Pine Beach Pakostane - Adriatic Eco Resort — Hotel in Općina Pakoštane

I decided to give this resort two stars—for two reasons: the bay is beautiful with crystal-clear water, and because I usually skip one-star reviews. I want this one to be read.|We checked in on August 8, 2025. At arrival, only one staff member was at the desk (the other was on lunch break), so check-in took a while. We received a map of the resort and the number of our cabin, for which we paid extra so we could at least have a light and charge our phones. At check-in, we specifically mentioned our late flight on the departure day and asked if we could check out at 19:00 instead of the usual morning check-out. The receptionist kindly said no problem.|The resort layout is a bit of a labyrinth, with cabins built close to one another. Our luggage was delivered to a nearby pick-up point. The cabin had three open cupboards, a padlock, five beds (for me and my two teenagers), and three mosquito nets. One USB outlet didn’t work—not a big issue. The mosquito nets, however, were dusty and smelly. Towels were not provided, which was never mentioned, but luckily we brought our own. What I did find unacceptable: not a single chair. If you wanted to sit outside, it meant sitting on the rocky, pine-covered ground.|Food was okay, not great—enough options to find something decent. Coffee was awful, as were the juices and soft drinks; sparkling water was the only decent free option. Better coffee was available at the beach bar, but not included.|Staff were generally very friendly. I had chosen this resort because of the sports options, especially the basketball court. My kids (12 and 15) were excited, but within 10 minutes both twisted an ankle—the court was dangerously slippery. They didn’t return to it. They found other activities (SUP, kayaking, swimming), though they were disappointed by the lack of group activities to meet new friends. A ping pong tournament was scheduled but nobody showed up, and the daily beach volleyball match was completely dominated by a group of twenty-somethings.|Now for the worst part: check-out on August 11. We had lunch, a swim, and a shower, then returned to the cabin around 4 p.m. to pack—only to find it padlocked with a new lock. At reception, I was told we had overstayed and should have checked out at 10 a.m., and that I needed to pay for another night. I explained we had asked at check-in and were told late check-out was fine. They said I must have misunderstood. I asked for a supervisor, but was told she was “too busy.”|When I returned to the cabin to tell my kids, there were already two security guards and a woman blocking the entrance. They refused to let us collect our belongings unless I paid for another night. When I refused, they threatened to call the police. Back at reception, I asked again for a supervisor, but was told she would only come once the police arrived.|It was humiliating. I asked for the official complaints register, which at first they refused to give me, insisting I send an email, but I eventually received it. When the police came, the supervisor finally appeared. One officer told me this was not a police matter: I could check out without paying the extra night, and the company could take me to court if they wished. I settled the bill (without the extra fee) and got the cabin key. No word from the supervisor—just angry looks.|When I returned to the cabin, three security guards and the same woman were waiting to escort us out of the resort—like criminals. I’ve never had such an experience.|Please don’t let my review put you off Croatia—it’s a beautiful country with wonderful people. But this “eco resort” felt like a factory with 500+ guests, no available loungers, poor management, and aggressive treatment of paying guests—at over 350€ a night for one adult and...

Avoid at All Costs – A Complete Disappointment Except for the Animation Team

We just returned from a four-night stay at Pine Beach Pakoštane and feel compelled to share our experience to warn others: stay far away from this resort. Do not be misled by outdated photos, fake reviews, or memories of past visits—the current reality is far from what’s promised.

Food & Dining – Inexcusable Quality

The buffet was shockingly bad. Every day featured the same low-effort options: soggy hot dogs, greasy meats, dry fish, cold French fries, and basic pizza. None of it resembled the “Mediterranean cuisine” they advertise. When we politely asked about fresh fries, the response was, “What do you want? Should I make new ones or what?” Completely unprofessional.

The coffee was watery, the soft drinks overly sugary and inappropriate for children, and utensils were often missing or dirty. Long lines only added to the frustration.

Beach & Common Areas – Dirty and Overcrowded

The beach was a mess: paper scraps, leftover food, and cigarette butts scattered everywhere.

Facilities – Neglected and Insufficient

Most recreational equipment was in poor shape. Tennis rackets were bent, balls unusable, and loungers were nearly impossible to find unless reserved illegally the night before (despite posted rules). Nothing was maintained to an acceptable standard.

Mobile Homes – Overpriced and Dirty

Our mobile home was unclean and sandy upon arrival, clearly not cleaned properly before check-in. For the premium pricing, this level of care is unacceptable. The price-to-value ratio is completely off—basic bungalows may be okay for the cost, but mobile homes are nowhere near worth it.

We Gave Feedback—And Were Ignored

We raised these concerns directly with reception at checkout. To our surprise, both staff members openly agreed and admitted we were “far from the only ones” complaining. They confirmed that quality has declined significantly over the years and urged us to contact management.

We did. No reply.

We also contacted Expedia to request a partial refund, but Pine Beach Pakoštane flat-out refused.

The Only Positive: Hugo and the Animation Team

The only redeeming part of our stay was the animation team—especially Hugo. Their energy, creativity, and care were unmatched. Honestly, they deserve 5 stars and should be the foundation of an entirely new team. They are the soul of the resort, and without them, our stay would have been a complete failure.

⸻

Final Verdict: Do Not Book Here

Save your money. This is no longer the Pine Beach Pakoštane people remember. Until serious improvements are made to cleanliness, food quality, customer service, and management accountability, avoid this resort entirely.

EDIT 22/08/25:

We tried contacting the resort via email as well as the owners for a statement. They have not even responded to any of our enquiries. The comment below is the first reaction by the resort. So far our criticism was not taken seriously and we are still awaiting a response.

EDIT: 03/09/25

The resort finally responded and defended all pretty much everything we complained about. Here a summarized response because of the length restrictions.

Pine Beach Pakoštane thanks the guest for their feedback and clarifies that while some experiences may not have met expectations, the resort maintains high standards across dining, beach areas, facilities, accommodation, and value for money. They emphasize their wide food selection, daily beach maintenance, regular equipment checks, housekeeping standards, and all-inclusive family-focused offer, noting that many families return each year. The resort acknowledges individual preferences and regrets if its concept did not fully align with the...

This was by far one of the best and unique stays, and I would definitely stay here again! Now, this is a lenghty review, so here is a breakdown: FOOD - Honestly, I was a bit worried reading some of the reviews on it, but it all proved to be misinformation. The food was really delicious, everything is freshly made (you can see them filling the trays in front of you), and there is a lot of variety. Each day they change one section of it, while one part e.g. pizzas are there constantly. 10/10 BEACH - You have sunbeds all along the coast, so there is plenty of space for everyone. The sand beach is nice, especially for kids, since it is shallow at the beginning. The water is clear and nice. The sunbeds are a bit too firm, especially if you want to lie there for longer periods of time, so I'd recommend bringing some kind of mattress for more comfort. But all in all, 10/10 TOILETS - They are shared, and they are cleaned regularly, so from the resort's side, they do a great job! You have a hairdryer available as well (but I'd recommend bringing your own so you don't have to wait), and there is a washing machine (4€) and dryer (3€). There are bathrooms on multiple locations, so there is always one that is nearby. 9/10 STAFF - Most of the staff is younger, so they speak English well, and they try to help out as much as possible. Some of them are a bit slower due to their inexperience, but they make up by being nice :). There was one blond girl who was rather unhelpful in multiple occasions. E.g. we had to wait 40 minutes for a cabby to pick our stuff up during checkout because she did not call to inform them, even after us mentioning it 3 times. In the end, another member of the staff called it for us. 8/10 BUNGALOWS - The bungalows are really cute, and definitely a new experience of stay. We had USB charging ports for phones, but for laptops and such, you'd have to go to the caffee. You don't have AC, but since there is a lot of shade, it is not hot in the bungalows. We had heavy rain one night, and there was not a single drop that came through :) now, they are a bit dusty - now I know that we are in the wild basically, but getting rid of the dust + having some kind of insect repellent would lead to a 10/10 imho. A change of pillows would also be nice, since they are rather flat. 8/10 ACTIVITIES - You have a lot of free activities to try: archery, SUP, mini golf, etc. Sailing lessons are charged, but if you know how, it is free. The equipment was basic, but functional and more than enough for beginners. I DO NOT recommend the trip to Kornati. You see one island where it is impossible to get a swim, and where 3 ships arrive, when there is barely enough space for one. Later you visit the Salt lake, which is alright, but nothing spectacular, especially not worth the 60€. From the website of the resort, my assumption was that we would visit the Kornati national park, but that was not the case. The app where the trip details was described does not work for Android, so I was lead by the website info. All in all, if the trip does not include the national park Kornati, do...