Riva Yacht Harbour Hotel

Dalmatian stone building hosting a slick, architect-designed hotel overlooking the palm-lined harbour in elegant Hvar Town

Known for its Venetian-era stone buildings, Hvar Town has become a favourite among travellers in search of culture, glamour and back-to-nature beauty. Reopened in 2006 after total renovation, Riva Yacht Harbour Hotel occupies an old stone building on Hvar’s seafront promenade. But unlike its traditional Dalmatian exterior, interiors are unashamedly sexy and cosmopolitan. The minimalist look, in calming charcoal and creams, is played off against risqué design elements: bathrooms with a large picture window look directly onto the bed; a black-and-white portrait of a movie icon covers an entire wall.

Appealing to open-minded 30-somethings with money to spare, the Riva’s glorious open-air terrace overlooks the sleek yachts that frequent the harbourfront. Here, the chichi BB Club has firmly established itself as the place to be for sundowner cocktails, while Roots Restaurant serves innovative Mediterranean cuisine. Add bathing on the scattered Pakleni islets, scuba diving, sea kayaking and vineyard visits, and your holiday is made.

Highs

• Carefully renovated traditional building concealing chic modern design - aimed at “the young, or young-at-heart”
• Chic rooms enlivened by vibrant red poufs and scatter cushions
• The island’s unspoilt nature and secluded pebble beaches, perfect for bathing
• Hvar Town’s glamorous, cosmopolitan nightlife
• Friendly, helpful staff and a very efficient concierge

Lows

• Expensive by Croatian standards
• Funky modern interior is international urban rather than typically Dalmatian
• Bedrooms are small (most are 16-18 sq.m); and voyeuristic bathrooms may trouble prudish guests
• Some complain about the late-night noise from nearby bars
• No pool but you're not far from the beach
• Hvar Town is now outrageously trendy and heaving with tourists in July-August