digital art zagreb hotels old town roadhouse
Zagreb has never been Croatia’s most popular destination. Located in the country’s mountainous northwestern region, close to the Slovenian border, the Croatian capital is inevitably overlooked by tourists seeking out the sunnier climes of the Adriatic Sea and the Dalmatian Coast (Split and Dubrovnik, anyone?).
But we’re here to tell you that other travelers’ oversights are your gain, as there’s much to see, much to do, and many wonderful places to stay in Zagreb. The Croatian capital has that rare town-like feel to it, despite being the country’s largest city by land area and population. It’s a homey city, where you’ll soon recognize landmarks, distinguish one square from the next, and build a rapport at your local coffee shop or bar.
You’ll love the unique blend of Austro-Hungarian buildings and Yugoslav-era apartment blocks, which mix seamlessly with the planned urban parks that make it super easy to escape city life.
Art Hotel Like, Zagreb
Culture vultures will be happy to hear that this is the cultural (as well as the political) capital of Croatia, and you’ll be spoiled for choice when you’re deciding which museum or art gallery to visit next. Why not start at the unusual Museum of Broken Relationships, move on to the Croatian Museum of Naive Art, and end at the Mushroom Museum or the Museum of Illusions?
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And the Lower Town (Donji Grad). Both districts have coexisted for centuries, and both “towns” are where you’ll find the best boutique hotels in Zagreb. But they couldn’t be more different places to stay.
Esplanade Zagreb Hotel 5* ➜ Lower Town, Zagreb, Croatia (122 Guest Reviews). Book Hotel Esplanade Zagreb Hotel 5*
The Upper Town is located on a plateau overlooking the Lower Town. This is the medieval heart of the city, dating back to Zagreb’s founding in the 11th century AD. It’s where you’ll find historic sights like the Zagreb Cathedral, as well as historic hotels, cafes, and restaurants. The two distinct districts are said to meet at Ban Jelacic Square, one of the most famous public squares in Zagreb.
The Lower Town was built later. While Zagreb’s elite stayed on the hilltop, the merchants and businesspeople developed the Lower Town into a bustling center of commerce. Here you’ll find a wealth of Austro-Hungarian architecture and many of Zagreb’s oldest hotels, including the famous Esplanade Hotel.
It’s safe to say that the Upper Town and Lower Town are the best places to stay in Zagreb. Both are within walking distance of one another, although if you prefer flat streets to steep hills, it’s best to book a hotel in the Lower Town. Other districts of interest include Kaptol, another historic area just north of the Upper Town, while British Square on the edge of the city has become a popular boutique destination for tourists in recent years.
Inter Continental Zabreb Hotel, Zabreb, Croatia, Neal Prince, International Hotel Interior Designer
One of the best hotels in Zagreb is the magnificent Esplanade Zagreb Hotel. This five-star Zagreb institution has history, elegance, tradition, opulence, and heritage, and it’s perfectly located in the heart of the city’s Lower Town.
Esplanade Zagreb Hotel first opened its doors in 1925. Ever since, it’s been the favored choice of politicians, royalty, celebrities, and film stars alike, providing a wonderful combination of updated modern luxury and understated early 20th-century charm.
The exceptional architecture is designed in a distinct art deco style that you’ll fall head over heels for, while the interior of the hotel is furnished with vintage features and antique furniture.
Sheraton Zagreb Hotel Zagreb, Hr
The 208 luxury rooms, with their vibrant color schemes (think bright purples and deep blues), will remind you of the roaring 1920s, while the marbled bathrooms, luxury toiletries (all L’Occitane branded), and plush bedding are designed to promote elegant comfort.
The art deco style continues in the hotel’s bar and restaurant areas, where you can drink and dine like an aristocrat or Hollywood movie star. Your culinary experience is presided over by Head Chef Ana Grgic, a Michelin-trained chef whose resume includes working in many of Europe’s best restaurants.
At Zinfandel Restaurant, you can enjoy a sublime array of Croatian dishes served with a touch of Grgic’s culinary flair. Le Bistro Esplanade offers classic French cuisine prepared using Croatian ingredients, while the team at Esplanade 1925 Lounge & Cocktail Bar knows how to mix award-winning drinks.
Sheraton Zagreb Hotel Zagreb 5* (croatia)
Hotel Le Premier is one of the best hotels in Zagreb. This five-star boutique stay is located in a quiet suburb to the southeast of the Upper Town, but you’re never more than a short walk from Zagreb’s major tourist attractions.
You’ll find Hotel Le Premier within a grand turn-of-the-20th-century apartment complex built in the Austro-Hungarian fashion of the day. There’s a magnificent stone facade, and the building’s topped off with a classic Croatian red roof.
There are just 60 luxury rooms available at Hotel Le Premier, plus one luxurious penthouse apartment on the top floor. You’ll love how the vaulted ceilings create a real sense of space, while the muted tones and light colors are intended to promote calm and well-being after a day’s sightseeing. Tall windows let the light flood inside, while the walk-in showers and heated marble bathrooms add another layer of opulence to the five-star allure.
Hotel Jadran Zagreb 3* (croatia)
Underground, you’ll find D Lounge & Cigar Bar in a converted stone cellar beneath the hotel. With wooden floors underfoot and 18-year-old whiskies behind the bar, you’ll feel as if you’re enjoying a tipple in one of Zagreb’s most exclusive lounge bars.
Above ground, you can reserve a table at the equally exclusive Restaurant Le Premier for dinner. Choose between Adriatic Sea Tuna Tartar and Goose Liver Pate to start and Monkfish Fillet and Veal Cheeks for your main; then let the dedicated team of pastry chefs decide what to serve for dessert!
If you prefer your hotels to be located in a quiet, suburban spot outside of the city center, then look no further than Hotel President.
Zagreb In Your Pocket No73 By In Your Pocket City Guides
This four-star boutique hotel is technically in the Upper Town, but given the green garden and tranquil surroundings, you might as well be deep in the Croatian countryside. The hotel is actually just a short walk from British Square, where you’ll once again feel as if you’re in the beating heart of Zagreb!
Luxury rooms at Hotel President all offer soothing views of the grounds through floor-to-ceiling glass windows and doors. The unique, modern design allows as much light into the hotel as possible, and you’ll love sipping cocktails in the panoramic lounge bar at the end of the day. When the sun is shining, the bar and restaurant spill out into the garden, where you can eat and drink in the shade of cherry trees.
Each of the rooms has been individually designed, with spacious king-size beds and elegant wooden flooring. No two rooms are the same, and you’ll find each has been decorated with individually selected artwork and antiques (some are several hundred years old!) adorning the walls.
Le Premier Boutique Hotel
One of our favorite boutique hotels in Zagreb is Hotel Dubrovnik, which you’ll find in a supreme position along the capital’s popular Ilica Street.
In fact, you couldn’t ask for a better location, as Hotel Dubrovnik overlooks Ban Jelacic Square, the city’s most famous public square. This is the crossroads between the Upper Town and Lower Town, and you’ll be surrounded by great restaurants and cafes and within walking distance of Zagreb’s best tourist attractions.
Like the capital itself, Hotel Dubrovnik is a tale of old and new. This four-star hotel has 214 rooms and eight suites, which are spread out across two distinct wings. The original wing features a historic facade overlooking the square, and you’ll love how it dates back to 1929. The new wing offers a fierce contrast of glass panels and modern architecture that sits starkly next to the art deco style of the old wing.
Esplanade Zagreb Hotel (1925), Zagreb
Regardless of which wing you choose, you’ll love the level of luxury present in every room at Hotel Dubrovnik. All feature bright drapes and plush, colorful bedding alongside soft carpets and much-needed soundproofing (you’re right by Zagreb’s busiest street, after all!).
Don’t forget to pop into Cafe Dubrovnik for coffee and cake during your stay. The hotel’s famous cafe is one of Zagreb’s oldest institutions, with a history dating back to the 19th century (it’s older than the hotel!). The modern Lobby Bar serves up cocktails, while the American Steak & Grill House offers exactly what its name suggests.
The art deco influence is strong in Zagreb. The distinctive style popularized across Europe in the 1920s is particularly strong at Hotel Capital, a four-star boutique hotel that’s found just a few minutes’ walk from Ban Jelacic Square.
Zagreb In Your Pocket No67 By In Your Pocket City Guides
This is a hotel that’s flush with heritage. The art deco facade dates back to 1923, when the building was originally opened as a branch of the Wiener Bank-Verein after being designed by two famous Austrian architects. Many of the architectural features have been preserved, including an underground banking vault that once stored customers’ most valuable items.
Luxury rooms at Hotel Capital also feature many period features and furnishings, including vaulted ceilings, elegant chandeliers, and antique tables, chairs, and wardrobes. You’ll love the marble
