Fancy a romantic stay in an elegant boutique hotel in the heart of Zadar’s old town? The adults-onlyHotel Almayer Art & Heritage combines historic charm, contemporary design and an intimate atmosphere. It’s the ideal address for discovering Zadar’s cultural wealth while enjoying a refined, peaceful setting.
In this article, you’ll find details of our stay, along with plenty of photos to give you an idea of this unique place and perhaps convince you to stay there on your next trip to Croatia.
Why stay at the Almayer Art & Heritage Hotel (adults only)?
Here are 3 good reasons to choose this boutique hotel in Zadar:
- Its ideal location: right in the heart of the historic old town, it’s within walking distance of Zadar’s iconic sites, from the waterfront with theOrgan of the Seas toSt. Donatus Church and Queen Madijevka Park. We found it convenient to be able to explore everything without having to take the car or public transport. Despite its central location, the hotel remains surprisingly quiet.
- Its romantic, sophisticated setting: reserved for adults, it guarantees a serene, refined atmosphere. We found that this tranquility gave the place a romantic dimension, ideal for a trip for 2. The elegant decor, secret garden and hushed ambience of the communal areas create a setting conducive to relaxation.
- The artistic and gastronomic experience: we appreciated the presence of an integrated art gallery, exhibiting contemporary works in the various spaces. Even just passing through the corridors, you get the feeling of visiting a lively, inspiring place. The Corte gourmet restaurant, meanwhile, is renowned for its refined cuisine featuring local produce. This artistic and culinary dimension adds an extra touch of soul to this singular establishment.
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Is the Almayer Art & Heritage Hotel worth it? Our review
Absolutely! We absolutely fell in love with this romantic, adults-only boutique hotel in the heart of the historic old town. We particularly loved its chic, contemporary design, sophisticated atmosphere, and attentive service. It’s definitely one of the best hotels in Zadar!
We enjoyed the tranquility of this adults-only property, which is ideal for a couples’ getaway or if you’re looking for an authentic experience. Plus, its location makes it easy to visit Zadar’s main attractions!
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING YOUR CAR AT Croatia
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that’s compact enough (some passages are narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
Decoration and atmosphere
The decor strikes a balance between period elements (historic walls and architectural features) and contemporary pieces: marble, rich textiles, and designer furniture coexist with contemporary artworks on permanent display. The overall impression is that of a space conceived as a collection of objects and atmospheres, where every nook and cranny contributes to the venue’s identity. We loved the atmosphere, which was somewhat reminiscent of a cabinet of curiosities.
The secret garden, home to the restaurant and breakfast area, adds the final touch to the place’s intimate and almost exclusive atmosphere. We loved its glass roof and lush greenery.
The room
We loved the calm, bright ambience of our room, ideal for a romantic stay. The space was well laid out, with chic contemporary furnishings including a sofa, desk and headboard incorporating subtle lighting. Comfortable bedding and practical amenities such as a TV, safe and home automation system to control light and temperature were also provided.
We also appreciated the soothing view over the restaurant’s garden and the streets of the old town, with windows that open to let in fresh air. We found the cleanliness impeccable and the warm atmosphere enhanced by small lamps with warm light.
Some rooms are accessible via a recently installed elevator, but the historic configuration of the building also means that stairs are required depending on the room you choose. We therefore recommend that you enquire at the time of booking if you have any special requirements.
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The bathroom
The contemporary bathroom features a modern walk-in shower that opens onto the room, creating a feeling of space and fluidity. We liked the finishes, which sought sobriety rather than extravagance, in harmony with the hotel’s overall design.
Toiletries, including soap, shampoo and shower gel, are provided for optimum comfort. A hairdryer and towel dryer are also present, adding a practical touch to this space. The toilet was integrated into the bathroom, with no separate partition.
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The breakfast
We particularly enjoyed the breakfast served in the elegant surroundings of the Corte restaurant. It offers both a small buffet and an à la carte service to satisfy all tastes.
We enjoyed the variety of pastries, breads, jams, honey, fresh fruit and granola, as well as savory options like charcuterie, cheeses, eggs and grilled bacon. We also enjoyed the hot drinks, perfectly prepared by a barista.
This morning moment perfectly reflects the spirit of the hotel: refined, neat and focused on customer satisfaction. We found it an excellent way to start the day before setting off to explore Zadar.
Equipment and common areas
The garden is the social heart of the hotel: a place to read, enjoy an aperitif or a quiet meal. The hotel does not offer sports facilities or a swimming pool (this is not its positioning), but makes up for this with a cultural offer and a refined restaurant.
The restoration
The Corte restaurant, located within the hotel, offers gourmet cuisine that showcases local ingredients. Although we weren’t able to dine there (since it was closed during our off-season visit), we’ve heard about its reputation for creativity and sophistication. In our opinion, this is one of the hotel’s major strengths.
This culinary experience truly reflects the restaurant’s commitment to combining contemporary design, comfort, and fine dining, making Almayer a top choice for food lovers!
A little history
Almayer Art & Heritage occupies buildings steeped in history in the heart of the Campo Castello district.
- The main building dates back to 1863, built as an outbuilding of a military hospital on the remains of the former Saint-Nicolas monastery.
- Just a few steps away, the Bianchini house, now an outbuilding of the hotel, was built in 1914 as a modern private residence.
- Having survived the wars and upheavals of the 20th century, the 2 buildings were bought in 2014 by Irina Bakija and Vjekoslav Bobić. They carried out a complete restoration, preserving the historic elements while creating a contemporary boutique hotel.
- The official inauguration took place in June 2017, giving birth to the current hotel.
We really liked the dialogue between the old and the new, which gives the place its special character.
Practical information
Type
Hotel Almayer Art & Heritage is a 4-star adults-only boutique hotel in the heart of Zadar.
See current offers at Hotel Almayer Art & Heritage Adults Only
Where is the hotel?
The establishment is located at the northern end of the strip of land bordering the Adriatic Sea that forms the historic center of Zadar,
. Its exact address is: 2 Ulica Braće Bersa, Zadar, Croatia.
- Less than a 5-minute walk from the heart of Zadar’s historic center and all the city’s attractions
- 20 minutes by foot or 10 minutes by car from the nearest beach: Golden Wave Beach
- 5-minute walk from Poluotok bus stop (line 2)
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How to get there?
- You can reach Zadar by bus or plane. Zadar airport is the closest and serves many European cities, including Paris, London, Berlin, Vienna and Brussels.
- Regular bus services link the city to other major Croatian destinations such as Split (3h30), Zagreb (4h) and Dubrovnik (7h).
- By car, Zadar is easily accessible via the A1 freeway, which links Zagreb directly to the Dalmatian coast.
Parking
The hotel has a limited number of parking spaces, easily accessible from a wide, paved road.
Parking in the surrounding streets is possible but limited.
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING YOUR CAR AT Croatia
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that’s compact enough (some passages are narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
For people with reduced mobility
The hotel is not suitable for people with reduced mobility, in particular because of the stairs and steps in the buildings. There are rooms on the first floor, but there are no specially equipped rooms for PRMs, nor adapted elevators.
We recommend that you contact the hotel directly for any specific request or further information.
Is the Almayer Art & Heritage Hotel family-friendly?
No. Hotel Almayer is an adults-only establishment.
