Family apartment by the sea with free parking and terrace – Rijeka, Croatia

We, 4 female friends, stayed at Apartment Sabina in order to be in close proximity to Kantrida Pools. I don't think we could have got any closer! Two of us arrived on day 1 and the other two on the second day. On arrival we two were met by our host, Zrinka, who gave us a great welcome and very efficient showround of the accommodation, indicating things we needed to know in order to get hot water for the shower, how the microwave and cooker worked, where we could find extra pillows for the bed, etc. Further, we were offered a welcome drink and some home made apple cake. We saved some cake for our friends! We had some issues with our booking in that we had booked with a particular agent, but it transpired that they had sold for another company, and it was another completely different agent that Zrinka has dealings with. Eventually the necessary documentation was located and all was well. Zrinka gave us a card with her contact details and pointed out where to find the WiFi code. She also allowed another friend to park a car in the drive during the daytime. The apartment was spotless and we endeavoured to keep it so. The apartment has two bedrooms each with twin beds, and a lounge with a sofabed. The beds are quite firm but we all slept well. Off the lounge and first bedroom runs a balcony outside. There is one bathroom with a shower over the bath, wc and wash basin. In the second 'bathroom' there is a wash basin, bidet, wc and a washing machine. The kitchen is well supplied - microwave, fridge, electric cooker - although for us Brits we felt it was missing a toaster. The outside space has a small table and 2 chairs on the balcony. There is a separate terrace which has a table, bench and chairs - all under cover - cushions for which are kept inside. There is also a washing line with pegs. There is sufficient car parking for 2 cars We found the apartment more than adequate for our needs and the location, in a side road away from the main road and there was little passing traffic - the road leading in and out of the car park for the pool. For us this was excellent. For anyone without a car, there are bus stops just a few steps away up on the main road. Just up on the main road is a superb bakery with fresh bread, rolls, pastries, milk, yoghurt and cold drinks. Set back from the bakery is a small supermarket (no nameboard, quite unobtrusive) which supplies basic things one might need. Alternatively with a car one can drive a couple of miles towards Opatija where there is a fairly substantial Lidl. We ate out in the evenings, socialising with a wider group of friends, mostly in Opatija but sometimes at the beach beneath Kantrida. The beach nearby is pebbles but the water is clean and clear with no real tidal swell, safe for children, non swimmers and swimmers. The swimming areas are generally roped off. If the apartment is available next year when we come again to Rijeka, we will most certainly book it without hesitation. Thank you Zrinka for your generous welcome and hospitality - we look forward to seeing you again in 2020. Review written by Jenni on behalf of Chrissy, Jan, Naomi and of course myself.