In the past, we have received several emails from people that have wished to recommend the small hotel, B & B or family-run private accommodation that they stayed at. As we try to encourage small businesses in Croatia, we have decided to create a separate section promoting them. This will help small businesses, and will also be of useful to visitors to Croatia. Here they are:

Nikolina Rooms, Dubrovnik

Comments:
I stayed at Nikolina Rooms, Cruz,  Padre Perice 11, 20000 Dubrovnik, 28/06/2007 until 5/07/2007.

I was looked after here very kindly by a family who was always there to help and offered me plenty of food and drink. Its a great place to stay for a few days for two people. The old town is about 25 mins walk or 5 mins by bus. You are close to the Dubrovnik port and can get a boat to Lopud Island which saves going into the old town. Its a low budget place but well worth it if your not cooking and are going to be out and about. Staying with the family was one of the highlights. You can book with them on this site.
Submitted by: Jason
Submitted 11st July 2007

Apartments Tedo
Website: www.komarna.com/default.asp?id=797

Comments:
The families Tengesdal and Log from Egersund in Norway have just returned from a round trip of Europe where Komarna in Croatia was the peak. We found this great place in Dalmacija via the internet and was well received by Vanja the contact person for Apartment Tedo.

Komarna is a small place suiteable for both children, teenagers and adults. There is two restaurants and a shop and you may rent boats and bicykles at Villa Bili - our boys loved it.

We recommend Komarna and hope that this place will stay as it is today. We
will be back!
Submitted by:Geir, Bente,Andreas og Fredrik Log & Stein-Ove, Marie, Mathias og Sondre Tengesdal
Submitted 1st March 2006

Apartments Unic
Website: www.apartmentscroatia.com

Comments:
Last August we stayed for the first time in Croatia at Unic Apartment in Tribunj. The owners Marijana and Zvonimir are very warm and helpfull and the apartment has everything you need for a pleasant stay. It is situated at walking distance from the clear sea and picturesque old town of Tribunj. There are enough nice and interesting places to visit like Zadar, Trogir, Primosten and a bit further away Split and Sibenik. We had a very pleasant stay in an area that isn't overcrowded with tourists and where you can enjoy the warm sea, good food and kindness of the Croatian people.
Submitted by: Mireille, Ton, Suzan, The Netherlands
Submitted 22nd January 2006

Apartments Mate Vinisce, near Trogir
Website: http://vinisce.4t.com/

Comments:
We have recently returned from the best holiday we have ever had (we have been to Croatia on 14 occasions). Vinisce is an amazingly quiet, peaceful place in a truly beautiful setting, close to Trogir. Vinisce does not have a hotel and is all the better for it.
The apartments Mate belong to the Pazanin family and nothing was too much trouble for them. We were picked up from the airport and given a delicious fish lunch on our arrival in Vinisce. The family's hospitality throughout our stay was overwhelming. The apartments were very well maintained and situated directly next to the sea. We had a fantastic view from our balcony. There are a small number of shops and restaurants but they easily catered for our needs over our 5 - week stay. For anyone searching for a holiday a little bit away from the usual tourist haunts, we can think of nowhere better.
Submitted by: Stephen and Janet, Sheffield, England
Submitted July 15th 2005

Villa Bianca, Rogoznica
Website: www.Croatia-villabianca.co.uk

Comments:
My family having just returned from a great holiday in Rogoznica, central Dalmatia. This was our first holiday and visit to Croatia, where we found the complete experience enlightening. We were stunned by the beauty of the coast and friendliness of the people. In addition the cleanliness of the streets and public places were surprising and a joy. Croatia must have the best public toilets than anywhere in the Mediterranean. The restaurants are spotless and the food especially the fish being excellent value. There are so many places to see and visit, from the Roman Palace in Split to the National Parks with their fabulous waterfalls. We found the Villa Bianca advertised on Holidayletsonline and would recommend Croatia to anyone.
Submitted by: Maryann, Suffolk, England
Submitted June 28th 2005

Country Club, Rovinjsko Selo (near Rovinj), Istria
Website: www.country-club.hr

Comments:
If you fancy lying in the sun, dipping in a pool, listening to the birds and not other peoples' children and generally chilling out, then the Country Club bungalows are perfect. Each has air-conditioning, TV, full self-catering equipment, a little bit of garden that's 'yours' as well as the pool-side area in which to laze. The hosts could not be friendlier or more helpful, money exchange, booking trips, getting 'blitzed' in the bar - all things are possible - nothing is a problem! It really is the most relaxing, informal way to spend time, with the town of Rovinj only 5km away if you crave some noise and bustle! (The old town is a must to visit with boat trips available from the harbour area.)
Submitted by: Elaine Parry, UK
Submitted April 7th 2005

Villa Karena, Peljesac Peninsula
Website: www.croatianholidayhomes.com

Comments:
I would like to recommend the above villa and the people that run it. Having never visited Croatia before we were slightly dubious about what it had to offer. However, having arrived at the Villa and being met by the owners our fears subsided and we had one of the best holidays ever. The Villa is a pretty stone house perched on a mountainside overlooking the sea and has fabulous views all the way across to Korcula (the neighbouring island where Marco Polo was born). The welcome pack was amazing – there was enough for a cooked meal that evening, breakfast the following morning and beer and wine chilling in the fridge (all very welcome after a long journey). There were even sweeties for the children which went down very well indeed. Every thought had been given to ensure our arrival was catered for and the Villa is one of the best equipped we have stayed in during our travels throughout Europe. The rooms were very large and extremely well furnished – there were even original oil paintings in most of the rooms and it was just like home from home. Once we had been shown around, the keys were handed to us and we had the place all to ourselves with no interruptions (something which doesn’t happen very often). We felt like we had known the couple for ever because they were so welcoming and full of information on what to do and see in the local area – even offering to take us to places we weren’t sure of! The children were extremely safe (all eventualities had been taken care of – and gates are on both sides of the property to ensure they didn’t wander off!). There were places on the terrace to sunbathe and also for shade, along with barbeque equipment which made our evening meals a joy. There was so much to see and do that we are seriously thinking of going back to explore even further afield. We have recommended the villa to all our friends and family and hope that they continue to do well – they deserve it after all the effort they have put in to making it such a wonderful place to stay. They are also having a swimming pool installed for this years guests which will be an added advantage – although the sea is only 5 minutes away! For the price we paid it was extremely good value and we would urge others to try it for themselves. You will not be disappointed!!!
Submitted by: Elle, UK
Submitted March 31st 2005

Apartment Gudelj overlooking Lapad Bay, Dubrovnik
Comments:
We stayed for two weeks in September 2004, in the Apartment Gudelj overlooking Lapad Bay. It was one of our most memorable holidays.

The Apartment would accommodate 5 in a double room, a twin (single bed + folding Z-bed) and a small single room. There were two small but adequate shower rooms; a large kitchen/diner with cooker, F/F, dishwasher and microwave and a very spacious lounge with TV; HI-Fi etc and Internet Access (payable a reasonable cost direct to the owner).

As there were only two of us it provided very comfortable, spacious accommodation. All bedlinen and towels were provided, changed frequently and were of very good quality.
There were several balconies from which to watch both small craft and large Cruise ships pass across the Bay and to enjoy the wonderful sunsets.

Although this is not Luxury accommodation I have scored it Excellent because of its peaceful and very convenient location, its comfort, cleanliness, and spaciousness and the charming, friendly helpfulness of our landlord and his family who occupied the lower and upper floors of their large 3-storey house. I also had an opportunity to compare it with several other s/c properties in the same area.

A very frequent bus service runs from a stop within a 2 minute walk from the Apt. to the Pile Gate entrance into the Old Town and all its attractions - history, museums and galleries, cafes, and restaurants . Closer, Lapad has several excellent restaurants within 5-10 minutes walking distance from the Apt. - the Eden, the Kompass Hotel and the Levanat to name but three (where we ate far better than on a recent stay on the Cote d'Azur.)

Boat trips are available to the many offshore islands from the Bay as well as taxi Boats into the Old Town and other nearby small resorts like Cavtat. Car Hire is available at the airport and locally 5 minutes away from the apartment.
If you do not want to venture far afield the Apartment owner will arrange for a Taxi to meet you at the airport for about £22 each way. Coach and boat trips can be booked at the nearby Kompass Hotel. Also within very easy walking distance are shops. a pharmacy, Post office, Bank - in fact almost everything anyone might need on a self catering holiday.

This is not a location for people looking for a lively nightlife eg. clubs and discos, and may appeal more to couples and families than to groups of young singles. Beaches are rocky and shingled and there are no vast expanses of golden sands but there are good places to swim.

The apartment is approached up 70 steps - - we were daunted on our arrival but felt very fit after two weeks and are longing to return! However anyone with mobility, respiratory or other difficulties could find the steep ascent problematic.
Submitted by: Barbara Snelling
Submitted February 7th 2005

House Pecotic, Korcula
Website: www.korcula-croatia.com/pecotic

Comments:
We stayed in apartment 1 for two weeks in October and it was just wonderful. It is perfectly situated just a stone's throw from the town centre and looks out at the sea. We used to nip across the road for a quick swim before breakfast! Mr. and Mrs. Pecotic made the holiday though. They were incredibly kind and welcoming yet we were left to ourselves too. Little gifts of fruit from their garden or home baked goods would appear in our kitchen. It was all just perfect and I thoroughly recommend it as a place to enjoy Korcula in. PS. they've even got a hedgehog on their garden wall!
Submitted by: T. Cope from the UK
Submitted December 15th 2004

Trogir Online
Website: www.trogironline.com

Comments:
I came across one good web site about Trogir - a town in Split region - Central Dalmatia.

Nice site, accommodation info (hotels, rooms and apartments), real estate offers, food and drink guide, bus time table, nautical pilot for Trogir area.

Also, they have lovely virtual guide through the town with small movies and photos galleries

I spent some time there last year and I notice lots of people from back home.
Submitted by: Jerry from London
Submitted December 1st 2004

Villa Stella, Trogir
Website: www.villa-stella.net

Comments:
I recently returned from my third trip to Croatia in the last year. On each occasion I have stayed with at the same family run apartment. I came across there web site by luck the first time I stayed with them and cannot tell you how completely wonderful they have been to me and the hospitality and generosity they have displayed.
Submitted by: Paul from the UK
Submitted October 20th 2004

Apartments Botica, Raciste, Korcula
Website: www.korcula-tours.com/apartmani/nikola/nikola_eng.htm

Comments:
In September we stayed at the Botica apartments in the lovely and quiet place of Raciste on the island of Korcula. Everything was great and we'd definitely recommend this place.
Submitted by: Jane from Birmingham
Submitted October 18th 2004