Melia Coral

Melia Coral is a large, seaside hotel that went through a complete refurbishment in 2008. A vibrant red porte-cochere entrance leads into the lobby area, which gives off a ritzy vibe with marble floors, vast spaces, a sweeping staircase, and ornate -- if somewhat overdone -- decor done up in vibrant maroon and gold shades. Public spaces are neat and clean, and tasteful contemporary artworks by local artists decorate the corridors. The lobby lounge features rich burgundy hues accented by gold, with comfy sofas and damask-patterned armchairs clustered around sleek, low coffee tables sitting on patterned rugs. Elsewhere at the bar, contemporary chairs are arranged by small round tables, while the Restaurant Taverna is a sunlit space simply furnished with white tablecloth-clad tables in a white and cream-hued space contrasted by a round red rug and crimson accent wall. The hotel is popular with leisure travelers, and during the summer months it's often booked out by European travel companies. It caters to an adult clientele seeking a quiet vacation, and kids under 16 are not allowed. 

Melia Coral is located in a tourist resort area on the coast, just north of the city of Umag. The only shops and restaurants in the immediate vicinity are those catering to the tourist resort, and guests staying here would need access to a car to get around. A pleasant seaside promenade follows the coast all the way to the city, and a tourist train connects all the major hotels with Umag.

• Four-minute drive to ATP Stadium 
• Six-minute drive to Umag
• 15-minute drive to Adriatic Golf Course
• 24-minute drive to Aquapark Istralandia
• 27-minute drive to Novigrad
• 32-minute drive to Groznjan
• 43-minute drive to Motovun
• 44-minute drive to Porec
• One-hour drive to Rovinj
• 62-minute drive to Pula international airport
• 67-minute drive to Pula

Guest rooms at Melia Coral are spacious and light-filled, thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows. The color palette is made up of complementary tones of beige, brown, and maroon. Accent walls of maroon patterned wallpaper contrast with beige carpeting, curtains, and brown bed runners, while the furniture is finished in warm wood tones. Some rooms have balconies with views of the gardens, while the Premium Seaside Rooms offer partial sea views. All rooms are equipped with air-conditioning, minibars, 32-inch flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and bathrobes and slippers, but lack tea- and coffee-making facilities. Bathrooms are modern and equipped with shower/tub combos, heated towel racks, magnifying mirrors, hairdryers, and free toiletries.

Each Single Room covers an area of 215 square feet and has a large 63-inch-wide bed, while Double Rooms measure 269 square feet each and include either two twin beds pushed together, or a large double bed. Family rooms are made up of two connecting rooms and sleep up to four guests. The five Junior Suites and a Presidential Suite feature separate living areas with sofa beds, and a few extra luxuries like Nespresso machines and separate bathtubs and spacious showers in the bathrooms. Note that there have been some complaints of noise and cleanliness issues.

Melia Coral offers a wide range of features and services that reflects its upscale, adult clientele. The highlights include a private (rocky) beach, as well as indoor and outdoor swimming pools. A sundeck surrounding the two outdoor pools is lined with loungers, and guests can use free beach towels. Access to the on-site spa is free for guests, which features a sauna, whirlpool, steam bath, and aromatherapy shower. Various beauty treatments and Ayurvedic and Thai massages are available for an extra fee. There is also a hair salon in the lobby.

A generous breakfast buffet is included in room rates and served in the light-filled Magnolia restaurant. The buffet includes options catering to all diets, including gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan items. The smoothie counter is especially popular, where guests can request juices and smoothies made according to their preferences. There are also live food counters where hot dishes like eggs and pancakes are made-to-order. The hotel offers a half-board option which includes a buffet dinner. Taverna is the on-site a la carte restaurant that's open for lunch and dinner, serving a menu of seafood as well as macrobiotic dishes. The hotel also has a lounge bar and a beach club with live music and DJ sessions.

Guests have free (seasonal) access to the fitness center and activities like yoga, Pilates, and spinning. Guests can also rent bicycles and book one of the indoor or outdoor tennis courts at the tennis academy located next door. During the summer season, there's nightly entertainment featuring live music, as well as free activities like wine, olive oil, and truffle tasting events. Guests can also entertain themselves at the on-site casino, which is open 24-hours. On-site meeting and convention facilities include a large meeting room accommodating up to 350 people, and two smaller meeting rooms. Other services on offer include a souvenir shop and an Internet corner in the lobby with two computers available. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel, and is being introduced in the beach area in 2016.