Brijuni Rooms Karmen

The old school spirit, delivered in a clean and tidy way

Osvrt na boravak na Brijunima Boravili smo u sobama Karmen, koje na portalima imaju vrlo lijep marketinški opis. Međutim, stvarnost je nažalost prilično drugačija. Razumijem ideju očuvanja autentičnosti i duha nekog prošlog vremena, ali teško je pronaći opravdanje za određene stvari koje više djeluju kao posljedica nebrige nego očuvanja tradicije. Primjerice, u sobama nema hladnjaka (što je navedeno), nema klima uređaja (također navedeno), ali istovremeno postoji LED televizor. Osnovne stvari poput dovoljnog broja utičnica za punjenje mobitela nisu riješene — u sobama ih ima tek jedna ili eventualno dvije, što danas predstavlja minimum komfora. Problem nije u tome što se želi zadržati izgled i atmosfera nekog vremena, već u detaljima koji ostavljaju dojam zapuštenosti. Pokidana tenda na terasi koja očigledno dugo nije zamijenjena, slavine u kupaonici koje ne rade, ali su i dalje u upotrebi, pokvareni mehanizmi poput ključaonica između soba koji se “rješavaju” improvizacijama, kao i taster za poslugu u sobi prekriven toaletnim papirom — sve su to sitnice koje se mogu riješiti, a upravo one stvaraju konačan dojam o cijelom objektu. Popis takvih stvari je, nažalost, poduži. Ipak, važno je naglasiti ono pozitivno: osoblje na Brijunima zaslužuje svaku pohvalu. Recepcija, konobari, kuhari, informatori i svi s kojima smo imali kontakt bili su ljubazni, profesionalni i spremni pomoći. Unatoč brojnim problemima koje smo primijetili, osoblje se trudi i svoj posao obavlja na visokom nivou. Priroda Brijuna je predivna, a ponuda hrane — doručak i ručak — bila je odlična. Na kraju, poruka upravi NP Brijuni: Brijuni imaju ogroman potencijal i vrijednost koju treba čuvati. Nije potrebno narušiti autentičnost, već samo riješiti osnovne stvari koje kvare ukupni dojam. Malo više pažnje, održavanja i brige moglo bi napraviti veliku razliku i vratiti sjaj ovom jedinstvenom mjestu.

Perfect location if you want a quiet and serene gateway.

It was nice, and I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy it, but I almost left the island as soon as we arrived. I am disappointed with the organization and communication of the national park staff via email and in general. When I booked the accommodation, I immediately (over a month in advance) sent an email inquiring about how to book a train tour for myself and my parents, as well as asking about boat transportation and parking. The responses I received were very brief, short, and without much explanation. I sent several emails. Regarding the tour, I was told that I would arrange everything at the reception on the day of check-in. Okay, so I eventually followed that advice. I arrived with my parents, who are seniors and my mother has difficulty walking, around 1 p.m. when the boat for hotel guests arrives, and check-in is at 3 p.m. I immediately went to the reception as instructed regarding the tour, only to be informed that the tours were sold out for both days. And when I asked what I should do now on the island, I received a cold response at the reception - to spend the night there. Also, I should mention that all the electric cars were rented out. I was close to going back where I came from. Luckily, at the information desk, there was a truly kind and patient assistant who advised me to wait until 5 p.m. when most of the excursionists leave, and then try to catch a car, which eventually worked for me, but the whole experience cost me a lot of nerves. I don't regret coming, but the organization fell below my expectations. Everything on the island is very expensive, which is expected, but the rooms should be better equipped for the price of accommodation. The breakfast was excellent. From eggs prepared in various ways, sausages, cold cuts, vegetables, fruits, to cereals, juices, and coffee. As for my thoughts on the animals on the safari (especially the elephant), it's best if I don't write about it. Greetings to everyone.

Exceptional

There was no holder for the shower head.

Beautiful place

Exceptional

Superb

I liked the closeness of the sea and that it was authentic old fashioned hotel. Also liked the food in the restaurant at hotel Neptun. Everything was great

Exceptional

We picked Hotel Carmen fundamentally for the Yugoslav architecture. I am an architect so that was interesting for us and a key reason we wanted to experience the hotel (understanding the drawbacks from the other reviews). We had a nice top floor room with a balcony overlooking the harbor. I think the view from here are better than the newer/other hotel where you do dinner/check in. Enjoyed watching the sunrise over the channel and harbor. Loved having our little patio to relax on. Liked all the period architecture details. Staying on the island was a definite win. You can see the island before the crowds from the boats come and then stay later as well. We loved riding bikes around the island and exploring. Liked that we also get 1x round trip on the boat to the mainland each day so we did one afternoon in Pula. We thought staying on the island was a great choice. Hot weather - no AC. I think it should be possible to retrofit this into the rooms. We had fans which was manageable (and we saw the weather forecast and held steady with our booking knowing what we would be getting into). I wish someone would take an overall look at this hotel and spruce it up. The architecture "bones" are great and it just need refreshing. Lean into the style. I was annoyed that the lobby space, which is one of the more architecturally interesting spaces in addition to the main stair was covered in posters and displays. All this stuff obscured the architecture and design which was fundamentally what we were paying for to see and experience. The management needs to recognize that the property has these really interesting features and just lean into it and invest in the upkeep/refurbishment. There are so many little architectural gems through the design (love the various call buttons next to the bed, the build in furniture, the balconies), but it needs some updating and general review of comfort features. There are lots of examples around the world of taking a heritage building and updating it for today while still maintaining the character and charm of the original design - the same should happen here and I look forward to that happening the future - I hope!

I recently had the pleasure of staying at Rooms Karmen and while it’s certainly not your typical modern 5-star hotel, it offers something truly special. This hotel is like stepping into another era, where history and charm blend seamlessly to create a unique experience. The building has retained much of its original design and atmosphere, which is perfect if you appreciate the beauty of heritage. Yes, some parts of the hotel could use an update, and it lacks the ultra-modern amenities that some travelers may expect. However, the rich history and the elegance of the interiors—especially the bleached oak slats and mosaic tile floors—make it worth staying for anyone who can appreciate its character. My room was simple yet comfortable, with lovely white sheets, a balcony offering beautiful views, and a bathroom that, though not the latest in design, was clean and functional. The staff were polite and attentive, which only added to the warm, welcoming atmosphere. If you’re someone who values charm, history, and the feeling of staying in a hidden gem, this is the place for you. For those who prefer a sleek, modern hotel experience, this might not be the right fit. But for those looking for a serene, historically significant setting, Rooms Karmen delivers in spades. In short, this is a two-star hotel that feels much more special than its rating suggests. A real hidden gem.

As a regular guest in Brijuni, I can confidently say that this place never ceases to amaze me. My recent stay was once again exceptional. The staff, as always, went above and beyond to make us feel welcome, with their warmth and attention to detail. They truly make you feel like family, which is one of the reasons I keep coming back. Exploring the island in golf carts adds a fun and easy way to see all the sights. Sports enthusiasts will love the variety of activities, including golf, biking, and tennis For nature lovers, Brijuni is pure paradise. Each time I visit, I explore something new—whether it’s the island’s walking trails, scenic bike routes, or simply the peaceful surroundings. The sight of deer and peacocks wandering around the grounds is always enchanting. Brijuni is truly a unique blend of nature, history, and hospitality, it’s more than just a place to stay; it’s an experience steeped in history and beauty. I can’t wait to return again! N/A

The Island is beautiful and the House itself is very 70ies It was extremly noisy, you can here everybody through the thin walls. The rooms with a balcony are beautiful, but the ones without are a very uncomfortable and old. There is no air condition

Exceptional

Very good

Exceptional

Brijoni islands are just amazingly beautiful! It feels like time stoped there. The hotel location is outstanding and the interiors are still original with beautiful furniture from the fifties. Not for everyone taste and modern standards, but very special and I hope it never changes. The parking costs 15€ per day, but on the day of leaving when you might want to stay longer on the island, the parking is payed only until midday and every further hour cost 5€, which is really too expensive.

Superb