Hotel Review: Hotel Preko, Croatia (Curio Collection by Hilton)
- Points and Places
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
TL;DR: Hotel Preko is a modern Curio Collection by Hilton hotel on Ugljan Island near Zadar, Croatia. It’s a strong option for Hilton Honors members looking to redeem points in Croatia, offering a quieter island setting, easy ferry access from Zadar, and solid elite benefits. Ideal for travelers who want a relaxed base away from Croatia’s busiest tourist centers.
I always enjoy staying at newly built hotels when I travel, so when planning a trip to Croatia and researching accommodations, I was immediately drawn to Hotel Preko—a new Curio Collection by Hilton property. The hotel was scheduled to open just a few weeks before our visit, which made it even more appealing, and I ultimately built part of our itinerary around staying here.
Hotel Preko is located on Ugljan Island, just off the coast of Zadar, Croatia. We originally booked Aeroplan award flights flying into Rijeka in the north and departing from Dubrovnik in the south, but wide‑open award availability on Croatia Airlines allowed us to switch our connecting flight and fly directly into Zadar instead. That change worked out perfectly for accessing the island.
Booking (Hilton Honors Points vs Cash Rates)
We booked our stay using Hilton Honors points at a rate of 60,000 points per night. Cash rates at the time were around €300 per night. While this wasn’t an outstanding redemption, it was reasonable given the timing of our trip.
I found pricing in Croatia to fluctuate significantly based on season and local events, so it’s definitely worth comparing cash versus points rates for your specific dates. During the summer, this hotel can often be found closer to €150 per night, and in the off‑season, prices can drop as low as $70. At that price, it’s an incredible value, though I imagine Preko is very quiet during the winter months.
Getting There (Zadar Ferry to Preko Island)
To reach the hotel, you’ll need to take a ferry from Zadar to Preko. There are two main options:
A car ferry departing from a terminal slightly outside the city
A pedestrian ferry leaving directly from Zadar’s Old Town
The ferries are operated by Jadrolinija, and routes and schedules can be found on their website.
Since we had rented a car, we opted for the car ferry. We just missed the next sailing because it was already full, but the wait was only a little over an hour and we were able to board the following ferry without any issues.
Interestingly, despite having a car, it would have been much easier to walk from the ferry dock to the hotel. Our GPS routed us through a long, winding path of extremely narrow residential streets.
Arrival & Check‑In (Hilton Elite Recognition)
We arrived via the parking lot at the back of the hotel and made our way through the hallway, past the spa, to the elevators and eventually the lobby. The lobby itself is fairly small, with two check‑in desks that open directly into the restaurant area. Check‑in was smooth and efficient.
We had booked two king guest rooms using Hilton points, and both were upgraded—an excellent example of Hilton elite recognition at this Curio Collection property. One room was upgraded to a King Room with a Private Garden, while the other became a King Suite.
The suite was located at the end of the hotel and featured a large wraparound balcony with water views. It was a fantastic upgrade and an excellent space to relax.
Room Experience (King Suite Review)
Waiting in the suite was a welcome gift of fresh fruit and bottled water, which is always appreciated. The suite included a sofa bed that had been made up in advance, though we quickly folded it back since we didn’t need it. The bathroom was a nice size, but nothing particularly special.
The room layout was somewhat unconventional, with a wraparound section that didn’t really provide much value or usable space. That said, the standout feature was the outdoor terrace, which made the room feel significantly larger and more enjoyable. Located at the end of the hotel and facing the water, the terrace was perfect for taking in the views and watching people stroll along the boardwalk.
Exploring Preko, Ugljan Island & Zadar
Preko is a small and charming town with just a handful of restaurants and shops, making it ideal for wandering around on foot. One evening, there was an outdoor music concert in town, which provided a fun and unexpected form of entertainment.
One thing we immediately noticed was how much less touristy Preko felt compared to many other destinations in Croatia. While there are still visitors, it’s nothing like the crowds you’ll find in Split or Dubrovnik.
Preko also makes an excellent base for exploring the surrounding area. We booked a private boat tour during our stay, and there were plenty of other outdoor and adventure activities available as well.
Visiting Preko as a day trip from Zadar is quite popular, but we did the opposite. Getting to Zadar from Preko was straightforward, and even though we had a car, we decided to leave it behind—which turned out to be the best choice.
It’s a short walk from the hotel to the ferry terminal. If you’re heading to Zadar on foot, you’ll want to take the pedestrian ferry, which drops you directly in Zadar’s Old Town. We spent a full day exploring the city and returned to Preko by ferry in the evening.
Zadar is significantly busier and more touristy than anything you’ll find on Ugljan Island, so it was nice to return to the quieter, more relaxing atmosphere of Hotel Preko at the end of the day.
In hindsight, I wish we had stayed longer in Preko and spent less time in some of the other places we visited during our Croatia trip.
Pool & Spa (Hotel Amenities)
The pool area has a somewhat unusual layout, as access is through the spa. The spa itself is quite small, with only a few treatment rooms and a sauna, but it opens directly into the pool and patio area.
The pool is technically an indoor pool, but large glass doors open fully to the outdoor patio and lounge area. While the space isn’t large, we never had trouble finding lounge chairs on the outdoor terrace, and it never felt crowded.
Breakfast (Hilton Gold Benefit)
As Hilton Gold members, breakfast was included with our stay. It’s served on the main floor and offers both indoor and outdoor seating. The selection was fairly basic but more than sufficient, with a solid mix of hot and cold items.
We chose to sit outside every morning, as did most guests. Sipping coffee on the patio in front of the hotel while watching people walk along the boardwalk was a perfect way to start the day.
The only issue we encountered was that the self‑serve coffee machine was consistently broken. Thankfully, coffee could be ordered directly from the bar, and we eventually skipped the machine altogether and went straight to the bar each morning.
Check‑Out & Final Thoughts: Is Hotel Preko Worth It?
Check‑out was noticeably slower than check‑in. While I wasn’t in any rush—it was vacation, after all—it was still a noticeable difference in service pacing.
Who this hotel is best for:
Hilton Honors members looking to use points in Croatia
Travelers who want to stay near Zadar but avoid the crowds
Island‑hopping itineraries with ferry access
Couples or slower‑paced trips rather than party travel
Pros:
Modern Curio Collection by Hilton property
Strong value on Hilton points in peak season
Quiet island location close to Zadar
Solid Hilton elite upgrades and breakfast benefits
Cons:
Ferry schedule adds a small logistical step
Limited dining and nightlife in Preko itself
Not a full luxury resort
Overall, we had a very pleasant stay at Hotel Preko. While it’s not a luxury resort, there was very little to fault, and I wouldn’t hesitate to stay here again. It served as an excellent base for exploring the area, and although the ferry schedule adds a small layer of logistics, it was easy to manage. I would absolutely return in the future—ideally for a longer stay.
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