Downtown Pula has a grand total of four modest hoteis. The classy options are all 5km (three miles) south of town in Verudela, which is accessible by bus nos.2A and 3A, or with a 60kn taxi ride. The best there is the boutique Valsabbion; the four-star Histria offers a moretraditional high-standard stay. The nearby Palma is in the same group - for details of the seasonally opening others, check Website www.arenaturist.hr.
Hotel Histria
Verudela (052 590 0001 fax 052 214 175lwww.arenaturist.hr). Rates €84-€156 double. Credit AmEx, DC, MC, V. A landmark four-star, this, commanding a view of Verudela Bay from the bank facing the Valsabbion (see below). All 240 simply furnished rooms have sea-facing balconies. Facilities include a circular outdoor pool, a heated indoor one, both with seawater, a sauna, gym and disco. Some 20 tennis courts and other sports pitches are nearby. It also has a casino and Conference centre. Although pricy considering the prosaic nature of the rooms, the hotel's half-board rates are a bargain at five euros over the price of a room.
Hotel Milan
Stoja 4 (052 210 200/fax 052 210 5001 www.muanl967.hr). Rates 490kn-590kn Single; 620kn-850kn double. Credit AmEx, DC, MC, V.
By the Naval Cemetery before you get to the Stoja headland, the Milan is best known for its quality restaurant (see p72). Its dozen three-star rooms are clean and comfortable, and within easy reach of the modest beach at Valkane Bay.
Hotel Omir
Sergija Bobrica 6 (052 210 6141 fax 052 213 944). Rates 450kn Single; 600kn double. Credit AmEx, DC, MC, V. Handy cheapie in the centre of town, a Socialist-style guesthouse with old für-nishings and light fittings, and a wonder-fully weird breakfast room decked out with art and an aquarium. Round the corner is the ten-room, three-star Galija (Epulonova 3,052 383 802, fax 052 383 804, www.hotel-galija-pula.com, 550kn), containing its own restaurant too.
Hotel Palma
Verudela (052 590 000/fax 052 214 175/www.arenaturist.hr). Rates €58-€112 double. Credit AmEx, DC, MC, V. The three-star Palma shares some of the
facilities of the nearby Histria, particular-ly the 20 tennis courts. Guests have the use of three outdoor swimming pools, one with a water slide, as well as a bowling alley The rooms have balconies, although the hotel faces inwards, away from the sea. Attractive half-board rates only add three euros to the price of a double. The Palma is conveniently open year-round.
Hotel Riviera
Splitska 1 (052 211 166/fax 052 219 117lwww.arenaturist.hr). Rates 465kn-615kn double. Credit AmEx, DC, MC, V. Classic old Habsburg hotel whose grand fagade and marble lobby belie the fact that its 65 rooms need renovation. It's in the Arena Turist hotel group, so, hopefully, this won't be too long in Coming. In the mean-time, it's a handy base if you're just in by train - the Station is five minutes away -and want to see the amphitheatre and a few sights around town.
Hotel Scaletta
Flavijevska 26 (052 541 599/fax 052 540 285/www.hotel-scaletta.com). Rates €55-€68 Single; €71-€99 double. Credit AmEx, DC, MC, V.
Conveniently located for sightseers, the German-run hotel and restaurant (see p 72) a short walk towards the Station from the amphitheatre. The dozen rooms (ten dou-bles, two Singles) are all simple and comfortable, and a decent breakfast is included in the price.
Valsabbion
Pjescana uvala IX/26 (052 218 033/ fax 052 222 991lwww.vakabbion.net). Rates €69-€113 double. Credit AmEx, DC, MC, V.
Ten immaculately conceived rooms comprise the hotel accommodation at the high-class restaurant Valsabbion. Half have sea-view balconies, and all are furnished with impeccable taste. An outstanding buffet breakfast is under 12 euros, but included in the half-board rates in certain weeks, of just over twice the room rate but also covering a four-course dinner in one of Istria's finest restaurants. There are also a panoramic swimming pool, fitness facilities and various beauty treat-ments available.