We stayed for nights and I have never stayed in a 2 star facility before. So basically, no A/C. However, we were looking for accomodation in peak season, which is now so for the cost of 64 Euros a night, we booked into the Lanterna Apartments. Note: Renovated apartments is misleading-- they are old apartments but basic and functional and more or less clean. The only difference between Lanterna Premium apartments and Lanterna Sunset apartments is that the Sunset has a microwave oven and a tv and will cost you more.
The Lanterna apartments are great for people with young kids if they want to have a beach holiday with activities and lots of places to run around. Vacationing at this time of year is expensive so really, this is the way to go-- and the way is follow the German/Austrian/Dutch travellers who vacation here every year.
The key to having a great time here is to bring up your 2 star apartment to a 4 star-- every apartment has a balcony or terrace. Families come equipped with... and I am not kidding... their own electric grills, microwaves, tv's, satellite dishes and small fans and A/C units which they use.
Instead of paying 24 Euros for a breakfast and dinner buffet per person per day, they cook in their units or have their own grill parties. You can really save a lot of money, enjoy flexible eating times and just conduct your holiday at your own time.
Groceries are expensive in the resort at the small supermarket so before arrival stock up on food and lug the perishables in coolers or even electric coolers.
The Europeans really have this routine down and I was in awe of their strategies... so to have a good time if you want a budget holiday and you have small kids who will make noise like all the others, bring the following:
- your own non-stick cookware
- sponges for dishwashing/ dish towels
- liquid dish detergent
- paper cups/ plates/ utensils
- hard cheese -- it keeps easily in a cooler when you transport it
- all spices like sugar, salt, pepper, garlic, chili flakes, oregano, basil, etc.....
- margarine/jams/nutella, etc......
- instant coffee/ creamer/ teabags
- tin foil, wax paper, saran wrap -- you can make sandwiches to take to the beach in your cooler
- paper towels
- alarm clock -- no clock in the apartment
- a swiffer
- some type of all purpose cleaner in a spray bottle
- laundry line to hang clothes on the balcony - they have a rack and have the hooks so that you can hang a wire-- and clothes pins if you want
- chocolates, chips, candy -- they are expensive at the resort to buy
-- tv or dvd player, cd player
-- electric fan or portable AC unit
-- condiments: ketchup, mustard, relish, mayonnaise etc....
- electric grill for a nice bbq
-- deep fryer
-- mosquito repellant
-- ice cube bags or trays
-- hand soap in a pump
-- napkins
-- hair dryer
-- wines of your choice
-- extension cord
-- canned tomatoes , tuna
there is a great bakery on site open from 7 am til 2pm selling fresh bread, baguettes, croissants -- affordable
there is also a small fruit/vegetable stand that sells great produce from local farms -- amazing grapes, watermelon, .....
ice - cream is cheap -- 7 Kunas per scoop (large scoops) and the pizza at the Zodiac restaurant is excellent with a salami pizza at about 45 Euros.
Internet wireless is available at the bar/lounge place so order your ice-cream drinks there and surf comfortably.
Delfin restaurant -- we ate there twice - very good and service is great -- wonderful view of watching the sunset. We ate the shark steak, the calamari, the mussels...... all delicious!
Water was clear and beach area was very clean -- no cigarette butts lying around -- they pick them up! Great snorkelling adventures and don't forget to bring your air matresses, tents, water boards, and yes, you have to wear water shoes so you don't cut your feet on any rocks or other stuff.
I would only recommend this hotel with young couples with young children who want to have a nice beach vacation -- the walls are paper thin so keep in mind to bring ear plugs if you are a light sleeper.
But there are lots of kids there so your kids will make friends.
Basically everyone there is German -- it's like a German colony and they keep their kids in line and it is clean and orderly.
Staff all speak German.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC