Benjamin Hotel

Set in a historic building in the centre of Kaštel Novi, Benjamin Hotel suits a diving break where the important jobs are simple: reach the coast, eat properly, sleep in air-conditioned comfort and get back out the next morning. The atmosphere is shaped more by the old town and the shoreline than by resort-style entertainment, which will suit you if you prefer a base with some local character rather than a large holiday complex.

The hotel opened in 2019 and combines a traditional setting with practical touches for a few days by the Adriatic. Sea views are available from most rooms, while others look towards the town and Mount Kozjak. English-language information is available before you arrive, useful when you are organising flights, rooms and a late return from the water.

You stay in Kaštel Novi, Croatia, on the coast rather than in Split itself. The sea is 40 metres away, and the hotel has direct access towards the coast; Gabine Beach is about 450 metres away. Đardin Beach is about 700 metres away, while Bijačka Kaštela Beach is roughly 800 metres from the hotel. That gives you several nearby options when you want a swim without turning the afternoon into an expedition.

The setting also works for a split holiday of diving, history and airport convenience. Trogir is about 6 miles away, Split about 9 miles away, and Salona Archaeological Park about 7 miles away. Café bars and restaurants sit within roughly 300 to 400 metres, so you can step out for a coffee or a different dinner without arranging transport every time.

For a couple, the sea-view double rooms are the obvious choice if the view matters when you open the curtains. Twin beds are available in the sea-view double or twin option, useful when sharing a room but not a mattress. The budget double room keeps things straightforward with separate beds, while the larger family room or a split-level apartment gives you more room to spread out during a longer stay. The apartments also have a private bathroom.

Every room has air conditioning, a mini-fridge, a safe, a flat-screen television with satellite channels and a private bathroom with shower, hairdryer and complimentary toiletries. The fridge is handy for cold water after a hot day on the coast; the air conditioning is the more important ally when you need to sleep properly after sun, salt and travel. Tea and coffee-making facilities are also available.

Soundproof rooms can make a difference when you are trying to sleep rather than listen to the town carry on outside. Ground-floor rooms are available, and a lift helps with ordinary luggage. Choose your room according to the night you want: sea view for the outlook, twin beds for separate sleeping arrangements, or an apartment when having a little more space matters more than keeping the layout simple.

Breakfast is served as a buffet, with continental, full English or Irish, vegetarian and gluten-free choices. The Hotel Restaurant serves breakfast from 7:00, either from the buffet or from the à la carte menu, so you have a proper start available before a day out rather than having to rely on coffee and optimism.

The kitchen works with traditional Dalmatian cooking alongside European dishes. In the evening, you can order pasta, cakes and a broad selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Special-diet menus are available on request, and packed lunches are offered when your day takes you away from the dining room.

There is also a café-bar for a slower drink without leaving the hotel. Wine and champagne are available, and the coffee bar provides the useful post-meal pause: somewhere to sit, talk through the day and decide whether another walk is sensible. Usually, it is not.

The fourth-floor outdoor terrace is the main place to stretch out in the sun. After a morning in the water, it gives you an easy way to dry off, read a few pages and let the day become less organised. There is no need to dress for a formal spa session; the terrace is the practical option for doing very little, which is often the correct answer on a diving holiday.

Swimming, cycling and walking are all part of the area around the hotel. Gabine Beach is close enough for an uncomplicated dip, while nearby coastal roads and paths give you scope for a gentler outing when you want to move without committing to a serious hike. The historic surroundings of Kaštel Novi add interest to a stroll, and Trogir’s old town is close enough for a separate cultural outing.

For a couple, the appeal is the freedom to divide the day without complicated scheduling: one of you can take a walk, the other can remain on the terrace, and you can meet later for dinner or a drink at the café-bar. Free WiFi is available throughout the hotel, useful for checking travel plans or sending the day’s photographs before putting the phone away.

Split Airport is about 2.3 miles away, with the hotel also offering a shuttle service. The transfer can be arranged with the hotel, either privately or as a shared service where available. A taxi service is also available at the property. This short airport connection makes the hotel particularly workable for an early arrival, a late flight or a short stop before or after a longer Croatian trip.

Check-in runs from 15:00 to 00:00 and check-out from 07:00 to 11:00. You need to give the hotel your expected arrival time, and photo identification plus a credit card are required at check-in. Cash is accepted for payment. Daily housekeeping, private check-in and check-out, a safety deposit box and a lift cover the useful basics.

The hotel is non-smoking throughout, with a designated smoking area, and pets are not allowed. Children of all ages are welcome; cots and extra beds can be requested, subject to the room selected and availability. If you are travelling with dive luggage, check the room layout carefully before booking, especially where a compact double room will be doing more work than its name suggests.