March 19, 2021 - At the 6th Family Accommodation Forum, Split-Dalmatia County COVID-19 testing points were announced for the season. 

HRTurizam reports that the 6th Split-Dalmatia County Family Accommodation Forum was held earlier this week, which brought together Split-Dalmatia County representatives - the County Tourist Board, the Split Tax Administration, the Split Airport, and the County Teaching Institute for Public Health.

The Forum aimed to offer renters answers to many questions related to the season ahead. The main topic of discussion was safety, i.e., focusing on the fact that compliance with epidemiological measures will be the main prerequisite for the season.

”For six years now, the Croatian Chamber of Commerce - Split County Chamber has organized regional Family Accommodation Forums to gather and support this important and growing segment of our tourist offer. Namely, micro-entrepreneurs in family tourism give a great deal of effort in achieving significant results of Croatian tourism, so in 2019, private accommodation in Split-Dalmatia County participated with almost 60 percent in overnight stays and proved to be extremely flexible in the past, challenging year," said the president of ŽK Split Jozo Tomaš.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the number of private renters in Split-Dalmatia County decreased by 11 percent, and in the city of Split by almost 15 percent.

"That is why preparing for another specific season is very important to us, and that is why we organized the Forum so that renters, who are in direct contact with guests, get clear and current information," said Gordana Piteša, head of the Family Tourism Association - Split County Chamber.

The President of the Family Tourism Association of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce, Martina Nimac Kalcina, emphasized how important such events and the work of the Association and professional associations are to achieve common solutions and joint measures that will be the goal of all of us.

"This year, we are not talking about the promotion of our beauties, but about the promotion of safety, simplicity of procedures and travel, good organization. By mid-May, when the trips should start, we have time to prepare as well as possible, but we have to put it in fifth gear," said Nimac Kalcina.

Director of the Split-Dalmatia County Teaching Institute for Public Health, Dr. Željka Karin, and epidemiologist Diana Nonković, once again appealed for respect and adherence to all epidemiological measures.

"Testing points will be on Brač, Hvar, Vis, Makarska, Imotski, Trogir, Sinj and Split. A testing point of the Teaching Institute for Public Health is always open in Split; in a month, we will have to relocate the testing point that is now in the ferry port because of cruisers, and we are also talking about a testing point at Split Airport," said Karin.

The director of the County Tourist Board, Joško Stella, said that this year, as well as last year, they are ready to co-finance testing points for tourists.

"However, it is essential to be a green zone, that is, to have as few infected as possible and then to do strong marketing. The problem is partly that our major markets, primarily the Czech Republic, Poland, and Germany, are in a difficult epidemiological situation. Still, I hope that this will change for the better in the next two months," said Stella and announced Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board training and projects.

Pero Bilas from Split Airport confirmed that the Airport is ready for the season, that they are in continuous contact with all carriers, and that all companies are interested in flying.

"We have announcements for many airlines for April, but we will see which of them will be realized. In any case, the whole industry is ready for the season and is waiting for a low start," said Bilas.

As much as their areas of activity were different, all participants agreed that there is still time until the beginning of the season for the numbers to improve. The situation to calm down, and for that to happen, the basic cooperation and personal responsibility of each of us, i.e., adherence to epidemiological measures which will paint Split-Dalmatia County as a green destination.

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November 15, 2019 - We here at Total Croatia News have showered Divota Apartment Hotel with praise since the very beginning, and it’s not hard to see why. A traveler favorite and top choice on TripAdvisor over the years, Divota truly is one of Split’s brightest sparks. 

However, this integrated boutique hotel is using its success to turn a new leaf in 2020 with the introduction of Tibetan wellness practices, many of which will be new experiences to the Dalmatian capital. 

Divota has been using energy work in their spa and their general company culture for the last few years, which has now become a springboard for their newest offer.

As a result, Divota will lead guests to live a more holistic life. 

Thus, in 2020, Divota is turning to meditation and yoga, following the lineage of the Tibetan master Tulku Lobsang Rinpoche, who introduced Tibetan healing yoga and many more techniques from the Buddhist Vajrayana tradition, to Europe. 

Divota owner Andrea Wassmer gave us a closer look.

"This year, we are opening a yoga garden, meditation center, and the Divota bistro healthy corner.

We will offer our own retreats, Lu Jong retreats and invite masters and other teachers to hold retreats with us, such as Shai Tubali, who will conduct an Easter retreat in the spring and return in September to hold one focusing on the seven chakra personality types," said Wassmer. 

Namely, Shai Tubali has been an international speaker, author and spiritual teacher since 2000, and is considered one of Europe's leading experts and innovators in the field of chakras and the subtle system.

For Easter this year, Shai Tubali will hold a silence & anti-aging health retreat about the healing powers of springtime at Divota Apartment Hotel in Split. 

Divota will also host Tibetan Healing Yoga classes in the new Yoga Garden from April 14, 2020. They will run daily from 06:30-07:30.

But that's not all.

In March, monks from Bhutan and Nepal will visit Divota to build a stupa, or a commemorative monument that is a symbol of enlightenment and is associated with loving-kindness and compassion. They will return in July to create a sand mandala, known as a sign of impermanence.

"We also look forward to having our teacher Tulku Lobsang Rinpoche visit in July for three workshops: Lu Jong - balancing the five elements, Tsa Lung - the energy body, and Tummo - our wisdom fire,” concluded Wassmer. 

Divota Apartment Hotel is an unmatched integrated boutique hotel located in the heart of Split that has added a spark to the Varos neighborhood since it first opened its doors. 

Formed by 13 stone houses sprinkled around this historic Split suburb, Divota boasts cozy rooms, studio apartments, and an authentic Dalmatian villa, while its breakfast room, spa, and concierge are just some its perks. 

A pioneer in harmonizing the Mediterranean authenticity of the area with a contemporary and stylish twist, Divota operates with high hotel standards, allows guests a full range of services, and promises a powerhouse of professionals to ensure your stay is decorated with all of the right elements. 

To make sure you never miss a Divota beat, be sure to follow them on Facebook and check out their rooms, studio apartments, and villa here.

To read more about travel in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page. 

July 28, 2019 - The conflicting messages from official statistics and private renters in Split have caused some discussion. Is it already leading to the market correcting itself? 

One of the destinations which is offering a very different picture of the tourist season is Split. While official statistics point to a record year, many apartment owners are complaining of empty beds in peak season. 

As I explained in a previous article, each year I check out the price and availability of accommodation on the first night of the Ultra Europe Festival. If you are not full during Ultra in July in the middle of the peak season, when will you be?

In 2013, the first year of the festival, there were just two options left in the city, the cheapest of which was 200 euro a night. Last year, there were 441, cheapest price 27 euro. And, as you can see above, this year, there 474, also starting at 27 euro. 

With Split feeling pretty full, there was only one explanation for the empty apartments - oversupply. 

Just how much of an oversupply was about to come from official statistics I obtained from the Split Tourist Board:

 There you had it. In just 9 years, the number of beds in private accommodation had risen fro 4,454 to 24,002. 

While the Ministry of Tourism is restricting access to official statistics, some destinations are not afraid to publish their July numbers. Vir is having a record season, and the only other big destination which has transparently published the data is Split. Split is also having a great season and has also given a great breakdown of the various types of accommodation in the city, and the hotels are full. You can see their press release here.

So with a lot of oversupply with apartment rentals, what to do?

I met a friend for a beer in Split the other day who follows such things closely. He himself rents a 90m2 apartment in the centre year-round for 700 euro a month. It is a great arrangement. He loves the apartment and has a secure tenancy, and the owner has a guaranteed income of 8,400 euro a year gross and doesn't have to think of any advertising, booking or property management costs or effort. 

Finding a long-term 12-month rental is becoming increasingly difficult in the bigger top destinations on the coast. It used to be common to rent to students during the academic year, then to tourists in the lucrative summer months. But as the season got longer, so the students could not compete with the tourist short-term rental prices. 

My friend has noticed in recent days that more long-term rentals are being advertised in places like Njuskalo, as perhaps people are having a rethink due to the oversupply. 

He understands this subject better than me, but argued that to make the 8400 a year from a simple long-term rental, you would need to earn somewhere near 15,000 a year from the same rental, once advertising, booking and property management costs were taken into account. If the apartment cost 100 euro a night, he argued, one would need 150 nights to get to the same earning for the long-term rental. And if there are 474 apartments available on the first night of Ultra, who can guarantee that?

And so will it happen that the oversupply will force some owners to be realistic about their tourism income potential, especially if they have nothing special to offer, and to return to the security of long-term rentals? I think that will happen and, with several new hotels set to open next year in the Dalmatian capital, and with quality private accommodation looking strong, I think that market forces will push the Split accommodation balance the right direction. It should lead to more affordable housing and more locals renting close to the centre, which is a good thing, of course.

What are your thoughts?

To learn more about the city, check out the Total Croatia Split in a Page guide. 

Desperate times call for desperate measures, or do they?

Have you ever dreamed of waking up to the bells of the Cathedral St. Domnius while dramatically opening your window blinds above a bustling Peristyle? We think we’ve found just the place for you.

As part of the TripAdvisor "Traveler's Choice 2017", we take a look at the top 25 rated B&B's in Croatia.

There is no doubt that Split in 2017 will be a large hotel construction site. Now a true brand destination, Split must further develop its tourist offer year after year - and with an increasing number of private renters and hotel accommodations (which will grow significantly), Split should definitely not miss a bed for every budget.

Split is no stranger to fabulous accommodation. Whether it be a 5 star hotel, a hostel, or an apartment for rent in the center, Split has learned to harbor its guests in the most fashionable way. In recent years, boutique hotels have made their mark on the hospitality scene, and we’re here to give you some of the best boutique hotels inside the Diocletian’s Palace for a wonderful stay in Split.

Vestibul Palace is located in the heart of Diocletian's Palace on Iza Vestibula 4. Standing above peristil, Vestibul Palace comprises stonework from Roman, Gothic, and Renaissance periods, with a modern interior design. With amenities like the hotel speedboat for island excursions, valet parking and luggage delivery, the staff at Vestibul will be taking good care of you. The rooms are contemporary yet historic, and you’ll have the option for breakfast buffets and alacarte style lunches and dinners. Rooms will run you about €200 in the off season, and up to €495 in peak summer months. Be sure to look into their Villa Dobrić and Residences by Vestibul Palace for larger accommodations.

Palace Judita Heritage Hotel is also in the heart of Diocletian’s Palace on Narodni trg 4. Each room is luxurious, featuring stone walls, parquet flooring, and equipped with a balcony that boasts a panoramic view overlooking views of the square. The hotel offers a free shuttle service by electric car from the outside parking lot where parking is free for hotel guests. Judita is equipped with a full service bar and freshly prepared breakfasts for your mornings. They claim some of the friendliest hotel staff in Split! Prices per night range anywhere from €60 in the off season to €300 in the high season.

Although this hotel isn’t exactly inside of Diocletian’s Palace, its proximity to it is close enough and we felt it deserved an honorable mention. Behind the palace on Zadarska 13, Hotel Marmont presents you with 21 rooms, decorated in minimalist and modern design, each with a view overlooking the city. Marmont has 3 different room options, ranging from standard, superior, and deluxe all equipped with free wifi, LCD TV’s and air conditioning. Guests are served a buffet breakfast every morning with fresh pastries, fruits, juices, and hot drinks. There is a lounge bar on the first floor with the sounds of live music filling the air, and we’re sure you’ll be satisfied with the proximity to Marmontova Street! Rooms per night range around €300 in the high season.

Protip: BOOK IN ADVANCE! As these are boutique hotels, they will book incredibly fast, and we wouldn’t want you missing out on a chance to stay here!