Marmont Hotel Heritage

Named after a French general and marshal who became military commander of Dalmatia, the Hotel Marmont is a sensitively restored 15th-century property. The result of the refurb is a sleek modern-minimalist hotel that combines its contemporary decor with throwbacks to the building’s heritage. We particularly love the parts of the original old stone walls that have been left exposed, like in the glass-roofed lobby and up on the rooftop terrace. The blend of the elegant decor and old-world feel exudes a romantic atmosphere, so it’s no surprise that most guests here are couples.

Hotel Marmont has a hard-to-beat (and -- at first -- hard-to-find) location. It fronts a narrow flagstone side street just a one-minute walk from Split’s most famous attraction, the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Diocletian’s Palace, in the heart of the old town. There’s plenty going on nearby, with bars and restaurants essentially on the hotel's doorstep. It’s easy to explore Split from the hotel, as almost all the city's tourist attractions can be reached within a 10-minute stroll, including the harbor, the Riva seafront promenade, train station, and popular Bacvice Beach. Split’s airport is a 30-minute drive by car or taxi, though guests may need to factor in extra time for navigating the pedestrian-only neighborhood before reaching the car. 

This four-story hotel has 21 rooms and one suite. There’s a neutral minimalist motif throughout, with a brown and cream palette, walnut furniture, blanched oak floors, and plush fabrics -- think heavyweight patterned quilts and curtains. Rooms have all of the amenities expected of an upscale hotel: air-conditioning, heating, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs, plus coffee- and tea-making facilities, minibars, comfy beds, and an armchair or two. Most of the sleek fully-tiled bathrooms have shower/tub combos, and hairdryers are provided. There’s little difference between room categories. Standard Rooms are 225 square feet (21 square meters) and have internal views of the hotel’s courtyard. Superior Rooms have additional space and look out over the old town -- and the excellent soundproofing means there’s no audible street noise. Deluxe Rooms come with a few premium extras like robes and slippers, larger beds, and underfloor heating in the bathrooms (some Deluxe Rooms have a bathtub, others a rainfall shower with glass doors -- it’s best to check when booking if you have a preference).

The few features here are done well. The small rooftop terrace is a lovely bonus -- it’s a stunning spot at any time of day, but sunset here offers views of the cathedral bell tower and the old town’s terra cotta rooftops as they’re bathed in dusky light. There’s also a cozy lounge bar on the lobby’s mezzanine where chic white sofas provide a spot to read the newspapers, have a coffee, or use the hotel’s laptop. Restaurant Marshal faces the street -- great for people watching -- and serves a wholesome breakfast spread of bagels, pastries, eggs, fresh fruit, freshly-squeezed juices, and hot drinks. Breakfast is included, served until midday, and gets good reviews from previous guests. Lunch and dinner require reservations, and there’s a focus on simple, quality dishes and local wines. It's a popular spot with locals, too. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Parking is offered at a fee, but it’s outside the pedestrian-only old town, so guests will need to be prepared to carry their luggage to the hotel. Guests staying in Deluxe Rooms or the Luxury Suite receive free luggage transfers by golf cart from the ferry port, train station, bus station, or taxi stand. There are two pre-bookable options for parking: two private spaces are available a three-minute walk from the hotel; once these have been reserved there’s a car park a 15-minute walk away.