Art Hotel Kalelarga

The Art Hotel Kalelarga is beautiful, quirky, and characterful -- a bit like Zadar itself. The light and uncluttered approach creates a soothing atmosphere. That's amplified by neutral tones like ashy gray, beige and white, plus cream-tiled floors and exposed local stonework. The art pieces are subtle, but stand out due to the otherwise minimalist decor -- like the literary wallpaper and quirky silver poles in the reception and hallway. This care extends throughout the hotel, which has been sensitively designed to comply with the strict building regulations that come with its historic location. All of this adds up to make the Art Hotel a popular option, with a tranquil vibe and historic touch giving it an air of romance. As such, expect to see tourist couples who are willing to splash out for a more characterful stay.

The Art Hotel Kalelarga sits on Zadar’s old town peninsula, fronting its most famous street -- the Kalelarga, which leads to the Roman Forum. It’s just a three-minute walk to the city walls. This area is charming and not overly touristy (versus Croatia’s other popular cities), and is best known for its Roman and Venetian ruins. Key sights are all within a 10-minute walk of the Art Hotel. These include the Church of St. Donatus and 12th-century Cathedral of St. Anastasia, as well as the Sea Organ and Sun Salutation -- two modern must-sees. There are plenty of cool cafes and upmarket restaurants nearby. Travelers should note that the area around the hotel is pedestrianized; those with a car will need to park a short distance away. It’s a five-minute walk to reach the ferry port that connects Zadar with its surrounding Adriatic islands, and Zadar’s airport is around a 20-minute drive from the property. 

The hotel’s neutral palette and exposed stonework continues in the rooms, with pale wood floors, different textures, and lots of lamps creating a romantic and cozy vibe. Rooms are individually designed, named after Dalmatian people and words -- like bura, the Dalmatian word for "strong northern winds." Rooms differ in their design and layout, but all have amenities like air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and minibars. Previous guests commend the cleanliness of the rooms and their tranquility given the central location. Views are of the street below. Gorgeous fully-tiled gray mosaic bathrooms are a good size and have spacious sink areas, wall-mounted hairdryers, and either walk-in showers or shower/tub combos. Toiletries are provided. Standard Rooms have an armchair and bathroom with walk-in shower. Up on the top floor, Junior Suites are much more spacious, with an open-plan bedroom/living area and a large bathroom with shower/tub combo. Some suites have a balcony with hot tub, but in our opinion the small enclosed space isn’t worth the upgrade.

Given its old-town location, it's not surprising that features here are limited. In fact, the Art Hotel’s sole feature is its bistro-style Gourmet Kalelarga restaurant. Here, the produce on offer (namely the tempting desserts in the window) attracts passersby as well as hotel guests. Breakfast (which is included) features coffee, fruit, cold meats and cheeses, and fresh pastries from the hotel’s own bakery, plus eggs cooked to order. In the afternoons and evenings, local seasonal dishes are offered alongside a good selection of wines from the hotel's cellar. For outdoor dining, there’s a small enclosed stone courtyard with patio tables and huge white parasols, and a separate terrace out on the main square. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. For those driving, there’s public parking a few minutes’ walk away, outside of the city walls. Hotel staff are happy to help guests transport their luggage.