Hotel Kvarner - Opatija, Croatia     

I stayed at the Hotel Kvarner for one night. My room was somewhat over the hill -- faded wallpaper, tired lampshades, a creaky wooden floor -- but it was very clean, the bed was comfortable, and the bathroom appears to have been remodeled sometime in the present century. I had a wonderful sea view from the balcony; didn't get a chance to try out the salt-water pool, but it looked inviting, and the gardens are attractive. The main rooms of the hotel exemplify Austro-Hungarian grandeur (the Crystal Ballroom is pretty amazing), but everything is a little worn and in need of freshening up. The hotel has a small parking lot, but it's nerve-racking to get in and out of (narrow driveways, small parking spaces). The location is good: lots of shops, restaurants, and cafes nearby, and the oceanfront promenade is a short walk away. The staff was friendly and responsive: one of my bedside lamps had a burned-out bulb, so I told the front desk, and it was changed within a few minutes. The breakfast was the usual stuff, but plentiful, and the dining room was sunny and pleasant. This was the first hotel built in Opatija (1884, I think) when it was being developed as a resort. In general, it's in pretty good shape, but with new wallpaper and paint, and some minor repairs, it could be outstanding. As it is, I felt that it was somewhat overpriced for its condition.