Sometimes, we love to go all out and stay in the lap of luxury, like in this story on the best palace hotels in India, while other times, we’re looking for the loveliest boutique hotels from Cape Town to Los Angeles. When we visited Split recently, we managed to find the best of both worlds at Hotel Vestibul Palace, one of the city’s only true independent hotels set amid the backdrop of Diocletian’s Palace. Find out why we fell in love with this little beauty that proves bigger isn’t always better, and have a look at our full list of boutique hotels in Croatia where it also features.
While this stay was complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Hotel Vestibul Palace review
Hotel snapshot
Hotel: Hotel Vestibul Palace
Location: Split, Croatia
Neighbourhood: Diocletian’s Palace / Old Town
Address: Iza Vestibula 4, 21000 Split, Croatia
Rooms: 7 rooms and suites
Style: Historic, intimate and design-led boutique hotel
Family-friendly: Yes, although the compact rooms and historic setting suit singles and couples particularly well
Wellness: No dedicated spa
Pool: No
Dining: Restaurant Magnus, serving contemporary cuisine inspired by Dalmatian ingredients
Best for: Couples, history lovers, first-time visitors to Split and travellers looking for a truly central boutique hotel
Prices starting from: €200 per night, depending on room type and season.
The fairytale begins
Walking through the alleyways and architraves of Diocletian’s Palace in Split is a magical experience for visitors, old and new. And just behind the Vestibule, close to where the royal apartments offered Diocletian himself views of the ocean in his later years, is Hotel Vestibul Palace, a member of the distinguished Small Luxury Hotels collective.
Tucked away in a stone-walled corner, it’s home to just seven rooms, each offering guests the chance to live, eat, and sleep within the palace’s walls with a fine selection of creature comforts that the Emperor himself would surely covet.
We arrived midday as the sun shone down on the courtyard where tables and chairs were set up for guests to enjoy breakfast, perhaps the best seat in town for history and design lovers alike. Coming just after the high season meant that: 1) we could actually get a room, and 2) the surrounding palace was not heaving with the crowds of summer. Definitely a great move if you’re not looking for a party holiday.
Welcome to your escape
“Room number six is the best room in the house. My colleague will show you the way.” During our time in the country, we discovered that Croatians are naturally warm and hospitable people, and the team at Hotel Vestibul Palace are no exception.
The art on the walls across the hotel includes studies of various details of the surrounding palace
An old-school key unlocked our little slice of history, and what an absolute treat it was as we walked inside the Luxury Suite. Reaching from floor to ceiling, an exposed stone wall was the main feature in the apartment, lit from below at night so you can linger in its beauty a little longer and concoct historical happenings in your head of what might have happened here over the years.
Inside room six
An Italian Saba sofa and armchair set looked divine, but my weary legs and I were worried it might be a case of form over function. I was proved wrong, however, when I collapsed into the stylish seating, and the couch engulfed me. Music started playing out the window, and soon we were hearing singing and cheers from a crowd below. It was a Saturday, and the national football team was playing; its supporters at surrounding bars and restaurants were jubilant in the competition.
Inside the rooms at the hotel, you’ll find modern touches sitting right next to slices of history
The artwork that adorns the room shows various Corinthian-style columns that can be (or at least could be) found in the remaining architecture that encircles the hotel. An architectural drawing of a section of the palace in its entirety from east to west sits on the opposite wall beside two square windows through which the cheers of excitement can be heard getting louder.
I need a bath after days of exploring towns and islands, and the deep offering at Hotel Vestibul Palace welcomes me with Molton Brown amenities and a giant robe. The water is hot, the bubbles high, and the footballers have transformed into live musicians singing in a square below: heavenly.
The princess and the p(erfectly formed bedroom)
Upstairs on the Mezzanine, the king-sized bed is flanked by marble and wood tables, each nesting a modern light that appears to hover like a bubble. You might think these traditional touches have no home in an historic site such as this, but I loved it, as I did the mix of dark and medium-toned woods that warm up the spaces.
Another highlight is the pitched roof, which not only adds a little drama to the suite, but also allows for artistic reflections on the ceiling from the glass barriers that enclose the bed.
Lying there on Sunday morning as the church bells rang out for the impending masses, I had one of those moments that only really great hotels can give: the moment where all the senses are excited along with that little touch of history.
The food situation
We take our breakfast in the courtyard, and even though it’s fresh outside, the sky is blue, and the views are cathartic. Next to us is the Ethnografski Museum (a must-visit for traditional costumes and exhibits, along with a trip to the annex offering some of the best views over old town Split), which makes its home in a former convent. It’s all very A Room with a View in its vibes; despite the film’s Florentine adventures taking place 400 kilometres to the east.
A selection of fresh vegetables, charcuterie, fruits, nuts, and cheeses are on offer, and I enjoy a glass of local apricot juice and smear fresh cottage cheese onto cucumber and tomato slices repeatedly. Eggs are cooked on request, and the omelette and coffee set me up for a day of exploring.
That’s if we decide to leave the suite.
One final note on the service
From suggesting great restaurants (the food and ambience at nearby Makarun was perfection) to going out and finding our food delivery driver who was lost in the palace rabbit warren the night we wanted to stay in and enjoy the spoils of the room, the team at the hotel were all delightful. And while you may think this was because we got special treatment as media, I spoke to other guests, and they were all equally as enthralled.
Getting there and getting around
Split Airport (SPU) is approximately 25km from Hotel Vestibul Palace. By taxi or private transfer, allow roughly 30–40 minutes, although summer traffic can make the journey longer. The hotel does not operate its own airport shuttle.
The hotel is particularly convenient if you’re arriving by ferry or train. Split’s ferry port and main railway station are both within walking distance of the Old Town, while the main bus station is also close by. The hotel’s location means you can reach many of Split’s principal sights, restaurants and waterfront areas without needing transport.
Once you’re in Split, walking is by far the easiest way to get around the historic centre. For excursions further afield, taxis, local buses and organised tours are available. The ferry port is particularly useful for day trips or longer stays on islands such as Hvar, Brač and Šolta. If you’re hiring a car, check parking arrangements in advance: the hotel does not have on-site self-parking, although secured public parking is available nearby.
Frequently asked questions: Hotel Vestibul Palace
Yes. This is one of the hotel’s defining features. Parts of the property incorporate Roman-era walls and original architectural elements, with the hotel occupying buildings from several different historical periods.
Yes. The small scale, atmospheric historic setting and central location make it particularly appealing for couples looking for a romantic city break. The Junior Suite and Luxury Suite offer more space for a special occasion.
The hotel is in the historic centre rather than directly on the beach. Several beaches are accessible from central Split, but this is primarily a hotel for exploring the city, harbour and surrounding islands rather than a traditional beach-resort stay.
The best time to visit Split depends on the type of trip you’re planning. May, June and September offer a good balance of warm weather, fewer crowds and easier sightseeing, while July and August are the busiest months and tend to be hot, particularly around the middle of the day. Spring and early autumn can be particularly appealing if you’re planning to explore the Old Town and take day trips, while summer is the best choice if swimming and beach time are priorities.
Start with Diocletian’s Palace, which surrounds Hotel Vestibul Palace, and explore the Peristyle, underground cellars and narrow streets of the Old Town. Other highlights include St Domnius Cathedral and its bell tower, the Riva waterfront, Marjan Hill and the Mestrovic Gallery. Split is also a useful base for boat trips and day trips to nearby islands such as Hvar, Brač and Šolta. For a longer excursion, Trogir and Krka National Park can also be visited from Split.
The final verdict
Our stay at Hotel Vestibul Palace was, quite simply, magical. How often do you get to stay in such a significant slice of history? From the leisurely breakfasts to the exquisite design and service, this is the spot I’d recommend if you have an upcoming Split trip on the cards. Sign us up for a repeat performance next summer.
Find out more about Hotel Vestibul Palace or Book through Booking.com Book through Expedia
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