Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Yourhotelier or soba host can be a great help and source ofadvice. Most knowtheir city
well, and can assist you with everything from public transit and airport connections to find-
ing a good restaurant, the nearest launderette, or an Internet café.
Even at the best places, mechanical breakdowns occur: Air-conditioning malfunctions,
sinks leak, and toilets won't flush. Report your concerns clearly and calmly. For more com-
plicated problems, don't expect instant results.
Toguardagainsttheftinyourroom,keepvaluablesoutofsight.Afewroomscomewith
a safe, and other hotels have safes at the front desk. But I've never bothered using one.
Checkout can pose problems if surprise charges pop up on your bill. If you settle your
bill the afternoon before you leave, you'll have time to discuss and address any points of
contention.
Above all, keep a positive attitude. Remember, you're on vacation. If your accommoda-
tions are a disappointment, spend more time out enjoying the places you came to see.
Types of Accommodations
Private Accommodations ( Sobe and Apartments)
Private accommodations offer travelers a characteristic and money-saving alternative for a
fraction of the price of a hotel. You have two options: sobe (rooms) or apartmani (apart-
ments). Often, a house renting both types is called a vila or villa —which is usually a sort of
small guest house or pension.
Often run by empty-nesters, private accommodations are similar to British bed-and-
breakfasts...minus the breakfast (ask your host about the best nearby breakfast spot). Gen-
erally the more you pay, the more privacy and amenities you get: private bathroom, TV,
air-conditioning, kitchenette, and so on. The simplest sobe allow you to experience Croatia
on the cheap, at nearly youth-hostel prices, while giving you a great opportunity to connect
withalocalfamily.Thefanciest sobe aredownrightswankyandoffernear-hotelanonymity.
Apartments are bigger and cost slightly more than sobe, but they're still far cheaper than
hotels. At most places, the only real difference between a soba and an apartment is that the
apartment comes with a kitchenette.
Registered sobe are rated by the government using a system that assigns stars based on
amenities.Threeormorestarsmeansthatyou'llhaveyourownbathroom,twostarsputsthe
bathroomdownthehall,andonestarisrock-bottombasic.Ifyoudon'tliketheideaofshar-
ing a toilet with strangers, look for three stars and you'll do fine. (Apartments always have
private bathrooms.) Many, but not all, sobe and apartments also have TV and air-condition-
ing (but usually no telephone). The prices for private accommodations generally fluctuate
with the seasons, and remember that stays of fewer than three nights usually come with a
20-50 percent surcharge (though this is often waived outside peak season).
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