Villa Meneghello

Gloriously arty villa (for 10-16; can be divided into 2 apartments) on the sunny Dalmatian island of Hvar

The Meneghello family have built a great reputation for creating bohemian-style villas set amidst lush botanical gardens. Their artistic retreat on the islet of Palmizana is one of Croatia's most idyllic island hideaways, and in 2007 they purchased this 2-storey villa overlooking the turquoise sea on the edge of Hvar Town to expand their collection. Available as 2 separate 3-bedroom apartments or a large villa, it's a haven for friends or families who want to escape the mainland's crowds.

Set in a rocky hillside garden of towering pines and exotic blooms, it feels very private, yet it's only a 15-minute walk into Hvar Town for sailing or glitzy evenings out. The décor is at once eclectic and vibrant, with bright colours and big bold oil paintings filling the walls. The upper apartment has a harlequin theme of primary colours, whilst the ground floor is decked out in a more subdued, black-and-white style. The bedrooms are funky, the living areas light and spacious, and there's an outdoor kitchen for evening BBQs, plus a pool.

But for us what makes this villa so special is Dagmar Meneghello’s private art collection. The entire complex is something of a live-in gallery, a homage to modern Croatian art. Dagmar has been patronising contemporary painters and sculptors since the 1960s, and has some 150 pieces on display here. She also has an amazing flair for combining Hvar’s traditional stone and driftwood sculptures with quirky modern design pieces. Very inspiring.

Highs

• Lush gardens with plenty of outdoor sitting spaces, plus a pool
• Perfect for big groups of friends hiring the whole place for sun, sea and nightlife
• Plenty of taxi-boats and chartered yachts from nearby Hvar Town to myriad islands and secluded bays for snorkelling or diving
• Fab restaurants and a hectic nightlife are near enough to walk to, but far enough away that no noise intrudes
• Use of bikes is included in the rental, so you can pedal around the island

Lows

• Unless you hire the whole villa, you'll be sharing the pool and garden with strangers (and you might keep different hours from them)
• The décor won't suit all
• Hvar Town gets very crowded in July and August: try to come in May-June or September-October
• There's a 7-night minimum stay between June and September