Stone Cottages Hvar

A cluster of stone cottages forming a gorgeous residence with pool, on a remote hillside overlooking Hvar’s south coast (sleeps 8-10, self-catering)

The island of Hvar is best known for its lovely Venetian capital, Hvar Town, where you’ll find some of Croatia’s smartest hotels and most glamorous nightlife. But head away from the hustle and the island’s rugged interior promises lush vineyards, purple lavender fields and semi-abandoned villages of tumbledown houses. Here, high above the gloriously unspoilt south coast, Stone Cottages Hvar offers an authentic taste of Dalmatia. Submerged in nature without a neighbour for miles, this cluster of 3 traditional 19th-century dwellings has been beautifully restored to form a lovely residence of 4 ensuite bedrooms (3 doubles, 1 twin), plus a big open-plan kitchen and living space with all modern comforts (including DVDs and bathrobes).

Ideal for 2 families with older kids or a group of couples and friends, the villa is set in grounds planted with rosemary, cacti, and olive and fig trees, and there's an infinity pool and tennis court, plus a sauna to use in the winter months. Nearby are mountain paths for hiking; within a 10-minute drive are pebbled beaches for bathing, the town of Jelsa with its authentic Dalmatian eateries, and vineyards where you can do tastings and buy quality wines direct from producers.

Highs

• Blissfully remote and private, set on a south-facing hillside with fantastic views onto the Adriatic Sea
• Great for self-catering: there's a well-equipped kitchen, a big barbecue, a bread oven for pizzas and an organic vegetable garden for guest use - plus indoor and outdoor dining areas, and a shopping service on request
• Set in lovely grounds with lots of room for kids to run around - and no neighbours to disturb
• Ideal for lovers of the great outdoors and adventure sports - there's lots to do here, from boat trips to scuba diving, mountain biking to wine tasting
• Trendy Hvar Town is a 45-minute drive away, should you feel in need of some urban glamour

Lows

• The location is very isolated, which means you have to drive to do anything (including buying food, visiting the beach, going on hikes etc)
• All 4 bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms, but 1 has a tub and no shower; not ideal in the hot summer months. And 1 bedroom is a twin, which is great for families, less so for a group of couples
• You can see the sea but it will take you at least 10 minutes to get there by car (7km)
• No WiFi and the internet connection is slow and unreliable
• A 7-night minimum stay, unless there's last-minute availability (it's worth enquiring), and you can't check-in until 5pm