We have just returned fron a week at the Fortuna. First the downside there is no air con in the rooms and it could do with a lick of paint here and there.
The good news is - the friendly staff, the variety and quality of the food, it is spotlessly clean and the location. The hotel is on a small island with stunning views. It is easily accessible to the mainland by free and regular ferry.
The weather was fabulous during our stay so plenty of sunbathing around the pool and bathing in the crstal clear waters of the Adriatic. The Island has it's own naturist beach which we enjoyed, it's a shame about the negative comments on this facility (usually from the prudish Brits) as it is well hidden away and you have to go looking for it.
Croatia is a beautiful country and at the moment it has a laid back feeling and the towns have a refined air, long may this continue.

As previous reviews suggest, hotel Fortuna is in big need of a revamp. As you approach the island the grey colour of the exterior is not welcoming. The reception is large but contains some very dated sofas. Rooms are again very simple and old looking. Then you enter the bathrooms in your room and located around the hotel and you can tell these are new so it lets you know the revamp is on its way! The only other moan is that when you go on your tour of the hotel island you come across loads of scattered small unit buildings. On inspection you find that they are indeed abandoned holiday units that were obviously once used. Now all the windows are smashed, beds burnt out and just a complete hazard. It is such a shame. My only conclusion is that they must have run out of money and had to stop using them. Dont let this put you off discovering your own little island gettaway - just dont treck through the middle, instead go round the outside!

All above problems still dont make it your holiday nightmare. The hotel even if dated was spotless throughout, the staff were always helpfull and never rude. The location is the best in Porec. There are beautifull views and the fact you have to cross the water to reach your hotel after a night wandering around porec lets you feel a little bit more set back and away from the buzz of town.
We travelled at the very beginning of the season so we did not encounter any noise from the town or hotel. There was the same two people singing every night in the hotel and no outside entertainment so noise was not a problem. In Porec the town was never heaving or empty. A constant bubble of people moched the laid back streets both night and day. We did the free tour the day after we arrived and found it very usefull. Free wine tasting so had to be done! We ate at a couple of places during the week and never had a bad meal. We found a large outdoor resaurant in a sqaure which served a fab pizza and tuna salad. We also had a lovely meal in Ana restaurant. This was in the town down a small street behind Sarajevo Bistro. Along the harbour are loads of locals selling boat trips around Istra including Rovinj and Lim Ford. We did not take a trip with these but a few people from the hotel did and found them excellent. The hotel food was good to. There was a variety of food everyday and drinks on tap for you to help yourself. The bacon was a bit ropey though! The staff were excellent every time. There is also a small boat trip to Zelana Lagona which is a nice trip on your own. You catch the boat where you get the boat to your hotel and it takes you about 10 mins away to where the newer inclusive hotels are. We had a few drinks in some rare sun and then caught the noddy train back to Porec which allowed you to see more of the area.

Weather wise we chose an awfull week to visit Croatia. It rained for most of the week but in the end it made us change our plan to just sit by the pool and sunbathe to one where we thought we would have to make the best of the counrty and go explore. We booked up sveral trips and thouroghly enjoyed every one. In one week we visited 3 countries-another bonus of visiting Croatia.

Taste of Istra - Tour round Istra. Lunch Included. Travelled down to Pula and walked round the town and visited the Ampitheatre. A must see. Guided tours are good and very informative. We then went to lunch in a family resaurant. We were served fast and there were lots of us. The food was great. The owners then play music and dance around which was entertaining. After lunch we visited a medievil town where lots of artists visit. From here there were some truly amazing views both within the town and out towards Motovum (the town in the clouds). On the coach the gudes are great and point out different things along the way. A great day out.

Plitvice Lakes- Wow. Along day as it takes 4 hours in the coach but dont let it put you off. They make plenty of stops and when you reach your destination you dont mind that you have sat there for 4 hours. These lakes are amazing. I have never seen anything else like it. It is a good walk and wouldnt reccomend it to people with mobitly problems. Nice boat ride across the lakes included. You walk round on little wooden tracks and in some places the waterfalls bubble through the tracks onto your feet. The biggest waterfall is over 70 meters high. After you have been here they take you for dinner very near by and again quick service and good standard of food. On the way there and back you drove through war torn Croatia and saw bullet filled houses abandoned and occupied. You can also see mine fields. Amazing day.

Venice- Again a day that you have to do if you have never sampled Venice. Its an early start. You get the boat opposit the hotel. Arrive in Venice about 10.30 and leave around 5pm. The people on the boat are very informative and provide you with some good information. They also have a good day planned for you if you choose and are not pushy for you to book with them. When you arrive you can either walk with them to the main square or catch a boat for 6 euro. Do the walk its free and doesnt take long. It takes you round the back streets and you see a lot more. You can have lunch with them which we did not do so cannot comment. The gondala ride has to be done and would be double the price on your own. The only thing is dont expect it to be romantic as there are 6 of you on the boat and probably at different ends. Lasts about 30 mins. Then before you are about to make your journey home there is a water taxi ride which takes you around the other side of the island and drops you off where you need to catch the boat back. We did this and it proved usefull. You did have time in the middle to sample Venice on your own. Amazing place but even in May very busy and hot so glad we never went in july/august. Back about 7.30pm.

Lake Bled-Fairytale reality. This is in Slovenia and takes about 3 hours. Slovenia is a lovely country and you can see with your own eyes how much more Coratia suffered in the war. When you arrive they take you to Bled Castle first. Lovely castle,mostly amazing views. Small musuem inside. Then you go into the town and they can take you to a restaurant they know or you can go on your own. We went with the guide and it was a lovely meal. We then took a stroll down the hill to the lake. We just sat there in awe. There were plenty of people everywhere but still it was almost silent and peacefull. After we took a gondala ride over the lake to Slovenias only island. This is a tiny scrap of land in the middle if the island that holds a beautifull church. Beware 99 steep steps to it! Church bled is stunnning and has a bell that you ring twice and make a wish. The whole area is beautifull and you really do feel like you are in a story book. The picture do not do to justice.
These are the trips we did and not one of them wasnt worth every penny. Alot of pennies. If your a couple the money does mount up but if you look at it per person they are worth it. We enjoyed them and has confirmed that Croatia is a really beautifull counrty filled with forests,culture and charm. We would go back to Istra and Fortuna but it has made me wonder if such a small part of Croatia has that much to offer then i want to visit other parts!!
The only thing i did notice was that Croatia was a holiday desination for alot of the older generation and i cant undersatnd why. There was plenty for us to do. Not all under 30's are after Ibiza.

Fab holiday!!!!!

The hotel fortuna on Fortuna island is a spectacular hotel it has its own pool and very friendly staff. One of them is my godfather! The rooms are brilliant and the hotel is clean. The staff attend to you well . To get to the hotel you must travel on a ferry but it is worth it because in the grounds they have a mini golf course and have peacocks. The hotel is also a great place for the kids as it has a 'kid club so you can go off and enjoy the town away from the island while they are in good care!

Overall we loved Croatia, Porec and the Hotel Fortuna. The location is a perfect island getaway and it was a lovely feeling heading across
the water after a day/night out on the mainland.

The hotel swimming pool is great, the choice of food eye-popping and the place is generally well-equipped and clean.

As others have commented, the outside of the hotel's upper floors looks a bit grim but don't be put off. The one massive thing lacking is air conditioning. The rooms were stifling in the 40 degree heat and
the pool was the only escape. Air con would have made our stay perfect. We hear it is planned in a refit next year.

As for the noise, it all depends where your room is. We certainly wouldn't say it was unbearable, even though we were at the front of the hotel.

And yes, the evening entertainment is often laughable but you have to just relax, laugh and take it for what it is. It's a shame the hotel bar doesn't stay open much beyond 11pm.

We must recommend the restaurant opposite the hotel called
'Distinguished Guests'. By Croatian standards it is pricey, but we had a sensational meal for approx £50 that would have cost about £100 in England.

Oh, and just make sure you eat as much ice cream as you can - it is absolutely delicious.

The day trip to Venice can be a long day, but well worth it. Don't necessarily follow the tour guide and get your earplugs ready for his singalong on the way home (one song from every nation on board - he reached 24 different songs at our last count).

We would definitely recommend the Fortuna.