Istrian Villas Plava Laguna

We had a wonderful stay at the Istrian Villas. We were here for 3 nights. Our villa was a great size, clean with a well equipped kitchen. The villa was modern and very comfortable. The grounds of the resort are beautiful. The waterfront near the villas is beautiful and relaxing. The staff have been very kind and accommodating during our stay. The first villa that we were given had a strong sewage smell. I politely asked for a move and they were able to give us the same size villa. They were very accommodating with this change. The location is close driving distance to Umag. We were able to go into town and explore waterfront restaurants. Many water sports were available for purchase and my son and husband enjoyed many of them.

Don't come in May as facilities are closed until June. Minimum choice for breakfast as cater for eastern Europe tastes. I mean who has polenta and yesterdays veg for breakfast??? So for UK tourists only choice today and yogurt's Bakery 7am - 11am, supermarket 8-2.30 overpriced and minimal choice ok if you want beers and chocolate, they sell salad and fruit but been there a while, sell bread, jams, milk, yogurts just in case you miss breakfast as it's 7-9am The villas and complex are lovely, everything you need, except toaster, most with views of the water. Very clean. Gas BBQ on all balconies, plus curtains on patios for privacy. Not totally traffic free as about 30 German tourists on racing bikes used footpaths at speed. Not geared for Brits as most staff speak German not English. Plus side we found land train which leaves from by bakery to Umag, 4euro bit bumpy but it gets you out. Train dropped off at Umag harbour, walk into centre. Taxi if you hire from reception. Umag is Cafe culture, couple of tourist shops, but nothing open at night until June.

The apartments are ok nothing special , staff are rude and unfriendly in reception, definitely not 4* rooms , apartments are noisy , It’s far to set up for German tastes , no English here at all , the strangest thing we noticed is the facility is not exclusively for guests of the hotel or apartments anyone can come here so getting a sun lounger near the sea is a nightmare , you would of thought that if you stayed on the complex you may be guaranteed a sun-bed but no, Don’t do half board , food is boring and tasteless , everything tastes the same and the choice is really rubbish , the cakes are awful . I’ve had the craps for 3 days now and I’m never unwell on holiday cast iron stomach but not here , also my daughter has been unwell too , I actually think I’ve lost weight while I’ve been here , so for dieting it’s great . The complex is nice and the land train was useful when it’s hot , the train to Umag is worth exploring if only to get something less boring to eat . Shops are nice but expensive for knock off brands from china , you can see this from the boxes they remove the football tops from . Wouldn’t come here again , it’s a shame but tbh I can’t wait to get home and finish the decorating and fluff the cat . Give me Bournemouth any day over this place , A little Germany in Croatia it is .

The location of the resort is absolutely stunning: on a small peninsula where the sea is just within a few steps from each building. We made a booking very last minute, while driving in the car (after getting the confirmation email I typed in the address into the navigation and had to 'turn after 900 meters to the right' to the resort, so it was really that last minute) yet the room was prepared with fresh flowers and fruits. Check-in was quick and uncomplicated, yet I would have welcomed more information on amenities, services etc. so we don't have to figure out everything by ourselves. We booked the self catering stay so I cannot comment on the all-inclusive option. We had lunch and dinner at O Grille and the pizza restaurant. Waiters were super friendly at both places, food was OK but not extraordinary. The villa itself was amazing, nicely refurbished and equipped with everything you need incl. sunbeds, gas grill, very well equipped bar etc. the bathroom could have been a bit more spacious though. The villa area can not be accessed by car, they transfer you with a golf car to the building, this is perfectly fine. Yet the supermarket is not close so I had to walk with back with the grocery which wasn't ideal. The beaches are rocky or pebbly but this is Croatia so shouldn't be a surprise. With small children we spent more time at the pool. We had a nice stay here, probably could have explored the resort better but we were rather out for relaxation.

Be careful to booking at this place; i had a working issue that delay my fly to Croatia (i am working in Canada). I did cancellation one day late of free cancellation time. I inform them about my issue and ask them to give me free cancellation ( i was thinking to rebooking). They ONLY CONFIRM TO ME THAT I NEED TO PAY !!!!1 I will never, ever book again in this place. This is first time on Booking.com that i need to pay for late cancellation, couple of times happened that i had working delays but nobody ask me money.......