The best hotels in Croatia
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Once the summer retreat of the Austro-Hungarian Empire’s aristocrats, Croatia has now become the go-to spot for millennial ravers, anchored super-yachts, and families on the lookout for something a little more adventurous than Costa Del Sol. The last decade has seen record numbers of tourists flocking to the country's cosmopolitan cities and a daisy chain of pristine islands. Against the odds, Croatia has managed to maintain its natural beauty whilst still moving with the times. Top-quality contemporary stays slot seamlessly against ancient ruins, rugged horizons, and breathtaking beaches. It offers the best of both worlds and has a rightful place at the top of all our bucket lists. With this in mind, we’ve compiled a list of top hotels fit for any getaway – from family-friendly to boutique romance, rustic tradition to chic luxury.
How we choose the best hotels in Croatia
Every hotel on this list has been selected independently by our editors and written by a Condé Nast Traveller journalist who knows the destination and has stayed at that property. When choosing hotels, our editors consider both luxury properties and boutique and lesser-known boltholes that offer an authentic and insider experience of a destination. We're always looking for beautiful design, a great location and warm service – as well as serious sustainability credentials. We update this list regularly as new hotels open and existing ones evolve.
hotelZori Timeless Hotel, Palmižana
Zori Timeless Hotel, PalmižanaThe laid-back Pakleni Islands have long been a favourite mooring spot for the sailing crowd, not to mention day-trippers from Hvar Town, a 10-minute boat ride away. But if you haven’t got your own boat, there’s only a smattering of places to stay – mostly rustic guesthouses – scattered around the archipelago. After decades of feeding the yachties in their waterside restaurant, Iva and Renato Tomlinović, owners of Zori Timeless Hotel on the island of Sveti Klement, have created a supremely stylish bolthole with just four suites – one of the classiest restaurants with rooms you’ll come across in Croatia. Split-based brother-and-sister architects Zrinka and Vatroslav Visković created the four spacious havens that blend inside and outside effortlessly. All have huge terraces that invite complete indolence: gently swinging hammocks, sunloungers, squashy sofas tucked into wall spaces, marble tables for al fresco dining, Knoll chairs, outdoor showers, glorious sea views framed by palm trees and – best of all – private pools and/or hot tubs. Zori’s 32-year-old chef, Siniša Jevrosimov, is an exceptional talent, creating a menu that combines Croatian cuisine with international flavours – and it works beautifully. Knowledgeable staff will talk you through the extensive wine list that naturally leans heavily towards excellent Croatian wines that still haven’t received the attention they deserve. Mary Novakovich
Hrvoje GabricHotel Lemongarden, Brac
Set on the island of Brac, best known for the white-pebbled triangular-shaped beach Zlatni Rat, Hotel Lemongarden is an adults-only hideaway snuggled into the quaint fishing village of Sutivan. Set within three meticulously restored stone houses, each room is uniquely its own, with stylish, understated interiors – though the real draw here is the lush garden that gives the hotel its name. Roses, bougainvillaeas, hibiscuses, palms, and hundreds of fragrant lemon trees surround the idyllic outdoor pool and restaurant areas, lending the whole estate a secretive, enclave feel. The owners see planting as painting a landscape with living things. This love of verdant nature extends to the food too, with chef Ante Udovičić utilising mostly local organic ingredients, some harvested from the hotel grounds. Listen carefully and you can even hear the gentle, lapping waves of the Adriatic from the Hotel’s private beach, less than a 10-minute walk away.
San Canzian Village & Hotel
Located in the heart of Istria – one of Croatia’s most desirable spots – the San Canzian is situated within a medieval village perched high up on the Croatian peninsula. All that’s left of the 14th-century Venetian fortress that inspired the space are the ruins of an old chapel, which goes some way to explain the San Canzian’s taste for laid-back serenity. Luckily, it’s now a little more up-to-date than its heritage suggests, with chic, contemporary interiors blending artfully against the arid, rugged landscape. This hotel is also perfectly located for exploring the surrounding hilltop villages, but you’ll be just as happy unwinding by the infinity pool, which boasts a staggering view out over olive gardens, and vineyards. Naturally, it’s this abundance of fine ingredients, all within touching distance, that inspires the hotel's Luciano Restaurant. Favouring organic local produce, with a wine cellar packed full of the best bottles from the surrounding wineries. As far as out-of-the-way, peaceful retreats go, you couldn’t find much better than the San Canzian.
Ninion Boutique Hotel, Dubrovnik
To look at it, the Ninon seems to emerge, birdlike, from the edge of the limestone cliffs, and with only nine rooms, this boutique, adults-only hotel is as close as it comes to having a little nest all to yourself. The owners, Nina and Željko Katalinić, are architects by trade. The building itself forms the core of the hotel's appeal – with its vogueish, minimal design, hand-picked furniture, and walls plastered with contemporary art. Even the couple's son (a successful artist based in Vienna) gets a look in, which lends a unique, family feel to the place, which is hard to find in most high-end hotels of this ilk. The rooftop bar sits high enough for you to see the sunset across the Elaphiti Islands and is situated only 20 minutes drive from bustling Dubrovnik, which means that the Ninion is the ideal spot to wind down after a high voltage city break.
SGFd.o.oGrand Park Hotel, Rovinj
Though it might look like the lair of a James Bond villain, the Grand Park Hotel is one of the most acclaimed hotels on the Adriatic Coast. Situated in one of the quainter Croatian fishing towns, Rovinj, it's neatly sandwiched between a fragrant pine forest and the renowned Mulini Beach. It’s also a short walk to the centre of town, and the local Marina. Not that you’ll need it, as the Grand Park houses practically everything you’ll need for a successful stay – from Michelin-star food across six restaurants and bars, to a string of boutique shops. Designed by renowned Italian architect Piero Lissoni, this hotel is all about attention to detail – upon check-in you'll be gifted a leather-bound journal that not only acts as a guide to Rovinj's historic stories, but as a place to start drafting up your own.
Hrvoje BakovicAmfora Hvar Grand Beach Resort, Hvar
Located on one of Croatia’s most popular islands, Hvar, the Amfora Grand Beach Resort is a spot for the whole family. Within a private bay, the hotel is not only a mere five-minute walk to the nearest beach but also host to its own, exclusive beach club, Bonj 'Les Bains'. There are a handful of quality, affordable restaurants and bars, including everyone’s guilty pleasure – the swim-up pool bar. With handsome, contemporary design throughout, it’s a solid spot for burnt-out parents in search of a reliable, romantic getaway, but with the added help of cascading pools, water slides, and activities to keep the nippers occupied throughout the day. It’s also only a stone's throw from the town, for when those inflatable armbands inevitably explode. Who said family holidays should be a compromise?
Marko MihaljevicLesic Dimitri Palace, Korcula
A trip to Korcula island truly is like stepping back in time, or, at the very least, into an episode of Game Of Thrones. This historic, well-preserved island is, apparently, the birthplace of Marco Polo, the mythical merchantman whose travels have inspired the charming Lesic Dimitri Palace. Five smart serviced apartments, housed within an authentically restored stone palace, are tastefully themed around the stories of the Silk Road – from China to India. It’s an apartment-style stay, which is a treat for guests who cherish independence. Each residence comes with a kitchen, but if you don’t fancy cooking, the hotel offers an in-house chef who’ll do it for you. Korcula itself is renowned as a foodies’ paradise, but luckily, the hotel has its own Michelin star restaurant that looks out over the untouched coastline.
Damir FabijanićVilla Nai 3.3
It’s no wonder this unique hotel was the brainchild of Nikola Bašić, one of Croatia's most unique avant-garde architects. This stunning villa, located on the rugged island of Dugi Otok, appears to be climbing out of the ground like some sort of luxury anthill, which means staying here is a singular experience. The stone used for the structure was harvested from the surrounding hillside, and it’s this attention to the heritage that sits at the heart of your stay. With only eight rooms - that fan out in a semicircle and are set apart by grand, stone privacy walls - Villa Nai has mastered the tricky feat of mixing unbridled nature with controlled comfort. It’s a place full of nice touches - like the saltwater infinity pool, staring out over the loose brushstrokes of olive groves, or the fact that the hotel's two gourmet restaurants utilise the estate's own globally recognised olive oils.
Villa Giardino Heritage Boutique, Bol
Situated in Bol, one of the more secluded settlements along the southern coast, Villa Giardino wouldn’t look out of place in an F. Scott Fitzgerald story. A heritage boutique hotel set within a colonial-style mansion, it’s classic, classy and refined – a place to step back into that feted golden age of the Mediterranean. White walls, crisp white linen, and cool stone floors reigned supreme. This cosy, classic style follows into the communal lounges, where art, prints, and reflections on the island's rich cultural history coat the walls from floor to ceiling. If you find it’s all getting a little too Bright Young Things then the Giardino is the perfect place from which to begin a trek up nearby Vidova Gora - not just the highest point on Brac Island, but of all the Croatian Islands. The view from the top, out across all of Dalmatia, is unmissable.
Kate SevoMaslina Resort, Hvar
Mindful luxury is the order of the day at the Maslina Resort, and it does not disappoin. The hotel has reforested the local area and utilized sustainable materials and practices throughout, and has a comprehensive list of therapeutic and wellness treatments. The in-house spa team delivers a variety of healing modalities, from traditional massage to vibrational healing, sound therapy, herbal tonics, and the use of therapeutic-grade essential oils. Yoga, meditation and fitness classes also run daily, making this place the perfect spot to relax, unwind, and rejuvenate. Hvar itself has been a well known Healing destinatination since 1868, and this historic interest in harmony has been reflected in the Maslina’s design; calm, intuitive interiors coloured with a palette drawn from the surrounding pine forests, and olive groves. Situated in the lesser known Stari Grad – a UNESCO protected town – this hotel cleverly dodges the hustle and bustle of Hvar town, making the Maslina savvy, safe and serene.
Katja BidovecSpirito Santo Palazzo Storico, Rovinj
If beautiful wooden ceiling beams are your thing, this might is the hotel for you. Hotel Spirito Santo Palazzo Storico is situated in the beating heart of quaint Rovinj. Tucked down a quiet street, this rustic, boutique hotel offers a more affordable, traditional Croatian stay, but with added touches of luxury. The building itself was once derelict but has been lovingly restored by the owners, who’ve repurposed many original materials and features that give it an authentic, down-to-earth feel. There are seven rooms, and a handful of suites located only a stone’s throw from the beach, and centre of town. The snug ‘Cortile’ Atrium (named after the centrepiece water-well that dates back to the 1800s) is a roofless wonder where you can sit back, relax and take in the stars after a hard day lazing at the beach.