Hotel Laguna Materada Reviews

Having received a fantastic deal from Thomson we were really looking forward to our holiday to Croatia.

We were given the option of a price breaker and I would recommend this kind of offer. They give you a choice between three hotels but you do not know which accommodation you are staying in until you arrive.(better than allcoation on arrival when you have no idea where you will end up!)The offer was a 3 star hotel with half board. A little bit wary of doing half board abroad but we decided as it is very cheap we could eat out if needed!

After an hour delay at Gatwick we arrived in Croatia. Flight was faultless and the bonus is the short flight time of 1 hour 50 mins from the UK. Great! Thomsonfly was brilliant-the inflight entertainment was a treat! Episodes of 'My Family' and 'Only Fools and Horses'!

On arriving at Pula airport we were met by the Thomson staff who advised us of the hotel we were staying in.
Transfers to Porec is approx 45 minutes. Thomson provide a video to watch in the coach showing the excursions they have to offer but for some reason there wasn't any sound!

Some of the hotels we were dropping people of at looked really dated, 60's 70's style maybe.However, when we arrived at our hotel we were pleased! It was probably one of the few hotels that looked modern. It is a really large hotel with quite a grand entrance lobby. Spacious. We checked in with ease and took the lift up to the 4th Floor. On entering our room we were hit with the colour PEACH! Everything was peach! And including the decor around the hotel. We have nothing against peach! and it did grow on us in the end!!

Our room over looked the side of the hotel into the car park. Sounds bad but actually because we were on the top floor we had views of the countryside!

Food: The half board option was surprising. A varied menu buffet style in the evenings from Pasta to chicken nuggets/vegetable
that didn't appear tinned!/fish in batter. Something for everyone.
Breakfast not so great. Scrambled egg was dried up and the bread was not like home. They did have cereal one morning but nmot the rest! do not know why!

The hotel has beautiful grounds and there are a few restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. You will not be able to pass Johnnys without being hounded. But he is harmless!

Croatia is a beautiful country. very green and beautiful flowers! We went half term which was fine! Not many British Tourists. mainly German and Itailians.It was nice to meet some fellow friends from the UK when we came across them!
Half way through a holiday 400 italians arrived for a football tournemont! apart from that it was fairly quiet. we did learn that the season starts on the 15th June so we found that things were not happening yet.

We hired a car which was successful and would recommend! we also took the Thomson excursion to Venice which is must! There are added extras like a Gondular ride which is about £15 but worth it! The other excursion we did was the Canoeing and rafting which was fantastic! The guys who organised the tour did a fab job! A little experience would be good!

Overall a brilliant country and definitely somewhere unique, if you are looking for that extra special place. Not a McDonalds in sight!And also no beaches i'm afraid but there are man made bathing platforms where you can rent a sun bed.

Hope this review gives you an idea of what it is like and all i can say is that if you do decide to go you won't be disappointed! Enjoy your holiday!!