Love Hvar

Seaview Apartments Created with Love

This collection of apartments in the Croatian hotspot of Hvar was created by its owner as a love song to his birthplace—and filled with heart. His design echoes the experiences of his Croatian childhood and upbringing, and simple architectural details throughout each of the apartments showcase the beauty of regional craftspeople, tilework from Macedonia, woodwork from Bosnia and Hercegovina, and technical design from Slovenia.

In the center of Hvar, less than 50 feet from the beach stands a veritable modern love shack overlooking the sea. Formerly a family dwelling, this vacation home rental in Croatia is set in a privileged waterfront location guarded by the town’s Franciscan monastery and is walking distance from its harbor. While Hvar is celebrated as one of Croatia’s glittering hotspots, the home was created to be an inclusive haven of well-being and calm, with an emphasis on rest and relaxation.

The stout, stony structure offers four unique accommodations, with three available for rent. Each is uncluttered and unassuming—places where attention to detail reveals a treasure box of regional handiwork. Built across three levels, the building features two balcony apartments at its center and lodgings with terraces on the ground and upper floors. Majestic views are part of every apartment, and the overall atmosphere is one of contemporary, low-key luxury.

The two-bedroom Garden Apartment occupies the home’s ground floor and features two wide-view terraces. It benefits from a pebbled courtyard garden of palms and pergolas lined with chaise loungers and wooden boardwalks, and strung with hammocks. A covered outdoor dining area extends from the sleek galley kitchen and is ideal for barefoot alfresco dining.

The Seafront Studio for two is a serene, uncluttered sleeping and living space of refined simplicity, where strong wood doors and furnishings offset the smooth, ultra-minimal surfaces. The balcony has unbeatable views out to sea, the Pakleni islands offshore, and the striking watchtower of the Franciscan Monastery.

Up top, the Sea View Penthouse is a two-bedroom study of wood and glass. The apartment features an open-plan kitchen and living area, and floor-to-ceiling doors that open out to the living/dining terrace, offering front-row views of the monastery, the wind-tossed palm fronds, and the red-tiled roofs of Hvar. An ultra-contemporary, boardwalk-like outdoor sunset patio is the apartment’s standout feature.

Around

The sunniest spot in Croatia, and the country’s most sought-after beach destination, Hvar Island has become a glittering, high-end hotspot brimming with resort hotels, swanky restaurants, yacht parties and beach bars, with a nomadic jet-set vibe. That said, this vacation home rental in Croatia recognizes the island’s vibrant party scene but was expressly created to be an inclusive getaway for rest, relaxation, and low-key seaside recreation. The property has a strict no-party rule, but offers a long list of recommendations for living a more easygoing life on Hvar.

The island’s interior has abundant opportunities for those seeking more rustic recreation. Ancient villages and craggy peaks are postcard pretty; vineyards and aromatic lavender plantations zigzag across the island. The apartments are walking distance from several beaches. The beaches of the Pakleni Islands have an exclusive, club-like feel, and isolated coves offer intimate swimming and sunning spots on the island’s southern end. Hiking, sailing and quad tours are popular, and the Stari Grad field, an ancient agricultural site, is a UNESCO Heritage destination.

Location

Hvar Island, Dalmatia, Croatia. Nearest airport: Split.

Best time to visit

May to July and September and October. The weather is beautiful, and it is busy but not overwhelming.