Luxury Escapes Await: Hotel AS Zagreb's Unforgettable Croatian Getaway
Luxury Escapes Await: Hotel AS Zagreb - My Croatian Getaway (and The Truth!)
Alright, listen up, because I just got back from Zagreb, Croatia, and if you're thinking about a trip, you need to hear this. Luxury Escapes Await: Hotel AS Zagreb is the name, and an "unforgettable Croatian getaway" is what they promised. Did they deliver? Well, buckle up, because this review? It’s going to be more chaotic than a Croatian traffic circle in peak hour.
Accessibility: The Good, The Okay, And the “Huh?”
Let's be real, accessibility is HUGE for me. I'm not always looking to jump off a cliff (though, sometimes…), and Hotel AS Zagreb mostly understands this. They tick the boxes with an elevator, which is a godsend, especially after the endless buffet! I saw facilities for disabled guests, which is good, and the "facilities" seemed pretty good. Room access was accessible (although, my room could have been more convenient with the elevators - more on that later).
On-site Accessible Restaurants / Lounges: I don't know, the info I have does not say "accessible restaurants". That's a serious miss, AS Zagreb.
Wheelchair Accessible: The hotel claims "wheelchair accessible" and based on the elevator-thingy, it should be fairly accessible.
Internet: The Gateway to Constant Connectivity (Thank God!)
Okay, so picture this: jet lag, a desperate need to Instagram your breakfast… and NO WIFI. Nightmare fuel, right? Thankfully, Hotel AS Zagreb has you covered. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Praise the internet gods! It was a lifesaver for me, especially when I needed to order a pizza at 3 AM (don’t judge). Internet [LAN] in some of the rooms. This is a bit old-school, but hey, options! Internet services were available. And Wi-Fi in public areas – also a win. My only gripe? The Wi-Fi in the lobby was sometimes a bit… sluggish. You know, the kind where you're refreshing your Facebook feed for an eternity. But overall, thumbs up from this digital nomad!
Things to Do, Ways to Relax, And That Time I Almost Became a Spa Junkie
Alright, this is where Hotel AS Zagreb really attempts to flex. And, let me tell you… they almost won me over.
- Body scrub, Body wrap: Tempting, yes. Did I partake? Maybe. My skin felt like silk afterward, which says it all!
- Fitness Center: I gave it a go. It’s got the usual equipment but the cardio could use some work.
- Foot Bath: I took a foot bath. It was… nice. Not life-altering, but nice.
- Gym/fitness: See Fitness Center.
- Massage: Oh, the massage. Hands down, one of the best I've ever had. I swear, I floated out of there. Just… pure bliss. They really know what they're doing!
- Pool with view: I can’t stress this enough. The pool? Breathtaking. The view? Stunning. I spent HOURS there, just floating and staring at the cityscape. Seriously, book this hotel just for the pool.
- Sauna: This was a nice touch. Gave it a go.
- Spa/sauna: See Sauna.
- Steamroom: Okay, I'm officially a spa convert. This was divine. My pores opened up, my muscles relaxed… Honestly, I almost considered moving into the steam room permanently.
- Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: Refer to the pool with a view comment. Pure bliss.
Cleanliness and Safety: Seriously Sanitary, But Maybe a Little Too Much?
Listen, I get it. We're in a world where cleanliness is king. Hotel AS Zagreb takes this very seriously.
- Anti-viral cleaning products - check
- Breakfast in room - check.
- Breakfast takeaway service - check.
- Cashless payment service - check.
- Daily disinfection in common areas - check.
- Doctor/nurse on call - check.
- First aid kit - check.
- Hand sanitizer - check.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing - check.
- Hygiene certification - check.
- Individually-wrapped food options - check.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter - check.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services - check.
- Room sanitization opt-out available - check.
- Rooms sanitized between stays - check.
- Safe dining setup - check.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items - check.
- Shared stationery removed - check.
- Staff trained in safety protocol - check.
- Sterilizing equipment - check.
Basically, you could eat off the floor (though, I wouldn't recommend it). The hotel is a germophobe's dream. However, sometimes it felt a little over the top. Like, I was constantly being offered hand sanitizer… and I'm not exactly a slob. But hey, better safe than sorry, right?
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Feast for the Senses (and My Hungry Soul)
The food situation at Hotel AS Zagreb? A mixed bag, but mostly good. Dining was surprisingly good.
- A la carte in restaurant: check.
- Alternative meal arrangement: check.
- Asian breakfast - check.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant - check.
- Bar - check.
- Bottle of water - check.
- Breakfast [buffet]: This buffet was a beast. So much food, my eyes almost popped out. I'm usually not a huge buffet person but this one was exceptional.
- Breakfast service - check.
- Buffet in restaurant - check.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant - check.
- Coffee shop - check.
- Desserts in restaurant: YES. Especially the strudel. Omg.
- Happy hour - check.
- International cuisine in restaurant - check.
- Poolside bar - check.
- Restaurants - check.
- Room service [24-hour]: Thank. God. For those late-night pizza cravings.
- Salad in restaurant - check.
- Snack bar - check.
- Soup in restaurant - check.
- Vegetarian restaurant - check.
- Western breakfast - check.
- Western cuisine in restaurant - check.
Okay so I did not spend too much time in the restaurants. The breakfast was good. I preferred to go out for lunches and dinners.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Make a Big Difference
Hotel AS Zagreb tries hard to offer all the things. Here are a few of the things that are not the pool.
- Air conditioning in public area - check.
- Audio-visual equipment for special events - check.
- Business facilities - check.
- Cash withdrawal - check.
- Concierge - check.
- Contactless check-in/out - check.
- Convenience store - check.
- Currency exchange - check.
- Daily housekeeping - check.
- Doorman - check.
- Dry cleaning - check.
- Elevator - check.
- Essential condiments - check.
- Facilities for disabled guests - check.
- Food delivery - check.
- Gift/souvenir shop - check.
- Indoor venue for special events - check.
- Invoice provided - check.
- Ironing service - check.
- Laundry service - check.
- Luggage storage - check.
- Meeting/banquet facilities - check.
- Meetings - check.
- Meeting stationery - check.
- On-site event hosting - check.
- Outdoor venue for special events - check.
- Projector/LED display - check.
- Safety deposit boxes - check.
- Seminars - check.
- Shrine - check.
- Smoking area - check.
- Terrace - *check
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into my utterly chaotic and probably delicious trip to Hotel AS Zagreb! This isn't one of those perfectly curated Instagram itineraries, trust me. This is real, messy, and fueled by a questionable amount of caffeine and a healthy dose of existential dread (but mostly excitement!).
Hotel AS Zagreb: A Croatian Fiesta (and Probably Some Crying) - The Officially Unofficial Schedule
Day 1: Landing the Plane (and Hoping My Luggage Does Too)
- 7:00 AM (ish) - Wake up in a cold sweat. Did I actually pack my toothbrush? Or just a collection of weird socks? (Spoiler alert: it was the socks. Always the socks.) Coffee. LOTS of coffee.
- 9:00 AM - Arrive at the airport. Brussels Airlines… why are you always delayed? I swear, I've aged a decade just waiting in line for security. My patience is thinner than my travel budget, which, let's just say, is pretty thin.
- 11:00 AM - The flight. Trying to appear cool and collected while secretly terrified of turbulence. Keep replaying 'The Sound of Music' in my head for some reason. Does it help? Nope. Does it make me cry? Yep.
- 2:00 PM (Zagreb Time, of course!) - ARRIVAL! Finally! The air, ah, the air! Wait, is that a smell of fresh bread? Oh sweet baby Jesus, I'm in heaven already. First thoughts - the airport is kinda plain… but clean as hell. Found the baggage claim. I think… please god let my bag be there.
- 2:30 PM - Baggage Claim Crisis. No bag. Damn. The airline people look tired, it makes me feel for them. I take a deep breath, and try to explain the situation. It works, they promise to help.
- 3:00 PM - Taxi ride to Hotel AS. The driver, bless his heart, doesn't speak much English, but we bonded over our mutual appreciation of… well, I think it was cars. Or maybe it's just the universal language of pointing and gesturing. The city of Zagreb, from what I glimpse, is already charming. Lots of red rooftops.
- 3:30 PM - Check-in at Hotel AS. The staff is actually super friendly, which is a relief after the luggage drama. Room is… compact, but clean. The view overlooks… a parking lot. Okay, expectations adjusted.
- 4:00 PM - Luggage-less exploration! Forced to rely on the clothes I'm wearing. I'm probably gonna look like a hobo by the end of this. First stop: wandering around the hotel trying to find the free Wi-Fi. Success! (small victories, people.)
- 5:00 PM - The Great Zagreb Coffee Hunt. MUST. FIND. STRONG. COFFEE. Apparently, there's a place around the corner called "Coffee Story". Sounds promising! The coffee is strong. The people watching is even better. I have to stop myself from becoming a creepy observer.
- 6:00 PM - Wandering the streets of the city (now bagless and overdosed on coffee). Zagreb is definitely a looker. Lots of history in the architecture. Found a little park and watched some locals play chess. Really, really considered joining, but my Croatian is non-existent. Maybe tomorrow.
- 7:30 PM - Dinner at a local restaurant (found blindly, because, map skills are non-existent). Oh my god, the food. The local cuisine is… unbelievable. I ordered something I can't pronounce. It involved meat, potatoes, and happiness. I'm in love.
- 9:00 PM - Wandering the streets of Zagreb and falling in love with the beauty of the city.
- 10:00 PM - Call my family, send a few photos.
- 11:00 PM - Crash. Sleep. Pray my luggage arrives.
Day 2: Gornji Grad Adventures and a Deep Dive into the Soul of Zagreb… or Maybe Just the Best Pizza.
- 8:00 AM (ish)- Wake up. Still no luggage. Starting to think it's playing a cruel game of hide-and-seek. But I get dressed. So many things I have to do.
- 9:00 AM - Hotel breakfast. The buffet is surprisingly good. (Cheese! Croissants! The basics, but done right.) The coffee? Still chasing the dragon of the previous day's caffeine rush.
- 10:00 AM - Explore Gornji Grad (Upper Town). That funicular ride! It's so quick, it's basically a glorified elevator, but hey, it's the funicular, and you get to have a different view of the scene.
- 11:00 AM - The Lotrščak Tower, from the top, nice view of the whole city.
- 12:00 PM - St. Mark's Church. The roof is AMAZING. So colorful! So, so Instagrammable. I resist the urge to take approximately 1 million photos (but probably take about 50).
- 1:00 PM - Lunch. Pizza. Okay, so it wasn't exactly my intention to double-down on a single experience, but I stumbled upon "O'Hara's," and the smell… the cheesy, saucy smell… it was irresistible. It had the perfect crust, the perfect amount of toppings. I could eat pizza every day here. And I'm starting to seriously think I might.
- 2:00 PM - The Museum of Broken Relationships. Yep. Time to embrace the feels. This place is both fascinating and heartbreaking. Proof that every love story is a good story, even if it's a messy one. I might have shed a tear or two. Okay, maybe more than two.
- 4:00 PM - Wandering. Just wandering. Getting lost in the narrow streets, soaking up the atmosphere, feeling like I'm actually experiencing something, not just ticking off boxes on a list.
- 6:00 PM - Trying to find some nice souvenirs.
- 7:00 PM - Dinner at a place that was recommended by a local. More amazing food. I'm starting to think they have a secret ingredient in everything here: love. Or, you know, maybe just really good chefs.
- 9:00 PM - Walking the city again, and falling more in love.
- 10:00 PM - Call family, update them on where I am and what I am doing.
- 11:00 PM - Bed.
Day 3: Day trip to Plitvice Lakes National Park, and the Final Day
- 7:00 AM (ish)- Wake up. Luggage, still MIA. Starting to think I should just buy a whole new wardrobe at this point.
- 8:00 AM - Plitvice Lakes day trip! The lakes are a little bit away from Zagreb, but definitely worth the trip.
- 9:00 AM - On the bus. More crying (Happy crying, to be fair. Plitvice Lakes are genuinely, breathtakingly gorgeous). The bus ride is long, but the scenery is just so beautiful and peaceful, that time seems to fly by.
- 12:00 PM - Plitvice Lakes National Park. It's… surreal. Waterfalls cascading everywhere, the water shimmering in every shade of blue and green imaginable. My jaw actually dropped. I'm not even exaggerating. The photos don't do it justice.
- 3:00 PM - The hiking is easy, and the views are breath-taking.
- 5:00 PM - Back on the bus. Getting tired.
- 8:00 PM - Back at the hotel.
- 9:00 PM - One last Dinner in Zagreb.
- 10:00 PM - More city walks.
- 11:00 PM - Sleep.
Day 4: The Farewell (and the Luggage, Hopefully!)
- 7:00 AM - Waking up, packing.
- 8:00 AM - Checking out of Hotel AS Zagreb.
- 9:00 AM - Taxi to the airport.
- 10:00 AM - The flight.
Final Thoughts:
Zagreb, you beautiful, chaotic, pizza-filled city! I fell in love. I ate too much. I cried a lot. And I wouldn't trade it for anything. My luggage? Still missing. But the memories? Priceless. Croatian people are wonderful, and the city is so beautiful that anyone would fall in love with it. I can't wait to return!
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Luxury Escapes Await: Hotel AS Zagreb's Unforgettable Croatian Getaway (FAQ - The Messy Version)
So, is this Hotel AS Zagreb thing... actually luxurious? Like for REAL?
Okay, let's be honest, "luxury" gets thrown around like confetti these days. And yeah, Hotel AS Zagreb *tries*. Think plush robes, that slightly too-firm-but-you-get-used-to-it mattress situation, and a breakfast buffet that'll make you consider a second round of pastries even though you know you shouldn't. But... is it *Paris Hilton's chihuahua* luxury? Nah. More like... *comfortably affluent aunt who secretly loves a good bargain*-level luxury. (And there's nothing wrong with that aunt, by the way. She makes the best potato salad!) Still, the lobby is impressive, the staff is genuinely trying, and the rooms... well, the rooms are nice.
Anecdote: I walked into the bathroom, saw the marble, and immediately tried to picture myself as a Bond villain. Failed. But I did feel somewhat…fancy. Until I dropped my toothbrush. Luxury? Sort of. Clumsy me? Definitely.
The location – is it convenient, or am I gonna be stuck in the middle of nowhere?
Location, location, *location*, right? Hotel AS is… well, it’s *Zagreb*. You're not *completely* in the middle of nowhere, thankfully. You can actually *walk* to some stuff – which, after a week of questionable airplane food, is a *massive* win. The Old Town is a bit further, maybe a 20-ish minute walk, or a short taxi/Uber ride. Honestly? Depends on how badly you want to see all the tourist stuff. It’s not *perfectly* central, but definitely manageable.
Quirk: I spent about an hour getting lost trying to find a specific gelato shop. Ended up in a park with a surprisingly good statue of a random historical dude. So, yeah, the location’s good for adventures, even the accidental ones!
Speaking of walking... how's the breakfast? That's *super* important.
Breakfast is… *critical*. Because, let's be honest, a good breakfast can make or break your entire day, especially after a night of questionable choices involving Croatian craft beer (which, by the way, is *fantastic* – but I digress). Hotel AS’s breakfast buffet is… solid. Eggs? Check. Bacon? Double-check. Pastries? Oh, the pastries! I may or may not have devoured several *kremšnita* (custard slice things – seriously, get one!). There's fruit, yogurt, cereal… the usual suspects. Nothing revolutionary, but it'll fill you up and fuel your exploring.
Confession: I may have hidden a croissant in my purse for later. Judge me if you must. But that pastry was AMAZING!
Okay, what about the rooms? Are they actually nice or just…hotel-ish?
The rooms are… good. Not going to lie, I was expecting them be a touch cramped, given my bad luck in general, but they offered a surprisingly good balance of space and comfort. I think the phrase is 'well-appointed'. Think modern, clean lines, and sufficient space to not feel claustrophobic. They’re not *palatial*, but they’re perfectly comfortable. And the beds? Pretty darn comfy. (See the earlier comment about the firmness. Took me a day to get used to it, but then I LOVED it). The bathrooms are a decent size, and the water pressure is… respectable. That matters, trust me.
Annoyance: The TV remote? Confusing. It took me a solid ten minutes to figure out how to change the channel. Minor gripe, I know, but still.
Is there a gym? Because, you know, all that delicious food…
Yes, there *is* a gym. I peeked in. It’s… sufficient. It had the usual suspects - treadmills, ellipticals, some free weights. I am not the athletic type, so I didn't use it (ahem). From what I could tell, it looked clean and well-maintained. If you're the type of person who *actually* works out on vacation, then good for you! You’ll probably be happy.
Honest Opinion: I went for a walk instead. Fresh air and people watching are the real gym, right?
Any special features – pool, spa, anything like that?
Nope. Sorry. No pool, no spa. Not a deal-breaker for me, but if you *need* that poolside cocktail or a deep-tissue massage, you might be disappointed. Zagreb itself has some lovely parks to wander in so, you know, there's that. And, again, the gelato.
My Reaction: Honestly, I didn’t miss it. I was too busy exploring, eating, and trying (and failing) to learn some basic Croatian.
The staff – helpful? Friendly? Or just going through the motions?
The staff at Hotel AS were mostly lovely. Generally helpful and friendly. They seemed genuinely keen to help. There was one guy at the front desk who was particularly fantastic and always seemed to know the answer to pretty much any question; he really made an effort. (Sorry, I forgot his name!). So yes, mostly helpful and friendly. That's the ideal, isn't it? They clearly *wanted* you to have a good time, which is a huge plus in my book.
Imperfection: One time, the key card stopped working. Cue mild panic while trying to figure out how to communicate my issue with a language barrier. But the staff quickly sorted it out, and all was well. So, a minor blip, but overall a positive experience.
Value for money… is it worth the price tag?
Ah, the million-dollar question! Is Hotel AS worth the price? Okay, let’s break it down. It’s not the *cheapest* hotel in Zagreb, but it’s not breaking the bank either. Considering the location, the (mostly) nice rooms, the breakfast, and the generally pleasant experience, I'd say… yes. It's good value. You're paying for a comfortable stay in a decent location. I'd go back. In fact, I'm already thinking about that custard slice again…
Final Thought: If you're looking for a solid, comfortable, and reliable base from which to explore Zagreb, Hotel AS is a good choice. Just remember to pack your appetite for pastries!Hotels With Balconys
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