Hotel Garden Istra Plava Laguna

The hotel is widely celebrated for its extensive family-oriented facilities, particularly its numerous pools and a dedicated water park, making it a standout choice for families with young children. Its prime proximity to the beach and the sea is consistently highlighted as a major advantage. Guests frequently commend the generally friendly and helpful staff, the spacious rooms, and the diverse dining options available. While the hotel offers a lively atmosphere, it is also suitable for couples seeking an active getaway and sports groups due to its comprehensive amenities. To maximize your experience, consider arriving early to secure sunbeds, and be mindful that the presence of large groups can sometimes lead to increased noise levels.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel boasts an impressive array of facilities, including multiple outdoor pools and a dedicated indoor pool, which are highly praised by guests. The water slides and aquapark are a particular highlight, providing extensive entertainment for children and adults alike, though some note the aquapark closes early. For younger guests, there are well-regarded kids' clubs, an engaging animation team, and dedicated indoor playrooms and outdoor playgrounds. The hotel also features a fitness center and saunas, with a spa available, though access to some spa facilities may incur an additional charge. Guests can also utilize various sports courts, including tennis, football, and volleyball areas, and there is convenient bike rental and storage available.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests generally find the rooms to be spacious and appreciate the comfortable beds, often describing them as very large. However, feedback on overall cleanliness is mixed; while many rooms are noted as very clean and tidy, some guests reported issues with dirty balconies, bathroom walls, or general poor cleaning during their stay, including instances of mold. A common concern is the performance of the air conditioning, which many describe as weak, old, or insufficient, leading to rooms being too warm. Noise levels from adjacent rooms or large groups can also be a significant issue. While bathrooms are generally well-equipped, some are considered outdated, and there are frequent comments about the lack of in-room amenities such as kettles, coffee makers, robes, slippers, and drying racks for wet clothes. Many reviews suggest the rooms and facilities are in need of renovation.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel offers a buffet breakfast and dinner with a wide variety of choices, which many guests find delicious and great. However, overall food quality receives mixed reviews; some describe it as mediocre, poor, or frequently cold, especially at dinner. The coffee and juices from the machines are often criticized for being low quality. Most guests note that drinks are not included with meals, requiring extra payment, which can be a point of dissatisfaction. The restaurant areas can become very crowded and noisy, leading to long queues for seating, particularly during peak times. Some guests also reported issues with the air conditioning in the restaurant and the presence of smoke from cooking areas. Options for vegetarians or specific dietary needs are sometimes described as limited.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts an excellent location very close to the sea and a desirable sandy beach, which is a major draw for guests. The property itself is described as huge, akin to a small island, featuring extensive green areas and pleasant walking paths. While the hotel is situated near Umag, some guests find it a long walk to the town center. A convenient train service is available for transport to Umag, though some consider it expensive. Parking is provided, often for a symbolic fee, but availability can be a challenge during busy periods, and some guests noted that parking spots can be far from the main building and lack shadow.

Staff & Service
The staff consistently receives high praise, with most guests describing them as exceptionally friendly, helpful, kind, and attentive. The animation team for children is particularly highlighted for their professionalism, engaging programs, and dedication to ensuring a fun experience for young guests. While many commend the reception staff for their efficiency and warmth, some guests reported less positive interactions, citing unhelpful or unfriendly responses regarding room issues or late check-out requests. Restaurant staff are generally efficient in managing large crowds, though a few guests found some individuals less welcoming or overly eager to clear tables. Housekeeping feedback is varied, with some rooms maintained impeccably and others noted for poor cleaning or issues with towel replacement.

Additional Information
A frequently mentioned concern is the widespread practice of sunbed reservation using towels, which often leads to a scarcity of available loungers, despite hotel policies. The hotel can become very noisy, especially during peak season or when hosting large groups such as sports teams, with noise often extending into late hours from corridors and pool areas. Guests have also reported issues with certain hotel policies, including late check-out requests being denied, the requirement to pay for parking, and spa facilities not being included in the standard room rate. Some visitors experienced difficulty changing beach towels for clean ones due to limited availability. There were isolated reports of children catching viruses from the pools, particularly during crowded periods.