Croatia's Hidden Gem: Unbelievable Silo Silo Holiday Home!
Croatia's Hidden Gem: Unbelievable Silo Silo Holiday Home! - A Chaotic & Captivating Review
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the beans on Silo Silo Holiday Home in Croatia. Forget your perfectly curated Instagram feeds – this is the REAL deal. After a week there, I'm still trying to unscramble my brain, and honestly, even remembering the name correctly takes effort (yep, "Silo Silo" – it’s catchy, right?).
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Let's get messy, shall we?
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag (But Mostly Good!)
Right off the bat, let me say, this place tries. Wheelchair accessibility is…well, it's present. They tout it, and there are elevators (thank heavens!), but navigating the whole property felt a bit like a treasure hunt. Some paths are smooth, some are not. We had an amazing experience with the staff, so I am inclined to give them a break since they were super helpful and proactive to assist and fix the obstacles, however, If you're fully reliant on a wheelchair, I'd suggest a very thorough pre-booking chat with the hotel to ensure they've got your specific needs dialed in. The website provides very detailed information to aid in the decision.
My takeaway: They're actively working on it, and the effort is appreciated. Plus, the staff is genuinely helpful.
Internet & Tech Stuff: WiFi Wars and LAN Line Lamentations
Okay, the WiFi situation. They say "Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!". They also say "Internet access – LAN" and "Internet access – wireless". Here's the reality: in our room, it was a battle. "Is the WiFi connected?" the mantra was. I'm talking constant drop-offs, buffering videos, the works. We reported problems and the staff worked diligently to fix the issue, however it was a bit of a pain. Lan… forget it. Never even looked like it was an option. WiFi in public areas was more reliable. Honestly? I was on vacation. I survived. But if you NEED to work remotely… be prepared for frustration and buy a local SIM card if you can.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa-tastic & Pool Party Potential
Alright, THIS is where Silo Silo shines. The Spa is AMAZING. Seriously. The Sauna, Steamroom, and Spa/sauna combination? Pure bliss. The Massage sessions were… wow. Indulgent. I may have dozed off during mine (don't judge!).
The Pool with view? Epic. Seriously, the pictures don't do it justice. You could lose hours just staring out at the landscape. We only had a short time to enjoy the Swimming pool [outdoor]. My only regret is not spending more time there.
Things I Didn't Do (But They Offer): Body scrub, Body wrap (next time, dammit!), Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness. I'm a relaxer, not a grunter.
Cleanliness & Safety: Sanitized, But Still Humans
Okay, COVID-era travel. Let's be real. Silo Silo takes it seriously. The staff, as mentioned earlier, were fantastic.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Check.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Check.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Yep. We actually missed the first day because the room was being cleaned!
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Absolutely.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Generally observed, though it's hard to control when people are lounging by the pool, but this is a common challenge everywhere!
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Unsure - they did not bring this to my attention
- Safe dining setup: They attempted this as well..
They also had First aid kit, Sterilizing equipment, and Hygiene certification as well.
A tiny gripe? While they say "Individually-wrapped food options," the buffet at breakfast was a bit of a free-for-all. It was not fully clear where to stand in line etc. That's on the guests, too, of course, but some more structure wouldn't hurt. However, it's hard to fault them, they were really taking things seriously.
Dining, Drinking, & Snacking: Food, Glorious Food! (Mostly)
Oh, the food. Okay, Restaurants are everywhere at Silo Silo… a la carte in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant, Poolside bar.
- The Breakfast [buffet] was… mixed. Some days it was a culinary masterpiece (the pastries!), other days it was a bit… chaotic. Breakfast service was lovely. Asian breakfast, Western breakfast and International cuisine in restaurant – all on offer. I'm not a fan of Asian breakfast in general, so I didn't care for it; other than that, the varied options were amazing.
- The Bar was a saving grace. We were big fans of it. Drinks with a stunning view? Yes, please! Happy hour was especially good.
- The Coffee shop: Great coffee. Essential.
- Snack bar: Handy for a quick bite.
- Dinner was generally very good with a lot of variety.
A word of warning: The desserts in restaurant, are dangerous. Very dangerous. I may have gained a few pounds. Okay, a lot. My diet began the day I left the property.
Services and Conveniences: A Mixed Bag (Again!)
This is where Silo Silo's ambition sometimes gets a bit… muddled.
- Concierge: Helpful, but occasionally overwhelmed.
- Daily housekeeping: Phenomenal, though my room seemed to get the "cleaning" later than other rooms, at times.
- Room service [24-hour]: Amazing. Essential at 3 AM after a night at the bar.
- Dry cleaning and Ironing service: Yes, but I didn't use them.
- Luggage storage: Good.
- Cash withdrawal: Convenient, but I just used the card.
- Convenience store: Surprisingly well-stocked for a few essentials.
- Invoice provided: Yes!
- Air conditioning in public area and Elevator: essential.
The "Meh"
- The Car park [free of charge]: Plenty of parking, but finding your car can be a challenge if you're directionally challenged (like me).
For the Kids: Family-Friendly (Mostly, Again)
They claim to be Family/child friendly , and they try. They had Babysitting service, and Kids meal options. Overall, a decent offering for families, however it is not a place you go with the intention that your kids can run around and have freedom and games.
Available in all rooms:
- Additional toilet: I have a small bladder. This was clutch.
- Air conditioning: Essential.
- Alarm clock: Useful, if you need to get up early and are not still asleep.
- Bathrobes and Bath accessories: Cozy.
- Bathtub and Separate shower/bathtub: Choice is always good!
- Blackout curtains: Sleep-gods send this to me!
- Closet: Space.
- Coffee/tea maker and Complimentary tea: Essential in the mornings.
- Daily housekeeping: Great!
- Desk and Laptop workspace: Okay, but see earlier WiFi comments.
- Extra long bed: So you can stretch and stretch.
- Free bottled water: Always handy!
- Hair dryer: Obviously.
- In-room safe box: Didn't use it.
- Ironing facilities and Iron: Not used, because I don't iron!
- Mini bar and Refrigerator: Snacks and drinks!
- Non-smoking: Yep.
- On-demand movies and Satellite/cable channels: Never turned these on.
- Private bathroom and Toiletries: Quality.
- Reading light: Good for late night reading.
- Scale: No. Too scared.
- Seating area and Sofa: Great.
- Shower and Slippers: Good.
- Smoke detector and Soundproofing: Essential for a good night's sleep.
- Socket near the bed: Useful.
- Telephone: Didn't use!
- Towels and Umbrella: Important.
- Wake-up service and **Wi
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your glossy, postcard-perfect itinerary. This is how a frazzled human like me, armed with a questionable sense of direction and a serious love for Croatian sunshine, plans a trip. This is Scenic Holiday Home in Silo, Croatia: My Attempt at Bliss (and Probably Screaming).
Day 1: Arrival and Immediate Panic (and the Smell of Lavender)
- Morning (7:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Flight from… well, let's just say it involved a lot of screaming babies and lukewarm coffee. Landed in Rijeka. Breathe. Deep breaths. Okay, Croatia, here I come. Except… where's the car rental place? Of course, it's a mile hike uphill. Thanks, Google Maps. Managed to snag a slightly dented Fiat Panda. Let's call her "Panda-monium."
- Late Morning (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM): The drive to Silo. Stunning coastline. Actually, breathtaking. Stopped at a random Konoba (tavern) for a coffee. It might have been the best coffee I've EVER had. The waitress, bless her heart, just smiled knowingly when I butchered my Croatian.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM - 2:00 PM): Arrived at Scenic Holiday Home. OH. MY. GOD. The photos didn't lie. View? Unbelievable. The air? Thick with the scent of pine and… is that lavender? This might actually be paradise. Except… the key. Where's the key? (Cue frantic rifling through luggage. Found it. Victory!)
- Afternoon (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Unpacking. Mostly. Found the wine glasses, which is the most important thing, right? Got lost in the overwhelming feeling of unpacking.
- Evening (4:00 PM - 7:00 PM): Exploring Silo. Wandered along the harbor. The crystal-clear water is hypnotizing. Got distracted by a ridiculously fluffy cat. Almost missed sunset. Almost. Grabbed a pizza from a little place by the docks. Crusty… and delicious!
- Evening (7:00 PM - onwards): Wine on the balcony. Sunset. Stars. The sheer peace of it all made my shoulders melt. First impressions of the Croatian countryside: Heavenly.
Day 2: Island Hopping and Near-Death Experiences (Kidding, Mostly)
- Morning (9:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Attempted to make coffee. Failed. Gave up and just stared at the view. That's allowed, right?
- Morning (10:00 AM - 1:00 PM): Ferry to the island of Krk. The sea breeze alone is worth the price of admission. Explored the old town of Krk. Cobblestone streets! Churches! More cats! Got hopelessly lost. Ended up buying a ceramic cat as a peace offering for my getting lost (to myself).
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Lunch at a restaurant overlooking the harbor. Ordered grilled fish, which I managed not to drop on the floor. Wine. More wine. Realized I was overdressed and sweaty.
- Afternoon (4:00 PM - 7:00 PM): Swimming. Oh, the water! So clear, so blue, so, so… cold at first! But then heaven. Seriously, I could have stayed in the ocean forever.
- Evening (7:00 PM - onwards): Back to Silo. Attempted cooking. Burnt the garlic again. Ended up eating a sad but still delicious omelet and feeling totally content.
Day 3: Caves, Caves, Everywhere! And a Mild Existential Crisis.
- Morning (9:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Another coffee (better this time!). Contemplated the meaning of life while staring at the ocean. Conclusion: beaches are better.
- Morning (10:00 AM - 1:00 PM): Drove to the Biserujka Cave. Okay, that was cool. Stalactites! Stalagmites! Bats! Didn't get eaten by any of them. Success! The walk was unexpectedly winding.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM): Lunch in a tiny village near the cave. The waiter spoke about 5 words of English, but somehow, we managed. (Think charades).
- Afternoon (3:00 PM - 6:00 PM): A quest to discover a hidden beach. Followed a dirt road. It nearly killed Panda-monium. Found a gorgeous, secluded beach. Soaked up the sun. Contemplated whether I could just stay here forever.
- Evening (6:00 PM - onwards): Wine on the balcony. Stargazing. A sense of profound peace. I think I might actually be happy. This is scary. In a good way.
Day 4: Sensory Overload (Wine Tasting and More Swimming)
- Morning (9:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Coffee. The view. Repeat.
- Morning (10:00 AM - 1:00 PM): Drove to a local vineyard. "Vinarija Katunar" (I think). Wine tasting. OH. MY. GOD. The Malvazija! The Teran! I may have bought several bottles. No judgment.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM): Lunch at the vineyard. Delicious food. Even more delicious wine. Started daydreaming about moving to Croatia permanently.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Back to that beach. More swimming. More sun. More bliss.
- Evening (6:00 PM - onwards): Dinner at a restaurant in Silo. Live music. More wine. Watching the world go by from a terrace is the best medicine.
Day 5: Departure and the Sweet, Sad Farewell
- Morning (8:00 AM - 9:00 AM): Wake up. OMG. The view. One last coffee. Take a million final photos.
- Morning (9:00 AM - 11:00 AM): Packing. Ugh. The worst part. Say a tearful goodbye to the lavender-scented air.
- Late Morning (11:00 AM - 1:00 PM): Drive back to Rijeka. Reflect on the sheer joy of this trip.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM): Return Panda-monium (without too much additional damage, hopefully).
- Afternoon (3:00 PM - onwards): Flight home. Heart full of sunshine, even with the inevitable travel exhaustion. Already planning my return. Croatia, I'll be back. And next time, I'm staying for a year.
Silo Silo Holiday Home: Seriously, You Need to Know This Stuff (and I'm Being Honest Here)
Okay, Spill It: Is Silo Silo REALLY as Amazing as the Pictures?
Alright, buckle up, because I'm about to get real. Yes, the pictures are stunning. The turquoise water, the ancient stone walls, the… well, it *looks* perfect. And for the most part, it *is*… but let’s be clear, it ain’t a sterile magazine spread. It’s got *character*. Like, proper, lived-in character. Think a slightly crooked door that adds charm, not a sign of shoddy workmanship. Think a stray cat (probably named Mr. Fluffernutter) who's decided the best sunbathing spot *is* that ancient stone wall.
My first impression? Pure, unadulterated "WOW." Seriously, I gasped. This place *oozes* history, and the views… Oh. My. God. The views. You know that feeling when you’re so overwhelmed with beauty you almost cry? Yeah, I did that. More than once.
But… and this is important… It's not *flawless*. There was this tiny, tiny issue with the Wi-Fi, more like a "Wi-Not-Fi" situation for a few hours on the first day. I panicked! I’m a millennial, okay? I need to post my sunset pics! Then again, maybe that was a blessing in disguise. Forced me to *actually* unplug. Ugh, I still cringe at the thought, but still.
Location, Location, Location - Where *Exactly* is this slice of heaven? And is it a pain to get to?
Silo Silo is tucked away in Croatia, specifically on the island of Krk (which, by the way, is super fun to say). It's in the village of... well, Silo! Genius name, right? Think of it as a secret hideaway, a place where you can actually *breathe*.
Getting there? Okay, here’s where it gets interesting. You can fly into Rijeka Airport (RJK) which is relatively close (about a 20-30 minute drive, depending on traffic and your driving skills). They say drive, but let's be honest, I'm a terrible driver, but even *I* managed to navigate the roads okay (mostly). It's a bit winding in the last bit, but that just adds to the adventure! You can also take a ferry, which is a much more scenic route. Just... plan ahead. I almost missed my ferry because I was too busy Instagramming the sunset. #travelproblems #priorities
Word to the wise: Rent a car. Seriously. You *need* a car. Unless you plan on spending your entire vacation chilling at Silo Silo (which, honestly, isn't a bad plan), exploring the island is an absolute must. The hidden coves, the charming villages… Don’t even get me started on the food! You don’t want to miss out.
The actual holiday home, what’s it like INSIDE? Like, the nitty-gritty details.
Alright, let's get down to brass tacks. Silo Silo feels less like a rental and more like staying in someone's ridiculously cool, beautifully designed home. The stone walls? *Gorgeous*. The furniture? A mix of rustic charm and comfortable modern touches. Its not a bland, soulless hotel room, this place has history. I mean you could practically *feel* the years of stories in those stones.
It's spacious, with a good sized living area, and a fully-equipped kitchen (coffee machine – a HUGE plus!). The bedrooms are cozy and the beds are supremely comfy. But honestly, you'll be spending most of your time outdoors. The terrace! Oh. My. Goodness. The *terrace*. That’s where the magic happens, with views that stretch out into forever. I’m pretty sure I spent half the holiday just staring at the sea, glass of wine in hand, feeling unbelievably peaceful.
Oh! The bathrooms are modern and clean, which is a HUGE relief (because let's face it, dodgy bathrooms can ruin a holiday.) And there’s AC! *Thank God* for AC, especially in the summer.
**Rambling Alert**: The first night, I was genuinely terrified. I’m not a fan of the dark, and even though the house is completely safe, that old stone… you can't help but imagine ghosts or something. I slept with the lights on. Don't judge me! But by the second night, I was completely in love. It felt like home. A ridiculously beautiful, historical, slightly spooky home.
What's the Food Situation? Restaurants? Grocery Stores? Do I need to pack a suitcase full of instant noodles?
Okay, food. Thank heavens, no instant noodles necessary. Silo itself has a couple of restaurants within walking distance. They're your standard Croatian fare – fresh seafood, grilled meats, pasta… Seriously, it was all DELICIOUS. I mean, the food in Croatia is just *chef's kiss*.
There’s a small shop in Silo for essentials, but for a proper grocery run, you’ll want to head to a larger town (Krk town itself has a decent supermarket). Stock up on supplies… and wine. Lots of wine. And cheese. And *prosciutto*. Because… Croatia.
**Side story!** I tried to cook one night. Note to self: I am not a chef. I burned the sausages. Completely. But the view from the terrace made up for it. And the local wine. Luckily, I managed to find some lovely local restaurants.
The *Really* Important Stuff: What's There to *DO* Besides Stare at the Ocean (which I'm already planning on doing a LOT)?
Okay, so yes, staring at the ocean is a perfectly acceptable way to spend your time at Silo Silo. But there's more! The island of Krk is bursting with things to do. Firstly, you have the beach! Crystal clear water, amazing for swimming, snorkelling, or just lounging around. Pack your best beach towel and a bottle of sunscreen, and be prepared to be wowed.
Then there are the charming villages. Vrbnik is a must-see – seriously, it’s perched on a cliff and looks like something out of a fairytale. Baška is great for watersports. The old town of Krk is full of history and cute shops. Explore the little streets, get lost. Trust me, it's the best way to discover all that the island has to offer.
**Important recommendation!** Take a boat trip! Seriously, do it! They take you to hidden coves, you can jump in the water, and the views from the sea are just… wow. My photos don't do it justice.
Okay, I'm Sold. Any Warnings? What are the Potential Downsides?
Alright, letWhere To Stay Now
