Croatia - Eastern Europe - page 190

The Regent Esplanade The elegant Esplanade has attracted well-heeled
guests since its opening in 1925 as a stop on the Orient Express, and now a painstak-
ing renovation has seamlessly added New World creature comforts to the historic
hotel's old-world opulence. Add to that service that is second to none, and the result
is one of the most beautiful and best-run hotels in Croatia. Amenities are first-class
and augmented with little luxuries such as fresh flowers, twice-a-day housekeeping,
and cushy slippers ideal for padding around on the bathroom's heated marble floor.
Liberal use of wood and brass in both private and public areas, a chic Croatian fusion
restaurant , and a staff ready to fulfill every need have brought back the hotel's

glory days.
Mihanovi5eva 1, 10000 Zagreb. & 800/545-4000 from the U.S., or 01/456/66-66. Fax [phone]. www.regent
hotels.com. 209 units. From 149 ($360) suite. AE, DC, MC, V. No pets. Amenities: 2

restaurants; terrace dining w/live music; bar; casino; sauna; salon; club floor; concierge; room service; nonsmoking
rooms; valet service; 2 rooms for those w/limited mobility. In room:A/C, TV w/pay movies, wireless connection/data-
port, minibar, hair dryer, safe, trouser press.
Sheraton Zagreb The glass-and-metal front of this hotel not far from the
train station makes it easy to spot among Zagreb's vintage architecture. Guest rooms
and public spaces are bright and airy, and all bathrooms are fitted with bathtubs and
toiletries. Most hotel services are available 24/7 and the restaurant staff is remarkably
knowledgeable. There isn't a thing management hasn't thought of, and everything in
the Sheraton Zagreb is superbly executed.
Kneza Borne 2, 10000 Zagreb. & 01/455-35-35. Fax [phone]. www.sheraton.com/zagreb. 306 units. From
145

€ ($180) double; from 300 €

($300) suite. AE, DC, MC, V. Guarded parking lot. Amenities: 2 restaurants; pastry
cafe; piano bar; pool; sauna; concierge; salon; room service; casino; valet service; nonsmoking rooms; rooms for those
w/limited mobility. In room: A/C, TV, wireless/dataport, minibar, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron/ironing board, safe,
trouser press.
EXPENSIVE
Best Western Astoria Location and a 2005 renovation that took the
hotel from frayed to fabulous make the Astoria one of the most underrated in Zagreb.
Besides being midway between the train station and Trg Ban Josip Jeli c i 5 a, guest
rooms are loaded with modern amenities like heated bathroom floors and French toi-
letries. Public spaces have a spiffy, polished look, and service is friendly and efficient.
Petrinjska Ulica 71, 10000 Zagreb. & 01/484-12-22. www.bestwestern.com. 102 units. From 110 € ($135) double;
from 175

€ ($175) double; from 250 €

Value

($210) suite. AE, DC, MC, V. Rates include breakfast. Amenities: Restaurant; nonsmoking rooms; Inter-
net; rooms for those w/limited mobility. In room:A/C, TV, minibar.
Central The Central's location across from Zagreb's main train station is conven-
ient to transportation but rooms facing the street can be noisy when trams rumble by.
The quality of the Central's rooms' decor is Wal-Mart, and most have showers rather
than tubs, but they have a decent number of amenities following a 2002 renovation.
Branimirova 3, PP 97, 10000 Zagreb. & 01/484-11-22. Fax [phone]. www.hotel-central.hr. 76 units. From
720kn ($125/£66) double; from 1,300kn ($225/£119) suite. AE, DC, MC, V. Rates stay the same all year and include
breakfast. Amenities: Restaurant (breakfast only); adjacent casino. In room:A/C, TV, dataports and minibars in some
rooms, hair dryer, Internet connection.
MODERATE
Ilica The Ilica is set back from the far end of Zagreb's main shopping street and it
is priced lower than almost all other hotels in the central city. Guest rooms are ade-
quate, but the suites are over-the-top kitsch that incorporates a lot of gilt and plastic

€