Kralja Zvonimira 6, Split, Croatia
A design-focused hotel that's one of the most stylish in Split
Five-minute walk
from bustling center and Diocletian's Palace
Subterranean spa with sauna, hot tub, and gym
Most rooms have sea views, some from private balconies
Ample, free buffet
breakfast
24-hour bar
Free nearby
parking (rare in Split)
Free Wi-Fi
throughout
On busy main road
No restaurant
Bold decor not to everyone's taste
The Hotel Luxe is an upscale, 30-room design hotel with some of the snazziest contemporary interior design you'll find in Split -- it's colorful and funky, with a slight retro feel to it. Rooms are similarly modern and stylish, with sleek bathrooms and impressive sea views from most; many rooms also have private balconies. The hotel also has a spa complex, extensive free breakfast, a bar open around the clock, and a concierge who can arrange boat tours and the like. Its position on a busy main road isn't ideal, but Diocletian's Palace and the other main sights are within five minutes' walk. Rates, however, are similar to comparable hotels right in the town center, though few can boast to have those sea views from most rooms.
Scene
Design hotel with industrial heritage and funky, contemporary aesthetic
Opened in 2010 as the only design hotel in town, the Hotel Luxe certainly stands out from the slew of traditional, Dalmatian properties that tend to populate Split. Housed in part of a renovated, former steam-powered factory and part of an historic townhouse, the hotel is mixture of industrial modernism and period charm, elegant arches blending with shimmering glass and clean lines. Stepping inside, the scene is pure 21st-century styling, awash with cool white minimalism, funky molded furnishings (designed by Ron Arad), and angular mirrored surfaces -- all accompanied by a soundtrack of chill-out music. Smatterings of flowers, potted plants, and turquoise and purple accents prevent the atmosphere getting too stark, while pleasantly spacious hallways have huge windows overlooking the terra cotta rooftops of the town. With a number of meeting rooms, the hotel attracts some business travelers, while it's location and aesthetic attract design-conscious tourists.
Location
Set on busy main road five minutes' walk from Diocletian's Palace
The hotel's entrance is set right on one of the town's busiest roads in the center of Split, which connects to the highway leading out of town. The quieter and more pleasant old town of Diocletian's Palace -- a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the world’s most impressive Roman monuments -- is about five minutes away on foot and packed with cafes, bars, and restaurants. Split's port is also little more than five minutes' walk away, with boat and ferry connections to Croatia's islands. Split Airport is about 16 mile to the west, or about a 30-minute drive -- be aware much of Split is carless and parking can be limited (though the hotel does have a small parking lot nearby for guests). The concierge can also help arrange boat trips and the like for guests.
Rooms
Modern and colorful, many with sea views from furnished balconies
The Hotel Luxe's funky style continues into each of the 30 rooms, with sleek white furnishings, cool clean lines, and shimmering fabrics, while fresh splashes of blue, purple, and turquoise reference the sea. In-room amenities include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs with English channels, fully outfitted minibars, and air-conditioning. Bathrooms are sleek and spacious with wall-mounted hairdryers, modern fixtures, and a glass window into the bedroom (and curtain for modesty). The highlight in most rooms, however, is the gorgeous views over the rooftops to the port, sea, and islands beyond -- many from a furnished balcony. Street-facing rooms, however, inevitably suffer a little traffic noise.
Features
Free breakfast, underground spa with sauna and hot tub, small gym, 24-hour bar, and cigar room
There's no restaurant on-site, but an ample hot and cold buffet is served each morning in the breakfast room, which is included in the price. A business lunch can also be ordered on weekdays, and there's a 24-hour lobby bar where guests can relax with a rink. The hotel's subterranean spa has a Finnish sauna, hot tub, and a small but fully-equipped gym that's also free to guests -- massage treatments are also available. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel, and there's a computer in the lobby for guests' use, as well as business facilities. There's free parking nearby, and a cigar room off the lobby where guests can smoke.