neet886
April 12, 2025
We recently stayed at the Valamar in Makarska, about an hour and a half drive from Split airport. The journey itself was a treat, with stunning views of the mountains on one side and the sparkling Adriatic Sea on the other – a beautiful start to our holiday. We visited in the off-season, so everything was quiet and peaceful – perfect for a family of six looking to unwind. We opted for the half-board package, which included breakfast and dinner. The hotel was spotlessly clean throughout, including the amenities, which were well maintained. The bedrooms were on the smaller side but very clean and came with a gorgeous balcony view that more than made up for the size. While the outdoor pool wasn’t open due to the season, the indoor heated pool was massive and lovely – a big hit with the kids! The sauna was a nice touch too, and everything was kept to a high standard of cleanliness. The hotel is perfectly located right on the beach – though it's pebbly, the water is crystal clear and stunning to look at. Being so close to the mountains adds to the charm, with breathtaking scenery all around. There's a long promenade for walks, and although many places were closed due to the time of year, the 5-minute walk to the marina revealed some beautiful spots and a few great restaurants. Food-wise, breakfast had plenty of options for all tastes, and dinner was freshly prepared each day with a good variety. Our kids enjoyed every meal. However, one downside was that soft drinks weren’t included with dinner despite the half-board plan. The available machine drinks were overly sweet and not well diluted – including at least basic soft drinks would have been appreciated. That said, the staff were friendly and attentive throughout our stay. A local supermarket was just a stone’s throw away, which made picking up essentials super convenient. One thing to note is that eating out in restaurants was surprisingly pricey – for example, we paid €18 for a simple spaghetti pomodoro. A round trip private taxi to Split cost us nearly €300 for all six of us, which felt steep. We also visited the charming town of Omis, with its gorgeous views and scenic fortress hike, but even the local bus ride added up quickly at €7 per person each way. All in all, we had a wonderful time and would definitely recommend Valamar hotel in Makarska to friends and family. If you visit during the main season, I imagine the town comes alive with even more to offer – and I’d happily return to experience it.