A CHARMING ADRIATIC GEM
LOCATION
Hotel Lav Meridien entered the Croatian market in 2006 under the flag of the hotel group Starwood Hotels. Quickly, it became a harbinger of the new repositioning of Split on both the tourist and the congress map. It is located about 8 km from the centre of Split in the town of Podstrana by its own private beach and marina. The hotel gained its status through high-profile convention events such as this year’s European presentation of Škoda Rapid. The hotel has won several awards, including the World Travel Award and is currently the best-known high-class hotel in Split. Let’s look at what the hotel can do in practice. Today, it operates under the wing of Marriott International.
ACCESSIBILITY
The air accessibility of Split is improving from year to year and one can say that Split is becoming a solid air destination. Highway Dalmatina has shortened the way to Split and made it bearable. Once Split’s bypass is resolved, arrival to the city is going to run smoothly and without problems also during peak hours. For the nostalgic, the option to arrive in Split by train or by sea is also available. There is also satisfactory public transport.
COLD APPETIZER - Architecture and Aesthetics
The architecture of the hotel is magnificent and recognizable by the marina and is beautifully integrated into the environment. Otherwise it is a typical modern hotel architecture that does not stand out and would be suitable for a shopping centre or a business centre. The interior design is the work of Atellior, an architecture and interior design studio, which beautifully linked classic and modern and gave the hotel an impressive character. The lobby is very spacious and airy and it gives a feeling of width and relaxation. The overall impression is extremely correct, complemented by many sophisticated design details which in principle one associates with and expects from a hotel of the Meridien hotel chain.
WARM APPETIZER - Staff and catering
The meetings industry needs a personal and superior service and they are very well aware of this at Lav, as evidenced by the above-mentioned awards. It begins with the kindness and professionalism of the staff. In this area, they manage to maintain the level of a five-star hotel; the situation is bad only at the worst peaks. This is followed by cleanliness and tidiness which one can feel and smell at every step in the hotel. Breakfast is one of the best in the region and, because of the selection of dishes and innovation, it deserves recognition. Hotel restaurants do not stand out, but they are still satisfactory, although not at the level of some of the sister hotels of the chain. Comparable are only the prices.
MAIN DISH - Conference hotel service
We have no remark regarding the rooms, as each luxuriously decorated detail is subordinated to the hotel guest. Regardless of the category of the room you are staying in, you will feel good. A witness to the spaciousness of the rooms is the average size of 34 m2 per room. It should be noted that these issues are not addressed half-heartedly, as witnessed by the value of the investment in the hotel, which has exceeded 80 million EUR. At the end of the tourist season, consequences of mass use can be noted even in a well-maintained hotel. The Congress Centre is one of the largest in Dalmatia. On the surface of 5,000 m2, congress guests have 14 convention halls available, with the largest hall being Grand Dalmatia for 800 participants. The Congress Centre is well-equipped, and the staff is in top shape for the most demanding projects, as evidenced by extensive references. The brand Škoda among other things carried out the premiere of the Fabia in 2007 and trade premiere of the new Škoda Rapid, with some 5500 guests from all over Europe.
DESSERT – The extras
The Hotel Marina with 74 moorings is a great added value to the hotel because you can take advantage of it for your events. Within the marina, it is easy to organize a sailing cup or various incentive programmes.
FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES
Avoid the high season, when the hotel is fully occupied. It gets very crowded at breakfast, at the beach and swimming pools.
TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES
The staff deserves the highest rating, which is confirmed by the award of the mark Q for the total quality of products and services. So far Lav Meridien is the only hotel, besides the Valamar Lacroma Hotel, which in addition to the general conditions has gone well through estimates of hidden hotel guests.
OVERALL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY
Le Meridien Lav Split is in a class of its own on the current hotel and convention scene in Split. Operators of Marriott International have done their homework excellently and are winners in the most sensitive area; friendliness and professionalism of the staff. This has in the past earned them a place among the best in their class. However, there are also some shortcomings, particularly in the field of catering and hospitality, where one would expect a little more from a top hotel. However, this is a balanced congress hotel, which is elegant and charming and the perfect choice for the most demanding congress clients.
FINAL GRADE: 4.81 GOLD RESORT MEETING HOTEL
GOLD final score from 4.81 to 5.00
SILVER final score from 4.61 to 4.80
BRONZE final score from 4.41 to 4.60
