Arriving in town without a reservation and after finding several hotels fully booked, we ended up at the Admiral, located on the main road through town. Parking for a fee is available on site. To enter the lobby one has to navigate about ten steps with no roll-up ramp, yet a doorman will carry the luggage if requested.

The first impression on entering the lobby is that the hotel history goes back to the days of Tito's workers paradise. Common areas of the hotel look dated, and the exterior stucco is in need of some paint.The less than friendly attitude of the male receptionist confirmed that he received his training during that era. Our room, as all rooms, came with a large furnished balcony looking out at a marina behind the hotel and the ocean beyond, however, the heavy wood-framed sliding glass door could only be moved at at the risk of a hernia. The spacious, carpeted room came with a mix of furniture, some newer and others old, including a desk, a table with two chairs, a small couch, twin beds pushed together, a boxy TV with international channels, a stocked mini-bar/fridge, and A/C that worked. A nicely redone bathroom with a tub/shower combo, a sink with limited space for one's things, and a selection of toiletries was clean, yet one toothbrush glass had a big crack, and the short glass shower enclosure panel was much too low. Washing my hair, standing 6'2" the floor got soaked. The room and bathroom were clean, yet the lack of upkeep was evident in that the front leading edge of an upholstered chair in the room was split all the way across, and the hallway carpet on our floor was visibly stained in places. A loud snorer in the next room attested to the thin walls, yet it was otherwise quiet and we had a decent night.

The restaurant with two large dining rooms, plus outdoor seating under a canopy of vines and trees, was large enough to accommodate several bus tour groups at once. A lap pool was located behind the hotel, and a waterfront walkway invited one for a 10 minute stroll to the town center with its attractions and many restaurants. Breakfast consisted of a very large spread. All in all, the hotel served us as a one-nighter, but on a future visit we would look to stay somewhere else.

It's not good looking but good value.
pro: position, large rooms with balcony, decent breakfast, two large pools (one outdoor), garage (with charge, but essential in the area), decent staff.
cons: a little run-out looking, both exterior and interior, mediocre evening buffet, charge on sunbeds, absurd charging on internet connection.

We arrived in Opatija without reservations and searched until we came across this Hotel. At first it seem fine until they showed us the first room they where going to give us. WOW, what a ugly run down room that was. We immediately asked to see another room on a night floor.

This next room was a bit better just with a very nice view. So we took that, we were getting a bit deperate as we're traveling with a six year old who needed to get out of the car!

The room was OK clean, very old appointments, and just needed a serious face lift.

The one night we stayed there was quite enough.

The hotel elevator had a mind of it's own, takingus to whatever floor it wanted, after waiting, no joke a minute or two just for it to start moving, scary.

Parking is underground, for an up charge.

When checking out have then explain, or translate the bill for you as our had some erroneous charges on it, kind of sketchy.

After reading the negative reviews l wasn't sure whether to go to the Admiral or not but as l was booking with first choice, who had never let me down before, l took a chance. When we arrived at Pula airport there were loads of coaches waiting & l have to admit that l was having second thoughts when we were put on a mini bus with 2 other people (who turned out to be going to another hotel).The journey took about 1 hr 40minutes but the scenery was fantastic, not at all what l imagined. The hotel looked nice & i assume that the 2 receptionists that greeted us were the ones that other writers had said were rude. They weren't all smiles and did come across as abit abrupt however they did wish us a pleasant stay and insisted that someone bought our bags up to the room. We thought that this was a way to get extra tips but we were wrong, my husband answered the door and l was getting some money to give him but he didn't wait. He literally brought the luggage and left. The room was clean & spacious and we overlooked both the harbour and the sea and the views were really spectacular. Everyone we spoke to said the same about the rooms, the size, the view & the cleanliness. However we did all have the same complaint - the beds! Both the beds and the pillows could do with replacing.They are definitley not the most comfortable that l have slept in.The hotel is ideally situated, more or less on the seafront but if you are looking for a nice sandy beach, don't come here, Its concrete but there are plenty of sunbeds and shades to be hired. The water is very clean but there are some parts that are rocky but you know before you go in which parts they are. The hotel has its own seawater pools. One indoor (also with a jacuzzi) and one outdoor. The outdoor one you have to pay for sunbeds (approx £3) and parasols (approx £1.75) its a good size pool and doesn't get over crowded. There's no childrens pool so if you have children this may not be suitable, l think young children may also have a problem in the sea as there is no going in gradually through shallow bits. There are concrete steps going into the sea and its possibly too deep for young children.The hotel is about a 5 /10 minute walk into the main drag.where there are plenty of shops and restaurants.We printed off some Croatian words before we went which proved quite useful as not all places had English translations for menu's. A & D at the back of the swimming pool did good food.and the staff were very good at 'educating' us with our pronounciation of the Croation words. They did also speak some English which helped. if you had a sandwich there, they were either like doorsteps, or you got a huge bap type roll but both were really fresh and crammed full of your chosen filling..Food is cheaper & drink is probably about the same as in England. Breakfast is the hotel was plentiful & fresh but it was the same everyday, much the same in the evening. Although there was something for everyone (Vegetarians would probably live on fish or salad) you knew what was going to be there. Saying that, it wasn't the worst food that i've ever tasted, alot of it was really nice. Be warned, if you go after 8.30pm the food is usually cold! I would definitely recommend the Admiral hotel, I think we had dealings with all the reception staff and found them all to be helpful and friendly, if we had a question or a problem, they were very good.at helping us. We also found the bar & restaurant staff & even the cleaners very friendly as well although their English was extremely limited. There were very few English people in Opatiya in fact we didn't hear anyone other than the few English in our hotel. It is mainly Germans & Italians so if you are looking for an English place in Croatia, this probably isn't for you. There isn't a Macdonalds, Costa Coffee or English pub in Opatiya, its just a very scenic friendly, relaxing place to be..