Hotel Review: AC Hotel Split, Croatia

Hotel Review: AC Hotel Split

When planning a stay in Split, Croatia during the peak summer season, one thing became immediately clear, hotel prices were heavily inflated. Many properties were charging rates several times higher than what the same hotels cost during the shoulder or off season.

After comparing several options, we ultimately landed on the AC Hotel Split. While it was expensive for an AC brand hotel, it was more reasonably priced than many alternatives and had wide availability. It also allowed us to use Marriott points and free night certificates that were close to expiring. This was my first stay at an AC Hotel, a brand I had heard generally positive things about from friends who often describe it as basic but good value.

Lobby at AC Hotel

Booking With Points

For this stay, we used a mix of Marriott Bonvoy points and free night certificates. The redemption rate worked out to roughly 44,000 points per night, while cash rates were hovering around €250 or more per night.

This is not a great points redemption by any stretch. However, since we had certificates expiring soon, using points made sense for this specific trip. It is also worth noting that during the off season, this hotel often prices well under €100 per night.

If you are visiting Split, especially in summer, it is absolutely worth doing the math before redeeming points. High season pricing in Split is extreme across the board, while off season rates drop dramatically. For this stay, we booked two rooms.

Location

The AC Hotel Split is located in the city’s business district and is not within easy walking distance of the Old Town for most travelers. While it is technically walkable, the route involves busy roads and is not particularly pedestrian friendly. We relied on Uber to get to and from the Old Town, which was easy and relatively affordable.

If I were visiting again, I would strongly consider staying closer to the historic center for convenience, even if that meant choosing a non-chain hotel. There are some excellent independent properties near the Old Town that are not part of any points program.

One unique feature of the hotel is that it occupies the tallest building in Croatia, making it easy to spot from a distance and providing the opportunity for impressive views.

Old Town Split

Check-In

This is a busy hotel. After parking our rental car in the underground garage, we made our way up to the lobby, where there was a substantial line waiting to speak with a front desk representative. Once we reached the desk, check-in was fast and efficient, though fairly transactional and not especially warm.

The Room

The rooms are modern and minimalist, very much in line with the AC brand. One side of the room was almost entirely glass and extended into the bathroom, which felt unusual at first but made sense given the height of the building. At this elevation, privacy is not a concern, and the natural light was a nice touch.

View from our Room on the 26th Floor

We had two rooms, one with a king bed and one with two twins. Both bathrooms were spacious and well laid out. That said, one room had a chair with a very noticeable stain, something that was hard to miss and raised questions about housekeeping attention to detail. It was not a major issue, but it did slightly detract from the otherwise clean and polished feel of the room.

Breakfast and Elite Benefits

This was my first stay at an AC Hotel, and in hindsight I should have researched Marriott Bonvoy elite benefits more carefully. Breakfast is not automatically included for Marriott Platinum members at AC properties, something I wish Marriott would standardize across its brands.

I was initially confused at check-in when told breakfast was not included, but the staff member took the time to explain the Platinum benefits we were entitled to and kindly extended breakfast to us as a courtesy.

The breakfast itself was a mixed experience. The food selection was quite good, with a solid mix of hot and cold options. However, the dining area was extremely crowded. Seating was clearly insufficient during peak hours, and we ended up sharing a table with other guests who were unable to find a place to sit. This is an area where the hotel really needs improvement, especially during the busy summer season.

Parking

Parking is available in the hotel’s underground garage, which is convenient if you are traveling with a rental car.

Overall Thoughts

The AC Hotel Split is a solid, modern hotel, but it comes with trade-offs. High season pricing makes both cash rates and points redemptions difficult to justify unless you are using expiring certificates. The location outside the Old Town adds extra transit time, and breakfast can feel chaotic during peak periods.

That said, the rooms are comfortable, the building offers impressive views, and the staff were generally friendly and accommodating. For a future visit, I would prioritize staying closer to the Old Town, even if that meant stepping outside of a major points program.