Katoro 19, Umag, Croatia | (888) 223-6949
Modern family-friendly resort with extensive waterpark
Five-minute walk from rocky beach and Adriatic Sea
Bright and spacious rooms with furnished balconies
Large main swimming pool with children's section
Two-floor spa with saunas and 12-person whirlpool tub
Kids' clubs ranging from babies to teens
Three buffet restaurants plus a la carte option
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Some rooms prone
to noise
Can feel overrun
by children
Outdoor pool can
be cold
The Sol Garden Istra is an upper-middle-range family-friendly resort set in the Katoro tourist area on Croatia's Istrian coast. A waterpark and a kids' club with extensive facilities make this the most child-friendly hotel in the area. The 198 rooms are bright and modern with furnished balconies and flat-screen TVs, though some bathrooms could use a refresh. Dining options are extensive and include three buffet restaurants and an a la carte option. In addition to an outdoor pool, the hotel has a large spa with a 12-person whirlpool tub, and provides evening entertainment. Travelers without children in tow might want to consider the adult-only Melia Coral.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Colorful, super child-friendly resort with water park
The Sol Garden Istra has a modern appearance starting with its mustard-yellow and white stone facade. The spacious, airy reception room is also fresh and contemporary, with smart, neutral-tone furniture and wallpaper depicting Old Isteria. The hotel itself makes up a fraction of the property, with the resort's colorful leisure and entertainment facilities, including a water park, taking up most of the vast grounds. The hotel is aimed squarely at families with young kids, who make up a large part of the clientele. Expect to find lots of children running around, laughing and screaming.
Location
Set on Croatia's Istrian coast five minutes' walk from the sea
The hotel is located on northern Croatia's Istrian coast in the popular vacation resort area of Katoro. While there's no direct access to the sea, there's a rocky beach about five minutes' walk away. The property is also set next to the main coastal road that runs to Umag city, about a 10-minute drive away; there travelers will find plenty of bars and restaurants, and a few pretty medieval buildings and museums. The nearest international airport is Pula, which is about an hour drive from the hotel.
Rooms
Bright and spacious rooms with furnished garden- or pool-view balconies
The Sol Garden Istra has 198 rooms, all of which are large and bright with smart contemporary decor, modern furniture, and tile floors. Rooms have large sliding doors that open to furnished balconies overlooking the gardens or pool -- poolside rooms are prone to noise, especially during the day. All rooms have work desks and sitting areas .Amenities include mini-fridges (stocked in upgraded rooms), bathrobes, and flat-screen TVs, while bathrooms have shower/tub combos or small stall showers, plus wall-mounted hairdryers and heated towel rails. Toiletries are also provided.
Features
Extensive water-based sports plus several restaurants and a two-floor spa
Opened in 2012, the extensive on-site water park is certainly the resort's highlight, with waterslides, water playgrounds, and numerous pools. The main swimming pool is a series of interconnected, freeform pools spanned by a footbridge, with a large kids' section -- though guests complain the water can be cold. Other kids' amenities include a game room, an activity center, evening entertainment, and various kids' clubs -- from 8 months to 17 years old. The extensive, two-story spa has several saunas, a heated indoor pool, and a 12-person whirlpool tub. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. There's also no shortage of restaurants, as the hotel has three buffet restaurants with show cooking, plus a la carte choices and snack bars.
