Escape to Paradise: Stunning Mali Lošinj Apartment w/ Rooftop Terrace!
Escape to Paradise: A Review of the Mali Lošinj Apartment & My Own Existential Swim
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I've just escaped to paradise, or at least what’s advertised as such: "Escape to Paradise: Stunning Mali Lošinj Apartment w/ Rooftop Terrace!" Let me tell you, after a week there, I’m less “escaped” and more… marinated. In a good way, mostly. This review? It’s gonna be as chaotic as my attempts at Croatian. Let's dive in, shall we?
Accessibility… or the Stairway to Slightly Less Heaven
Alright, let's rip off the band-aid first. The listing says it has "Facilities for disabled guests." Well, that's a bit like saying a hamster has “facilities” for running the Tour de France. The apartment itself, I think, was physically accessible within the apartment (though I didn't ask/check for specific wheelchair access). But remember that killer rooftop terrace? Yep. You're climbing, baby. Lots of climbing. If you have mobility issues, let’s just say the "Escape" part becomes a bit more… challenging. Definitely check with the specific apartment management before booking. My rating here? Mixed. A solid 3/5 just for the implied accessibility.
Cleanliness and Safety - The Sanitized Symphony (and a Tiny Freak-Out)
Okay, so arriving post-pandemic… I'm a germaphobe. Not gonna lie. So, the sheer volume of sanitizing on display was… calming, and then borderline overwhelming. They hit all the boxes: Anti-viral cleaning products, Room sanitization opt-out available (bless you!), Rooms sanitized between stays, Daily disinfection in common areas. I think I saw the cleaning crew wearing hazmat suits… which, honestly, gave me a moment’s pause. Were they actually cleaning, or were they fighting off something invisible? (Insert dramatic music here) Regardless, Hand sanitizer was EVERYWHERE! You could practically swim in it. They also had Individually-wrapped food options, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, and Staff trained in safety protocol. Felt safe. Really safe. Like, maybe too safe? Still, 5/5 for the sheer dedication to keeping me alive. And maybe a little bit for enabling my neuroses.
Internet - The Eternal Struggle (and the Sweet, Sweet Wi-Fi)
Look, in the digital age, internet is oxygen. And this place? PUMPED oxygen. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Internet access – wireless, Internet (LAN)… it's almost too much. I was constantly checking my connection, worried it'd disappear. The anxiety of losing connectivity almost overcame me. (Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating, but I am writing this review, aren't I?) Still, it worked, and it worked well. 5/5 for keeping me connected to the world, and, more importantly, to my endless stream of cat videos.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - The Culinary Chaos (in a Good Way!)
This is where things got… interesting. The apartment itself didn't offer food, but the nearby options were… abundant. Let's start with the basics. They had Breakfast service available, though I didn't try it. There's a Coffee shop nearby. There were Restaurants galore, offering everything from International cuisine to, thankfully, Vegetarian options (because, let's face it, all that sanitizing gives you an appetite). The listing also mentioned Poolside bar, a potential Snack bar, and even a Bar. Seriously, you could get lost in the food options. The listing also mentions A la carte in restaurant, Bottle of water and Buffet in restaurant. I will say, I did indulge in the occasional Desserts in restaurant and they were divine, the perfect way to celebrate getting through a single day.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax… And the Existential Dip in the Pool
Let's be real, the real selling point, the reason I booked this place? The rooftop terrace and the (wait for it…) Swimming pool [outdoor] with a Pool with view. I spent hours up there, watching the sun bleed into the Adriatic. The water? Crystal clear. The view? Stunning. My rating? 10/5. (Okay, I'm biased).
But it wasn't all lounging and sunbathing. The listing also boasts a Fitness center, a Spa, a Sauna, and even a Steamroom. I attempted the gym once. I lasted five minutes. (I blame the gelato.) But I did imagine myself getting a Massage – but didn't want to pay the extra cost.
There were also a bunch of other ways to "relax," including Body scrub and Foot bath. They also had a Spa/sauna. The listing also mentions Yoga and Meditation. I'm not sure what the actual place had but it sure looked like the place had it all. I'm not the spa type but if you're into that sort of thing, you're probably in heaven.
The experience that really stuck with me? The Pool with a view. I was there one afternoon, the sun beating down, the water shimmering, and for some reason, I started thinking about… well, everything. About life, death, the meaning of it all. It was the classic existential crisis. (Don't worry, I survived.)
Services and Conveniences - The Perks and Quirks
Okay, so here’s the laundry list: Daily housekeeping, Concierge, Doorman, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Currency exchange (essential!), Car park [free of charge]. They also provide Invoice provided, Ironing service and Elevator. They clearly thought of everything.
But here's a quirky observation: despite the seemingly endless list of amenities, I found myself missing… the little things. A small, hand-drawn map, a personalized welcome note. Just something to make it feel a little more… personal. That's not a criticism, more an observation. The service was impeccable, but sometimes a little bit of quirky charm is worth more than all the conveniences in the world.
For the Kids… I'm Not the Person to Ask
The listing notes Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, and Kids meal. I, however, am not a parent. I saw some kids having fun with the pool, so I assumed they were happy.
Getting Around - Parking, Pedals… and Potential Hilarity
Car park [free of charge], Airport transfer, Taxi service, and Bicycle parking are all listed. I rented a car, and parking was easy – a huge win! The roads are… well, they're Croatian. Meaning, expect dramatic turns, narrow lanes, and the occasional (and I stress occasional) near-death experience. Still, the convenience of having a car was great for exploring the island.
Available in all rooms - My Sensory Overload
This is where I tell you all that's available inside your rooms. Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
Final Verdict:
Would I again "Escape to Paradise"? Absolutely. Despite the nitpicks, the slightly overwhelming sanitization, and the lack of a personal touch, the apartment exceeded my expectations. The rooftop terrace, the stunning views, and the overall sense of calm were worth every penny. It's not perfect. But it's pretty damn close. 4.5/5 stars. Go. Just go. And remember to pack your sunscreen, your sense of adventure, and maybe a little bit of existential dread. You'll need it.
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Title: Escape to Paradise Mali Lošinj Review: Pool, Views, & Existentialism!
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Escape to Paradise: Stunning Malmedy Chalet Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into my chaotic Croatian adventure. This isn’t your perfectly curated Instagram feed of sunshine and smiles. This is the raw, unedited version – complete with questionable decisions, questionable tan lines, and a whole heap of questionable gelato consumption.
The Mali Lošinj Meltdown (aka, My Croatian Holiday)
Pre-Trip Disaster Zone:
Let's be honest, planning? Not my forte. I booked the apartment, "cozy roofed terrace," sounds idyllic, right? And flights. Packing? A last-minute scramble involving a suitcase that’ll likely be over the weight limit. I'm already sweating just thinking about customs. Cross your fingers for me – I'm usually a whirlwind of anxiety before any trip.
Day 1: Arrival & Immediate Over-Gelato-ing
- Morning (aka, The Great Luggage Tango): Landed in Rijeka. Airport chaos. Luggage carousel from hell. Finally, finally got my suitcase (probably the only one that actually looked like it had survived a plane crash). Rental car pick up! Which involved me accidentally calling the poor rental guy "mate" about six times (I spent a year of my life in Australia, habit's hard to break!).
- Afternoon (aka, The Scenic Drive of "Are We Nearly There Yet?"): The drive to Mali Lošinj was… gorgeous. Seriously, the Croatian coast is breathtaking. I took about a million photos. (The scenic route, naturally, because, you know, I like to suffer a little extra.) But the winding roads made me carsick. Seriously. I had to pull over. Twice.
- Late Afternoon (aka, Apartment Heaven and Immediate Gratification): Arrived at the apartment. Roofed terrace! Perfect. Took one look at that gorgeous view of the harbor and immediately dumped my bags inside. Followed by… a gelato-binge. Three scoops. Pistachio (divine), hazelnut (also divine), and some weird local flavor that tasted suspiciously like lavender (debatable, but I finished it anyway. Gotta commit).
- Evening (aka, The "Lost in Translation" Dinner): First dinner in Mali Lošinj! Found a little konoba (tavern) by the sea. Ordered something that looked delicious. It tasted…interesting. The waiter, bless his heart, spoke about as much English as I do Croatian (which is, essentially, zero). Ate it anyway. Drank the local wine. Felt good. Probably going to regret it in the morning!
Day 2: Beach Bums & The Great Snorkelling Fiasco (and More Gelato)
- Morning (aka, Beach Bliss and Sunburn Awareness): Found a little cove with crystal-clear water. Spent the morning trying (and failing) to look like a glamorous European sunbather. Got a little too adventurous with the sun exposure and ended up looking more like a lobster. Note to self: More sunscreen. Stat.
- Afternoon (aka, The Snorkelling Disaster): I'd bought a snorkel. I was going to explore the underwater world! Majestic! So I thought. Cue: me flailing around in the water, repeatedly swallowing seawater, and seeing mostly blurry rocks. Finally gave up, defeated, and retreated to land.
- Afternoon/Evening (aka, The "I Deserve This" Gelato Refuel): More Gelato! No regrets. This time I got more reasonable, two scoops. Chocolate and some amazing berry, but the chocolate won. Spent the evening wandering around the harbor, soaking up the atmosphere, listening to the sound of waves, and feeling incredibly, wonderfully, relaxed. Even forgot about that minor snorkel-related failure.
Day 3: Islands, Boats, and a Near-Miss with a Seagull (and even more gelato, because, duh)
- Morning (aka, Boat Trip Bliss): Booked a boat trip to some neighboring islands. The sun, the sea, the wind in my hair… Pure bliss. Watched for dolphins (still waiting, but I live in hope!). Learned a smidge about the local history. I even managed, for a few glorious hours, to pretend I was a seasoned sailor.
- Afternoon (aka, Seagull Apocalypse): Mid-picnic on a beautiful island, I got dive-bombed by a seagull! Seriously. It swooped down, aiming for my sandwich! I shrieked like a banshee. It did succeed in getting a small bite of my sandwich. I'm still traumatized. My sandwich, sadly, not.
- Afternoon/Evening (aka, The "I Need Calm" Gelato Therapy): More gelato. It's become a daily ritual. This time, I went for something simple - vanilla and a scoop of, ahem, something else. But the memory of that seagull…it lingers. Spent the evening wandering around yet again the harbor, thinking about seagulls.
Day 4: Day Trip to Lošinj and The Great Olive Oil Tasting + Some "Wine-Induced Reflections"
- Morning (aka, Lošinj Town): Took a bus to Lošinj, the main town. It's beautiful, all cobbled streets and cute shops. Wandered around, got lost (naturally), and ended up buying a tiny, ceramic olive oil dispenser (completely necessary).
- Afternoon (aka, The Great Olive Oil Tasting): Went to an olive oil tasting. Turns out, I know nothing about olive oil. The lady took me through the different flavours, the way it's made… I felt like a wine connoisseur without the wine-induced headache! I may have bought a bottle. Or two. Don't judge.
- Evening (aka, Wine, Reflections, and maybe a little too much wine): Ended the day with dinner and a bottle of local wine at a restaurant overlooking the sea. Wrote down some thoughts in my journal. Got a little philosophical. Might have teared up. Might have decided I could definitely move to Croatia and open a small olive oil shop. Might have had a few too many glasses of wine. (Again). The sea air, the wine… it's a dangerous combination!
Day 5 (aka, Departure Looming & The "Impending Doom")
- Morning (aka, Packing Panic and The Last-Minute Souvenir Dash): Oh god. Packing. It’s time. And I haven't washed any of my clothes. Found cute shops. Tried to buy all the souvenirs. My suitcase is seriously going to explode. I already feel the customs officers' weary gaze.
- Afternoon (aka, One Last Gelato Adventure): One last gelato! Had to be done. Maybe this time, I'll try something new. This time I got Caramel. It was awesome.
- Afternoon (aka, A final beach visit): A final, reflective visit to the beach. Wondering about all the "what ifs" of life. Feeling sentimental as hell.
- Evening (aka, Farewell Feast & the "Maybe I'll Stay?" Anxiety): One last dinner. One last sunset. One last glance at the sea. Do I want to leave? No. Will I? Yes. Airport here I come…
Final Thoughts (aka, The Takeaway):
Mali Lošinj? Absolutely stunning. Croatia? Magical. Did I make a few mistakes? Absolutely. Did I eat too much gelato? Yes, yes, and yes. But hey, that’s life, right? Messy, imperfect, and utterly wonderful. Until next time, Croatia. Wish me luck getting through customs!
Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Daverdisse Garden Getaway!
Escape to Paradise: Stunning Mali Lošinj Apartment w/ Rooftop Terrace! - The REAL FAQs (Because Let's Be Honest)
Okay, spill it. Is the rooftop terrace *really* as breathtaking as the photos? Because Instagram lies, you know?
Okay, deep breath. The photos? Yeah, they're pretty. But… the *reality*? Whoa. It's like the photos are… a polite suggestion of how amazing it is. I mean, picture this: you’ve just wrestled your suitcase up seven flights of stairs (more on *that* later), you're covered in a fine layer of travel grime, and then… BAM! The view slaps you in the face. Emerald water as far as the eye can see! Tiny islands like scattered jewels! And the smell… oh, the smell! Salt, pine, and something indescribably *happy*. I'm not gonna lie, the first time I saw it, I actually gasped. Like, a proper, theatrical gasp. My husband, who is notoriously unimpressed, just grunted appreciatively. Which, for him, is high praise. So, yes. The rooftop terrace? It's the bomb. Just… wear sunscreen. *Seriously*. And bring a hat. I learned that lesson the hard way (burnt scalp = not a good look).
Stairs, you mentioned stairs… how many stairs are we talking *exactly*? Because my knees aren't getting any younger.
Alright, let's get this out the way quickly and be real: the stairs are a *journey*. A glorious, calorie-burning, ultimately rewarding journey, but a journey nonetheless. Officially? I *think* it's seven flights. Unofficially? It felt like climbing Mount Everest after a day of swimming and sunbathing. There's no elevator, let me be clear, and the steps are a little… shall we say, uneven in places? Think charming, rustic, slightly treacherous. If you've got mobility issues, or if you're bringing a mountain of luggage (which, let's face it, you will), this might be a sticking point. I mean, I am quite fit, or so I thought. By the time I got to the top with my ridiculously heavy suitcase (filled entirely with books I never even opened), I was panting like a dog and questioning all my life choices. My husband, ever the pragmatist, just said, "Think of it as exercise!" He’s not wrong, but I still maintain it's a character-building exercise in frustration. But the view? Totally worth it. Absolutely. Just pack light. Or hire a sherpa.
The apartment itself… what's it *really* like inside? Is it all sleek modern minimalism, or is it actually comfortable?
Okay, this is where things get… interesting. The photos make it look all crisp and clean, like a magazine spread. And it *is* stylish, don't get me wrong. But it's also… lived-in. In a good way! It's not all sterile perfection. There are those little charming imperfections that make it feel… real. I mean, I think I found a tiny bit of sand under the sofa from a previous guest. (Don't tell the owners! Hehe.) It's well-equipped, the kitchen has the basics (and blessedly, a decent coffee maker!). The beds are comfy, the air conditioning WORKS (thank the heavens!). And the best bit, for me? The wi-fi actually reaches the rooftop terrace! So I could work, drink coffee, and enjoy that unbelievable view while thinking, "I'm finally in Paradise!". The walls are painted a nice shade of white and the furniture is generally pretty comfortable. It is much, much more livable than a lot of apartment-style rentals. Really, all these things mattered and helped me have a good time.
What about the location? Is it close to everything, or are you stuck trekking miles for a decent gelato? (Because that's a dealbreaker.)
The gelato situation? Crucial. And yes, the apartment is *blessedly* close to everything. Seriously, you can practically *smell* the gelato from the rooftop. Okay, maybe not *literally*, but it's a very short and pleasant walk to the harbor, the shops, the restaurants – and, crucially, the gelato shops. There's this one place called "Gelateria something or other"… I can't remember the name (too busy eating gelato, obviously), but trust me, it's amazing! The apartment is tucked away in a quiet side street, so you get the peace and quiet you crave, but you're literally minutes away from all the action. It’s the perfect balance. One day, my husband and I walked into town to visit a little fish market. We bought some fresh things there, and got a little picnic basket and some wine. It's those little things that make it feel like a vacation.
Is it family-friendly? I'm traveling with kids… and the thought of navigating stairs with a stroller gives me hives.
Okay, kids and stairs… hmmm. This is a tricky one. As I mentioned before, those stairs are NOT stroller-friendly. Think, more of a "carry-your-toddler-and-all-their-gear-up-seven-flights" situation. Might I suggest a more accessible stay? My kids would've hated it. It would've been a complete disaster. I saw other families there, and I honestly felt for them when I saw them dragging everything up those stairs. A backpack carrier for little ones might be your friend, but be warned: you’ll be aching the next day. If you're traveling with older kids who can handle the stairs, then the apartment *could* work, but make sure to have a very stern chat with the kids about the dangers of the rooftop. There's no fence, and while the views are amazing, they're also… well, high. Safety first!
Are there any hidden fees or unexpected surprises I should be aware of? Because I hate those.
Generally, no. But… and this is a little nitpicky, but I feel like I need to share it because I wish I had known: parking can be a beast. There isn't parking at the apartment, and finding street parking can be a competitive sport, especially during peak season. There's a public parking lot nearby, but it fills up quickly. We ended up parking a bit farther out, which meant a longer walk. This wasn't a *huge* deal, but it was a minor inconvenience after a long day of travel. So, plan accordingly! Seriously, consider the parking situation before you arrive, unless you like the idea of circling the block, frazzled, for an hour. Other than that? No real nasty surprises. Just the joy of paradise! And maybe a slightly sore calf muscle.
Okay, final verdict: Would you recommend it? Be brutally honest!
