Hotel Ani

A fantastic hotel in Makarska in Croatia. Only 18 or so rooms so very much under the 'boutique' category. Probably saw 4 staff in total but each of them so helpful, welcoming and always happy to help - really nice people! The hotel is pretty new so all mod cons and the rooms are well fitted and thankfully pretty soundproofed! Housekeeping staff must be ex-ninjas as they are in and out in jig time doing a great job cleaning, changing bedsheets and fresh towels. Only slightly bizarre thing was the shower head in the bath was at waist height so you need to raise it above your head to shower but no biggy. Only 6 sunbeds and 4 deckchairs although there are 3 sets of sofas in the shade you can relax on. More on that later. Whilst hot breakfast food limited to various egg and bacon options, it was always served fresh and the continental on offer had good and fresh choices. No snacks available during the day although bar always open. The hotel is situated 5 mins from the beach although I'd describe it somewhere between Carnage and Rabble! If you moved to lie on your left side a family of four would budge in and use the space your right buttock was occupying - have never seen so many people crammed in to a tight space! Was only once or twice that we struggled to get a sunbed at the pool although the space is tight so be prepared to be lying right next to randoms. The promenade is also 5 mins walk and pretty hectic so would suggest walking the 20/25 mins downhill towards the old town and church square - far more traditional and less commercial than the promenade. Bizarrely it took us 2.5hrs to get here via airport transfer (albeit it was torrential rain) but only 75 mins on the way back where the driver seemed to go via dual carriageway? The only gripe - and smokers move on, nothing to see here - is smoking in public. Definitely worth asking for no smoking tables in restaurants but biggest issue was pool area where you're lying right next to people who think nothing of lighting up then holding their cigarettes pretty much in your face to avoid them getting smoke in their faces? Go figure... Its obviously legal still to smoke in Croatia but I think the hotel should make the sunbed area no smoking to accommodate people like me who enjoy fresh air and are asthmatic. Had to move a few times because of this but hey, ho. Otherwise highly recommended hotel and staff!