I remember it so well. The moment we walked into the Hilton Rijeka Costabella Resort & Spa in Croatia, I was sold! Sometimes a place grabs and embraces you from the very first moment. This definitely was the case at the Hilton Rijeka Costabella Resort & Spa.
We have visited many places and stayed in many amazing hotels. But this place just stands out in every possible way. Here is our review with our experiences at this fantastic resort in Rijeka.
Kvarner Bay location
Location wise you couldn’t do better than the Hilton Rijeka Costabella. It is located right in between vibrant Rijeka and relaxing Opatija in Croatia’s Adriatic Riviera. The sea-front location of this retreat is simply golden!
Kvarner Bay is a bay in the northern Adriatic Sea, located between the Istrian peninsula and the northern Croatian mainland. Kvarner Bay is famous for its many islands. The largest islands within the Kvarner are Cres, Krk, Rab and Lošinj.
The bay is notable for its depth (more than 100 meters), which allows the city of Rijeka at its northernmost point to have a sea port. Rijeka is also a cruising port in Spring and Summer.
The bay is home to many beaches and tourist locations because of its beautiful waters and warm climate.
Rooms, Suites & Villas
The hotel is built in such a way that all rooms, suites and villas have sea views. And these sea views are truly amazing and impressive. I could sit there for days and just enjoy the views. All their room types offer ultimate comfort, private balconies or terraces and modern touches.
All guest rooms are located in the main building. The villas are located within the complex.
Once we checked in to the hotel we got the amazing news that we had been upgraded to one of their villas. In fact, we were upgraded to a one bedroom sea view family villa with terrace.
It’s a large villa with separate living or dining area and a large terrace with comfy loungers.
These suites have one bedroom and a murphy bed, an ensuite bathroom plus another separate bathroom.
It was a dream to stay at the Hilton Rijeka Costabella, but it was a total dream to do so in one of their amazing villas.
Check out the rates for the Hilton Costabella in Rijeka for your dates on Booking in the link.
Dining & Drinks
Once you have checked in to this hotel, you do not have to leave during your entire stay. The resort simply offers it all. From stunning panoramic views at Michelin-starred Nebo Restaurant & Lounge to poolside drinks and a comfort food buffet. This resort features some of the best restaurants on Kvarner Bay.
Jedro Beach & Restaurant
I actually really liked the vibes here at Jedro Beach and Restaurant. It’s located on the lowest floor, directly on the beach.
Here you can enjoy seaside Mediterranean cuisine with an emphasis on Croatian ingredients.Try the fresh catch of the day along with dishes prepared in the charcoal oven.
The Kitchen by Miljenko
The Kitchen is the main restaurant of the Hilton Rijeka Costabella. And by that I mean that is the place to go for breakfast in the morning, so everyone will use this restaurant during their stay.
You can also come here for lunch and (buffet) dinner. We used the Kitchen for dinner on two evenings during our stay and it was lovely.
Especially in Summer when you can sit outside, enjoy the ocean views and watch the sunset while you enjoy your dinner.
Villoresi Pizzeria
We checked in around mid-day and could do with a bite. As you can tell now, no lack of food and restaurants at this Hilton. We picked the Villoresi Pizzeria as we liked the atmosphere and vibes there. Their seaside pizzeria is the perfect spot to stop during your stroll along the promenade. Enjoy light refreshments and amazing sea views. Their outside terrace is the best!
Sunce Pool Lounge
The infinity pool at the Hilton is absolutely the best. During our stay here we spent a lot of time at this pool and the cabanas right next to it. Sunce Pool Lounge keeps you at the pool all day.
Sunce offers light snacks and refreshing beverages during the day and early evening. You can simply order from your sunbed using the QR code provided. Your order will be delivered to your sunbed as well.
Aura Lounge Bar
Aura Lounge Bar is located in the heart of the resort. This social lounge offers casual sophistication. Stop by for a morning coffee, a light lunch, or an evening cocktail. They have indoor and outdoor seating.
Michelin Star Restaurant Nebo
Michelin Star Restaurant Nebo deserves a separate chapter. I have to admit, we had never eaten out at a Michelin star restaurant before. So we were curious and excited at the same time. Nebo Restaurant has set new heights in Croatian gastronomy.
Nebo is located at the top floor of the Hilton hotel and offers amazing views over the Kvarner Bay.
The dining experience at Nebo is next level. From the moment you enter the restaurant until you leave again. Everything they do is thought out and taken care of down to the last detail.
The food we had at Nebo is some of the best we've ever had. We truly enjoyed our evening out at Nebo and advise everyone to do so as well when you stay at the Hilton Rijeka Costabella or in the surrounding area.
They also have the Nebo Lounge as mentioned above. It’s an outdoor lounge with fantastic and very relaxing atmosphere and vibes. Imagine having a cocktail here with endless views of the Adriatic Sea.
Check out the rates for the Hilton Costabella in Rijeka for your dates on Booking in the link.
Eforea Spa & Health Club
Forget every other spa and wellness you have ever been to. Eforea Spa & Health Club is something different out of this world. They truly take your spa and wellness experience to the next level. This Spa and Health Club is located over three floors, that’s how big and impressive it is. Hilton Rijeka Costabella is definitely among the best health and wellness destinations in Croatia.
Indoor Swimming Pool
Next to the amazing outdoor infinity pool, the hotel also has an indoor heated swimming pool. So even if you visit in Winter, that’s not a problem with this indoor pool. The pool has plenty of loungers. You can get a towel and bathrobe at the Spa and Wellness reception when you go to the pool.
Spa
Eforea Spa offers an extensive selection of bespoke treatments for men and women. So be ready to get pampered top to toe with their body treatments. Or are you more into facials or massages? No problem, they have you covered all the way.
Their wellness is out of this world, one of the best we have ever experienced.
They have a so called Hydrothermal Zone. Hydrothermal bathing is an ancient spa ritual with many health benefits. Explore their variety of immersive thermal areas to ease muscle pain, strengthen the immune system and experience pure and total tranquility.
Saunas, plunge pools, steam rooms and salt rooms, they have it all.
Health Club
Eforea health club is unlike any other gym. Walking in to this place, I was speechless. To think that this health club is located within a hotel is truly mind blowing. I’m sure a lot of gyms would like the equipment and space they offer here. You can get tailored guidance from their team of fitness instructors and nutrition experts.
They also offer a variety of wellness workshops and group fitness classes.
Activities
From the relaxing and amazing infinity pool to the beach to their many workshops. There is a wide range of activities at this Hilton Rijeka Costabella Beach Resort & Spa.
The hotel offers a 200 meter long pebbly private beach. It’s the perfect place to soak up the sun and plunge into the sparkling Adriatic Sea.
With the sea-front location of this hotel, ultimate and fun water sports cannot be missed here. And there is plenty to choose from as well.
How about a speedboat trip? Just charter or rent a speedboat and tour the coastline’s beaches and bays. Or breeze through Kvarner Bay which is already known for its excellent windsurfing conditions. Lessons for all skill levels are available as well.
You can also go for a bit more adrenaline and choose for wakeboarding or flyboarding.
We went for the stand-up paddleboarding. Unfortunately we visited just outside the high season, so all these watersports were already shut for the season. Luckily we managed to get one paddle board out of winter storage just for us. It was my first time paddleboarding and I loved it!
The water in Kvarner Bay is so clear, it’s unbelievable.
Awards
Just recently the Hilton Rijeka Costabella Beach Resort & Spa was awarded multiple awards. Obviously becoming the Michelin Star has been a great achievement by Restaurant Nebo. But, they have earned more awards this year. They have been awarded the ‘Best new hotel architecture and design in Croatia’ for 2023 – 2024.
They also won ‘Croatia’s leading resort 2023’ at the World Travel Awards. The ‘Leading luxury Spa & Wellness Centre Global’ was also awarded to them at the World Luxury Spa Awards. And locally they won a special award for raising the quality of the catering and accommodation offer in the destination and improving the tourist offer of the city of Rijeka. If there weren't enough reasons to visit this hotel already, now you have some more.
We have been lucky to have stayed at this amazing place for 3 nights. We were there early October and were extremely lucky weatherwise as we still had really warm weather up to 30 degrees Celsius. Our trip to Croatia was all about chilling, relaxing and unwinding.
Check out the rates for the Hilton Costabella Rijeka below.
Well, we definitely found that here. There is no better place if you ask us. From the seafront location, to the pools, the wellness and the Michelin food, this place offers it all. I can’t wait to go back to Croatia and explore more.
This blog was written by travel writer and Traveltomtom team member Ashley. She stayed at Hilton Rijeka Costabella Resort & Spa, on behalf of Traveltomtom, and wrote this blog about her experiences.
Check out the rates for the Hilton Costabella in Rijeka for your dates on Booking in the link.
Enjoy your trip to Croatia!