’t want to be tied to the main restaurant’s opening hours and plan to visit à la carte restaurants occasionally, HB (half board) may be a better option. Good coffee, alcoholic drinks and ice cream are extra charge. Breakfast includes porridge, crêpes, pancakes, made-to-order omelettes, and a selection of fruit. Juices, coffee and water from the dispenser are included.

Another practical plus: next to the main restaurant and bar there’s a dedicated kids’ entertainment area with play structures, a climbing wall and other activities. There’s also a kids’ club with age-zoned play areas, workshops, and its own outdoor playground.

The beach is a short walk away. Not far from the family area, construction is underway for new hotel villas — it isn’t very loud, but it could be a bit distracting. The sea entry is sandy, though rocky in places. There’s a large inflatable water slide, and kayaks/SUP boards are available for an extra charge.

On-site facilities include a large pool, a pool with a jacuzzi, a small waterpark, a “ship” kids’ pool for toddlers, and an indoor kids’ pool with a fun lighthouse-and-slide design. There are also playgrounds and plenty of other children’s activities.

What impressed us most was the baby room: standard nappies in different sizes, swim nappies, disposable changing mats, feeding formula, jarred baby food, washing machines with detergent, and lots of other essentials for the youngest guests — all completely free of charge.

The hotel’s spa is fairly small. Massage appointments need to be booked in advance, or you can use the spa at the neighbouring hotel — it isn’t right next door, but it’s larger and more convenient.