Croatia Online - Zagreb Airport Handy Hotel

It may look pretty functional on the outside but Hotel Stella is a good option for those wanting to stay somewhere close to the airport, or near to Zagreb's exhibition centre, without wanting to brave city centre traffic and prices. On the main road to the airport, there's not too much else around but a walk through the back streets reveals a couple of nice cafes and an old wooden church. The helpful staff will send out for a pizza or something similar as the hotel facilities do not run to a fully fledged restaurant and the nearest restaurant is a long walk away. There is a bar however, and a smoking area near reception to help Croatian guests get over the shock of non smoking rooms.

Wireless internet is available although the complexity of the pricing structure is a little offputting at first, as is how to use it. You have to go onto the hotel website ignoring all sorts of security notices, but it works and it's better to go for more time than you need rather than paying high rates for the odd hour.

The rooms are modern and very well equipped - driving from the south the signs show four stars; from the north three. The rooms are definitely 4 star but the lack of peripheral facilities tends towards the three. There's ample free car parking for guests and, when we were there, the hotel manager was kind enough to let us leave the car behind for a few days rather than parking at the airport at 70 kunas a day (taxi 100 kunas/10 minutes). Even better there was none of the normal disgruntlement on the return taxi journey that you would get from a London cabby on a short run from Heathrow.

It's not cheap at 540 kn for single use of a double room, and 790kn for a double, breakfast included, but, compared with city prices for the same degree of comfort, it's a snip. The first impression is a rather efficient and cold set up but we had the chance to spend a few days there and the ice soon melted!

Hotel Website - www.hotel-stella.hr.