Hotel Epario

Hotel Epario gives you a straightforward base on the coast of Lopar, where the beach, the restaurant and the evening drink all sit within an easy holiday radius. You get the useful comforts rather than a long list of grand promises: air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, private parking, a fitness centre and a proper restaurant on site.

English is spoken by the hotel team, alongside German and Croatian. That matters when you are discussing an early breakfast, arranging a transfer or trying to explain that the room key has vanished into the same pocket as your mask strap. The atmosphere suits divers who want the sea close, a meal without a taxi and enough facilities to make a non-diving day worthwhile.

You are in Lopar, on the island of Rab in Croatia, directly by the sea. Paradise Beach is around 200 metres away, while Rajska Beach is roughly 400 metres from the hotel. Lopar Beach is about 0.7 miles away, and Livačina Beach is around 0.8 miles away on foot. The coastline here is sandy rather than a ladder-and-concrete affair, with golden sand, clear water, sun loungers, parasols and a beach bar.

The centre of Lopar is around 200 metres away, giving you somewhere to wander when the day has finished without turning a simple coffee into an expedition. You also have restaurants such as Orhideja, Navigator and Sveti Marin within roughly 0.4 miles. Sv. Rok u Polju is about 0.7 miles away, while Punta zidine is around 1.7 miles away for a little history between swims.

Rijeka Airport is about 27 miles away by the stated route, with a longer road journey because the island does not sit beside the runway. An airport transfer is available through the hotel, either privately or as a shared service, and should be arranged with the property.

The room choice is mainly about how you want to use the space. Couples can keep things simple with a double room, while a room with a balcony gives you outdoor furniture and somewhere to sit once the wet kit is dealt with and the day’s salt has been rinsed away. Family rooms are available, although the booking policy does not allow cots or extra beds, so check the exact arrangement for your party before committing to a category.

Every room has air conditioning, a private bathroom with shower, towels, toiletries and a hairdryer, plus a flat-screen television with cable channels. Extra-long beds are available, which is a small detail that becomes much less small when you are tired. The rooms are non-smoking, daily housekeeping is provided and some have a furnished balcony. Upper floors are reached by stairs only.

A single room keeps things compact for solo travel, while the attic budget option is the plainest way to keep the room bill from taking over the trip. For two people, the balcony rooms are the more appealing choice if sitting outside matters; for a short stop, the simpler double rooms cover the practical basics without turning the bedroom into a lounge.

Restaurant Riva handles the main eating, with Mediterranean cooking, local ingredients and sea views from its terrace. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served there, and the setting is casual rather than formal. Breakfast is a buffet, with a continental format, while the overall arrangement is half board.

Breakfast starts at 07:00, which gives you a fighting chance of eating before a morning departure. Lunch runs from 12:00 to 15:00 and dinner from 19:00 to 22:00. The kitchen caters for vegetarian and gluten-free diets, and a packed meal is available for days when you are heading out rather than sitting down.

There is one bar: the Pool Bar, beside the outdoor pool, with cocktails and snacks. A coffee house is also on site, and the restaurant keeps a selection of local wines. Continuous snacking is not part of the setup, so plan your return from the water around the restaurant hours rather than expecting food to appear at every hour of the day.

The main pool is outdoors and has a swim-up bar, which makes it an obvious place to spend an afternoon when the sea can wait. The beach is directly accessible and gives you a second option for the serious business of lying down. Kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkelling and boat excursions are available, with equipment rental on offer.

Epario Spa covers 150 square metres and includes massages, facials, a sauna and a jacuzzi. That is the useful kind of post-dive programme: lie still, warm up, and let somebody else worry about the knots in your shoulders. A fitness centre and yoga classes are also available if your idea of recovery involves moving deliberately rather than finding the nearest chair.

For a change of scenery, you can hire bicycles, go hiking or join cultural excursions to Rab town and neighbouring islands. Live music and themed evenings provide some entertainment after dinner. Families have access to babysitting, an indoor play area, board games and a children’s menu, while the hotel welcomes children of any age.

Free private parking is available on site and does not require a reservation. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, and the front desk operates around the clock. Concierge assistance, luggage storage, a reception safe, laundry and dry-cleaning services are available, along with car hire and a doctor on request.

The published arrival window is 13:00 to 22:00, with departure between 07:00 and 10:00. Standard hotel timings are also given as 14:00 for check-in and 12:00 for check-out, while early arrival and late departure can be arranged. Check the applicable timing for your booking, particularly if your ferry, flight or first boat leaves at an ungodly hour.

Private and express check-in and check-out are available. Payment is accepted in cash, Visa and Mastercard. The hotel is non-smoking throughout, and pets are not allowed. An airport shuttle can be arranged with the hotel; car hire is another option for exploring Rab beyond Lopar.