ISABELLA Valamar Collection Island Resort

Where to spend our 50th Wedding Anniversary in late May was a decision that we didn’t want to get wrong! Having enjoyed two fabulous late Summer holidays on Sveti Nikola in Porec this was an obvious contender but could it possibly live up to our previous experiences or would it be a case of 3rd time unlucky? We had slight concerns that with the opening of the new Valamar flagship resort ( Pical Hotel and Suites) just across the water and with a number of key senior staff being transferred to the new facility, that things would not be the same or as good as we had known. We needn’t have had a concern and once again Valamar staff coupled with a quite magical setting provided us with another memorable holiday . Even the weather worked well for us with pretty much unbroken sunshine and pleasantly warm and, at times, hot, conditions. There were enough familiar staff faces to ensure that standards were maintained and that incoming team members were mentored in the Isabella Island Resort way of offering Croatian warmth and hospitality with an excellent and varied culinary offering supported by high quality accommodation and a genuine staff -wide ethos that they want their visitors to enjoy their time on the island and yes, leave determined to return on future occasions. We stayed in the V Level Miramare accommodation which is perched on a rugged shoreline with unbroken views of the sea and offering some fabulous views of Porec sunsets! On this occasion the sea was benign, almost like a mill pond, but we have known it to be savage, spectacular and forceful; both moods are equally beautiful to witness. The V Level restaurant, the Momenti, offering breakfast and evening meals is one of the stand outs of this resort. The buffet style option has enough variety to satisfy every taste and appetite with attentive and cheery service provided by the hard working team working around a very well-appointed terrace on which to dine when the weather permits – and it did throughout – an added bonus. I have described the island in previous reviews as ‘our happy place’ – and this holiday reinforced that feeling. I can only thank the whole staff team for helping us start of Golden Wedding celebrations is such a great way ! Thank you . Having seen the new Valamar Collection Pical Hotel and Suites being constructed across the water in recent years it was our curiosity that got the better of us and we simply had to give it a try while we were in Porec. How would it compare to “our “ Isabella idyll ? You can get my take on it in a separate review.

We have been coming here annually for many, many years and that should say something! We have seen things change over the years but it has always been a special place. I couldn't agree more about the spectacular setting and the charm of the hotel itself. It is quite something to be greeted as old friends by the staff. Yes, ten years on from its first re fit some of the decorations are looking a little tired and in need of a refresh but I assume that Valamar will have that in hand to retain its status? We will be returning to it next September and consider it our 'happy place'....

The hotel arranged the transfer from Pula airport ,it was punctual and trouble free. First impressions of the hotel were very favourable, the lobby was bright and airy the room was a good size , clean with a nice view of Porec. The on line check-in worked well friendly and efficient. We stayed on an all inclusive basis I would rate the food overall as very good the extensive choice suited both myself and my wife there was always something the eat which we enjoyed. There were no long queues and the used plates were cleared away very promptly. The beer was good as was the white wine, the red wine was just ok, Croatia as a region produces excellent white wines. We both enjoyed the pool , no problem with loungers and the water was a pleasant temperature. We loved the boat service to Porec it was regular and convenient. The staff at this hotel are its biggest asset they are friendly and welcoming and very helpful. It was September when we stayed there was entertainment on Friday evening but not on Saturday but it was easy to go over to Porec . Overall we had a fantastic holiday , I would stay at this hotel again and recommend it to others, as older travellers we would probably avoid July and August when there are lots of families with children.

This is a beautiful location and hotel. However, it is definitely a family holiday rather than adults, which is what we searched for when we were originally booking our holiday. The 'All Inclusive' is very misleading too. It only includes beer, wine and soft drinks. We were fine with this until we bought a vodka with a small bottle of Pepsi Max and it came to 9.90 Euros! So expensive! There was only two evenings with adults entertainment, which was another disappointment. We did go to the mainland every day because of this, but were conscious of timing for the boat taxi. You also have to be aware of where your room is going to be as ours was a minimum of 66 steps up and a mostly uphill walk to our room! The food and service were very good but we found it expensive.

The island of Sveti Nikola on which the Isabella Island Resort is based is spectacularly beautiful with some amazing views. The hotel itself is modern with good rooms and very friendly and helpful staff. The ferry to the attractive town of Poreč works very well and always on time. However, there are some issues which potential guests should be aware of: The Tui description of the resort can be misleading with many of the limitations confined to the small print. The TUI transfers were not well organised; coaches have to drop you at the bus station, a 10-to-15-minute walk away from the ferry. Minibuses were supposed to be organised but we had to wait 40 minutes with our suitcases for this to happen. The Tui rep should have pre ordered them before the coach arrived at the bus station. Similarly on the return the TUI rep who arranged to meet everyone off the ferry did not arrive and there was a mad scramble for a minibus with many forced to walk. The all-inclusive drinks package does not work well. During our visit in early September only the lobby bar was available to serve the limited all inclusive drinks, the pool bar having closed from 1st September. The drinks package was confusing because if you requested a drink with a zero-sugar mixer it was either unavailable (tonic water) or you were charged extra (sugar free cola). No other bars on the island were included in the all-inclusive drinks package. As the pool bar was closed all drinks had to be obtained from the lobby bar which had limited re-usable plastic glasses (I understand that glass is inappropriate around a pool and I am not advocating single use plastics) but a gin and tonic in a cardboard coffee cup is not what I expect from a 4-star hotel. The majority of the guests were European, mainly German, and included a significant number of smokers. There were no designated smoking areas so it was difficult to avoid the smoke. Also, as European children do not return to school until mid-September there were many kids, this is primarily a family resort! There appeared to be many activities for kids but limited for adults. There was no real adult only areas except a small part of the self-service restaurant, The Isola restaurant, and even then, kids cut through to exit the dining room. The Isola restaurant food is if reasonable quality but very repetitive with a considerable lack of choice; 1 soup each day chicken or beef on alternate days. The salads are very limited in choice; there is only 1 cheese. No specialities. If you like pizza, pasta and chips you will be fine. Also, dishes are not regularly topped up further limiting the choices. There are no other restaurants available on the all-inclusive package. The main activity pool can be very full of kids, the infinity pool, a short uphill walk is much nicer but is not adults only and many beds are reserved for v guests and no all-inclusive drinks available. The lounge area in the hotel, between reception and the lobby bar is quite comfortable, however with table football and pool tables placed in the middle it is not a relaxing place to sit Day guests may visit the island for a few euros and they appear to take advantage of the hotel amenities, including the pool, and can overcrowd the ferry. The holiday was more expensive than many all-inclusive hotels in Europe but did not deliver good value This is the first year the hotel has offered all-inclusive and the management admit that they are still learning. The management acknowledged the shortfalls and were very generous to us and offered us an upgraded package, hopefully next year many things will improve.