B&B Villa Plitvica

B&B Villa Plitvica is a lovely small B&B, one half of a semi-detached property (the right hand side of the building in my photo), in alpine chalet style. Our upstairs room (number 3 - and I think there were only 3 rooms in total) was huge and had a matching long balcony all down one side, with table and chairs on. It overlooked the garden, and lodge opposite and was very peaceful. Beautiful and very comfortable bed and good sized bathroom with nice hot shower. The very kind lady who greeted us on arrival also served breakfast which was buffet style for cold items and you could make your own toast. She also offered scrambled eggs to order, freshly cooked (so much nicer than when they are kept warm on a buffet!) and took our hot drinks ordered and offered refills. We had our own ice packs for a cool bag and she kindly took those to freeze for us as there is only a (good sized) fridge in the bedroom. The B&B is only a 5 min walk from the Entrance 3 gate of the Park, but in total about a 10 min walk (down) and 15 min walk (up!) from the waterfront where you pick up the boat (shown as P3 on the attached maps) or start walks around that lake. We purchased a 2 day ticket which worked well, and as advised by the B&B manager, we explored the lower lakes on the evening we arrived (no actual gates that close so no access restrictions) and then the upper lakes the next day via the ferry to begin with (make sure you get down there early as there were long queues, even in mid June before peak season). There are fast food lunch type refreshments and ice cream down there. For dinner options, Plitvice Lodge opposite the B&B offers a set traditional style meal (either trout or mixed grill for main course) which was very good, and Etno Gardens just a few minutes walk in the other direction has a proper restaurant style menu to choose from which was also very nice. We ate on the outdoor terraces of both as we had good weather. We were very happy with our choice of accommodation and felt it was good value and in a great location to avoid the masses at the more formal gates 1 and 2. Thankfully even when its busy, the park is big enough that even when coach trip grups are there (noticeable to us in the early afternoon when in the upper lakes) it isn't too awful when walking around, but it's a pain when waiting for the ferry or the road "train" which is a good way to get back from the top end of the lakes.