Melia Istrian Villas

First time in Croatia and it was a brilliant holiday. The villa complex itself has two large swimming pools of lovely temperature, one salt and one fresh water, plenty of sun beds with loads on the pool terraces; there is a small marina in the middle and a bakery and shop a few minutes walk. There is also sea access at multiple points again a few minutes walk in pretty much any direction. The villas are set in a larger resort called Stella Maris, which has some other apartments, the area is car free so you have a golf buggy with trailer transfer you from the main resort reception to the Villa reception and then to your Villa. The villa was lovely, really spaced for us and our teenaged children in a two bed set up, little kitchenette and large lounge and dining table. The outside area is a private terrace with curtains around if you wanted, with a large table and sunbeds, large gas barbecue and garden area; ours overlooked the marina and was about 1 minute from the pool and 5 from the beach. In the centre of the Stella Maris resort is a public beach which is really a sheltered bay with a narrow entrance under a bridge out to the wider Sea, so is ideal for safe swimming and there are pine trees for shade and a snack bar and ice cream kiosk. There are posh cushioned sunbeds with parasols and tables here which are €10 a day, but you don’t need to use them. This beach is gently shelving as are some of the coastal beaches but, there isn’t really any sand, it is all pebbles in the kind of lake and then rocks or manmade access so this is not for you if you like expanses of sand. I don’t like the mess of sand and one child also isn’t keen, so this was why I picked the resort. There are rocks for snoring over and the sea is amazingly clear. The wider area is the town centre of Umag, which is a 25 minute walk or there is land train running back and forth from Stella Maris into Umag, every 10 minutes or so; though €4 per adult one way. We tended to walk into town and get the train back as it runs quite late until around 11.00pm. The promenade in Umag around the harbour is nice, with a lot of restaurants, bars and shops, there is a town square and you can walk around to see the sunset, from the sea wall, though the sunsets were also amazing from the resort. We had a couple of day trips, we went on a cruise up the coast to swim and see dolphins one evening and slightly unexpectedly got the ferry from Umag across to Venice for the day, which is an early start but great opportunity; left at 7.30 took nearly three hours, then you have about 5 hours in Venice and get the ferry back late afternoon. We got back into Umag in time for dinner in one of the restaurants with a terrace on the Sea. Overall, great holiday, lovely place, nice food, amazing swimming, happy teenagers, which isn’t easy and we were all sad to leave.

We had rented a superior villa (sea view, Jacuzzi). We had one of the two villas with a view of the marina and not the sea.House a little small and not too suitable for 5 people, without suitable storage for clothes and suitcases (which remain in the middle of the living room). Clean villa. The sea is however 10m from the house which is the top. The site offers restaurants but if you do not have to opt for half board you will be refused regular access. The price/quality ratio would be adequate with breakfast. Too expensive for the performance.

We had a wonderful stay at the Istrian Villas. We were here for 3 nights. Our villa was a great size, clean with a well equipped kitchen. The villa was modern and very comfortable. The grounds of the resort are beautiful. The waterfront near the villas is beautiful and relaxing. The staff have been very kind and accommodating during our stay. The first villa that we were given had a strong sewage smell. I politely asked for a move and they were able to give us the same size villa. They were very accommodating with this change. The location is close driving distance to Umag. We were able to go into town and explore waterfront restaurants. Many water sports were available for purchase and my son and husband enjoyed many of them.