Hotel Mediteran Plava Laguna

Hotel Laguna Mediteran is located along the Istrian Coast and housed in a four-floor modern building on thickly wooded grounds with oak, cedar, and pine trees. The feel here is of a forested "retreat," with guests strolling the pathways through the woods to the sea. The well-designed modern and stylish interiors feature large windows to let in lots of natural light, and striking bright-orange furniture adds a dash of color in many of the public spaces. Guests gather around the large outdoor heated pool and children's pool, or play various sports and games around the property. The hotel attracts leisure travelers, including couples and families. 

Hotel Laguna Mediteran is just off Highway 75, about a seven-minute walk from Plava Laguna Beach. The old town of Porec is about a six-minute drive, with restaurants and bars, and sights including the 5th-century Euphrasian Basilica and Renaissance-era House of Two Saints. There's also is Porec Aquasium, the marina, and ferries to Piran (Slovenia), Rovinj (Croatia), and Venice and Trieste (Italy). 

For more active pursuits, Ski Lift Porec is a three-minute drive from the hotel, and Aquacolors water park is less than a five-minute drive, with 12 giant water slides and (billed as) the longest lazy river in southern Europe. Baredine Cave features stalactites, stalagmites, and an underground lake -- it's 15 minutes by car. 

The nearest airport is Pula Airport and it's about a 45-minute drive from the hotel. Pula city center is also about 45 minutes away by car. 

Rooms and suites at Hotel Laguna Mediteran are contemporary, with light-wood furniture, paneling, and trim, and a neutral color palette of white, beige, tan, and grey. Overall, the feel of the rooms is that of functional simplicity, and they're missing colorful accents to give them energy. Still, they're comfortable, and all come with AC, desks, wardrobes, wall-mounted flat-screen TVs, safes (use for a fee), and free Wi-Fi, but they lack electric kettles and mini-fridges. Some rooms have balconies, and some have sea views. Bathrooms have a similar style, and come with heated towel racks, walk-in showers, and toiletries, though hairdryers are old tube-style. Units start at 200 square feet. 

Hotel Laguna Mediteran features a solid lineup of amenities that cater to its family clientele. It's a little more than a half-mile to the beach, and there's a fee for sunbeds and umbrellas. There's a fairly large heated outdoor saltwater pool, freeform in shape, and bordered by a heated children's pool and deck. The pool and deck get a bit shaded in the late afternoon when the sun dips below the many trees on the property, so it's not great for sunbathing at that time. 

Activities on offer are extensive, with free beach volleyball, soccer, badminton tournaments, pool games and aqua aerobics, and morning workouts in the fitness center. Tennis (courts located nearby), table tennis, mini golf, and pedal boat and bicycle rentals are all available for a fee, and kids enjoy an on-site children's club, game room, and mini disco. 

For on-site dining, there's a buffet restaurant that serves breakfast (fee) and dinner, with outdoor seating, and there's an aperitif bar. Vegetarian options are plentiful. In the summer high season the hotel offers themed dinners and free wine and draft beer at dinner. 

Other features include nightly live music and entertainment, like magic shows and dance performances. The Laguna Mediteran also offers massages (for a fee), a TV room, meeting rooms, and parking (for a fee). Free Wi-Fi is available throughout.