Hedera Hotel — Hotel in Grad Labin

Croatia is a mesmirisingly beautiful country and it is really nice to visit it and enjoy its beauty. The hotel is situated in a small place called Rabac and overall I had a wonderful time there. The main highlights for me was the food at the hotel restaurant and its location. There was plenty of choice both for breakfasts and dinners and I would give it 5 out of 5 for it. The hotel also has a lovely sauna area where you can chill out ;-) and relax. The prices for massages were also of good value for money.|The hotel is immaculately clean and it has the staff like cleaners from some Asian countries to do the hard work. And they are absolutely amazing, I do hope their pay reflects it otherwise it is not clear to me why the country with the high unemployment rates would bring people to work there.|The economy rooms on the 6th and 7th floor which were overlooking the road are without doubt the worst rooms I have ever stayed in. They are tiny and they don't have a balcony or a terrace so the experience of having such a room is not great.|I spoke to two people who upgraded to better rooms with the balcony/terrace and a sea view. So if you are picking up a room while booking this hotel try to choose wisely not to be disappointed. :-) The upgrade of the room is 25 euros per person per day when you are at the hotel. So if you are a couple you will end up paying an extra 350 euros per a week which I find to be too much as even better rooms are far from the modern standards in the hotel business. |You can use sunbeds on the beach for free but they are a bit further away from the sea. It looks as if whatever can be sold in Croatia will be sold as you can't enjoy a view without paying for it.|All these upselling of things which is a part of the hotel experience in the majority of other countries is irritating to say the least.|On the first night at the hotel people were not allowed to use a terrace. The hotel doesn't have too many facilities on offer why to stop people from using a terrace with a beautiful view is beyond me. You cannot have your coffee in the morning there either as the only way to use is to buy something from very overpriced bar.|When you arrive at the hotel there is no warm welcome or any welcome at al unfortunately. As it was a TUI trip for me with an early flight I was at the hotel at 10:30 in the morning and I was told to come at 14:00 or 15:00. |It was raining cats and dogs and there was even hail on that day and to be sent outside in these conditions seemed to be more than unwelcoming. When I was leaving the hotel the receptionist did not ask how was my stay and I was not even was told "good-bye or thank you". In my opinion Croatia is way behind its competitors in the hospitality sector in comparison to other countries in the world. Its natural beauty helps it to attract the tourists I think. |As Rabac is so tiny I do recommend to take a day boat trip which includes lunch and visit to two islands which I found to be a great value for money.|The weather in May was not good for a visit as it was raining every single day so be aware when you choose the time of your visit.|However, I had great time overall and...

The staff are wonderful, I've not had a single bad experience with any of the even with the language barrier, I'm British, the food is buffet stile for all 3 meals and there's almost always something to eat or something new to try though over half is repeated for such as the salads and side dishes. The desserts are wonderful, ice cream, cakes & fruit, though there could be more variety. |The drinks cool be improved, the soft drink station is only available at breakfast as is the hot drinks and for lunch & dinner you have either beear, wine, cola, citron or peach ice tea and there's jugs of water and sparkling water. |The plates are cleared up quickly by the staff who check to make sure your finished before removing them. |The beach is full of stones and is difficult to walk on but the ocean is wonderful to swim in though it's very salt heavy. |WiFi is terrible, it's not available in my room, only accessible in reception and only just in the all inclusive area though it keeps cutting out.|The all inclusive area is disappointing, there's no bar only a selection of drinks that's not worth it, the seats are hardly comfortable for long lengths of time and there's no designated smoking area.|The dining hall staff are wonderful, the food isn't always labeled and not always recognisable.|The pools are lovely but not deep enough for adults to swim in, they're more for family's and children.|The packed lunches are unacceptable, the food chosen is not something suitable for this weather without being put in a fridge, some was seafood which many won't eat and others was egg salad which didn't do well in the heat. The packaging was okay but done wrong, the fruit & bread was placed in plastic bags while the mains & sides were placed in tin & cardboard containers that leaked with no protection against the paper bag, which created a huge mess when trying to...

I don't know how this place got 4 stars, it deserves 3 at best.

Rooms are small and nothing special for the price. There is only 2 plugs in them, and one of them is on the floor. There is a wardrobe but it's not possible to put your clothing in it, we had to leave it in the traveling bag and pick from it. The door on the toilet does not have a handel, instead it has a little cilynder that makes it very hard to pull, especially when your hands are moist.

Breakfast is decent, but there is absoloutley no variety through the days, which becomes boring. The breakfast coffee is horrible.

There are 3 pools, 2 of them are for kids, but the 3rd one is also used by them. It is hard to find a peacfull place that won't be sprinkled by people playing in the water or jumping from the edges. The sun-umbrellas, tip over easily and constantly move with the wind. There is also too little of them. There is another place in natural shadow, but people there "reserve" the places early in the morning so it's impossible to find a place. The same people who "reserve" usually don't appear for 6 or more hours, so the place is mostly empty yet no one can use it. There are also a lot of places on the beach, but the sun-umbrellas there are tiny and can't be moved, meaning they are virtually useless as projection against sun.

One positive thing I have to say about the workers, which are always smiling and ready to help, answer questions and offer advice. And they are powerless to do anything about the things mentioned above. Overall, the hotel parades as a 4 star one, when in reality they barely keep fulfill a 3 star standard. Which would be fine, if the price per night...