The title says it all. I was overall very pleased with Villa Lipa. It doesn't stay exactly in the city center, but it is not that far and the price is unbeatable. You can either walk (around 20 min), or take a bus (around 10 min). Safe area, very nice studio apartment with AC -- good value for the money. In general, in Croatia go for the private renting -- definitely worth it.

Villa Lipa was really clean, comfortable and bright. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay - the upstairs villas have really super balconies looking out over the garden - the main road can be noisy so it's nicer to be away from it. We had apt 6 and it was perfect for us. Bring a cafetiere if you are a coffee drinker as there isn't one and it was my only complaint!

It is reasonably close to the town although the best restaurants etc are a good 20 mins walk away although Lungo Mare nearby on the seafront, is excellent.

The staff at the villa were wonderful - Leri made us really welcome and helped with taxi bookings etc.

Also bring mosquito repellent as they are a nightmare and there are no mosquito nets on windows or doors.

Altogether a delightful place.

We've just returned from a week in Vila Lipa and enjoyed our stay very much. It is very affordable and worth every penny! Our first floor apartment was beautiful and very spacious with a fully equipped kitchen (kettle, microwave, kitchen tools, dual hotplate) and they also provided us with shower towels. There are two beautiful terraces where to enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner . Useful shops close by (bakery , small grocery store and chemist) and a bigger supermarket on the way to Borik beach. Also some restaurants within walking distance (Lungo Mare makes a delicious seafood risotto!!). The old city is about 15-20 minute walk along the sea front walkway, and then by ferry row boat into the old town (5 kunas). Borik beach is about 10 minute walk. The old town is very nice and romatic (excellent for couples!). I would highly recommend to visit the Kornati Islands. Mrs Leri would help you to book this trip. She was very nice and helpful. She allowed us to check out at the end of the day as our flight was late in the evening so we could enjoy our last day on the beach and have some rest before taking our flight.

I would say perfect accomodation and location! The best I've been to so far!

When I booked our apartment, we were given the phone number of Mrs Lukin and told that we could contact her if we have any problems on our arrival day. We provided Villa Lipa with our approximate time of arrival of 7pm. Even though we arrived at 7pm as communicated, the office was closed, and there was a sign on the door to call Mrs Lukin. I did not want to spend US$4/minute to use my US mobile phone as this would make our budget accomodations not so budget anymore, so we walked around to find a public phone to call Mrs Lukin. The public phone that we found required a phone card rather than kunas, and we did not have a phone card. We ended up at a restaurant; partly because we were hungry and partly because we wanted to use their phone.

During our check-in, we told Mrs Lukin that we will be checking out at 9am on Sunday. She asked if we could check out at 10 or 11am instead, as someone else is checking out at that time and she would already be at Villa Lipa then. I didn't want to change my plans to fit her schedule (I am the guest afterall), so she said we could just leave the key in the drawer, but later decided that she will meet us at 9am afterall. She did not show up at 9am on Sunday. We waited for 5 minutes before leaving the key in the drawer and went on our merry way.

As for the apartment, I was initially pleased when I first saw it. However, upon closer inspection, the floor wasn't that clean. There were also dirt marks on the wall above the bed headboard that I did not feel comfortable leaning against it when sitting up in the bed.

We had planned to take an excursion to Kornati, but we could not go as there wasn't enough people to meet the minimum of 30. It was a shame, as that was the reason why we stayed more than 1 night in Zadar.