From Miles to Smiles Stylish travel for professionals seeking luxury at affordable prices
Our review of the Canopy by Hilton Zagreb
On our recent trip to Croatia, we were introduced to one of the newest brands within the Hilton family. The first property opened in Reykjavík in 2016 and others have followed in the United States, Asia and Europe. Hilton describes the brand as an ‘energizing new hotel in the neighborhood offering simple, guest-directed service, thoughtful local choices, and comfortable spaces.” It is a design-conscious addition, similar to the Moxy hotels from Marriott. The Canopy by Hilton Zagreb opened in late 2018 and delivers the same cool design aesthetics of the Moxy, but without some of the downsides of that brand (small rooms, lack of storage and limited food options). Canopy feels like a grown-up hotel, with all the facilities you would expect of Hilton but with a fresh, youthful feel. It definitely gets s thumbs up from me. Anyway, let me introduce you to Canopy by Hilton Zagreb.
Location
The hotel is on Kneza Branimira not far from the main train station. It is a short walk to Park Josipa Jurja Strossmayera and around ten to fifteen minutes into the old town. There’s a scattering of restaurants and bars in the surrounding streets and it is conveniently located if you are travelling to other destinations in Croatia.
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Arrival
First impressions are excellent. As you enter the air-conditioned open plan restaurant, you will spot an enormous decorated globe. Tall bookcases rammed with an eclectic selection of books surround the globe and the open plan design flows from the bar into the upmarket dining area.
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Check in
Check in is quick and efficient. In fact, first impressions of service are truly excellent, as a host greets us at the kerb to collect our luggage. We receive a small gift of local chocolates when we check in, a reminder of the building’s history as an old chocolate factory. They are lush caramel filled chocolates and they are gone before I receive my room key.
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Rooms
The room is modern and spacious. An oversized bright red rug contrasts with the stark grey covers. I particularly love the design of the storage area which has ample hooks and hangars. There’s enough space for both cases on the ledge beneath the hangars so that we don’t need to clutter the room with cases.
I can honestly say I don’t think I have ever come across a room with as much storage. There are several drawers underneath the hanging area in addition to drawers in each bedside cabinet and further drawers under the TV. We only booked one night so we don’t need it, but if you were visiting for longer you would struggle to run out of storage space!
Light switches are on both sides of the bed and by the door. I also particularly like the cabinet which houses a safe and fridge compartment which easily holds a large bottle of water and other smaller items. Furthermore, each room has a refillable water bottle which can be filled at the ice stand on each floor. Pure genius! I hate having to buy over-priced water in hotels!
The bathroom is almost identical to those at the Moxy with stark white tiles but more storage space for ample cosmetics and toiletries. I also love the complementary amenities. I’ve never come across the toiletry brand before but the products smell absolutely divine.
Best of all, I usually find the beds to be too hard in Hilton hotels. Canopy by Hilton makes a point of stressing that they have signature beds and although it is firm, I love it!
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Other facilities
Gym
There is a small functional gym in the basement which we chose not to use! We had done enough exercise on our trip!
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Restaurant
The hotel has a plush restaurant with dramatic chandeliers. Each evening they offer free wine and speciality food tasting. It’s nothing spectacular but we taste a sample of the local wine and some chocolate and peanut balls (that looked like Bounce balls for anyone familiar with those).
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Bar
I love the bright bar area with funky seating and a dramatic long bar. With cocktails available from 45kn (around £5) it is also not expensive.
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Dog-friendly
Now for those who love their pooches, you may be excited to learn that dogs are welcome at the Canopy by Hilton. The hotel offers doggy beds, a gift for your four legged friend and doggie gatherings. It’s a pretty neat touch.
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Canopy bikes
The hotel also offers bright orange bikes for the use of guests.
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Verdict
I’m a fan. I love the design aesthetics but that they haven’t compromised on the things I want to see in a hotel, namely storage, a telephone in the room and an onsite restaurant and bar (just in case!)
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Have your say…
Maybe you have stayed at a canopy by Hilton hotel. I’d love to hear what you thought.
My wife and I stayed here in April and we thought the rooms were small. The thermostat cannot be adjusted, one centrally set temp throughout. Windows do not open, unusual in Europe. Bar prices were outrageous and wine pours skimpy. It’s trendy and centrally located. Breakfast (included) was adequate and service was good. We are Hilton loyalists, so we always look for Hilton hotels first; this hotel has a definite younger vibe, older travelers may be happier elsewhere. The Sheridan is much closer to central downtown and is an excellent option. Zagreb is a beautiful city which is vastly underrated, don’t miss it if possible.
I wonder if you were unlucky with the rooms as I thought ours was a decent size. Didn’t partake of the drinks though although we did opt for the wine tasting which was a bit on the Beasley side but better than nothing. I agree Zagreb is definitely underrated though
Being older than I’d like, I tend to avoid the hipster type hotels in general, but this chain may be an exception. In the train station area, I like the Sheraton, but may check pricing next time around.
Ha ha I hear you which is why I like this chain better than the Moxy brand which is just a little too noisy and hip for my liking!
Agree.