Aminess Laurel Khalani Hotel

The hotel offers a luxurious and memorable experience, with its signature rooftop bar and restaurant providing breathtaking sea and sunset views that consistently impress guests. The property is celebrated for its spacious rooms, modern design, and excellent facilities, including a comprehensive wellness area and diverse swimming pools. It is ideally suited for families due to its extensive children's amenities and engaging activities, while also appealing to couples seeking a lavish and peaceful retreat. Business travelers will find the hotel well-equipped for events and conferences. To enhance your stay, guests often suggest requesting a higher floor for superior views and to minimize potential noise from early morning deliveries. Additionally, it is recommended to bring water shoes for comfortable access to the pebble beach and to consider purchasing beverages from nearby supermarkets to manage costs effectively.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers a comprehensive array of facilities and amenities designed to cater to diverse guest needs. The gym is well-equipped for workouts, complemented by multiple swimming pools, including a clean and often heated indoor pool and several outdoor options, though some guests found the outdoor pools to be cold. The spa area is a highlight, featuring saunas and a steam room, providing excellent relaxation opportunities, though some noted it could get crowded and occasionally slippery. For younger guests, a well-equipped kids' club with engaging activities and a dedicated gaming room are highly praised. The ambiance is enhanced by live piano music in the lobby and a popular swim-up bar in one of the pools. While free Wi-Fi is available throughout, the elevator system can be a point of frustration, with only two main lifts often leading to long wait times. Sun loungers are plentiful around the pools and on the beach, but early morning reservations by guests, despite hotel rules, can make finding a spot challenging during peak periods. Parking is available for a fee, with both covered and street options, and valet service is offered.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests generally commend the hotel for its high standards of cleanliness and room comfort. The rooms are consistently described as spacious, modern, and well-maintained, often featuring a pleasant scent. Many rooms offer stunning sea views from their large balconies, enhancing the overall experience. The beds are typically large and comfortable, though a few guests found them to be firm, with the hotel sometimes providing mattress toppers upon request. Bathrooms are modern and well-appointed, often including large showers. In-room amenities such as a coffee maker and iron and board are appreciated. While most guests found their rooms to be quiet, some reported issues with noise levels from adjacent rooms, particularly from children, or from early morning deliveries. There were occasional comments about inconsistent housekeeping, such as partially uncleaned areas, missing toiletries, or towels not being refreshed daily. Some guests also noted issues with the air conditioning not maintaining desired temperatures or being reset by staff.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's dining experience receives mixed but generally positive feedback, with the breakfast buffet consistently praised for its extensive variety, freshness, and quality, often including a luxurious touch like champagne. Dinner also offers a wide array of options, with many guests finding the food solid and almost excellent. However, some guests noted inconsistencies in food quality, describing it as occasionally repetitive, lukewarm, or not meeting expected five-star standards, with some dishes being overcooked or lacking flavor. Popular items like pizza, risotto, and salads are frequently highlighted. Challenges were reported with the omelette station due to long queues and occasional staff skill issues. The main restaurant can become overcrowded, leading to waits for tables and a chaotic atmosphere, with some guests observing slow table clearing. A significant point of contention is the hotel's policy of not including drinks with dinner, even water, which guests must purchase at a considerable cost.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts an excellent location, situated directly by the sea and along a picturesque promenade. This prime spot offers direct beach access, with guests appreciating the convenience of having sunbeds and umbrellas available. The central location allows for an easy and pleasant walk into the Makarska town center, typically taking between 15 to 30 minutes, with numerous shops and restaurants dotted along the path. While the immediate area can be quieter during the off-season with some establishments closed, the proximity to the vibrant town ensures plenty of options. For guests arriving by car, parking is available for a fee, offering both covered and street options, and a convenient valet service is provided. The hotel is approximately a 1.5-hour drive from Split airport, with the journey offering scenic coastal views.

Staff & Service
The staff and service at the hotel generally receive high praise, with many guests highlighting the overall friendliness, helpfulness, and attentiveness of the team. The check-in process is often described as quick and efficient, and the valet service is consistently commended for its professionalism. Housekeeping is frequently lauded for maintaining high standards of cleanliness in the rooms. However, feedback on reception staff is mixed; while many found them welcoming and accommodating, a notable number of guests reported instances of unsmiling, dismissive, or unhelpful attitudes, particularly regarding issues like room readiness or luggage delivery. Similarly, while restaurant staff are often described as friendly and hardworking, some guests observed them to be overworked or uncoordinated, leading to service inconsistencies. Overall, the hotel's commitment to providing a positive guest experience is evident through its dedicated staff, though some areas show room for improvement in consistent service delivery.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware of several important details to enhance their stay. A recurring point of feedback concerns the hotel's policy on drinks, specifically that water is not complimentary during dinner, even for half-board guests, and other beverages are noted as being quite expensive. While the hotel has rules against reserving sun loungers with towels, this policy is often not strictly enforced, leading to challenges in finding available spots during busy periods. The elevator system can also be a source of frustration, with only two main lifts often leading to considerable wait times. Some guests reported issues with noise from children running in corridors or loud music from the beach bar. The hotel has a no-pet policy, despite previous indications, as it is primarily a family-oriented establishment. On a positive note, the hotel has demonstrated excellent support during medical emergencies, assisting guests with necessary arrangements.