Horizont Golden Rocks Resort — Hotel in Grad Pula

Updated August 2025 Review for Splendid & Horizont Resort – Pula, Croatia ( 2 stars for the view and clear waters)

We have been coming to Croatia for almost 10 years, often staying at this resort. Unfortunately, while prices have consistently increased (which is understandable in peak season), the quality of services has declined year after year.

Accommodation & Housekeeping • Upon arrival in August, we received only two small and two large towels. Although a towel change is supposed to be included every 3 days, we only received new towels after 5 days, and only after personally asking at reception. • Housekeeping staff passed daily in front of our balcony but made no effort to communicate or provide service. • No proper cleaning was done during our stay, not even after 7 days, despite this being part of the package.

Pool Area

Swimming Pool Condition

The pool was “renovated” last year, but the materials used are not suitable or hygienic for proper cleaning, the bottom of the pool is already green and crumbling . You can hurt yourself in the swimming pool. The pavement around the pool is extremely slippery and unsafe, making it dangerous for guests.

• The pool has become increasingly disappointing: only uncomfortable plastic chairs, with no mattresses or covers as in previous years. • Music is either non-existent or depressing, making the atmosphere feel more like a funeral than a vacation. Occasionally, a short one-hour program plays on repeat, with the same songs daily. • Activities such as aqua gym are poorly organized and repetitive. • Sunbeds must be paid for, yet there are never enough. Some guests sit all day in the shade on unpaid chairs while others are crammed two per sunbed. • Pool rules (no jumping, no inflatables, etc.) are completely ignored. People jump in, play with balls, bring floats, and no staff enforces the rules – but they are quick to collect money for sunbeds.

Restaurants & Food • At the poolside restaurant, we waited 30 minutes without even receiving menus, despite staff promising to come “soon.” We left without being served. • The other restaurant in the resort is even worse: visibly dirty kitchen, questionable hygiene, and overpriced meals (e.g., €21 for calamari that looked like they were fried in old oil).

Staff & Management • The night receptionist drove recklessly through the resort in his car, honking at us as if on a highway – very unsafe. • Cleaning staff gather at 7 a.m. in the hallways, talking loudly and drinking coffee, disturbing guests. • At reception, no one informs guests about available services (e.g., laundry, ironing). The overall attitude is careless: “We take your money, and whether you return is not our concern.”

Parking

Guests with very large cars are allowed to use the small parking spaces without any control. As a result, they often take up two or even three spaces, and no one from the staff says anything or manages the situation.

Facilities & Safety • The breakfast building is in a dangerous state of disrepair. Parts are fenced off, the terrace is closed, and the structure looks unsafe, yet it still operates indoors. • It is unclear how the resort still holds a license to function in this condition.

Positive Notes • The air conditioning worked well. • The view of the sea is beautiful – but sadly, even that no longer makes up for the poor experience.

Conclusion

What used to be a pleasant holiday destination has turned into a declining resort with rising prices and falling service standards. Management seems absent, with no inspections or improvements being made.

I can no longer recommend Splendid & Horizont Resort. Sadly, after many years of coming here, this was our last stay. Unless management takes serious action, future guests will face the same...

We went in mid June 2019 34 degrees and sun nearly every day. Location is lovely right on the sea with beautiful views from the pool and all coastal restaurants which served good food. The complex is spread out into groups of 3 story apartments with access points to the sea dotted along the rocky coast. Be warned there are no sandy beaches in Croatia only rocks. Staff were friendly and helpful and most could speak English well enough as well as Italian and German. There is a shop for the essentials but would recommend buying outside of the campus as the campus shop is more expensive despite what they say. There is a bus stop 5 minutes walk from reception that will bring you to Pula the 2a or 3a and the red city tour bus stops right outside the reception too. The apartment we had was a 1 bed with a balcony. It as expected was nice and clean on arrival. The kitchenette had a 3 ring stove but no oven or grill, a coffee machine (For filtered ) and kettle as well as pots and pans and a big fridge. The double bed was two beds pushed together but not secured together as the beds kept shifting apart as we toss or turned at night. The cot we got was a travel cot but no issues with that it was clean and we were given a proper mattress with it. No bath only a shower in the restroom but knew that before hand so no issues there. Balcony was a good size had a table and chairs and clothes horse and good secure rails that a toddler can not squeeze through. The crowd staying is a good mix of young, old and families mostly Germans Italians Russians and some Irish and English. Why it only got 3 stars, well it's not buggy friendly at all there are steps everywhere and none had hand rails, there is allot of walking to get to certain areas of the complex so only for the able bodied. Alot of the facilities were gone or run down, the playground had all the equipment removed bar the slide, some of the walkways were uneven due to tree roots and general wear and tear plus cars or motor bikes would use the same walkways so a little unsafe. No massage place even though it was listed or kids club even though we were by the pool at the listed times (my toddler is too young for that just informing you it wasn't on) would have been nice to be able to book excursions at reception but the staff there didn't even know where to send us or even recommend an operator. Clean towels were dropped off regularly but no clean sheets for the beds and no dust pan for the brush in the apartment. You had to pay separately for the air con €5 a day. The pool is a saltwater pool knew that before arriving but it was saltier then the sea that mixed with pool chlorine really made the eyes burn. I really enjoyed Pula and would go again but the splendid apartments were only average I book it cause it was cheaper then the rest so you get what you pay for but wouldn't necessarily recommend this place to anyone next time I will fork out the extra money for...

The setting is lovely, right in the middle of pine trees. Depending on your accommodation a short walk to the sea. It is a extremely quiet setting and you felt very safe. The site is very hilly and quite steep, so those who having difficulty in walking should bear this in mind. The complex is kept really clean. There is access to the rocks but again this is for the more able bodied person. If you walk down towards the Zeppelin bar it becomes much flatter (still rocky no sand) and easier to access.

There is a small supermarket on site which stocks quite a good range of items. There are three restaurants on site, one for the half board which we never tried. The pizza restaurant and pool side restaurant were ok but nothing to write home about. For the size of the complex the pool is tiny, the beds go quickly despite having to pay for them. (Again head towards the Zeppelin Bar where the sun beds are half the price, small cafe restaurant and toilets nearby. Also zeppelin's itself for drinks)

On a whole the complex is good if somewhat neglected by the hotel chain (Plaza next door is owned by the same chain). There are arears that could definitely do with some maintenance and a lick of paint. It looks tired.

Our apartment was extremely clean and the maids were excellent. Bedding and towels changed regularly. The kitchen was well equipped, it was such a shame you could only fit one pot on the two ring cooker at a time. If you plan on cooking I'd have a look at some one pot meals. We managed but there was only four of us and the apartment slept 6, so if full it would be quite difficult. There was also a large fridge/freezer, no kettle but did have a older type coffeemaker. We didn't pay extra for the air conditioning and there was only a couple of nights it was unbearable. We slept with the windows/doors open with the shutters closed. Bring mozzie spray/candles as being in the woods there are lots around.

Would we go back? Yes, as long as we could get it for a decent price. If your looking for somewhere lively, this is not the place for you. However Pula town is a short...