Split hotels and resorts.

You might not have heard of Split, Croatia, but it’s been a popular travel destinations since 305 AD.  Diocletian, the Roman Emperor, grew up here, so when he retired, he built his palace in Split and made the town the seat of his power.  Today, the remarkably well preserved palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Split hotels are some of the best in Croatia, and there’s a lot to see in addition to the 1,600-year-old palace. Sculptor Ivan Mestrovic has his studio here. And the Croatian Archaeology Museum is worth a visit. But the most appealing attraction is the town itself, with its old Roman core and waterfront promenade called with Riva. You’ll find lots of shops and restaurants near the palace and on the Riva. And there’s a popular summer festival with concerts, plays and other performances.

As the main transportation hub on the Dalmatian coast, Split is easy to reach. There are ferries to and from Dubrovnik and the outer islands. And the town is easy to explore on foot. Called “The Piazza” by the locals, the People’s Square is the main gathering place in the Old Town. Split hotels in this neighborhood or within walking distance are your bets bet. Many do an artful job of combining old and new.

A new hotel with just 22 rooms, the Hotel Marmont is located within the walls of Diocletian’s Palace.  Their roof terrace overlooking the palace and the old town is one of the most pleasant spots in Split for a drink.  The nicely furnished rooms have free wireless Internet access and big, modern bathrooms.  Hotel Marmont is convenient to everything in Split.

One of the first boutique hotels in Split, the Peristil opened in 2005.  It’s just inside the Silver Gate to the palace, and some of its 12 rooms share the palace walls.  Many of the room have views of the Cathedral and Old Town, and they have extras like mini bars and Internet access.  Their Tifani Restaurant is one of the top-rated restaurants in Split.  And their open-air terrace is an inviting place to enjoy a meal.  If you’re looking for an affordable Split hotel in a great location, Peristil is hard to beat.  Because there are so few rooms, you need to make reservations far in advance.

The Vestibule Palace has seven charming rooms, also located within the palace walls.  There are architectural elements from three different periods here -- Roman, Gothic, and Renaissance -- and the owners took great care to preserve them.  Several of the hotels in Split juxtapose ancient and modern, but few do it as successfully as the Vestibule Palace.  Light from a clerestory floods the lobby, and the terrace in front of the hotel is a popular meeting place for locals as well as guests.  With LCD Tvs, minibars, and ultra-modern bathrooms, the rooms here are some of the most comfortable in town. 

Business travelers or those looking for more amenities will enjoy the Atrium Hotel. It’s about a 15-minute walk from the Palace.  Because it has a parking garage, it’s also convenient for those who are driving.  The rooms and public areas are  up to international standards.  And the Comfort Zone Spa and Wellness Center offers a variety of services.  The swimming pool overlooking the city is nice after a full day of sightseeing. Service is professional, and there’s a restaurant and lounge.  The Atrium doesn’t have much local flavor, but it’s a good, modern hotel.

The only international chain hotel in Split is the Le Meridien Lev.  It’s about five miles south of Split in Podstrana.  There are two compelling reasons to stay here.  One is to earn or redeem Starwood points.  The other is that it’s on the ocean.  The hotel provides shuttle service into Split, but once you check in, you may just stay put.  There’s a marina adjoining the hotel with eight restaurants and bars in the promenade.  With a spa, tennis, water sports, and both indoor and outdoor pools, there’s plenty to do at the resort.  Rooms with ocean-view balconies are worth the premium.  One of the most expensive hotels in Split, the 381-room Le Meridien is top notch.