Packed with adventure, Rab is situated in the Adriatic sea, western Croatia. The little island is lined with thirty of the most stunning beaches, and has a rich history filled with several historical architectures, all while having a heavenly cuisine.
Known as the happy island, this is a popular destination for travelers from around the globe due to the wide array of things to do here. From parasailing to boat dives to exploring hidden creeks, Rab offers it all.
We’ve collected a list of the ten best hotels on Rab Island located here at different price points so that you can find the perfect place that’s within your budget.
Valamar Carolina Hotel & Villas
Located 5km from the town of Rab, Valamar Carolina is found in the midst of the Suha Punta peninsula. Surrounded by gigantic pine trees providing shade from the blazing sunlight, the hotel has a stunning beach with rocky terrain and calm blue waters. It also offers a huge amount of amenities which include outdoor pools, relaxing massages at the spa, a hot sauna, a tennis court as well as a scrumptious complimentary breakfast from 7 am till 11 am.
Inside the room, there is a minibar to grab a quick chilled drink, an LCD television for light entertainment, complimentary Wifi along with toiletries and hair dryers available in the washroom. However, since the place reeks of luxury, the price per night is quite high. Packed with adventure, you can enjoy cycling, live music, and delightful Mediterranean food that will satiate your seafood hunger.
Major tourist hotspots on the island are located nearby with Kandalora beach being 1.4km away and the Farkanj beach being 2.4km from Valamar. Overall, the central location along with comfortable beds, impeccably clean rooms, several amenities, and quick room service makes it a must-visit.
Arbiana Heritage Hotel
Found in the heart of the town of Rab, Arbiana is a top-notch place to stay with its beautiful white modern building and brick-red roof. Air-conditioned and having Wifi facilities, the place offers a relaxing getaway to enjoy with your loved ones. It also offers outdoor pools, no-smoking areas, minibars within each room, and pets are allowed on the premises.
Some rooms have private balconies overlooking the dazzling view of rocky undulating mountains and the water below. Located on the site, Agatha’s garden restaurant serves the most succulent seasonal dishes paired with local wines that are to die for. The best part about Arbiana is that, currently, you can get a room here for under seventy euros.
The ferry port, Pag island, and the main bus station are all within close proximity making it an ideal place with a minimal commute. The hotel is literal heaven for coffee addicts as there is a coffee machine inside each room so you can easily get your daily caffeine fix. They also have a parking lot however, you need to pay extra for it.
San Marino Camping Resort
Stepping away from the confines of traditional hotels, the San Marino camping resort offers a fun take with their tents and pitches surrounded by shade from nearby trees, located on the campground waiting to be reserved. The place is super close to paradise beach and you can travel to the heart of the town in less than an hour.
The resort offers several activities like yoga and fitness training with a resident instructor, Kapuera training, aerobics, and meditation as well as an in-house animator for kids to enjoy. With clean and sanitary washrooms, the campsite also offers a ton of food options to enjoy delicious warm meals. A modern twist on camping, they also provide electricity so you can charge your devices.
You can get tents to get the full exploration experience, standard pitches, comfort pitches located near the sea, larger premium mares, or entire camping homes in the vicinity. Depending on the number of people and their ages, you can pick whatever package that suits you best.
Valamar Padova Hotel
Padova Hotel can be found on the edge of the sea bay, offering a jaw-dropping view of the stunning historical town and the rugged mountains behind. They have a variety of facilities readily available to ensure you have an amazing experience like their spa center with a relaxing massage, in-house doctor, cartoon discos, live music, and fancy swimming pools.
Offering some of the best food on the island, they have an expansive menu listed with an endless amount of gobsmacking food. Grab a chilled cocktail, a healthy smoothie, or some light snacks for the hangover from the beat beach club or feast on the juicy Mediterranean cuisine on the balcony of the Olivia restaurant.
With 175 rooms onsite, the hotel provides balconies with some of the rooms have a spectacular view. The modern exterior also translates to their interior having comfortable, sleek, and minimal rooms with minibars and Television. You can also join the Fit Program to get some morning exercise while enjoying the beautiful nature of the island.
Apartmani Ana
A three-star guest house, Apartment Ana is a cheaper option than a fancy hotel room. What’s amazing is that they have several amenities available including laundry service, free parking, refrigerators, and air-conditioning. Having a total of 21 rooms, they offer fully furnished comfortable, and eye-catching places to their guests.
You can also devour their succulent bbq straight from their grill on the terrace. The check-in time starts at 4 pm and guests are required to check out before noon. Don’t worry about the commute because Ana provides a shuttle straight to the airport. Take a stroll and you’ll find a promenade filled with souvenir shops, grocery stores, and the bus station nearby.
Payments can be made through credit/debit cards and if by any chance, you have a child under five, you won’t need to pay a dime for their accommodation. However, the place does not have baby cribs or any extra mattresses for you to use but they do allow your furry babies to stay with you rent-free!
Pansion Tamaris
Located in downtown Rab, Pansion Tamaris has some of the best restaurants located nearby including the infamous Konoba Rab. Extremely sanitary and hygienic, the place is located in a quiet alleyway so it is quiet and peaceful with minimal traffic noise. The hotel is a bit hard to find but the GPS location is accurate and helps in reaching the right location.
Though the size of the room is not as big as some of the other places mentioned on this list, however, it has a good value-for-money ratio. The food options are limited but you can walk to a nearby place to grab some fresh seafood. Friendly and professional staff, a parking lot for your vehicles, and a delicious cup of coffee are easily available at Pansion.
Kandarola nudist beach is a popular destination less than two kilometers away from the hotel so you can take a walk and go sunbathe in the bright sun. You’ll also get a mesmerizing view of mount Obzova with its rocky slanting plain and rugged texture.
Hotel International
Situated at the core of the town, Hotel International has recently gained more traction with guests rating it highly. Providing a bunch of services like an outdoor pool, a Finnish sauna within their wellness center, and an excellent view from their terrace, the hotel is right next to the airport so the commute is very minimal.
In order to check in on time, make sure to first head to Maestra reception at the pier so that the staff can confirm your reservation. The pool and the surrounding areas are clean and there are free towels available for the guests staying at the hotel. International also offers spacious rooms, WiFi facilities, and some scrumptious meals at their ala carte restaurant, Dock69 which has tons of options to pick from.
There are six beauty rooms where you can go enjoy some massages. The place is perfect for you if you’re on a budget touring Rab Island, and you’re looking for a not-too-shabby place to spend minimal time in because the room here is quite cheap.
Imperial Hotel
One of the oldest hotels on the island dating back to 1927, the Imperial hotel offers modern rooms with a rich historical twist. Situated in Komrcar park, it has peaceful and vibrant gardens that connect to the park through a pathway. The place offers tons of amenities like fresh laundry, a minibar, tennis courts, a spa, and cycle rentals.
Grab a chilled drink from their bar and enjoy a heavenly slice of Rab cake along with tender and juicy seafood at Imperial. Their staff is extremely helpful and friendly, their room service is impeccable and they have a special gin bar right by the pool. With thick grey carpets and colored interior furniture, the place is beautiful and very gen z. You get multiple packages which include their standard room and their V-level ones that provide extra facilities and more spacious rooms.
Providing free breakfast featuring golden yolk eggs, crispy fresh bread, and several other items, the hotel also serves amazing local traditional dishes and tons of vegan options so no one misses out on the delicious meal.
Captain’s Club
Another budget-friendly option, keeping in mind the economic crisis, this B&B provides a good alternative to typical expensive hotel rooms. Captain’s Club is a house found on the seaside with several rooms listed individually. Not only do they provide the needed toiletries, but they are also spick and span so you don’t need to worry about hygiene.
Parking is available there and it takes 40-45 minutes to reach the main town on foot so the location is quite ideal. If you want a view of the stunning calming blue sea, you need to ask them for it specifically. The food is top-notch with options for vegetarians also available on the menu.
Due to the cozy and intimate nature of the place, you’ll feel right at home. Some other amenities provided by the club include bike renting, boat renting, and a cocktail bar with an expansive menu.
Zlatni Zalaz Apartments
Situated in Supetarska Draga, Zlanti Apartments has a white structure with brick-red rooftops. The outdoor pool has glistening lights which look heavenly at night because of the cascading slope that makes it feel connected to the sea below, along with a cute little mini sauna right next to it.
Looking right in front, you’ll find a long stretch of blue water with little peaks of mountains as far as the eye can see. Zlanti also provides its guests with a free delightful breakfast, air conditioning in the heat, and access to free parking onsite. Rooms are spacious with a king-size bed to sink into.
A clean and crisp environment with professional staff and waitresses, the place is a hub for travelers visiting Rab. The poolside bar offers amazing comfort food like deep-fried finger fish and an amazing collection of cocktails on the fly.
Final Thoughts
Rab Island is a fairyland filled with history, culture, and diversity along with spectacular views, greenery, rugged mountains, and dazzling waters. There’s so much fun packed within this mini island, that it’s hard to imagine why anyone wouldn’t want to visit.
The most important aspect of traveling, however, is accommodation. With the rising price surge, it can get quite difficult to find budget-friendly options so I took the liberty of doing it for you. And, if you have a higher budget, I have added some of those options to the list as well.
So, if you’re visiting Rab island anytime soon, you should definitely stay at one of these top-notch places and find the one that’s perfect for you!
