The best hotels in Plitvice
Plitvice has 8,000+ places to stay, but most of them will leave you stranded far from the lakes with a long drive and no real upside. We reviewed the standouts. these 10 made the cut.
Our Top Picks in Plitvice
Click any hotel to check availability and book at the best price.
Guest House Tina
Entrance 1 area, Plitvička Jezera
Free cancellation & Pay later
Plitvice Holiday Resort
Mukinje village, Plitvička Jezera
Free cancellation & Pay later
Hotel Jezero
Inside the national park, Plitvička Jezera
Free cancellation & Pay later
Hotel Plitvice
Inside the national park, Plitvička Jezera
Free cancellation & Pay later
Boutique Hotel Degenija
Drežnik area, Selište Drežničko
Free cancellation & Pay later
Ethno Houses Plitvice
Rastovača, Plitvička Jezera
Free cancellation & Pay later
Hotel Macola
Central Rakovica, Rakovica
Free cancellation & Pay later
Hotel Grabovac
Grabovac village, Grabovac
Free cancellation & Pay later
Lika Lodge
Upper park zone, Plitvička Jezera
Free cancellation & Pay later
All Hotels Compared
Side-by-side comparison to help you pick the right hotel. Prices reflect shoulder season averages.
| # | Hotel | City & Area | Price/Night | Score | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Guest House Tina | Entrance 1 area, Plitvička Jezera | $52–78/night | 8.1/10 | Budget Pick |
| 2 | Plitvice Holiday Resort | Mukinje village, Plitvička Jezera | $75–105/night | 7.9/10 | Family Friendly |
| 3 | Hotel Jezero | Inside the national park, Plitvička Jezera | $130–185/night | 8.6/10 | Best Location |
| 4 | Hotel Plitvice | Inside the national park, Plitvička Jezera | $140–195/night | 8.4/10 | Most Popular |
| 5 | Boutique Hotel Degenija | Drežnik area, Selište Drežničko | $155–210/night | 9.1/10 | Hidden Gem |
| 6 | Villa Lika | Town center, Korenica | $160–200/night | 8.7/10 | Best Value |
| 7 | Ethno Houses Plitvice | Rastovača, Plitvička Jezera | $175–230/night | 9/10 | Romantic Stay |
| 8 | Hotel Macola | Central Rakovica, Rakovica | $195–245/night | 9.2/10 | Top Rated |
| 9 | Hotel Grabovac | Grabovac village, Grabovac | $265–340/night | 9.3/10 | Luxury Pick |
| 10 | Lika Lodge | Upper park zone, Plitvička Jezera | $310–420/night | 9.4/10 | Romantic Stay |
Why These Hotels Made Our List
Every hotel earned its spot. Here's exactly why we picked each one.
Guest House Tina
This small family-run guesthouse sits about 800 meters from the main park entrance, which makes early morning access genuinely easy. Rooms are simple but clean, with basic wooden furniture and decent beds. The owners cook a solid breakfast for an extra few euros and are happy to give trail tips. Not a fancy place at all, but the price and location are hard to argue with.
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Plitvice Holiday Resort
Located in the small village of Mukinje, this resort is about 2 kilometers from the park gates and operates a free shuttle during peak season. The bungalow-style accommodation works well for families with kids since there is plenty of outdoor space to run around. Rooms are functional and not particularly stylish, but they are maintained well. The on-site restaurant serves reliable Croatian dishes at fair prices.
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Hotel Jezero
Hotel Jezero is one of the few hotels physically located inside Plitvice Lakes National Park, sitting right between Entrance 2 and the upper lakes. Waking up before the day-trippers arrive and stepping directly onto the trails is a genuine advantage here. The building is a classic socialist-era structure that has been updated with modern comforts. Rooms with lake views are worth requesting specifically. Service is consistent and the breakfast buffet is generous.
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Hotel Plitvice
The other major park-interior option, Hotel Plitvice sits near Entrance 1 and gives immediate access to the lower lakes trails. The hotel has a larger pool area than its sibling Hotel Jezero, which is a bonus on summer evenings after a long hiking day. Rooms are comfortable with a straightforward modern style. Booking well in advance is essential from May through September. The terrace restaurant has a pleasant forest atmosphere.
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Boutique Hotel Degenija
Hotel Degenija sits in the village of Selište Drežničko, about 12 kilometers from the park entrance along a quiet rural road. The building is a beautifully restored stone house with polished interiors that feel genuinely boutique without being pretentious. The restaurant here is probably the best food option in the wider Plitvice area, focusing on local Lika ingredients. Staff are exceptionally attentive and the atmosphere is calm. A great choice if you want a quality base without staying inside the park crowds.
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Villa Lika
Villa Lika is in the small town of Korenica, which is the closest proper town to Plitvice and about 15 kilometers from the park. The villa-style property has stylish rooms with modern finishes and a warm, personal atmosphere. Driving to the park takes around 20 minutes and parking at the entrances is much easier when you are staying outside the park zone. Prices are noticeably lower than in-park hotels for a comparable or better experience. The outdoor terrace is a lovely spot for evening drinks.
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Ethno Houses Plitvice
These traditional stone and wood cottages are scattered through the Rastovača area just outside the park boundary, creating a genuinely secluded atmosphere. Each cottage is self-contained with a small kitchen and fireplace, making it a popular choice for couples. The surrounding forest is quiet and the property feels miles from the tourist crowds despite being minutes from the lakes. Interiors are styled with local crafts and natural materials without feeling kitschy. Availability disappears fast so book early.
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Hotel Macola
Hotel Macola is in Rakovica, a village roughly 8 kilometers from the park entrance and close to Rastoke, another scenic spot worth visiting on the same trip. The hotel punches above its weight with thoughtful room design, excellent breakfast spreads, and staff who genuinely care about your experience. The garden area is a highlight, with sun loungers and a relaxed atmosphere after hiking. Several guests use this as a base for both Plitvice and day trips toward Karlovac. Consistently the highest-rated independent hotel in the broader area.
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Hotel Grabovac
Hotel Grabovac represents the upper end of accommodation options near Plitvice, located in Grabovac village about 10 kilometers from the park. Rooms are spacious with high-quality linens, stone accent walls, and large windows facing the forest. The spa and indoor pool area are well-equipped, which helps when weather is unpredictable in spring or autumn. The restaurant focuses on fine Croatian regional cooking and is one of the better dining experiences in the Lika region. Service levels are a clear step above anything inside the park.
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Lika Lodge
Lika Lodge offers the most premium lodging experience in the Plitvice area, with individually designed suites featuring private terraces and forest views. The location near the upper lakes zone means you can access the quieter parts of the park before anyone else arrives in the morning. Interiors use natural stone, reclaimed wood, and local textile details throughout. A private guide and transport service is available for guests who want a curated park experience. The rate is steep for the region but the overall quality justifies it for a special occasion.
Check AvailabilityWhere to Stay in Plitvice
The neighborhood you pick matters more than the hotel.
Inside vs. outside the park: what nobody tells you
The two hotels inside the national park. Hotel Jezero near the Entrance 2 shuttle stop and Hotel Plitvice a few minutes further. have one massive, underappreciated advantage. You can walk into the park before the ticket booths open for day-trippers, which means Kozjak Lake at 7am with almost no one on the boardwalks.
Outside-the-park hotels are cheaper and often nicer in fit-and-finish, but you'll join the morning car queue on Route D1 every single day. In July, that queue backs up before 8am. Plan accordingly, or book inside.
Getting to Plitvice without a car
Zagreb to Plitvice runs on regular Autotrans and Samoborček bus lines from Zagreb's main bus station at Avenija Marina Držića. The journey is about 2.5 hours and drops you at Entrance 1 or 2 directly. tickets run roughly $10-15 each way. Buses from Split also serve Plitvice, taking around 4 hours.
Once at the park, internal electric boats cross Kozjak Lake and park trains (panoramic trains on wheels) connect the upper and lower lakes. You don't need transport inside the park. just comfortable shoes and a full day.
The Entrance 1 vs. Entrance 2 debate
Entrance 1 sits near the lower lakes and Veliki Slap waterfall. It's where most day-trippers arrive and where the boardwalk density is highest. Entrance 2 is near the upper lakes, quieter in the early morning, and where Hotel Jezero and Hotel Plitvice are located.
We always recommend starting at Entrance 2 if you're staying park-side. The upper lakes around Prošćansko and Ciginovac are genuinely calmer, and you can work your way down to the waterfall as crowds build from Entrance 1. Guest House Tina near Entrance 1 gives you the flip-side advantage: first in at the lower lakes before 8am.
Day trips worth taking from your Plitvice base
Rastoke in Slunj is 30 km north on Route D1. The old watermill village where the Slunjčica meets the Korana is genuinely one of Croatia's most photogenic spots, and almost no one staying at Plitvice goes. You can do it in half a day and be back for an afternoon park walk.
Baračeve Cave near Rakovica village, just 12 km from Entrance 1, runs guided tours from April to October for about $10 per person. If you're staying at Hotel Macola in Rakovica, this is a 10-minute drive. Don't skip it. the cave system is legit impressive and gets roughly 10% of the visitors the national park does.
What to know about Plitvice hotel prices by season
July and August are brutal price months. Hotels inside the park hit their ceiling. Hotel Plitvice can reach $195/night and sells out weeks in advance. Even budget options like Guest House Tina sit at the top of their $52-78 range. Book anything inside the park at least 2-3 months out for a summer visit.
September is the sweet spot most visitors miss. Crowds thin noticeably after the first week, foliage starts changing around the upper lakes by late September, and prices drop 15-25% across the board. Lika Lodge in the upper park zone at $310-420/night drops closer to its floor rate, making it comparatively reasonable.
The Drežnik area: the best base you're ignoring
Selište Drežničko is a village about 20 km west of Entrance 1 near the Drežnik Grad fortress ruins and the Korana River canyon. Almost no one outside Croatia knows to stay here. Boutique Hotel Degenija sits in this area and has consistently earned ratings above 9.0. the highest of any property at its price point on our list.
The drive to the park is 20-25 minutes, which is the only real downside. But the area is genuinely pretty, the hotel's food is locally sourced from Lika region farms, and you're not in a tourist bubble. For anyone doing 3+ nights, it beats the park-adjacent chaos by a wide margin.
Plitvice's best neighborhoods
Inside the national park is the obvious first choice, but it books out months ahead. If you can't get a park-side room, Drežnik area and Korenica are your best fallbacks. skip the random roadside guesthouses on Route D1 entirely.
Inside the National Park 2 vetted hotels Closest you'll get to waking up on the boardwalks.
Closest you'll get to waking up on the boardwalks.
Hotel Jezero and Hotel Plitvice both sit within the national park boundary near Entrance 2, a short walk from the Kozjak Lake boat crossing and the shuttle stop. You pay a premium, but the morning access alone justifies it. At 7am, the lower lakes boardwalks are nearly empty. that's a privilege you simply can't buy from Korenica.
The park hotel zone is compact. Hotel Jezero is practically at the shuttle terminal. Hotel Plitvice is 3-4 minutes further on foot toward the upper lake trail. Neither has a bustling village feel. it's all forest, boardwalks, and lake views. That's the point.
Book these before anything else. They go fast. especially Hotel Jezero, which gets repeat visitors at an unusually high rate. If you see availability for your dates more than 60 days out, book it immediately.
Plitvička Jezera Village & Mukinje 3 vetted hotels Just outside the gates. practical, affordable, and underrated.
Just outside the gates. practical, affordable, and underrated.
Mukinje is a small residential village about 1.5 km from Entrance 2, walkable in 15-20 minutes on a flat path through the forest. Plitvice Holiday Resort sits here, and it's the best family-specific option in the area. The village has a small grocery store on the main road and a couple of local restaurants. actual infrastructure that the park hotels lack.
Guest House Tina operates near Entrance 1 in Plitvička Jezera proper, which is where the D1 road passes and the main bus stop sits. It's walkable to the park in about 10 minutes, has the lowest price on our list at $52-78/night, and is decent enough that we'd actually stay there. The rooms are basic but clean.
Ethno Houses Plitvice in Rastovača rounds out this zone. It's quieter than Mukinje, positioned off the main road near the Korana River valley, and the traditional wooden house style is legitimately atmospheric. At $175-230/night, it sits well above Guest House Tina but delivers a completely different experience.
Korenica & Rakovica 2 vetted hotels Real towns with real infrastructure. car required.
Real towns with real infrastructure. car required.
Korenica is the closest proper town to Plitvice, about 12 km from Entrance 1. Villa Lika sits right in the town center, giving you access to actual restaurants, a small market, a pharmacy, and a gas station. At $160-200/night it's competitive for what you get. good-sized rooms, parking, and a solid breakfast.
Rakovica is 15 km north of Entrance 1 on Route D1, and Central Rakovica is where Hotel Macola sits. Don't let the small-town setting fool you. this is the highest-rated hotel on our entire list at 9.2. The food is the main reason people drive past closer options to stay here. Baračeve Cave is 10 minutes away if you need a half-day activity.
Both towns require a car for every park visit. That's a genuine tradeoff. But for anyone doing 4+ nights in the area, basing yourself in Korenica or Rakovica and treating the park as a day excursion makes more sense than crowding into Mukinje for the whole trip.
Drežnik Area & Grabovac 2 vetted hotels Further out, but the top properties in the whole region are here.
Further out, but the top properties in the whole region are here.
Selište Drežničko sits along the Korana River canyon about 20 km west of Entrance 1. Boutique Hotel Degenija is here, rated 9.1 on our list. The area is agricultural and quiet. you're near Drežnik Grad castle ruins and the Drežnica canyon trails. It's a destination in itself, not just a Plitvice overflow option.
Grabovac village on Route D1, about 18 km north of Entrance 1, is where Hotel Grabovac operates. At $265-340/night it's one of the two most expensive options we cover, and the rating of 9.3 backs up every kuna of it. The wellness facilities, food quality, and room finish are a league above anything closer to the park.
Both properties require a car, full stop. But if you're driving from Zagreb or Split anyway, stopping here makes perfect sense. The Drežnik area in particular is something most international visitors have never considered. and that's precisely what keeps it good.
Best Areas by Vibe
Tell us how you travel and we'll point you to the right part of Plitvice.
Romantic Escape
Lika Lodge in the upper park zone is the pick here. no crowds, forested trails, and lake views you won't share with bus groups. Ethno Houses Plitvice in Rastovača is the affordable alternative for the same quiet atmosphere.
Culture & History
Base yourself near Drežnik Grad fortress and the Korana canyon at Selište Drežničko. you're 20 minutes from the park but surrounded by Lika region heritage. Boutique Hotel Degenija here sources its entire menu from local Lika producers.
Family Trip
Mukinje village has the flattest, most stroller-friendly route to Entrance 2 and Plitvice Holiday Resort is built for families with multiple room configurations. The village store and nearby Entrance 2 bus stop make logistics far less painful.
Budget Travel
Guest House Tina near Entrance 1 in Plitvička Jezera at $52-78/night is the only genuinely affordable option we'd recommend. It's a 10-minute walk to the park and beats every other sub-$100 listing in the area for location alone.
Nature Immersion
Inside the national park is the only zone that delivers true immersion. Kozjak Lake at dawn from Hotel Jezero is the Plitvice experience most visitors only glimpse on day trips. You earn it by paying the park hotel rates.
Food & Local Flavors
Central Rakovica and the Drežnik area are where Lika regional food is taken seriously. Hotel Macola in Rakovica has a 9.2 rating built largely on its kitchen, and Boutique Hotel Degenija works directly with local farms 5 km from the property.
Location Quality
Is the neighborhood walkable? Are restaurants, shops, and attractions within 10 minutes on foot? How does it feel after dark? We evaluate safety, public transport access, and whether the area has genuine local character or just tourist traps. A hotel in the wrong neighborhood ruins a trip. That's why location carries the most weight.
Value for Money
We compare what you pay against what you get. A €150 hotel with a great location, clean rooms, and helpful staff can outscore a €500 hotel with fancy amenities in a bad area. We factor in seasonal pricing, cancellation policies, and hidden costs like tourist tax and breakfast surcharges. The goal is finding the best ratio, not the lowest price.
Guest Experience
We analyze thousands of verified guest reviews across multiple platforms, looking for patterns rather than individual complaints. Consistent praise for cleanliness, staff, and room quality counts. We also assess the intangibles: does the hotel have character? Would you recommend it to a friend? A soul-less chain hotel with perfect facilities still loses to a well-run boutique with personality.
When to Visit Plitvice
When to visit Plitvice and what to pay.
Summer (June-August)
This is when Plitvice gets punishing. Entrance 1 queues start before 8am, the boardwalks near Veliki Slap are shoulder-to-shoulder by 10am, and every hotel from Mukinje to Rakovica is at its price ceiling. Hotels inside the park sell out weeks in advance. if you must come in July or August, book Hotel Jezero or Hotel Plitvice at least 8-10 weeks out and pay the $130-195/night rate without hesitation.
Autumn (September-October)
September is genuinely the best month for Plitvice. Crowds drop after the first week, the beech and maple trees around the upper lakes start turning by late September, and prices fall 20-30% across the board. Lika Lodge in the upper park zone drops toward its floor rate, and even Guest House Tina near Entrance 1 sits at $52-65/night rather than the summer ceiling.
Spring (April-May)
April through May brings high water flow, which means the waterfalls. especially Veliki Slap at 78 meters. are at their most dramatic. It's cooler (8-12°C in April, 14-18°C by May) but manageable with a layer. Croatian school holidays in late April bring a brief crowd spike, so target the first two weeks of May for the best balance of water levels, light, and manageable prices.
Winter (November-March)
The park stays open through winter, and the frozen waterfall curtains and snow-dusted boardwalks around Kozjak Lake are legitimately beautiful. But many hotels in the area close from November to March. Hotel Jezero and Hotel Plitvice both operate year-round, while smaller properties like Ethno Houses Plitvice typically close. Prices hit their floor: Hotel Jezero can drop to $130/night or below in February.
Booking Tips for Plitvice
Insider tips for booking hotels in Plitvice.
Book park hotels the moment you fix your dates
Hotel Jezero and Hotel Plitvice are the only accommodations inside the national park boundary. They sell out reliably from May through September. If your travel window is July or August, 60 days out is not early enough. 90 days is safer. These two properties operate on a different booking timeline than everything else in the region.
Always buy park tickets online in advance
The Plitvice Lakes National Park ticketing system moved to mandatory online reservations for peak season. Day tickets in summer run $40-50 per adult. Walk-up availability at the gate is genuinely limited in July and August, and some dates sell out completely. Book at np-plitvicka-jezera.hr alongside your hotel, not after.
Entrance 1 vs. Entrance 2 affects where you should sleep
If you want the lower lakes and Veliki Slap waterfall first, stay near Entrance 1. Guest House Tina is your closest option at $52-78/night. If you prefer the upper lakes around Prošćansko and want the park hotel experience, Entrance 2 is your zone. The two entrances are 4 km apart inside the park, connected by boat across Kozjak Lake.
Driving from Zagreb? Don't stop at the first 'Plitvice' sign
Route D1 from Karlovac has guesthouses advertising 'Plitvice' starting around Slunj, which is 30 km from the actual park entrance. The genuine Plitvička Jezera village and Entrance 1 are clearly signed. Your GPS should read 'Plitvička Jezera'. if it says Rakovica or Grabovac, you're in the right neighborhood; if it says Slunj, keep driving.
Morning timing matters more than anything else
The first shuttle from Entrance 2 departs around 7:30am and the boardwalks near the lower lakes are noticeably quieter before 9am. If you're staying outside the park in Korenica or Rakovica, leaving your hotel by 7am is realistic. The parking lots at both entrances fill by 9am in summer. parking is $3-5/hour and capped, so overflow means a 20-minute walk from the roadside.
Rakovica and Drežnik area for multi-day stays
If you're spending 3 nights or more, don't lock yourself into the park perimeter. Hotel Macola in Rakovica and Boutique Hotel Degenija in Selište Drežničko are the two highest-rated properties on our list, and both are in areas with other things to do: Baračeve Cave from Rakovica is a 10-minute drive, and the Drežnik Grad fortress and Korana canyon walks are right outside Degenija's door.
Hotels in Plitvice — FAQ
Everything you need to know before booking hotels in Plitvice.
Where should I stay for the best access to the Plitvice Lakes?
Inside the national park is the clear winner. Hotel Jezero and Hotel Plitvice are both within the park boundary, meaning you're at Entrance 2 in under 5 minutes on foot. You skip the morning shuttle chaos that every outside visitor deals with, and you can walk in at dawn before the crowds hit.
What's the cheapest way to stay close to Plitvice?
Guest House Tina near Entrance 1 in Plitvička Jezera runs $52-78/night and puts you within a 10-minute walk of the park gates. It's the only sub-$80 option we'd actually recommend. most budget places further out on Route D1 toward Bihać aren't worth the savings. Book it at least 6 weeks ahead in July and August.
How far is Korenica from the national park entrance?
Korenica town center sits about 12 km from Entrance 1, which is roughly 15-20 minutes by car. Villa Lika is right in the town center, so you'll need a car or taxi each day. Taxis from Korenica to the park run about $8-12 each way, depending on the driver.
Is staying inside the national park worth the extra cost?
Yes, without question. Hotel Jezero at $130-185/night and Hotel Plitvice at $140-195/night cost more than outside options, but you get park access before the day-tripper buses arrive at 9am. The early morning light on Kozjak Lake with zero crowds is genuinely special. If you're visiting for only 1-2 days, staying inside the park is the single biggest upgrade you can make.
Which area should families with kids choose?
Mukinje village, where Plitvice Holiday Resort sits, is the most practical family base. It's a 10-15 minute walk to Entrance 2, flat enough for strollers, and the village has a small store and a couple of restaurants. The resort runs $75-105/night and has room configurations that actually work for families, unlike the park hotels.
What's the best time of year to visit Plitvice and book a hotel?
Late April through May and September through mid-October are the sweet spots. Crowds are manageable, temperatures sit at 15-22°C, and hotel prices drop 20-30% compared to July-August peaks. Summer (June-August) brings maximum crowds at both entrances, with Entrance 1 queues starting by 7:30am.
Are there any areas near Plitvice I should avoid?
Avoid anything marketed loosely as 'Plitvice region' on Route D1 between Karlovac and Bihać. Several guesthouses sit 30-45 km from the actual park and rely on vague naming. Grabovac village is further out (about 18 km from Entrance 1), but Hotel Grabovac there is legitimately excellent. it's the distance that requires a car, not a quality issue.
Do I need a car to stay near Plitvice Lakes?
If you're at Hotel Jezero, Hotel Plitvice, or Guest House Tina, no car needed. Everywhere else, yes. The national park runs shuttles between Entrance 1 and Entrance 2 inside the park, but there's no reliable public transport connecting Korenica, Rakovica, or Grabovac to the park entrances. Renting in Zagreb and driving the 130 km (about 2 hours) is the standard move.
How much should I budget per night for a mid-range hotel near Plitvice?
Mid-range in this area runs $100-200/night. You've got solid options at both ends: Hotel Jezero at $130-185/night inside the park, and Boutique Hotel Degenija in Selište Drežničko at $155-210/night if you're willing to drive 20 minutes. Below $100, Guest House Tina at $52-78/night is your only real pick.
What's the Rastovača area and is it good for hotels?
Rastovača is a quiet hamlet just outside the national park boundary on the upper western side, about 5-7 minutes by car from Entrance 1. Ethno Houses Plitvice is located there and offers traditional stone-and-timber accommodation for $175-230/night. It's genuinely peaceful. far less foot traffic than Mukinje village. and the Korana River valley views are worth it.
Is Hotel Grabovac really worth the price?
At $265-340/night it's the second most expensive option on our list, and yes, it earns it. Grabovac village is 18 km north of Entrance 1 on Route D1, so you absolutely need a car. But the property itself has a wellness center, exceptional food, and a level of finish you won't find closer to the park. It consistently rates 9.3 and the feedback is unusually consistent. very few disappointed guests.
What's special about Lika Lodge compared to other luxury options?
Lika Lodge sits in the upper park zone of Plitvička Jezera and is the priciest option we list at $310-420/night. It's boutique-scale, which means fewer rooms and real exclusivity. The upper park zone near Prošćansko Lake is noticeably quieter than the lower lakes. you're further from the Veliki Slap waterfall crowds. If you're after a proper splurge with direct park atmosphere, this is the one.