Curator’s statement
The historic luxury hotel and its Michelin star restaurant goes back to the magical Orient Express days as it was built in 1925 near the stately train station, and it has a story to tell.
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My husband an I explored Zagreb recently as part of an independent extended trip to the Faroe Islands, France, Italy Croatia, Slovenia and Montenegro. We chose the Esplanade hotel, which we loved! Very impressive.
It was a worthwhile splurge— a reasonable amount of money spent for what you get.
The Orient Express route was Paris Venice and Istanbul with a stop in Zagreb
It was taken over by the Nazis in WW2 and rebuilt after the war to its original architectural splendor.
This iconic hotel reminds me of the Colonial era hotels we have visited around the world...The Norfolk hotel in Nairobi, the Raffles in Singapore, the Foreign Correspondence club in Phnom Penh, Amangalla Hotel in Galle, Mount Nelson Hotel in Capetown. There is something really special and hugely romantic about these and other hotels from this era. I really love traveling, absorbing not only the different cultures but the fascinating history of each country.
The location is wonderful, a short walk away from the old town, cafes, museums, parks, shopping, etc
We were given a bottle of wine as a VIP perk as well as upgraded to a lovely suite.
The room and bathroom is lovely, upscale, smartly decorated, with a comfortable bed, fabulous in every way with a loveseat and desk
Breakfast was beyond amazing!
Staff give 5-star service … and are friendly and accommodating.
The whole experience was enchanting, especially given the rich history and stately architecture.
Need to know
Highly recommended for a memorable stay in historical and culture rich Zagreb!
This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Croatia. In need of further inspiration? Check out Diamond Durant’s guide, Guide to Zagreb, Croatia.
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Susan Anderson
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