Best Spa and Wellness Stays in Split

Boutique Hotel Venturo is adults-only, so I would not suggest it to parents travelling with children; families should look at other hotels in Split. For a couple or a group of adult relatives, it works well: the beach is directly in front of the hotel, the rooftop pool looks over the sea, and the spa adds a sauna and a hot tub for slower afternoons. A 9.9 rating from 38 reviews is a strong signal for a small property.

For a family, Heritage Hotel Antique Split is a choice for older children who enjoy history, since it stands inside Diocletian's Palace, a UNESCO-listed site. Rooms are elegantly furnished with air conditioning and free Wi-Fi, and breakfast is served on a floral terrace with views of landmarks such as St. Domnius Cathedral. The lively Riva Promenade is steps away. I would expect palace-lane noise and no pool or garden.

I would pick A Heritage Split for a family that wants to walk to the sights in Split. Diocletian's Palace and Bačvice Beach are both a short walk away. Rooms are air-conditioned with private bathrooms, and some have sea or mountain views. A hot tub, free WiFi and a continental buffet breakfast are included. The listing mentions no play area. A rating of 9.7 from 151 reviews is excellent.

Murum Heritage Hotel sits within the ancient walls of Diocletian's Palace, so families step straight out into the Roman lanes of Split. For children who like history, that is the attraction in itself. Rooms are comfortable with private bathrooms, Wi-Fi is free and there is a restaurant on site for easy meals. Parking is private but off site, so I would plan the car carefully, or arrive without one, since the palace area is best explored on foot.

I would recommend Hotel Ambasador to couples and families who want a five-star stay with a rooftop pool in Split. Rooms are air-conditioned with private bathrooms, iPads, minibars and sea or city views, and family rooms and interconnected options are available. There is a spa, a sauna and a fitness centre. Guests rate it 9.6 from 1,919 reviews, an outstanding score.

Marmont Heritage Hotel is a four-star heritage property in Split with air-conditioned rooms that include a seating area, useful when a family shares one room. A shared lounge and terrace give everyone somewhere to sit, and the restaurant and bar make meals simple after a day of sightseeing. Private parking is available, which helps in a city where spaces are hard to find. Bačvice Beach is 1.2 km away, a reasonable walk for most families with children.

Akademis - Fit Split gives every room a balcony, and rooms look out to sea, which makes evenings easy for families in Split. Rooms are air-conditioned with a private bathroom, a minibar and free Wi-Fi. The family-friendly restaurant covers Mediterranean, European and Croatian dishes plus barbecue grill options, so picky eaters usually find something. Parents can use the fitness centre, and free on-site private parking is a real help in a city where spaces are scarce.

For a family, Hotel Park Split has an outdoor pool and sits right next to Bačvice beach, so the day can run between water and sand. The hotel was completely restructured in 2015, and the air-conditioned rooms mix contemporary comfort with traditional elegance. Free Wi-Fi is included and pets are welcome. There is an upscale restaurant and a bar for the evening. The city centre is within easy reach.

For a family, Cora Hotel is more of a wellness hotel than a play hotel, so I would suggest it to parents who value a sauna, a hot tub and a steam room after a day in Split. Rooms are air-conditioned with private bathrooms and free Wi-Fi, and a fitness centre and a terrace are on site. Breakfast offers a wide choice. Pets are welcome, and wellness packages can be booked.

I would suggest Heritage Hotel 19 to a family that wants to explore Split on foot rather than spend the days by a pool. It is in the city centre, close to Diocletian's Palace, so short legs are not tested by long walks back. The terrace with garden views gives parents a calm corner in the evening, and the 24-hour front desk helps with late arrivals. Bathrobes and toiletries are provided. There is no pool or beach on site, but a guest score of 9.3 speaks for the service.

AC Hotel by Marriott Split is a modern four-star with sea-view rooms, and I would suggest it to families who want a reliable base for visiting Diocletian's Palace with a pool to come back to. The indoor pool works in any weather, the spa and fitness centre give parents some time to themselves, and the restaurant offers a varied menu for different tastes. Rooms are air-conditioned and pets are accepted. A guest score of 9.3 from over 2,000 reviews backs the choice.

I would pick Hotel Villa Harmony for a family that wants Bačvice Beach on the doorstep in Split. The beach is only 21 metres away, there is an outdoor pool for days when the sand is crowded, and parents can use the mini-spa with sauna once the children are settled. Some rooms open onto terraces with sea views, worth asking for. Diocletian's Palace is about one kilometre away, a walk that older children manage easily. A guest score of 9.3 backs the choice.

For a family, briig boutique hotel is a beachfront address in central Split, steps from Bačvice beach, with a rooftop pool and a bar, plus a spa. Rooms are air-conditioned with private bathrooms, and pets are welcome. Diocletian's Palace is a 10-minute walk away, so the main sights are on foot. The central, popular-beach setting is lively, so I would ask for a quieter room and expect evening noise in summer.

Ellure Luxury Suites sits 650 metres from Firule Beach, close enough for a family to walk down with the beach bags. The seasonal outdoor pool is the other draw for children, and rooms look over the pool or the sea. Parents get a fitness centre and a terrace, and Diocletian's Palace is 1.9 km away for a morning in the old town. I would choose it for a family that wants a quieter base outside the centre, rated 9.2 from 752 reviews.