Reached by a 10-minute boat from Rovinj’s harbour, the Maistra Select Island Hotel Istra occupies its own island on St. Andrew’s (Red Island). With 326 rooms, four pools, and a spa that guests commonly praise, this beachfront resort balances isolation with easy access to the old town. This review examines verified features, guest feedback, and how the hotel fits into a Rovinj itinerary.
Last checked: 2026-07-10
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Property Name: Maistra Select Island Hotel Istra · Location: St. Andrew’s Island (Red Island), Rovinj, Croatia · Access: 15-minute scheduled boat from Rovinj · Distinctive Feature: All-suite island hotel with spa, Mediterranean gardens, sea-view pools · Review Platform Score Context: Tripadvisor listing updated to 2026 · Booking.com Highlight: Set 164 ft from shoreline; rooms with balconies
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-07-10.
Sources reviewed: official hotel brand video (Maistra Select), Booking.com reviews, Hotels.com listing, Kayak metasearch, Trip.com listing, FirstChoice package reviews, HotelsCombined aggregation.
No on-site visit, no staff interview, and no independent price verification were performed.
Island hotel snapshot
- 10-minute scheduled boat from Rovinj (Maistra Select video)
- Bright and stylish rooms with balconies (Booking.com)
- 2 indoor + 2 outdoor pools (Hotels.com)
- Set 164 ft from the clear blue shoreline (Booking.com)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Property Name | Maistra Select Island Hotel Istra |
| Location | St. Andrew’s Island (Red Island), Rovinj, Croatia (Booking.com) |
| Access | 10-minute scheduled boat from Rovinj (Maistra Select video) |
| Room Count | 326 rooms (Trip.com) |
| Distinctive Feature | Spa with massages, facials, aromatherapy, sauna, Turkish bath; 4 pools; 6 restaurants (Hotels.com) |
| Booking.com Highlight | Set 164 ft from shoreline; rooms with balconies (Booking.com) |
Where is the Maistra Select Island Hotel Istra?
Island of St. Andrew (Red Island)
The hotel occupies the northern tip of Crveni Otok, also called Red Island, a wooded island in the Rovinj archipelago. Kayak lists the property about 1.6 miles from the centre of Rovinj (Kayak), but that distance is measured by boat – there is no bridge. The island itself offers miles of promenades and small beaches, which the brand video describes as a “traffic free oasis of sea and sun” (Maistra Select).
Boat transfer from Rovinj
A hotel-operated shuttle departs from the Rovinj harbour at scheduled times and takes about 10 minutes. Guests on Booking.com consistently note the service is easy to use and always has plenty of seats (Booking.com). The implication: you trade immediate walkability for a short, scenic ride.
What are people saying about hotel Istra in Rovinj?
Review highlights from guest platforms
Travelers on Booking.com and Hotels.com generally describe the rooms as spacious, clean, and offering sea views (Hotels.com). A recurring compliment is the peaceful island setting. One Booking.com reviewer wrote: “Rovinj is stunning and easy access by boat.” However, a FirstChoice review offers a counterpoint, calling the food “absolutely awful” and criticising the dining room atmosphere (FirstChoice).
Beach and pool quality
The hotel has a petite beach directly on the shoreline and four pools – two outdoor and two indoor. Hotels.com notes that the pools are sea-view, and multiple reviewers highlight the well-maintained beach area. The trade-off: the beach is small compared to mainland resorts, and some guests mention the need to reserve sunbeds early.
Tip: For a quieter swim, walk the promenade to the island’s other coves; the hotel is part of a larger island with several public-access beaches.
Specs at a Glance: Rooms, Dining, and Spa
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Room Types | Bright, stylish suites and rooms, most with balcony or terrace; sea-view options available (Booking.com) |
| On-site Restaurants | 6 restaurants covering Mediterranean, international, and Istrian cuisine; multiple bars (Hotels.com) |
| Spa & Wellness | Treatments include massages, facials, aromatherapy, hydrotherapy; sauna and Turkish bath (Hotels.com) |
| Check-in / Check-out | Check-in 15:00, check-out 11:00 (Hotels.com / Kayak) |
| Free Amenities | Free Wi‑Fi, free parking (though note parking is on the Rovinj side; the boat is used for island transfer) (Kayak) |
The pattern: this is a full-resort setup with enough dining and wellness options to keep guests occupied for a full day without leaving the island.
The Trade-offs of Island Seclusion
- Pros: Unique island setting with private beach; four pools; extensive spa; free boat transfer; multiple dining venues; spacious rooms with balconies.
- Cons: Food quality receives mixed reviews (one FirstChoice review calls it disappointing); boat schedule limits spontaneity; small beach can feel crowded; no direct access to Rovinj’s old town for a quick walk.
The catch: the island atmosphere is a genuine escape, but dining inconsistency is a notable risk for food-focused travellers.
Who Will Feel at Home Here?
- Couples: The peaceful setting, sunset walks, and spa make it a natural romantic base.
- Wellness travellers: Four pools, a full spa with hydrotherapy, and a Turkish bath cater to spa days.
- Families: Spacious rooms, a small beach, and the novelty of island life appeal to families with older children.
- Seclusion seekers: If you want a resort where you can stay put for a few days without feeling trapped, this fits.
What Kind of Budget Does It Fit?
HotelsCombined and Hotels.com position the property as a 4-star resort (HotelsCombined). Pricing typically falls in the upper-midscale to upscale band for Istria. Expect nightly rates to vary significantly by season – summer peak rates are substantially higher than shoulder-season deals. The all-inclusive or half-board options available on some tour-operator packages (such as TUI) can help control costs.
How many days in Rovinj is enough?
Rovinj 3-day itinerary suggestions
A common recommendation among travel sources is 2–3 days to see both Rovinj’s old town and the surrounding islands. A typical three-day plan: Day 1 – explore the old town, dine at a konoba near the harbour; Day 2 – boat to Red Island, spend the day at the hotel’s pools and beach; Day 3 – a morning walk on the island’s promenades, then ferry back and explore the Grisia street art scene.
Day trip to Red Island
Even non-guests can visit the island: the scheduled boat from Rovinj runs on a public timetable (tickets can be bought at the port). The island has several restaurants and beach bars beyond the hotel, making it a feasible half-day outing. The bottom line: if you are staying at the hotel, two nights give you a full day to enjoy the grounds plus a day for Rovinj proper.
What are the best restaurants in Rovinj?
On-site dining at Island Hotel Istra
With six restaurants on the property, the hotel covers a range from casual grill to Mediterranean à la carte. The main buffet restaurant is used for breakfast and dinner; guest reviews on FirstChoice suggest it can feel impersonal and the food quality is inconsistent. For a more upscale evening, the à la carte options (which occasionally feature Istrian truffle dishes) are better reviewed.
Top restaurants in Rovinj Old Town
Rovinj’s old town is packed with konobas and seafood spots. Walking the cobbled streets near the harbour, you will find several places highly rated on TripAdvisor and Google. A tip from local travel boards: book ahead for dinner during July and August. The implication: if you want a truly memorable meal, take the evening boat back to Rovinj and eat in town.
Warning: The last boat from Rovinj to the island usually runs around midnight; confirm the schedule at reception to avoid being stranded.
What is Maistra Select island Hotel Katarina about?
Sister property details
Hotel Katarina is another Maistra Select property located on a neighbouring islet (Katarina Island) in the Rovinj archipelago. It also requires a boat transfer and offers a similar island-resort concept, but with a quieter, more adult-oriented atmosphere. The brand positions it alongside Hotel Istra as part of the “Island Hotels” collection.
Comparison with Island Hotel Istra
Hotel Istra is larger (326 rooms vs. Katarina’s smaller count), with more pools and dining options. Katarina is often described as more intimate and less family-oriented. For couples seeking a peaceful stay without the scale of a 300-room resort, Katarina may be a better fit. For travellers who want a full amenity set – multiple restaurants, a large spa, and a distinct beach – Istra is the stronger choice.
Our Pick: Who Should Book Island Hotel Istra?
Our recommendation: Book the Maistra Select Island Hotel Istra if you want a self-contained island resort where the boat ride becomes part of the experience and you value multiple pools, a spa, and the ability to stay on-site for meals. It works best for couples and families who plan to use the resort as a base for a few days rather than as a central Rovinj accommodation. If food quality is your top priority or you need immediate access to the old town, consider the Grand Park Hotel Rovinj on the mainland or the smaller Hotel Katarina for a more focused stay.
Map
“Hotel Istra is an island of its own, a traffic free oasis of sea and sun, private beaches and secluded spots, only a ten minute boat ride from Rovinj.”
– Maistra Select, hotel brand/video presenter
“Rovinj is stunning and easy access by boat which always has plenty of seats.”
– Booking.com reviewer, guest reviewer
tripadvisor.com, maistra.com, booking.com, expedia.co.uk, thehotelguru.com, us.trip.com, myboutiquehotel.com, tripadvisor.com, trivago.co.uk
For a detailed look at guest experiences and pricing, read our Island Hotel Istra Rovinj review covering the same Maistra Select property.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Island Hotel Istra from Rovinj?
A scheduled hotel boat departs from Rovinj harbour; the journey takes about 10 minutes. The service runs regularly during the day and into the evening (Maistra Select).
Is the hotel on Red Island the same as St. Andrew’s Island?
Yes. Crveni Otok translates to Red Island, and St. Andrew’s Island is the traditional English name for the same island. The hotel is on the northern part of it.
What room types are available at Maistra Select Island Hotel Istra?
Rooms range from standard double rooms with balconies to suites with sea views. Most accommodations are described as bright and stylish (Booking.com). The hotel has 326 rooms in total (Trip.com).
Does the hotel have a restaurant on site?
Yes, the hotel operates six restaurants covering Mediterranean, international, and Istrian cuisine (Hotels.com). There are also multiple bars.
Can I visit the island without staying at the hotel?
Yes. The scheduled ferry from Rovinj to Red Island is open to the public. The island has several public beaches and restaurants outside the hotel. Day-trip tickets can be purchased at the port.
What is the difference between Island Hotel Istra and Hotel Lone?
Hotel Lone is a mainland design hotel in Rovinj with a contemporary art theme and no island transfer. Island Hotel Istra is a larger resort on its own island with a beach, more pools, and a spa. Lone tends to appeal more to design-conscious couples; Istra to families and resort-lovers.
Is the hotel open year-round?
Most sources indicate seasonal operation, typically from April or May through October. The boat service runs only during the operating season. Verify exact dates on the official Maistra website before booking.
Are there beaches on Red Island?
Yes. The island has several small pebble beaches and coves. The hotel’s own petite beach is one of them, and there are additional public beaches a short walk along the promenade (Booking.com).