Hotel ParkSplit - Croatia
Painting and review are copyrighted work by Ginda Simpson
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A leisurely five-minute walk from the ferryboat harbor of Split, following a gentle slope that hugs the seashore, brings us to the entrance of Hotel Park, built in 1921, the oldest hotel in Split. Nestled in a wooded park, it offers quiet seclusion in an old residential neighborhood of lovely villas and lush gardens. Yet, its famed neighbor, Diocletian’s Palace, the heart of Old Town Split is within easy walking distance. Hotel Park’s terrace is graced with splendid palm trees, their fronds stirring in the gentle Mediterranean breeze while golden rays of sunshine waltz across the pavement. Here, it is easy to wile away the hours over a glass of Croatian wine, shared with friends or business associates or alone with a good book. In the evening, when the tall palms are enlivened with tiny glittering lights, the terrace takes on an air of enchantment, enticing guests to remain and dine at “home.”
Although small, our room lacks none of the comforts expected of a four-star hotel that has received Croatia’s Tourist Flower Award. From our window, we have a seagull’s view of the popular Bačvice Bay and its beaches, flanked by the wooded park that gives the hotel its name. At sunset, weary from exploring the sights of the city, we would open our window wide to let the pure sea-scented breeze seep into our room, inducing a night of blissful sleep. It is not surprising that Diocletian chose this particular location on the Adriatic for his summer palace, as long as 17 centuries ago. The attraction has endured.
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