The Esplanade is Zagreb's most famous "grand old hotel." While it wouldn't hold up to New York or Paris standards of glamour today, it has an Eastern European old world charm that we really liked. The staff was fantastic, providing us with free internet hook-up in their business suite and helping us acclimate to the city. Our room was a suite with living room and separate bedroom (complete with brocade curtains to separate the rooms) and large windows that opened out onto a terrific view of Starcevicev Trg (square) below. Our large, wonderful bathroom had terrific water pressure - perfect for washing the long flight off. Each room has a mini-bar that is cheaper than most European mini-bars, but still much more than you could purchase the items elsewhere in town. Breakfast in the lovely restaurant is not to be missed - they put out quite a spread. The hotel is well situated - you can see pretty Tomislavov Trg from your windows, and the main "downtown" shopping ares - Trg bana Josipa Jelacica, is only about 6 blocks away. The "old" district, Gornji Grad and Kaptol are just a short distance beyond Trg Bana Josipa Jelecica. The area is very safe, and so are the afore mentioned districts. There is even an underground shopping mall practically underneath the hotel. The main train station, Glavni Kolodvor, is within walking distance. The Esplanade's web address is http://www.esplanade.tel.hr/esplanade/.