Hotel Riva

Hotel Riva places you in Malinska, on the island of Krk, with the sea close enough to shape the day and a full Wellness & Spa centre ready for the hours when your fins are back in the bag. The hotel has 49 rooms, a restaurant, two pools and a bar, so the useful parts of a diving holiday are gathered in one address: somewhere to sleep properly, eat, unwind and organise the next day.

English, Italian and German are spoken by the hotel team. That matters when you are discussing transfers, dinner or the small practical details that tend to appear once you have spent the day wet, hungry and carrying too much kit. The hotel also has a 24-hour reception, free Wi-Fi and a concierge service for the less glamorous but necessary business of making plans.

The address is in Malinska, Croatia, on Krk island, a few minutes from the town centre and close to the beach. The beach is only a few steps away, which makes a swim or a quiet stretch by the water an easy addition to the day rather than a separate expedition.

You are also within reach of the town for a change of scene, while the hotel itself gives you outdoor space through its garden and terraces. Free parking is available if you arrive by car. An airport transfer is also available, and car hire can be arranged for exploring further around the island.

The room choice is broad, but the practical split is fairly clear. Couples can look towards the double rooms and junior suites, particularly the versions with a balcony and sea view. The balcony gives you somewhere to sit with a drink while the day cools down, and the view keeps the coast in sight without requiring another walk to find it. Several deluxe rooms and junior suites also bring air conditioning, blackout blinds, soundproofing, a mini-bar, tea and coffee facilities, a safe, Wi-Fi and a television into the picture.

For families or small groups, the family and quadruple categories make more sense than trying to squeeze everyone into a couple's room. Some family rooms and quadruple rooms have pool or water views, while selected versions include a balcony. The family rooms with a private bathroom cover the basics; the more fully equipped rooms add bathrobes, slippers, toiletries, a hairdryer and a desk. A double room with a balcony and double bed is the straightforward choice for two when you want the room to do its job without turning the booking into a catalogue exercise.

The junior suites and larger suites suit you if the room is part of the holiday rather than merely the place where you leave your sandals. Air conditioning and heating cover different seasons, blackout blinds help when an early start follows a late dinner, and soundproofing appears in the more comprehensively equipped categories. Room service is available, so you can keep one evening simple when the combination of sea air and a full day has done its work.

Dinner is the strongest defined part of the food offering. Restoran serves local cuisine by the sea, with a five-course menu built around local ingredients. That gives the evening a clear Croatian direction rather than the usual hotel buffet blur. You can sit down properly, eat several courses and let somebody else deal with the logistics for a change.

There are two named bars. The Lobby Bar is the easy landing point for a drink in a relaxed setting, while Vinoteka is focused on wine and gives the evening a more specific destination for anyone who would rather discuss the bottle than the day's weather. A snack bar is also available when a full meal is not what you need.

Breakfast is available, but the meal arrangement depends on the room booking, so check the selected rate before assuming what is covered. The hotel also offers a restaurant, bar, snack bar and room service, giving you options whether you want a proper dinner, something lighter or food brought upstairs while you recover from an enthusiastic day in the water.

Two pools give you a choice between indoors and out. The outdoor pool is heated and comes with loungers and parasols, while the indoor pool includes counter-current swimming and a whirlpool. When your legs have had enough exercise for one day, the indoor option is a useful place to move slowly and call it training.

The Wellness & Spa centre covers more than 2,000 square metres across four floors. Its treatments include massage, cosmetic treatments, manicures and pedicures, with a sauna and steam room available as part of the wider wellness offer. There is also a fitness centre for keeping the body moving without committing to another excursion.

For a quieter afternoon, the hotel has a library, garden, terraces and a sun terrace. Cycling and hiking are available for days when you want to see more of Krk under your own power, while kayaking offers a way to stay on the water without putting on a cylinder. Excursion assistance is available through the hotel, so the concierge can help turn a spare day into something more organised than sitting beside the pool with a book.

Check-in runs from 15:00 to midnight, with check-out by 11:00. A 24-hour reception makes a late arrival less awkward, while luggage storage is available if your travel timetable leaves you with time to fill before departure. The hotel has a lift, free Wi-Fi, a safe, currency exchange, laundry services and a press service.

Airport transfers are available from and to the airport, either as a private service or a shared shuttle arranged through the hotel. Car hire is also available, and free parking makes driving to Malinska a practical option. Contact the hotel with your arrival details before travelling so the transfer can be organised around your flight.

Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Diners Club and cash are accepted. The electrical supply is 230 volts with Type C and Type F sockets, the standard arrangement across Croatia. A conference room is available as well, though the more relevant detail for most divers is simpler: you can arrive, park, check in, connect to the Wi-Fi and get on with the important business of finding dinner.