Iberostar Albatros Reviews

Travel Date: August 06

Submitted in August 2006 by: Michael-Surrey

Operator: Other

The positive and favourable reviews we read on this site about Cavtat encouraged us to visit the resort with our two teenage children.
We were not disappointed by the resort. It is a very pretty and unspoilt quiet village with a few bars , shops and bank...

Travel Date: August 06

Submitted in August 2006 by: Michael-Surrey

Operator: Other

The positive and favourable reviews we read on this site about Cavtat encouraged us to visit the resort with our two teenage children.
We were not disappointed by the resort. It is a very pretty and unspoilt quiet village with a few bars , shops and banks. There are superb walks and the beaches albeit stoney are safe and clean. The seawater is very clear and the beach is kept clean.
Coach trips are run from Cavtat and the Montengro Blue, a trip around the coast of this new independent country is well worth the cost and time. The English speaking guide was superb.

We chose the hotel also on the strength of reviews, the majority rating it as excellent, unfortunately our experience rates it far from that.

The positives are:
1. Great location for the beach and a quiet easy walk into Cavtat
2. Plenty of sun beds and umbrellas and a large terrace to bathe on
3. Large clean pool and pool area that is cleaned every day
4. Helpful reception staff
5. Inexpensively priced drinks in the various bars

The negatives:

1. Very utilitarian interior, black tiles on the floor in reception and dull fawn carpet in our bedroom with beige walls and net curtains.
The bar area is furnished with very archaic, low, metal framed seats with three uncomfortable cushions
2. There is a wide selection of food at dinner. Although it was hot and plenty of it, there was little variety, vegetables would appear to be recycled at breakfast and dinner. Who wants sprouts for breakfast? The pack lunch option was dry bread, slices of meat and cheese, an apple and pear and packet of squash. We were given fish for a vegeterian's lunch pack.
3. The vegeterian options at dinner are very limited unless you want pasta, chips and polenta
4. Some of the plates are chipped underneath and some of the cutlery is blemished
5. There is an outside dining area which is pleasant with lovely views. It is furnished with aluminium seats but insufficient cushions. We had to keep a member of our party at the table when we went to select food to ensure that the cushions were not taken by another diner.
6. The hotel is under the direct flight path of the airport which is about 3 miles away. Flights start early and planes seem to arrive in batches throughout the day
7. The pool and facilities are meant to be for residents only but we witnessed people coming in off the beach, using the facilities and leaving. At no time were we asked to show evidence of our residency at the hotel
8. We saw dogs on more than one occassion wonder into the hotel and drink out of the pool.
9. The Animation system is inflexible as to the allocation of children in the groups. Brothers and sisters can be split up if they are on either side of the group age limit. Children who may be 17 have to go into the teenage group with 14 year olds and cannot play adult games such as darts even if their parents participate

In summary, if you want elegance and refinement, this is not the place for you. If location with an average level of facilities is all you are looking for then this hotel will suffice.

Travel Date: August 06

Submitted in September 2006 by: Duncan Rosanne Fleming - Birmingham (47)

Operator: Other

Absolutely Fantastic!

The Hotel Albatros is in an excellant location with breathtaking views.We stayed half board for 1 week. Easy access to all floors with 2 efficient lifts and ramps. The hotel staff are efficient and polite.The buffet meals are exce...

Travel Date: August 06

Submitted in September 2006 by: Duncan Rosanne Fleming - Birmingham (47)

Operator: Other

Absolutely Fantastic!

The Hotel Albatros is in an excellant location with breathtaking views.We stayed half board for 1 week. Easy access to all floors with 2 efficient lifts and ramps. The hotel staff are efficient and polite.The buffet meals are excellant, there is a varied choice at all times.Every morning at 10am the entertainment starts. You will be asked if you want to join in with water airobics, darts, Boules, gymnastics to mention a few, no pressure if you don't want to. Every Thursday they host a typical Croatian buffet meal with entertainment, it is lovely to see how proud they are to show themselves off. The hotel is air conditioned at all times as are the rooms (much needed, wouldn't have slept without it).If you require a sunlounger the seats over by the roadside give an excellant view over the bay whilst sunbathing, and offers shade from the sun if required. (Get up early to claim your seat by placing not just a towel but a magazine or book seals the claim).Daily newspapers are 2 days behind and cost about 30kuna each (£3)!!
The resort itself is great, the short 10 min walk into Cavtat is lovely, there are lots of gift shops and cafe style bars to choose from.You can sit and marvel at the super sized yaghts from all over the world whilst relaxing. There is a pharmacy, bakery and a mini supermarket.

The trip to Dubrovnik is great. The water taxi takes about 45 mins and you can go from right outside the hotel a word of warning the water taxi doesn't always drop you back to the hotel more often than not it takes you back to Cavtat and you have to walk back. There is the option of a taxi from Cavtat to the hotel costs 50kuna (about £5)!!! Dubrovnik the old town itself is beautiful, you must walk the wall (50kuna each)but well worth it. Do it early in the morning as it gets very hot on the concrete and can become unbearable.Lots of steps and can be narrow.There are lots of chances to stop whilst on the wall and purchase drinks. It took us about 2 half hours and we stopped to take photos (and have a rest!).There are lots of eating places and gift shops within the old town and they are very reasonably priced. A large pizza and bottled water for 2, £6. We also went back into Dubrovnik by bus, fantastic. The buses are fully airconditioned and so comfortable and clean only 12 kuna each (£1.20) and only took 30 mins.The new town of Dubrovnik was very dissapointing, not worth the effort. The shops and restuarants are very few, and a lot more expensive than the old town.

In general Cavtat and Dubrovnik are unspoilt in every way. We were not hasseled by people selling time share or anything else. You will see people sitting along the side of the roads in Cavtat and at Dubrovnik harbour selling their goods (embroidered linen, Crochet, paintings) but at no time were we called upon to buy you can just go and look with ease.

A very relaxing holiday with the Croation way of life helping you relax too.

Travel Date: August 06

Submitted in September 2006 by: Ann Rose Michael Jenkins - Birmingham

Operator: Cosmos

We have just got back from a lovely fortnight away in Cavtat. The resort is small but perfectly formed and welcomes visitors of all nationalities.

We stayed at the Albatros, which is a good 4 star hotel. It has good-sized rooms, with adequate air con...

Travel Date: August 06

Submitted in September 2006 by: Ann Rose Michael Jenkins - Birmingham

Operator: Cosmos

We have just got back from a lovely fortnight away in Cavtat. The resort is small but perfectly formed and welcomes visitors of all nationalities.

We stayed at the Albatros, which is a good 4 star hotel. It has good-sized rooms, with adequate air conditioning and a great maid service. Beds are bigger than king-size and very comfy!

The food is good quality international buffet style, but it became a little dull towards the end of the two weeks. There is always plenty and it is always hot - have your wits about in the buffet as not everyone queues like the British!

The pool is lovely and quite a relief from the heat. It is kept clean and tidy by very thorough pool men. Our only comment is that the guttering cover around the pool could do with replacing - keep an eye on little feet when running around the pool.

The sunbeds were plentiful if you got up at 7am. By 7.45 all beds under the canopied shades (very useful) were bagged, and the rest had gone by nine. We ended up using the philosophy if you can't beat them; join them when we wanted sunbeds. There were mattresses and towels provided and umbrellas if you needed them.

The staff in the hotel were very friendly and extremely efficient. Don't be put off if they seem a little abrupt to begin with - they're not at all, but as they are having to translate to English for us sometimes forget the pleasantries. Jadranka (pronounced Yadranka) on the Aperitif bar works like a Trojan and was very friendly - loved my Mojitos, made with mint from her garden! The staff seem to have individual roles, e.g. the table clearers won't take your drink order, but will send you a wine waiter.

Tap water is absolutely fine and having a fridge in the room really helped as we filled two sports bottles and chilled them overnight. Don't use the minibar facility - head to the local mini market, just into main Cavtat. We found the hotel wine prices quite high, and the bottles in the shop £7 or £8 cheaper.

The water taxi to Dubrovnik is excellent - £8 return each (80 Kuna). Very efficient, and a lovely way to travel. Dubrovnik itself is significantly more expensive than Cavtat (add £1 for a pint). Beautiful old city, have your walking shoes on and something to cover your shoulders if it is hot. We walked the walls, which was hot but worth it! It cost £5 each. Lots of steps all round the Old Town so not suitable for the less able traveller, Cavtat however is good.

Eating out in Cavtat can be as expensive or as cheap as you like. Beer was £1.50 a pint; unfortunately soft drinks are quite pricey at about £1.30 a bottle. Domizana, just next to the hotel does excellent food, we ate there a couple of times in the evening - fish and meat beautiful. A three-course meal with beer and wine was £45. At lunch they do excellent pizzas from £2.50 each (small ones are actually quite large). There are plenty of pizza and pasta places in the marina/harbour in Cavtat.

The walk from the hotel to Cavtat is pleasant, shaded and on the level. There is a very nice ice-cream place on the way and a couple of restaurants. You are walking on a one-way road (unless you're a scooter), and there is a white line that we called the fair game line! Stay on the correct side of it!

The harbour side is fab. We saw lots of expensive yachts (to the tune of £100 000 to charter for a week!) It is lovely to watch the world go by and dream of owning one of them. Our favourite cafe was Zino's, where the service was always friendly and the beer cold! Locals (included the Port Authority bloke) have their morning, lunchtime and evening coffee there, so it must be okay! The loo's are spotless which is always a bonus! There are plenty of other places to eat and drink, but the owners don't pounce on you as you pass.

We did a jeep safari from the hotel - great fun and a fabulous meal. You even get to drive!!

Overall, we had a great time. You can do as much or as little as you like. We have come back relaxed and we would love to go back.

Travel Date: July 06

Submitted in July 2006 by: Ann Jeff Burton

Operator: Balkan

We have just returned from Croatia and had an excellent relaxing holiday for two weeks. We found this hotel excellent value, very peaceful and relaxing, few children chasing about but not causing too much annoyance.
Pool area was well provided for with u...

Travel Date: July 06

Submitted in July 2006 by: Ann Jeff Burton

Operator: Balkan

We have just returned from Croatia and had an excellent relaxing holiday for two weeks. We found this hotel excellent value, very peaceful and relaxing, few children chasing about but not causing too much annoyance.
Pool area was well provided for with umbrellas and beds, still the usual towel problem (wont go into that!) but not being pool persons, it didnt affect us.

Beach at the back of the hotel got very busy so we went round the bays and down amongst the rocks, where the locals go, and swam in the sea, some lovely shady trees and a cool breeze which was very welcome in the heat of the day.

Nice to stroll into Cavtat and look at the Cruisers and yachts and just watch people go buy from one of the excellent bars where all the waiters welcomed you and didnt mind how long you sat with your cold beer or coffee, you never felt as though you needed to rush which was nice. Some excellent walks up at the back of Cavtat, rather steep but the view at the top is stunning particularly the grave yard which is nice and peaceful.

Went to Mostar with our tour operator and this was an excellent trip well worth seeing, quite a bit of war damage still exists but repairs still go on, the bridge is now open and looks beautiful.

Montenegro was another trip but I felt as though it was too long on the coach, but we did see some beautiful scenery, I felt a bit hurded, not enough time to look around. Taken to a Museum which is not my scene. Not one of my favourite trips I must admit think this would be better done by car, you could choose your own stopping spots, and lessen the time in the car. Border patrols etc. seem to be the norm in Croatia so carrying passports is a must.
Our rep. was an excellent informative young man who always had time for you and was not pushy, wherever you saw him he would come and talk to you and ask how you got on on your trips, he also gave us all his mobile in case of problems.

I have just one complaint and that is the shop on the carpark in Cavtat, they were very offhand and rude to put it mildly, they threw your change at you as if they didnt want you around, only went in once and a lot of people were of that impression. The small supermarket was hard work too, not much room to get around, and they dont queue like us so it was every man for himself, I got rather tough by the second week and could stand my ground!
Also found the Croatian people nice, but, it would be nice to get a smile now and again, found them very serious and sometimes seem totally disinterested, perhaps it is the language barrier!! but a smile would have gone a long way, particularly some of the waiting on staff at the Albatros.

Boat trips to Dubrovnik and Lokram were excellent and cheap £8, Lokram well worth a visit,small charge to go on Island, got up to the Fort, rather a steep climb though but the scenery excellent, also has Botanical gardens, nice and cool walks under trees, cafe at harbourside excellent, very friendly chap with a good command of the English language and a sense of humour to match made us very welcome and gave us a real tasty meal very cheap too.
Excellent holiday will certainly go to Croatia and Albatros again very soon.
Oh and avoided that tree, thankyou!!

Travel Date: May 06

Submitted in June 2006 by: Jean Robb - Selby

Operator: Other

We have just returned from 2 weeks at the Albatros and I will try and give readers some up to date info for 2006. Firstly, anyone who wants to go to this hotel please look at doing it yourself. We booked the hotel direct with Iberostar for £1000 for 2 of u...

Travel Date: May 06

Submitted in June 2006 by: Jean Robb - Selby

Operator: Other

We have just returned from 2 weeks at the Albatros and I will try and give readers some up to date info for 2006. Firstly, anyone who wants to go to this hotel please look at doing it yourself. We booked the hotel direct with Iberostar for £1000 for 2 of us. The flights I booked with bafrom Manchester for £307 for 2 of us. The previous week the price had been £211 but the hotel prices were not on line at the time. The only downside was that I had to pay for everything in January when booking. Holiday Options and Balkan Holidays both wanted around £1765 for the same deal!!!! I then arranged taxi transfers with taxiservicedubrovnik com or email Tomislav at tomislav @ taxiservicedubrovnik com . The service he provided was great, his driver met us at the airport with a name card. He was in touch throughout the holiday regarding the return transfer which he did personally. The cost was 80HK each way.

Dubrovnik airport is small and well organised. We landed at 11am and were in the hotel foyer by 11.30! The Albatros is as good as everyone says. I had asked for a top floor room as near to the sea as possible. We were in A427 which faced the pool and the sunsets! Marvellous. The bathrooms have a heated towel rail and hairdrier. You get a safe, satellite TV, air-con and mini-bar (empty) all at no extra cost.
You can pay a 100HK deposit for a pool towel card and then get a clean pool towel whenever you like. You get your full deposit back at the end. The sunbeds are mega. They are strong and plenty big enough for my 6ft 3in husband. You also get free mattresses. If you want to swim in the sea you can walk across onto the beach, have a swim and still come back to your sunbed.

Betweeen 4 and 5pm it is happy hour and cocktails are 20HK. Free aperitifs are served on Thursday when it is Dalmation night. The snack bar is very reasonable with a mixed sandwich or toastie being 15HK and Coke 14HK. The tap water is safe to drink - we did with no ill effects. There is a little shop in the foyer selling gifts, sweets, beach goods etc.

I must also mention the Star Friends who are brilliant. They work really hard and not many people were joining in really. Mainly the clients were elderly when we were there and many different nationalities. No chavs. The Star Friends are really good linguists and try really hard. Maya has such an infectious giggle, she was great.
There is all the info you need in the foyer regarding buses to Dubrovnik etc. You have to walk to the village for the public bus No 10 which is 12HK each way. If you look where you are going you can get off the bus just as you are entering Dubrovnik and going down a hill. You can then cross the road and walk down to the Old Town (Stari Grad) through the old narrow streets. It takes 5-10 minutes and all downhill. Saves you having to go to the bus terminus and get a connection. We did this twice and caught a water taxi back (50HK), (80HK return). Buses and boats run frequently. There is also a tourist bus service from the Hotel at 09.15 and 11.15 I think (20HK) which returns at 15.00 but we never tried this.
It now costs 50Hk to walk the walls. Several of the museums and monasteries also charged this.

Cavtat (Savtat) is about a 15 minute walk from the hotel. The road has just been resurfaced (as it has around the Rat peninsula) and the white line has been repainted. Traffic is allowed in only one direction. There are several little bars/shops/ice-cream parlours on the way. Pizzeria Kabaleros is one of the first. I reckon you could get a 2-course meal for 2 there with wine for 20HK but we only had lunch there. We ate at Restaurant Dalmacija twice and Galija once. Really nice food and everything for 330HK - 350HK. Same price to have dinner in Dubrovnik. If you like seafood and wine you will think you've died and gone to heaven. There are several restaurants, bars and tourist shops in Cavtat. There is a mini-market, post-office, 2 banks and 4 ATMs which were easy to use. We found 2 public phones in the village. Get a 50Hk telephone card from a tobacconists shop and you can just phone straight through to home and get quite a long call. There are some beautiful old buildings in the village and a lovely bay where you can watch the yachts. The cheapest and friendliest bar we found was about half way round, called Zino's. A large draught beer was 12HK, 18HK for a small bottle of wine and free nibbles. At other places large beer was anything from 12 - 17HK. There are a lot of pizzerias in Croatia, with small pizzas starting at about 30HK. Ice-creams are about 10Hk for 2 big dollops.

We booked a boat trip through the Balkan Hols rep although there are plenty of places advertising boat trips. I wanted to make sure it was a big boat. We paid 340HK each but it was worth every penny. It was the Captain's Choice trip on a replica galleon, the Tirena. There were only 11 of us on the trip (all British) and it rained most of the day but we had a fantastic time. The food was great and plenty of free wine with lunch. We were also entertained by Dalmatian musicians.

We hired a car from Rubikon Car Hire which was in the Hotel. Although I had considered doing this online before we went I'm glad I hadn't because the weather was bad. The chap speaks really good English but seems obsessed that you have a Nissan Almera. Maybe that's all he's got. Anyway I think we paid through the nose £188 for 4 days but this was including everything and the extra insurance you need if you are going to Montenegro. He wanted cash so we had to go to the bank to get it (he said we could pay when we returned the car! You have to keep the headlights on all the time in Croatia, Montenegro and Bosnia. Ours had inadvertently been turned off and we were pulled over by the police in Kotor. There's loads of police about. He wanted e50 and when my husband said we hadn't got it (we'd only taken e30) after a while he came down and accepted e20 and put it in his back pocket (no ticket). Apparently this is quite a common occurrence and they always try to get more money out of you. Montenegro is lovely, loads of old towns, Budva is really well set up for tourists. Sveti Stefan is good as well. With us going early in the season there was no queuing to get through the customs for Montenegro or Bosnia. If you do not want to drive all the way around the Bay of Kotor there is a ferry which fits about 25 cars on and costs e3.50.

We had a drive up to Mostar as well - lovely scenery -took about 2 ½ hours. It was a bit spooky with a lot of bombed and abandoned buildings. The old Town is extremely commercialised and they will accept euros and I think Kuna.

We also drove along the Peljesac peninsula and left the car in Orebic - another 2 ½ hour drive - and caught the passenger ferry to Korcula. This was a lovely little Old Town but smaller than Dubrovnik.

Plat and Mlini ,the next 2 villages to Cavtat didn't have a lot to offer. There are no signposts anywhere to tell you where to get down to the sea. You just have to guess. The petrol was about 89p a litre. The Croatian drivers are mad. If you keep to the speed limits there is nothing to worry about. We have been on a lot worse roads in Greece but it does take a long time to get anywhere. It's worth it though.

What a super holiday!