Le Méridien Lav Split With Kids: An Honest Family Resort Review
After spending several weeks exploring Paris during one of the hottest heatwaves in recent years, we decided to do something completely spontaneous. One evening we looked at each other and said, “What if we just leave?” By that night we had booked flights to Split, Croatia, and less than twelve hours later our family of five was on a plane headed for the Adriatic Coast.
It ended up being one of the best decisions we made during our six-week Europe adventure.
Not only was Split an easy destination to reach from Paris, but staying at Le Méridien Lav, Split gave us the relaxing beach vacation we didn’t even realize we needed. Between the pools, beautiful coastline, incredible breakfast, and family-friendly atmosphere, this resort quickly became one of the highlights of our entire trip.
If you’re looking for an honest review from another family traveling with young kids, here’s everything you should know before booking your next dream vacation.
Why We Chose Split, Croatia
It’s tough finding a deal on airfare and hotel for 5 people when booking super last minute in peak summer. We had been thinking about leaving Paris for a few days for a break from the heat and the longer we waited the more flights were going up and rooms were selling out in every location we were looking at. We ultimately just wanted a beach, a pool and air conditioning within a few hours from Paris. Bonus points if we could use some Marriott Bonvoy points to help with the cost. Split checked every box.
An Easy Flight from Paris
One of the things that surprised us most was how easy it was to get from Paris to Split. We booked a last-minute EasyJet flight the evening before and were on a plane early the next morning.
The 2 hour flight was short enough that it felt very manageable with three kids, making Split an excellent option if you’re already traveling through Europe and want to add a relaxing beach getaway to your itinerary. It was our first time flying with EasyJet and it truly was so easy to fly out of Orly with backpacks only. We did have to pay a small fee for a seat assignment, but we always do this to ensure assigned seats with the kids.
We Used Marriott Bonvoy Points
As a family of five, hotel costs can add up quickly… especially when you need 2 rooms. One thing that made this spontaneous trip possible was being able to use our Marriott Bonvoy points for one of our rooms.
If you already collect Marriott Bonvoy points, Le Méridien Lav, Split is definitely worth checking for award availability. Using points helped lower the overall cost of our stay while still allowing us to enjoy a beautiful beachfront resort.
We Wanted a Resort Where Everyone Could Relax
After fleeing the heatwave in a busy city, our biggest priority wasn’t checking landmarks off a list, it was giving our kids space to swim, play, and enjoy being on vacation.
With multiple pools, beach access, and plenty of room to spread out, this resort was exactly what we were hoping for.
What We Loved About Our Stay
The Pools
One of the highlights of our stay was the beautiful outdoor infinity pool overlooking the Adriatic Sea. It quickly became our kids’ favorite spot, and honestly, ours too. We spent most of our time swimming, relaxing on the lounge chairs, and resting.
What I really appreciated as a mom was how easy the pool was for families. The kids could easily get in and out on their own, and there was plenty of space for everyone without feeling crowded. We never had an issue finding chairs either.
Another nice surprise was the pool service. Throughout the day, staff members walked around taking food and drink orders, so we did’t have to leave the pool to grab lunch if we didn’t want to. It made spending the entire day there incredibly easy and relaxing.
The resort also has an indoor pool, which is a great option if the weather isn’t ideal or you want a quieter place to swim.
The Beach
One of our favorite things about this resort was having direct access to the Adriatic Sea. We loved being able to spend the morning by the pool and then walk just a few steps down to the beach without ever leaving the resort. There are public chairs with umbrellas available on a first come, first serve basis. The beach never felt too crowded and our kids loved the option of switching between the beach and the pool.
Like many beaches in Croatia, this one is made up of smooth rocks and concrete sunbathing areas rather than soft sand. I definitely recommend packing water shoes or sandals as we were not used to the rocky beach.
The water was unbelievably clear and calm, making it perfect for swimming or playing in the water. Our kids loved taking breaks from the pool to jump into the sea before heading back for another swim in the infinity pool.
One of my favorite memories was ending the day by the water while watching the sunset over the Adriatic.
The Restaurants
The restaurants at Le Méridien Lav were another highlight of our stay. We ate at the resort for every meal so there was no need to drive anywhere. Dining at the resort made the trip feel so much more relaxing.
We especially loved the Italian restaurant Conlemani, where we ate several nights during our stay. The restaurant is located right on the marina, so we had a beautiful view of the sunset while we ate dinner. Our kids ate their weight in gelato, and stopping at Tramonto for dessert quickly became part of our nightly routine.
I do recommend making reservations for dinner in the morning if you can. We did this each day and always had a great table waiting for us at each restaurant.
The Rooms
As a family of five, finding hotel rooms that are both comfortable and spacious can be a challenge, especially in Europe. Since the family suites were out of our price range, we booked 2 standard rooms that could accommodate our family of 5. We were able to use our Marriott Bonvoy points for one of the rooms and we paid cash for the second room.
Our room was bright, modern, and comfortable, with plenty of space to unpack and relax. We especially appreciated having air conditioning after our heatwave experience in Paris with no air conditioning. We loved having a balcony where we could enjoy the morning sunshine or unwind in the evening while the kids were getting ready for bed.
We booked such a last minute trip that we were not able to get connecting rooms, but the staff was so nice in giving us upgraded sea view rooms right next to each other. We had the “girl room” and the “boy room” which the kids loved.
The Breakfast
One of our favorite parts about staying at hotels in Europe is the breakfast, and Le Méridien Lav, Split did not disappoint. The breakfast buffet offered a huge variety of options for both adults and kids.
Each morning we enjoyed fresh fruit, pastries, made-to-order omelets, and several local Croatian specialties. There were also a lot of gluten free options easily available.
Breakfast was included with our room, and our kids looked forward to it every morning. Having a big breakfast before heading out to the pool made our days so much easier, and it was one less thing we had to think about while on vacation.
Location
One of the things we loved most about Le Méridien Lav, Split was its peaceful location in Podstrana, a short drive from Split’s historic Old Town. It was the perfect place to slow down and enjoy a relaxing beach getaway.
The resort sits directly on the Adriatic Sea, giving guests easy access to the beach and beautiful waterfront views. Although it feels like a quiet escape from the city, Split’s Old Town and ferry port are still easy to reach by car.
Keep in mind that the resort is not within walking distance of Old Town. You will need to rent a car or arrange a ride from Split Airport. We chose to rent a car through Sixt so we could easily visit Old Town and have the freedom to explore more of Croatia during our stay. For our family, the location offered the perfect balance of relaxation and convenience.
Things to Do Nearby
We spent most of our stay relaxing at the resort, but we did take some time to explore Split’s Old Town. The historic center is built around Diocletian’s Palace and is filled with narrow streets, shops, restaurants, and beautiful waterfront views. Even with only a few hours, we loved walking around and experiencing a little more of Split.
Our flight arrived early in the morning, so we picked up our rental car at the airport and headed straight to Old Town. I recommend exploring as early as possible because by around 10 a.m., the streets were already crowded with cruise ship visitors. Arriving early made it much easier to explore Diocletian’s Palace and wander through the narrow streets before the area became too busy.
There are plenty of day trips and tours available for families who want to explore beyond the resort. Popular options include a Blue Lagoon boat tour for swimming and island hopping or a day trip to Krka National Park. We decided to keep this part of our trip slow and relaxing, but these would be great options for a longer stay.
Would We Stay at Le Méridien Lav, Split Again?
Absolutely! Our stay at Le Méridien Lav, Split was one of the highlights of our entire six-week trip through Europe. After spending so much time in a busy city like Paris, it was exactly the relaxing beach getaway our family needed.
Our kids loved every minute of it, especially swimming and spending time at the beach. We still talk about our time here and can’t wait to coming back. If you’re planning a family trip to Croatia and want a beautiful beachfront resort close to Split, I highly recommend checking out Le Méridien Lav.
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