i would describe the riviera hotel in pula/pola as an out-of-time place. it is so old-fashioned and out-of-fashion that it almost becomes chic. the building is huge, in a typical turn of the century viennese style, facing a small park on the sea, looking at the final tracks of the railway and the port wharves. i initially got a gloomy... more

Booked this last minute and arrived after 9.30pm so had little choice but to stay one night. Was dreadful. That's the only word - needs complete refurb. Have communicated with booking.com who I booked through. Their response is that they are only an agent and the hotel is responsible for providing accurate information. That's a complete cop out if ever... more

I've seen photos on booking websites for this hotel with clean white walls, a modern tiled bathroom and curtains, almost looking like a hotel should do. This is pure propaganda as maybe one room was done up like this purely for photo promotion. Though it looks stunning from a big distance and centrally located is only recommended for rodent habitation.... more

I stayed at this hotel for two nights at the end of a long trip. My room was a box with rather tired furniture, but it was clean and quiet. The exterior of the hotel is Austro-Hungarian faded glory (curlicues and dormer windows, painted Maria Theresia yellow), but the interior was remodeled badly in an effort to "modernize" it, and... more

My partner and I stayed at Hotel Riviera for four nights. The room was very cheap at €31 ppn including breakfast, but remember you get what you pay for! The building itself is a wonderful Habsburg era landmark, situated about 5 minutes walk from the Arena, overlooking the harbour. We had a spectacular view from the balcony, it’s just a... more

At first glance one could be fooled into thinking that this hotel is worth a stay; grand building, good location near the waterfront and the Colliseum. Things change as soon as you enter and get progressively worse from there. The lobby is old and worn out, the lift has a strong smell of fuel (?!) but the fun really begins... more

This 'Hotel' should be closed down immediately. It is not fit for human habitation. My wife and I arrived on the 19th July 2007 and were shown four rooms all of which beggared belief in terms of decor and cleanliness. We were welcomed by a full ashtray and dirty bedlinen in our first room along with a bath that was... more

One week in this hotel and you would stay in any "sally army" place after this experience. The room was filthy, shower was old fashioned rubber hose connected to taps in 3ft deep bath that was dirty on bottom. Dont look up at the ceiling in the bathroom or you'll see a vent full of something that smells. No air... more

I called the Hotel Riviera while traveling from Split. I had heard someone in a coffee shop talking about it and it sounded interesting, and inexpensive. So I booked three nights so I could enjoy the Istrian peninsula at my leisure. The hotel itself was, at one time, a glorious and gilded Austrian hotel and still retains the wide carpeted... more