Ahead of the hilarious comedy coming soon to Croatian cinemas, following four lifelong friends who realize that somewhere between careers, relationships, family, and countless everyday responsibilities, they have forgotten how to take care of themselves – and each other – we found ourselves craving a little escape from everyday life too.
Exhausted and long overdue for a proper break, the film’s heroines decide to escape to a luxurious spa resort. What was supposed to be a few peaceful days dedicated to rest and relaxation soon turns into an unforgettable weekend filled with fun, laughter, and a few questionable decisions along the way.
After all, what’s a weekend with your best friends without at least one story you’ll be telling for years to come?
A holiday after the holiday?
If you’re still enjoying your summer holiday, you may already be feeling rested and recharged. But we all know that sometimes, even after a holiday, you need a holiday. Especially after days filled with swimming, sightseeing, exploring, late-night dinners and trying to fit as much as possible into every moment.
That’s where a spa weekend comes in.
If you’ve ever escaped to a spa or thermal resort for the weekend, you already know just how indulgent this kind of getaway can be. Warm pools, massages, saunas, pampering treatments, delicious food and refreshing drinks – everything revolves around one simple goal: switching off completely and recharging your batteries.
And sometimes, that’s exactly what we need. Not another itinerary packed with sightseeing and activities, but the kind of getaway where the biggest decision of the day is whether to head for a massage or the pool first.
Even better when you can share that escape with the people who make you completely lose track of time.
So, inspired by Spa Weekend and its four lifelong friends who trade everyday responsibilities for a much-needed getaway, we went in search of places made for a relaxing spa escape in great company. Places where you can slip into comfortable slippers, wrap yourself in a soft robe and raise a glass of a refreshing cocktail or sparkling wine by the pool.
You really don’t need much for the perfect spa weekend: a great location, a little time for yourself, your favourite people and plenty of laughter. As for the occasional bad decision? We’ll leave those to the film’s heroines. 🙂
Here are 15 ideas for a spa weekend in Croatia that will have you heading home rested, relaxed and, very likely, already planning the next one.
1. Terme Sveti Martin: A Wellness Oasis in Northern Croatia
Set among the rolling hills of Međimurje, Terme Sveti Martin is a classic choice when serious relaxation is on the agenda. Famous for its thermal mineral water, the resort combines the tradition of thermal bathing with contemporary wellness experiences.
Spend the day moving between hydromassage pools, saunas and massages, then round things off with flavours inspired by the local cuisine. It is the kind of place where robes become the unofficial dress code and checking the time quickly becomes unnecessary.
2. Diaco Boutique Hotel: A New Wellness Escape in Slavonia
Spa weekends do not have to come with a sea view. In the heart of Đakovo, Diaco Boutique Hotel is a stylish choice for a relaxing getaway with friends – and an especially tempting one if your group happens to share a love of good food.
Contemporary interiors are complemented by a spacious spa and wellness area, swimming pool, massage treatment rooms and a modern gym, creating the perfect setting to slow down and recharge together. And for foodie friends, Slavonia’s rich culinary traditions add another reason to make the trip. Think wellness, great company and memorable flavours – a combination that is hard to resist.
3. Hotel Materra: A Holistic Retreat for Rest and Renewal in Slavonia
Surrounded by the wide-open landscapes of the Slavonian plains, Hotel Materra is a luxurious retreat made for slowing down and reconnecting with friends. Its 1,500-square-metre wellness and spa area takes a holistic approach to relaxation, bringing together an indoor heated pool, jacuzzi, Finnish and bio saunas, steam sauna, Kneipp showers, an ice fountain and tranquil relaxation areas with water beds.
For an extra dose of indulgence, book the private spa with its own Finnish sauna, jacuzzi and heated water bed, or choose from personalised treatments featuring vegan BEIGIC skincare. Add peaceful countryside views and plenty of time to unwind together, and Materra becomes an ideal choice for a restorative friends’ weekend in the heart of Slavonia.
4. San Canzian Hotel & Residences: Slow Living in Istria
Surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and the rolling countryside of Istria, San Canzian Hotel & Residences is made for slowing down.
Here, wellness goes beyond the treatment room. Spa treatments and yoga can be paired with olive oil and wine tastings, cooking experiences, picnics among the olive trees or simply doing very little at all. For the more energetic, Istria’s hilltop towns, cycling routes, wineries and truffle country are waiting nearby.
It is the perfect choice for a spa weekend with a distinctly Istrian flavour – relaxed, indulgent and centred around the good things in life.
5. Keight Hotel Opatija: Rooftop Relaxation in the Heart of Opatija
Just a short stroll from the sea, Keight Hotel Opatija, Curio Collection by Hilton brings a contemporary boutique feel to one of Croatia’s most iconic seaside destinations.
The wellness experience includes an impressive 25-metre indoor pool, saunas and a range of treatments, while the rooftop pool and lounge provide a particularly tempting spot for taking in the views. And when you feel like venturing out, Opatija’s famous Lungomare promenade, parks, cafés and restaurants are all within easy reach.
6. Hilton Costabella Beach Resort & Spa: A Taste of La Dolce Vita on Kvarner Bay
Positioned between Rijeka and Opatija, Hilton Costabella Beach Resort & Spa combines contemporary luxury with sweeping views of Kvarner Bay.
This is a destination for those who want their spa weekend to come with a generous dose of seaside glamour. With an extensive wellness offering and the Adriatic as a backdrop, it is easy to spend an entire weekend moving between treatments, pools, relaxation and drinks overlooking the sea.
7. Grand Hotel Brioni Pula: Mediterranean Wellness by the Sea
Set along Pula’s coastline, Grand Hotel Brioni Pula, a Radisson Collection Hotel, combines contemporary luxury with Mediterranean charm – an inviting setting for a relaxing weekend with friends.
Its spa is made for lingering, with a wide selection of facial and body treatments, massages and beauty rituals, alongside Finnish, bio and Turkish saunas, hydromassage baths and a water paradise with tropical rain, waterfall and mist experiences. Indoor and infinity outdoor pools add to the indulgence, while spa manicure and pedicure treatments are perfect for a little extra pampering.
Add Adriatic views and plenty of time to unwind together, and you have an effortless Istrian escape where the only real plan is to relax and enjoy.
8. Hotel Bellevue Lošinj: Island Wellness in Čikat Bay
Set in the peaceful surroundings of Čikat Bay, Hotel Bellevue Lošinj is an elegant choice for a spa escape with friends, blending the island’s long tradition of wellbeing with contemporary luxury.
At the award-winning Bellevue Spa Clinic, Lošinj’s renowned healing climate and Adriatic setting meet modern wellness therapies and personalised treatments designed for complete relaxation.
Add walks beneath the pine trees, fresh sea air, indulgent spa time and long dinners with friends, and you have all the ingredients for a truly restorative island weekend.
9. Arbiana Heritage Hotel: An Island Escape on Rab
If your perfect spa weekend means escaping to an island with your favourite friends, Arbiana Heritage Hotel on Rab offers an intimate and elegant retreat surrounded by the charm of Rab’s historic old town.
Wellness treatments and massages set the mood for complete relaxation, while leisurely walks through the old town, coffee by the waterfront and long evenings together add that unmistakable Mediterranean feeling. It is an ideal choice for friends looking to slow down, reconnect and enjoy a few wonderfully unhurried days by the sea.
10. Amadria Park Hotel Ivan: Mediterranean Wellness in Šibenik
For a spa break with a distinctly Dalmatian feel, Amadria Park Hotel Ivan combines Mediterranean surroundings with an extensive wellness experience. Its spa invites guests to slow down with pools, saunas, treatments and spaces designed for complete relaxation.
And should you eventually decide to change out of your robe, Šibenik and its UNESCO-listed heritage are close by – making this an easy choice for anyone who likes a little sightseeing between spa sessions.
11. Grand Hotel Slavia: Relaxation on the Makarska Riviera
Set in Baška Voda with the Adriatic on its doorstep, Grand Hotel Slavia makes a tempting base for a relaxing weekend on the Makarska Riviera.
The hotel’s Fontana Spa features saunas, steam baths and a selection of treatments designed for slowing down and recharging. Combine a morning massage with a walk by the sea and a long lunch, and you have a weekend itinerary we would happily sign up for.
12. Radisson Blu Resort & Spa: Mediterranean Indulgence in Split
With views stretching across the Dalmatian coast, Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Split brings together contemporary design, seaside living and a substantial wellness offering.
At the SPALATO Spa, guests can move between pools, fitness facilities and treatments inspired by both modern beauty rituals and Mediterranean wellness traditions. Add the Mistral Beach Club, sea views and Split within easy reach, and this is a strong choice for anyone who wants to combine spa time with the energy of the city.
13. Maslina Resort: Mindful Luxury on Hvar Island
For those seeking understated luxury and a slower pace, Maslina Resort on Hvar Island is an idyllic choice. Surrounded by olive groves, vineyards and Mediterranean nature, this eco-conscious retreat places wellbeing and mindful living at the heart of the experience.
Its Pharomatiq Spa draws inspiration from Hvar’s natural surroundings, with treatments incorporating locally sourced herbs and essential oils. Add yoga, meditation and leisurely afternoons by the pool, and you have all the ingredients for a restorative island escape – preferably shared with good friends.
14. Rixos Premium Dubrovnik: Spa Time with a Dubrovnik View
Just a short distance from Dubrovnik’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, Rixos Premium Dubrovnik combines dramatic Adriatic views with easy access to one of Croatia’s most celebrated destinations.
Its Anjana Spa is the place to retreat when you have had enough sightseeing, with signature treatments, traditional hammam rituals and relaxation areas designed for lingering. Try the Lokrum Island Spa Massage or the Old Town Pharmacy Signature Oil Massage before settling in for tea and some well-earned downtime.
A morning exploring Dubrovnik followed by an afternoon at the spa? That sounds like a very good decision to us.
15. RMH Lopud Lafodia Resort & Wellness: An Island Hideaway near Dubrovnik
For the ultimate escape from the everyday, take the spa weekend offshore. Located on the peaceful island of Lopud in the Elafiti archipelago, RMH Lopud Lafodia Resort & Wellness pairs island tranquillity with beautiful views across the Adriatic.
The resort features an 800-square-metre spa, swimming pool, restaurants and bars, alongside more than 150 rooms and suites overlooking the sea. Its wellness concept draws inspiration from the island and its natural surroundings, making relaxation feel like an extension of the destination itself.
And when you are ready to venture beyond the spa, days can be spent discovering Lopud or heading out by boat towards Dubrovnik. Far enough from the crowds to properly switch off, yet close enough for a little adventure – exactly what an island spa weekend should be.
Ready for a Spa Weekend?
Whether you choose an island hideaway, a thermal retreat or a luxurious hotel overlooking the Adriatic, the formula is reassuringly simple: pack lightly, bring your favourite people and leave the everyday routine behind.
And if your weekend happens to produce a few stories worth retelling along the way? Even better. 😉
