Hotel Ambasador Split Review: Croatia’s Chicest Coastal Retreat
Overlooking the sparkling Adriatic Sea from Split’s western promenade, Hotel Ambasador Split is a design-forward luxury retreat that blends city culture with coastal calm. Just minutes from Diocletian’s Palace and the vibrant Riva waterfront, this five-star hotel offers a rare mix of contemporary elegance, rich local heritage, and restorative serenity. Whether you’re visiting Split for a romantic getaway, a wellness escape, or a chic city break, Hotel Ambasador sets a new standard for luxury stays in Croatia.
Setting the Scene
Perfectly positioned on Split’s western promenade, the Hotel Ambasador looks out over the marina where charter yachts dock with cinematic flair. Just a three-minute stroll east leads to the beginning of the Riva, the city’s iconic waterfront promenade that separates the Adriatic Sea from Split’s old town.
There’s something poetic about this stretch of coast. With its elegant paving, buzzing cafés, and centuries-old setting in front of Diocletian’s Palace, the Riva captures Split’s soul, a social stage where locals and visitors mingle between the sea and the stone.
A City of Layers
Five minutes along the Riva, you’ll reach the first gates of Diocletian’s Palace. Built for the Roman emperor who famously abdicated, this palace became the skeleton upon which the city was built. Ancient columns now hold up medieval houses, and modern wine bars nestle into 1,700-year-old stone. The city’s grandeur, shaped by centuries of architectural improvisation, is reflected in the Ambasador’s design, timeless, stately, and utterly Croatian.
The Stay
From my suite, I watched the Adriatic glint under early-morning light, yachts bobbing gently in the breeze. The hotel, recently renovated while preserving its 1930s elegance, boasts 100 rooms and suites. Interiors lean towards minimalist luxury: neutral tones, warm wooden floors, calming textures, and centrepiece beds positioned to make the most of the view. The bathrooms are sleek, stocked with Bvlgari toiletries.
Housekeeping was impeccable. The rooms were incredibly clean and felt brand new each day, with daily, much-appreciated, top-ups of Nespresso pods. Note: Opt in for a sea-facing rooms, they offer the kind of wake-up view you dream about, aquamarine waters framed by sunlight and swaying boats.
The Food
At Restaurant Méditerranée, elegance meets inventiveness. We dined al fresco, serenaded by live music and sea breeze. Dishes included roasted skate in brown butter mussel sauce with zucchini and XO bottarga; umami-rich seared tuna belly with a juniper needle glaze accompanied by mushroom confit; for mains, Grilled white fish fillet with chard, smoked green beans, boiled potatoes and a citrus beurre blanc and a standout lamb pithivier with slow-cooked shoulder, pea purée and demi-glace. Desserts were just as artful: whipped ricotta with strawberry compote, almond biscuit and basil sabayon; a pistachio semifreddo with dark chocolate crémeux, carob brownie and caramelised almond. As you can tell from these menu choices, Restaurant Méditerranée was easily one of our top picks for best food spots in Split, whether you’re a guest of the hotel or not.
Our server, whose name we regretfully didn’t catch, was a highlight in her own right. She guided us through the menu with warmth and precision, pairing wines beautifully and making the experience feel elevated without ever becoming stiff. Her timing was impeccable, and her knowledge deep; she was, quite frankly, FAULTless.
The Bars
There are two. Bar Split on the ground floor is the perfect espresso stop or Negroni perch. That’s where I write this, watching crewmen toss ropes from monstrous yachts. Upstairs, the rooftop pool bar feels like a minimalist beach club. Cocktails, wines, and clever snacks (like fish and chips with Adriatic flair or oxtail croquettes) keep things light and fun.
The plunge pool is compact but refreshing, and the atmosphere is so calming you forget the city hum exists just below. Surprisingly, even in peak season, the rooftop stayed serene, a great spot to catch up on work, journal, or simply watch the sun drift across the coast without feeling the pressure to “do” anything at all.
The Spa & Wellness
The Hacelia Spa offers a full suite of treatments, but two features stand out. First, the Himalayan salt therapy room: a warm, softly lit cocoon where walls of pink salt glow gently. It’s designed to support respiratory health, skin clarity, and relaxation. Second, the zero-gravity dry floatation bed, imagine floating on warm water without getting wet. It’s a cocoon of calm that eases muscle tension, supports lymphatic flow, and quiets a racing mind. While we didn’t book a treatment, I peeked inside, three glowing benches and a wall of luminous salt. Peaceful, futuristic, and enticing.
There’s also a small but well-equipped gym, I had it entirely to myself on two visits. Clean, quiet, and efficient. Exactly what you’d hope for.
The Surroundings
Just across the road is the entrance to Marjan Forest Park. A 20-minute walk brings you to a viewpoint with sweeping coastal vistas. We continued through pine-scented trails, stumbled upon a rustic petting zoo, and eventually descended towards Kasjuni Beach for a quick swim and a cold local beer. Be warned: Kasjuni leans more towards party beach (hello, Brits and Germans with Bluetooth speakers), but it made for a refreshing dip.
One highlight: the Hermitage of St. Cirijaka, a medieval cave sanctuary built into the cliffs behind the Church of St. Jerome. It’s modest, mysterious, and utterly worth the detour (although you can’t enter the hermitage, it’s still worth the visit nonetheless).
Final Thoughts on this Hotel Ambasador Split Review
The Hotel Ambasador is ideal for travellers who want a restful, design-led base without sacrificing access to culture, cuisine, or coastline. It’s the rare kind of place that works whether you’re there to unplug, explore, or simply watch the world go by from your balcony.
Getting there is easy: Split Airport is a 35-minute drive away, with taxis, Uber and Bolt readily available. And once you’re in town? Just follow the Riva.
For more information, head to ambasadorsplit.com