Primosten was chosen because the guide spoke well of him last year in Makarska.
This is the only hotel in Primosten, located on the Raducha peninsula, the territory is landscaped, except for the distant buildings, buried in the shade of tall pines, level 3*+ 4*+.
The hotel consists of several buildings interconnected by covered glazed corridors, and as far as I understand, it welcomes guests all year round. On the territory of the Zora hotel there is a swimming pool with a retractable dome, a gym, a kids club.
They settled immediately upon arrival, since the departure of the flight from Kyiv was delayed, then we settled late. The hotel employee kindly helped to bring things to the room, brought a meal ticket. A cold dinner was waiting for us in the room (sliced cheese and sausage, tomato, butter, bread)
Our room on the 3rd floor, with a side sea view, with a balcony, in the shade of pine trees. On the balcony there is a plastic table and two chairs. The bed in the room is excellent, soft mattress, good furniture. The room is cool and clean (the air conditioner was working before we arrived) There was also a ceiling fan. There was no minibar (it could be rented for an additional fee, but we managed somehow). The bathroom is clean, there are shampoo bags and liquid soap in the dispenser. Plumbing is not very new, but in working condition. Light laminate floor, tiles in the bathroom. Cleaning is normal, without fanaticism, the beds were made, changed 1 time in 5 days, towels are changed on demand.
Meals (we had HB) - organized according to the buffet system - excellent, everything edible, except for chemical juices like Jupi... Well, coffee - leaves much to be desired..... but somewhat monotonous after a few days (muesli, omelettes, yogurt or kefir, boiled eggs, sausages, vegetables, several types of bread and buns, sliced sausages and cheeses 3-4 types, pastes, jams, butter, tea, coffee several types - from vending machines, pancakes, bananas, oranges, peaches, watermelon... )
Dinner is also an excellent buffet (1-2 soups, hot dishes of beef, pork, poultry, fish dishes, several types of side dishes, vegetable and other salads, desserts are very varied and tasty) Drinks are paid separately. The restaurant staff is kind and helpful.
During the day we ate fruits and buns (a market and a bakery not far from the entrance to the hotel), in the supermarket "Tommy" or "Studenac" bought wine, juice and water. Water and fruits were taken to the beach. We left the beach at about 13-14 o'clock for a siesta in the room, after 16-17 we swam a couple more times and went to dinner.
Above the restaurant there is a bar with an open terrace and a beautiful view of the sea and the city. We drank cocktails and coffee at the bar several times.
The beach is excellent pebble stones, rounded of different sizes - spacious, there was enough space for everyone, although in order to take a place in the shade, we had to leave early. There are water sports areas on the beach (jet ski rental, paragliding, boat, kayaks, diving)
you can cross by boat to the islet Smokvitsa opposite the hotel (we swam across like this - feral rabbits live on the island and there are ruins of a building resembling a barn or a house) Barefoot is difficult to walk there - thorns.
In the evening, everyone in the city goes to the promenade. Primosten itself is small, there are several supermarkets, restaurants, cafes, there were performances on the main square almost every evening, for example, the brass band of the Primosten community. We practically didn’t go to cafes and restaurants, we had a bite to eat at Amici’s pizzeria a couple of times - my husband took pizza, and I took a tuna steak with some kind of side dish, plus a glass of wine; yes, a couple of times we drank homemade wine and liqueurs in a cafe and in a wine cellar on the embankment.
The guests of the hotel are 70-80 percent French - they come in large groups, the all-inclusive system operates for them (Croatian all-inclusive for the French with bracelets - this is for dinner - free red or white wine on tap in ordinary glasses carelessly washed after breakfast), then the Austrians, Germans, Dutch, less Poles, Czechs, etc. According to the locals, the French are stingy, it’s too much for them to pay for drinks at dinner......
Excursions - we went to Sibenik on our own by regular bus, spent almost the whole day there, and dined there.
Souvenirs: In Primosten, souvenirs are quite traditional and monotonous. In Sibenik, I bought myself a natural sponge, a beautiful pareo, several postcards, a souvenir spoon, a decorative plate with a view of Primosten, a nice ceramic watering can for flowers, a couple of magnets, a thimble. In the supermarket before leaving, we bought sliced prosciutto, cheese, Bronchi toffee candies (with some herbs, I have not seen them anywhere else), tinctures of travaritsa, orahovac, pelinkovac....
In general, the impression of the hotel is positive, a relaxing holiday, there are some little things that you can close your eyes to.
The hotel itself consists of several buildings connected by passages. There are rooms 3 stars (comfort room) and 4 stars (premier room). We lived in a 3 star room on the first floor. The balcony overlooked the sea. The room has two beds, bedside tables, a table, an armchair (old), a mirror, bedside rugs are also old and tiny. The curtains are dark, some kind of rubberized (probably for ease of cleaning). On the balcony there is a white plastic table and two chairs, a clothesline. The room has a TV (shows the first channel), a ceiling fan, no air conditioning. There are some dirty brown spots on the ceiling. In a small hallway there is a wardrobe and a mirror. The bathroom is combined, quite decent, only spiders on the ceiling and behind the toilet, there is a hairdryer. In my opinion, the front door in the room and the doors inside need to be replaced - they seem to be made from an old table.
Meals 2-time buffet, repeated after a few days, but quite varied and satisfying. For breakfast, omelettes, vegetables, salads, sausage, cheeses, ham, sausages, muesli, coffee, juices, hot chocolate, milk, yogurt, croissants, jams, pies, fruits, pancakes. For dinner, fish, chicken, rice, potatoes, pasta, meat, vegetables, salads, watermelons, melons, 2 types of soup, sweets. Drinks are paid, expensive (mineral water with gas 0.5 l 14 kunas, and in the city 7 kunas). Tables are set both indoors and on the terrace overlooking the sea (very beautiful and romantic view! ).
The staff is polite, the reception speaks very little Russian, the waiters are a little better. The maids could clean up a little better and a little earlier, and not at 13-14 hours, when you come from the sea and want to relax. Towels changed regularly
(need to be thrown on the floor), and bed linen for 10 days never.
There is a swimming pool with a retractable roof, there are a lot of people, children. Under the pool sauna, massage (extra charge). I didn’t like it very much in the pool - I had to take off my shoes before entering, and inside the floors are wet and everyone walks barefoot (not very nice).
For 3 stars, 2 meals a day, paid drinks for dinner, not very new rooms - still, in my opinion, a little expensive. But, in general, despite some disadvantages, one could come here again (the first line, the cleanest sea and air, calmness, safety), but maybe take a 4-star room. This is a quiet, noisy discos, family hotel.
Most of the hotel workers are elderly (average age is about 50), both in the restaurant, at the reception, and as cleaners. The room was cleaned well. Towels were changed daily (however, we left 7 kunas on the pillow every day.
There is a balcony in the room overlooking the sea (rocky beach). Very nice!
They feed well! Every day 3-4 kinds of meat and fish, lots of salads, vegetables and sweets. They even cooked calamari and mussels. Every day new dishes. Very tasty and varied - not to be compared with Turkey.
For dinner, drinks are paid (beer - 19 kunas, a glass of juice - 17, wine - 30. A bottle of wine - from 120). In general, everything is expensive! Eat in a restaurant - 200 - 300 kunas per dish. We have food NV. It is better to take ALL. Food in the supermarket is also very expensive.
There is an "internet club", ie one computer near the reception. They don't have headphones or a microphone. Skype in German. The computer is usually always busy. It costs 30 minutes - 20 kunas, an hour - 35.
Service in supermarkets and banks is terrible. Everyone is rude! Money must be exchanged for kunas; dollars do not want to accept at all (only with a passport and then reluctantly, for euros - you can buy souvenirs). There are always queues at the bank. All people are waiting for the numbers to change money, and the bank employee considers something to himself, and 4 more employees just stand there and do nothing. Horror!
There are pebble and rocky beaches. Rocky - I do not recommend it. There are a lot of hedgehogs and the waves bring on huge stones. It is safer on the pebbly - but there are more people. The sea is very clean, even transparent and warm. I definitely recommend buying slippers for swimming (40 kunas per pair). They also sell special "carimats" for 80 kunas, even for 75 if you buy 2 (it's very uncomfortable to lie on towels) and it will turn out cheaper than renting lizhaks (they are paid on the beach - 20 kunas a day).
There is a swimming pool with chlorinated ordinary water. The Germans usually swim there. In the old town - every day concerts - discos. In the bar on the beach - also different attitudes (sometimes the entrance is paid). There is a disco for children.
We went to the Plitvinsky lakes (entry 10 euros). Very nice!!! ! I recommend to everyone. And also in Kornati. A little tedious. Although after a while - there is something to remember. An hour to go to the boat, which still sails 3 hours one way. On the boat they are fed and entertained. But a lot of people. There is no place for an apple to fall.
First time in Croatia. In Turkey, of course, for this money you can relax in the best 5 * hotel, but since you have already been in Turkey, there are new impressions here.
I liked Croatia! Primosten too!
Generally satisfied!
Most of the hotel workers are elderly (average age is about 50), both in the restaurant, at the reception, and as cleaners. The room was cleaned well. Towels were changed daily (however, we left 7 kunas on the pillow every day.
There is a balcony in the room overlooking the sea (rocky beach). Very nice!
They feed well! Every day 3-4 kinds of meat and fish, lots of salads, vegetables and sweets. They even cooked calamari and mussels. Every day new dishes. Very tasty and varied - not to be compared with Turkey.
For dinner, drinks are paid (beer - 19 kunas, a glass of juice - 17, wine - 30. A bottle of wine - from 120). In general, everything is expensive! Eat in a restaurant - 200 - 300 kunas per dish. We have food NV. It is better to take ALL. Food in the supermarket is also very expensive.
There is an "internet club", ie one computer near the reception. They don't have headphones or a microphone. Skype in German. The computer is usually always busy. It costs 30 minutes - 20 kunas, an hour - 35.
Service in supermarkets and banks is terrible. Everyone is rude! Money must be exchanged for kunas; dollars do not want to accept at all (only with a passport and then reluctantly, for euros - you can buy souvenirs). There are always queues at the bank. All people are waiting for the numbers to change money, and the bank employee considers something to himself, and 4 more employees just stand there and do nothing. Horror!
There are pebble and rocky beaches. Rocky - I do not recommend it. There are a lot of hedgehogs and the waves bring on huge stones. It is safer on the pebbly - but there are more people. The sea is very clean, even transparent and warm. I definitely recommend buying slippers for swimming (40 kunas per pair). They also sell special "carimats" for 80 kunas, even for 75 if you buy 2 (it's very uncomfortable to lie on towels) and it will turn out cheaper than renting lizhaks (they are paid on the beach - 20 kunas a day).
There is a swimming pool with chlorinated ordinary water. The Germans usually swim there. In the old town - every day concerts - discos. In the bar on the beach - also different attitudes (sometimes the entrance is paid). There is a disco for children.
We went to the Plitvinsky lakes (entry 10 euros). Very nice!!! ! I recommend to everyone. And also in Kornati. A little tedious. Although after a while - there is something to remember. An hour to go to the boat, which still sails 3 hours one way. On the boat they are fed and entertained. But a lot of people. There is no place for an apple to fall.
First time in Croatia. In Turkey, of course, for this money you can relax in the best 5 * hotel, but since you have already been in Turkey, there are new impressions here.
I liked Croatia! Primosten too!
Generally satisfied!
Let's start with the backstory. . .
In 2008 we rested in Croatia in Baska Voda, Hotel Horizont (my review is on the hotel page). Then we liked everything, just the only thing - we went at the end of September and it was a bit cold...
When planning a vacation in 2009, we took into account the past mistake and planned a trip for July. We chose a hotel for a long time (we were 4 families with children, and we wanted something good). The Travel Agency praised Zora very much and assured us that we would be delighted. I rummaged through the entire Internet in search of reviews about Zora, but apart from the stories that Gorbachev lived in Zora (this is probably in the 70s), I didn’t really find anything. I asked why this was so, they said that there were practically no Russians in the hotel - that's why there were no reviews. Then it seemed logical to me. . .
In a word, here it is - a long-awaited trip to the sea. We all drove by car (4 cars, respectively) to Croatia for about 16 hours from Ukraine (with stops). Tormented and tired, they arrived in Primosten at about 12 o'clock at night. . .
Shock 1: We drove into the parking lot, through the barrier, took some coupons (it’s not clear why, but later it turned out that parking is PAID - 1 euro per day from the bus. ) And immediately behind the barrier the whole friendly column stopped. There was simply no room for our cars. Sleepy, tired, the children and I were sitting on our suitcases, while the men were trying to somehow push our 4 rather big cars to each other. The staff at the reception answered our request for help - we have such rules - the guests themselves are looking for a place to park... But Really... Who cares about expensive cars - you yourself arrived - and think about where to leave them....
Shock 2: We went to the hotel. The hall is a typical Soviet hotel. . . such a Salut or Zorya (Zora. . . ). SOVDEPIYA!!! ! We settled for about 40 minutes... we figured out something for a long time - where whose children are, who needs an extra bed, who doesn't, etc... Finally, they gave us the cards from the rooms. I went into the room (micro-room), there is no safe, no balcony, TV - no Russian channels, NO CARPET or carpet - just tiles ! , there is no bed for the child either! I go to the reception to ask for a bed - she tells me to find "such a bald guy and ask him if there are free ones - he says he will give"... I go looking for a guy. I find. I ask for a bed. He says with a dissatisfied look that he is tired of everything already with beds. 30 minutes later brings the bed. It's already about 2 o'clock in the morning... He puts the bed, throws 2 sheets on it and leaves. I say, hey guy, and who will lay it, am I ? , and he told me - Yes, you. It's not my job. And he leaves.
Shock 3: I make a bed, I shift my son (6 years old) there. While the son is sleeping, my husband and I go to watch the sea. And there is not a beach - but just rocks. Huge chunks of rock. We don’t understand how our children from 1 to 7 years old can swim there... SHOCK !! ! In addition, some naked drunk women with men are lying on the beach... In short, just F... A!!!!
Shock 4: Staying up all night. . . crying. I think how I can survive here for 10 days... Morning. I'm going to breakfast. Breakfast - a few sausages the day before yesterday, 2 types of sausage AND ALL !!! ! I want to cry even more.
Fortunately, right after breakfast, my husband takes matters into his own hands. He calls our Travel Agency, which sent us, after long negotiations, he seeks a full refund. In parallel, I call the good old proven Horizont in Baska Voda, fortunately there are 4 free numbers there. The manager with whom I agreed (his name was Serhan) gives us a discount. After 1.5 hours of driving - we are in the Horizon, settle down and go swimming. Primoshten, I remember ZORA as a nightmare and I can tell you with 100% certainty - It's a POCKET, never go there!! ! By the way, a vacation in Horizon for the same 10 days ended up costing us 500 euros cheaper than that HOLE... We took these 500 euros for the family as a reward for all our tears and worries. (don't think that we were trying to save money! We don't save on our impressions!!! ) Good luck to you! I would not wish anyone to experience everything that we experienced during the night in this NIGHTMARE HOTEL !!! !