Istria

Croatia's first design hotel, this 248-room powerhouse of style is a creation of Croatia's starchitects 3LHD. — Lonely Planet

The Hotel Monte Mulini is a chic and contemporary luxury property that overlooks the Adriatic and a lush forest. — Oyster

In the medieval hill town of Bale, 12 km (8 miles) inland from Rovinj, this family-run boutique hotel occupies a carefully renovated old building. — Frommer's

This light, spacious, panoramic property basks in its own expanse of green set out on a peninsula facing both Rovinj’s Old Town and the Adriatic. — Time Out

A cross between a villa rental and a small luxury hotel, the Valdibora has apartments and studios with kitchens, daily maid service, breakfast included, and a location...that can't be beat. — Fodor's

Casa La Parenzana is a lovely boutique guesthouse, set in a restored stone farmhouse in Istria's rural hinterland. — The Telegraph

Hidden amid pines and manicured lawns facing a gorgeous pebbly cove, this upmarket hotel is the best of the Verudela resorts. — Lonely Planet

Near the village of Žminj, La Casa di Matiki may not be a fully working farm, but you’ll find donkeys, sheep, chickens, and two dogs here, and you can opt to sleep on hay in the converted barn. — Fodor's

Hotel Peteani is an outstanding boutique hotel – stylish, luxurious yet understated, with an absolutely top-notch restaurant which makes for a worthy destination in itself. — The Telegraph

This German-owned pansion (guesthouse), on the leafy street leading up from Hotel Park, has 17 spick-and-span rooms, some with terraces and views of the sea and the old town. — Lonely Planet

Nine km (6 miles) up the road from Novigrad (on the road to Buje), the Hotel San Rocco is a real change of pace from the coast: among rolling hills surrounded by olive trees and vineyards, this upscale boutique hotel makes an impressive entrée to the Istrian interior. — Fodor's

This lovingly restored turn-of-the-century villa is an excellent place to stay—and a good example of what you're likely to find if you venture into the agritourism section of the Istria brochure. — Fodor's