Isabella Island Resort, Valamar Collection

This hotel offers a truly unique island escape, with its signature feature being its exclusive location just a short boat ride from the mainland, providing a peaceful and picturesque retreat. It is an ideal destination for families seeking a vibrant and activity-filled holiday, as well as couples looking for a relaxing ambiance, though some found it more geared towards families. Guests consistently praise the island's immaculate grounds and the hotel's overall cleanliness. The staff are frequently highlighted for their exceptional friendliness and helpfulness, contributing significantly to a positive experience. While the food generally receives high marks for its variety and freshness, some guests note that the all-inclusive drinks package can be somewhat limited. To make the most of your stay, consider requesting a room away from the mainland if you are sensitive to noise, and be aware that some facilities may have limited availability during the early or late season.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel boasts an impressive array of facilities designed to cater to all ages. Families particularly appreciate the various pools, including a pleasantly warm kids' pool and a main pool with exciting slides and a dedicated baby area. For a more tranquil experience, the relax infinity pool offers incredible views and warmer water. Children are well-catered for with a games room, soft play area, crazy golf, and the enchanting Maro Club, ensuring endless entertainment. Adults can indulge in treatments at the spa, though some all-inclusive guests noted that sauna and steam room access was not included. The fitness center is available for those wishing to stay active. For outdoor enthusiasts, the water sports center provides opportunities for kayaking, paddle boarding, and pedalos. Guests consistently find ample sunbeds available across the resort, ensuring comfortable relaxation.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests consistently commend the hotel's high standards of cleanliness, describing rooms and common areas as spotless and immaculately maintained. The rooms are generally found to be spacious, comfortable, and well-equipped, with many offering stunning sea views or harbor views. Most guests report a restful night's sleep on the comfortable beds, though a few found them too soft or experienced issues with worn-out pillows. While rooms are well-appointed, some minor issues were noted, such as an empty mini-fridge and the absence of tea, coffee, or milk for the in-room kettle. The shower over bath setup was occasionally inconvenient, with some finding the hand rail too low for safety. Noise can be a concern for some, particularly from mainland nightlife or through internal adjoining doors, impacting sleep quality.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's dining experience is largely praised, with guests highlighting the breakfast and dinner buffets for their extensive variety and freshness. Breakfast offers a wide selection, including made-to-order eggs, fresh juices, and pastries. Dinner provides numerous options like pizza, roast meats, seafood, and pasta. While the food quality is generally high, some guests noted that buffet items were not always hot enough, and the dessert selection could be repetitive or lacking. The resort offers additional restaurants beyond the main buffet, such as Olivia Grill and the upscale Momenti restaurant (for V-level guests), which provide a more refined dining experience. The Miramare restaurant offers fine dining, often with a Michelin-star ranking, available for an additional charge or voucher. However, the all-inclusive package typically limits dining to the main buffet, with other bars and ice cream huts being chargeable.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's location on a private island directly in front of Porec is a significant draw, offering a tranquil environment free from cars. Guests appreciate the convenience of a short, 5-minute boat ride to the mainland, with a regular ferry service running every 15-30 minutes, providing easy access to the charming old town of Porec. This allows guests to explore Porec's historical sites, shopping, and dining options. The hotel provides a dedicated parking area on the mainland with a shuttle service to the ferry, ensuring a smooth arrival and departure. While the island offers peaceful walks and wheelchair accessible trails, some guests noted that the island's popularity means certain facilities can become busy, especially during peak times or weekends when the island is open to the public.

Staff & Service
The staff at the hotel consistently receive high praise for their exceptional friendliness, helpfulness, and attentiveness. Guests frequently highlight their professionalism and willingness to go above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay. The check-in process is generally described as smooth and efficient, with convenient luggage transfer directly to rooms. Housekeeping is commended for maintaining spotless rooms daily and providing fresh towels. The concierge service is noted for being very helpful in arranging activities and excursions. Staff in the restaurants are attentive, ensuring tables are cleared and reset promptly. The kids club staff are particularly lauded for their outstanding engagement with children. While most interactions are positive, a few guests experienced less helpful service from some reception or spa staff.

Additional Information
The all-inclusive package at this hotel has received mixed feedback, with many guests finding the drinks selection limited compared to other resorts, often excluding mocktails and barista coffee. Guests noted the absence of bottled water and the need to use self-service dispensers for soft drinks, which were sometimes perceived as weak. The hotel operates a pet-friendly policy, which some guests found problematic when dogs were present in dining areas or pools. The AC policy of being centrally controlled and sometimes switched off, regardless of room temperature, was a point of frustration for some. While the hotel offers various entertainment options, some guests, particularly those visiting in the early or late season, found the evening and daytime programs to be lacking or geared primarily towards very young children. A unique touch appreciated by some guests is the option to select a specific room scent.