As a seasoned traveler with a deep love for coastal getaways, I’ve always been drawn to the Adriatic. But it wasn’t until I explored the southern islands of Croatia that I truly felt like I had stumbled upon one of Europe’s best-kept secrets. Picture it: crystal-clear turquoise waters, ancient stone villages bathed in golden light, and a rhythm of life that slows everything down to pure bliss.
I’d like to share some of my most memorable stays on these islands — hotels that not only offer comfort and beauty, but also embody the charm of Croatian hospitality. Whether you’re planning a romantic retreat or a serene solo escape, these handpicked accommodations across Korčula, Hvar, Mljet, and Vis are destinations in their own right.
1. Lesic Dimitri Palace – Korčula Island
📍 Location: Korčula Town, Korčula Island
💶 Price Range: €300–€700 per night
⭐ Best for: Luxury seekers & culture lovers
Korčula, often called “Little Dubrovnik,” is a maze of medieval walls, red rooftops, and sun-drenched alleyways. Tucked into the heart of the old town lies Lesic Dimitri Palace, a five-star boutique hotel that truly blew me away.
This property is more than just a hotel — it’s an experience. The suites are inspired by Marco Polo’s Silk Road journey, each one telling a different story. I stayed in the “China” residence, complete with deep red tones, silk cushions, and an oversized bathtub that became my evening ritual. The ocean was just outside my window, and the sound of lapping waves replaced my morning alarm.
What I loved most was the personalized service. Staff knew my name by the second day, and their restaurant — LD Terrace — offered locally caught seafood paired with wines from nearby Pelješac. The tasting menu was phenomenal.
Booking tip: I used a trusted luxury travel platform for reservations. Many rooms sell out months in advance due to the small number of suites.
2. Maslina Resort – Hvar Island
📍 Location: Stari Grad, Hvar Island
💶 Price Range: €450–€900 per night
⭐ Best for: Wellness, minimalism & Mediterranean design
Hvar has a reputation for lively beach clubs and celebrity yachts, but I was seeking something calmer — and I found it at Maslina Resort, nestled near Stari Grad, the quieter side of the island.
Maslina means “olive” in Croatian, and the entire property feels like it was organically grown from the landscape. My sea-view suite overlooked olive groves and the Adriatic beyond. The interiors were serene: raw wood, stone, neutral palettes, and floor-to-ceiling windows that invited the outdoors in.
What stood out to me was their emphasis on wellness. Their holistic spa offers forest-bathing walks, yoga on a deck over the sea, and the best massage I’ve ever had. Even their in-room amenities — like a pillow menu and natural skincare — were curated for relaxation.
Their restaurant focused on “Mindful Cuisine,” a fusion of French techniques and Croatian ingredients. Think truffle risotto with Pag cheese or octopus carpaccio with wild herbs.
Booking tip: I found a great package deal through a boutique travel agency that included breakfast and spa credit.
3. Hotel San Giorgio – Vis Island
📍 Location: Vis Town, Vis Island
💶 Price Range: €150–€250 per night
⭐ Best for: Boutique charm & budget-friendly elegance
Vis is the most remote of the major Croatian islands — and possibly my favorite. There are no mega-resorts here, just vineyards, stone houses, and a serene pace of life. Hotel San Giorgio perfectly matched the island’s essence: intimate, authentic, and quietly luxurious.
Located on a quiet cobbled street just steps from the marina, the hotel felt like a private home. I stayed in a junior suite with a small balcony overlooking the courtyard, filled with lemon trees and lavender. Mornings started with homemade cakes, local yogurt, and perfect espresso under the shade of vines.
There’s no flashy spa or infinity pool, but you won’t miss them. The staff arranged private boat trips for me, including a visit to the iconic Blue Cave. In the evenings, I often walked to nearby beaches or dined at their restaurant, which served an incredible grilled squid with Dalmatian herbs.
Booking tip: I booked this one through a global hotel comparison site with flexible cancellation, which gave me peace of mind.
4. Hotel Odisej – Mljet Island
📍 Location: Pomena, Mljet Island (within Mljet National Park)
💶 Price Range: €120–€180 per night
⭐ Best for: Nature lovers & national park access
Mljet is where you go to disappear into nature. Over 90% of the island is forest, and the centerpiece is a stunning national park with two saltwater lakes and a tiny monastery-island. Tucked inside the park’s boundaries is Hotel Odisej, the only hotel allowed to operate within the protected area.
Now, let me be upfront — this is not a luxury hotel. But what it lacks in glitz, it makes up for in location. I walked from my room to the lake in under five minutes. Kayaking through the calm waters at sunset was something I’ll never forget.
The rooms are basic but clean and air-conditioned, with balconies overlooking the bay. The staff was warm and helpful, offering tips on hiking trails and the best times to swim without crowds. They even rented me a bike for a day of riding along pine-scented paths.
Meals were buffet-style and surprisingly good, with plenty of local vegetables, fresh seafood, and even vegan options.
Booking tip: I used a European-based booking app that specializes in eco-travel and national park stays.
5. Villa Andrea – Tučepi (near Makarska, mainland access to southern islands)
📍 Location: Tučepi, Makarska Riviera
💶 Price Range: €100–€200 per night
⭐ Best for: Seafront simplicity & access to Brac or Hvar
While not on an island per se, Villa Andrea served as my base to hop to nearby islands like Brač and Hvar. Located right on the beach in the quiet town of Tučepi, this boutique hotel offered unbeatable views and a true “feet-in-the-sand” experience.
My room had a large balcony where I watched fishermen return at dusk. The pebble beach was steps away, and sun loungers were always available for guests. They even had complimentary beach towels and umbrellas, which I appreciated.
The onsite restaurant was surprisingly gourmet, and their Croatian wine list was extensive. Service was casual but kind, and I loved the family-run atmosphere.
Ferries and private boats to nearby islands were easily accessible via Makarska, just a short drive away.
Booking tip: A popular hotel aggregator had this property listed with seasonal discounts, especially for longer stays.
Each of these places offered something unique, and together, they shaped one of the most unforgettable coastal journeys of my life. The southern islands of Croatia are far more than a postcard backdrop — they’re living, breathing expressions of history, hospitality, and natural wonder. Each destination has its own rhythm, its own light, its own voice. And what I discovered along the way wasn’t just a series of beautiful beaches or charming hotels — it was a deeper connection to a place where the land and sea whisper stories to those willing to slow down and listen.
In Korčula, I wandered stone-paved streets where every corner seemed to carry the scent of sea salt and rosemary. My mornings began with strong Croatian coffee on a shaded terrace, and my evenings ended with laughter, fresh fish, and the distant sound of mandolins drifting through the air. The island had a proud yet gentle spirit, and Lesic Dimitri Palace captured it perfectly — an oasis of elegance tucked within a centuries-old town.
On Hvar, I discovered a different kind of beauty. Away from the bustling party beaches, I found serenity in Stari Grad. At Maslina Resort, luxury wasn’t loud — it was thoughtful, harmonious, and grounded in nature. I spent quiet afternoons soaking in the scent of pine trees and lavender, and even in stillness, I felt completely alive.
Vis was perhaps the biggest surprise. It doesn’t shout for attention. It whispers. Hotel San Giorgio was like a warm embrace, and the entire island seemed to pulse with authenticity. Time slowed here. I read, I swam, I talked to strangers who became friends. There was something incredibly healing about the simplicity of it all.
Mljet was a dreamscape. Surrounded by the untouched beauty of its national park, I kayaked on lakes that mirrored the sky and biked through forests so silent I could hear my own thoughts more clearly. Hotel Odisej wasn’t about luxury — it was about location and access to pure, immersive nature. And that, for me, was priceless.
Even Villa Andrea on the Makarska Riviera — technically on the mainland — offered its own magic. From there, I could hop to islands or simply linger by the sea, sipping local wine with my toes in the sand.
What all these places shared wasn’t just their access to the Adriatic’s shimmering waters — it was their ability to make me feel welcome, calm, and whole. If you’re looking for turquoise waters without the crowds of the Mediterranean mainstream, and luxury that feels personal rather than pretentious, then these hotels are where you want to be. They aren’t just places to sleep — they are spaces to breathe, to savor, to reconnect.
I found my peace on these islands. Maybe you will, too. And if you do, don’t rush it. Let Croatia’s southern coast show itself to you slowly — like the tide, like the sunset, like a memory waiting to be made.
