Hidden House

Stari Grad, Hvar, Dalmatian Coast, Croatia
Book from GBP Book from £85 per night

Hidden House

Stari Grad, Hvar, Dalmatian Coast, Croatia

Boho-chic townhouse with three gorgeous self-contained suites (for 2-4 each) in historic Stari Grad

Boho-chic townhouse with three gorgeous self-contained suites (for 2-4 each) in historic Stari Grad

On the blissfully quiet side of Hvar, the ancient town of Stari Grad centres on a pretty fishing harbour, filled with painted wooden boats. Just one block back from the water's edge, in a traditionally cobbled alley, you'll find this stylish and intimate 300-year-old Dalmatian stone townhouse, which has three individually designed self-contained suites.

Each occupying its own floor, every suite has an open-plan living space, a well-equipped kitchen, a kingsize bedroom and snazzy ensuite bathroom. Top floor Amanda Suite comes with a roll-top bath and its own roof terrace with sensational views. Lina Suite has a double sofabed in its lounge.

Your English hosts, cocktail guru Chris and interior designer Amanda, have a well-established background in hospitality, with former ventures including Blanch House in Brighton and Hidden Bar on Ibiza. Hidden House, lovingly restored from its once semi-derelict state, first to a boutique B&B and now a stylish suite retreat, has been their labour of love for well over a decade. They offer an excellent concierge service, arranging transfers, interesting island adventures and bespoke culinary experiences which includes their cocktail school and wine tasting venue on the ground floor of Hidden House.

Highs

  • Just three private boutique suites - each on its own floor - all with eclectic decor, combining antiques and retro design pieces
  • Stari Grad itself - unspoilt and peaceful, with excellent restaurants
  • Chris and Amanda have created an oasis which is both elegant and intimate
  • Fantastic value
  • Tons to do on Hvar - hiking, cycling, sea swimming and wine tasting

Lows

  • Full pre-payment prior to stay, by bank transfer; no credit cards accepted
  • Outdoor space only available with the top-floor Amanda Suite
  • Occasional low-level street sounds from the local restaurants nearby
  • For glitzy nightlife, you'll have to drive over to Hvar Town (20 mins taxi)

Best time to go

If you want an active holiday, hiking and cycling, come in spring or autumn, when the weather should be pleasantly warm and sunny, and all the main attractions open, but without the crowds. The sea is ideal for swimming from June through September. The best months for open-air cultural events are July and August, but this is peak season in Dalmatia, so it does get hot and crowded too. Hidden House is closed from November through March each year.

Our top tips

Stari Grad (meaning Old Town) was first settled by the Ancient Greeks in 384BC. They started cultivating the fertile Stari Grad Plain, dividing it into rectangular plots bordered by dry stone walls. These 'land parcels' remain beautifully preserved and are still used for growing olives and grapes, and Stari Grad Plain is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, it's not easy to decipher – ask about guided tours at the Tourist Office.

Great for...

Beach
Cheap & Chic
Family
Foodie
  • Boutique Suites
  • 3 rooms
  • Self-catering, restaurants and grocery shops nearby
  • All ages welcome
  • Closed: November through March
  • Pool
  • Spa Treatments
  • Beach Nearby
  • Pet Friendly
  • Disabled Access
  • Car not necessary
  • Parking
  • Restaurants Nearby
  • WiFi
  • Air Conditioning
  • Guest Lounge
  • Terrace
  • Garden
  • Gym
Room:

Rooms

The three eclectically designed suites - Amanda, Lina and Silvija - are individually styled, but all have wooden floors, exposed stone walls, good kitchens and double-glazed windows with wooden shutters. In each you'll find sumptuous linens and cushions, mirrors, plants and an interesting mix of reclaimed wood and exotic memorabilia.

Bathrooms are extravagantly tiled and have walk-in rain showers, Duravit fittings, fluffy towels and L’Occitane toiletries.

We slept soundly in first-floor Lina Suite in its super-comfy kingsize bed with goosedown duvet, soft-toned linens and plump feather pillows. Expect natural stone and wood with opulent burnished gold accents and a magical bathroom with Piero Fornasetti tiles inspired by his muse Lina Cavalieri. We also peeped into the second-floor Silvija Suite (spirit of the woods) with its blue and taupe walls, natural materials and plants. Both suites have 43” TVs with Netflix and HDMI connectivity.

Luxury open-plan penthouse Amanda Suite enjoys lots of natural light, has a day bed and a big-screen projector - also with HDMI connectivity for film nights. There's an Italian roll-top slipper tub and a rain shower in the ensuite bathroom. Steep wooden steps lead up to a small roof terrace, where you can relax and look out over the terracotta rooftops to the sea - watching the dreamy views and sunsets with a glass of local wine in hand is a pretty wonderful way to end the day.

Features include:

  • Fan
  • Hairdryer
  • WiFi

Eating

Each suite features its own fully-equipped kitchen, with fridge, hob and coffee machine, enabling guests to ‘eat at home’ if desired. Stari Grad has an excellent local grocery market, two good supermarkets, wine shops and an excellent delicatessen, each just five minutes’ walk from your suite. With advance arrangement, Chris and Amanda can arrange for your fridge to be stocked with the essentials in time for your arrival.

The ground floor of Hidden House is home to a cocktail school, so maestro Chris can impart his finely honed skills, and a wine tasting venue.

Hvar Town dominates the travel press, but its restaurants tend to be crowded and over-priced; in contrast, low-profile Stari Grad has several outstanding eateries, with less razzle-dazzle. Within steps of Hidden House, in the town’s ancient squares you’ll find family-run restaurants specialising in not only Dalmatian cuisine but more recently cuisine with an international twist, appealing to the experienced traveller. Produce is locally sourced and wine lists feature excellent selections from Croatian vineyards.

Features include:

  • Breakfast
  • Coffee maker
  • Fridge
  • Full kitchen
  • Hob or stove
  • Restaurants nearby
Eating:
Activity:

Activities

  • Swim and sunbathe at the town beach, a 10-minute walk from the harbour
  • Lunch at a waterfront restaurant then explore Stari Grad's car-free cobbled alleys, stopping at the 16th-century Tvrdalj (aka Hektorovic House) and Stari Grad Museum, exhibiting finds dating back to the arrival of the Greeks in 384BC
  • Hike to the top of Purkin Kuk hill (signed footpath leading out from town) for fantastic views down onto Stari Grad Plain
  • Hire bicycles and pedal over to the seaside town of Jelsa (10km), calling at Bastijana for wine tasting en route. On the way back, stop for a swim in one of several idyllic coves between Jelsa and Vrboska
  • Charter a motorboat or sailing boat (skipper required for those with no sailing experience) and spend a day exploring the Dalmatian islands, jumping on and off board to swim in the turquoise sea
  • Spend a day in Hvar Town (22km / 20-minute drive): there's a 16th-century cathedral, 17th-century municipal theatre, 2 monasteries and a hilltop castle, plus great waterside bars and restaurants
  • Amanda and Chris can create bespoke experiences for you

Activities on site or nearby include:

  • Boat trips
  • Cycling
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Historical sites
  • Museums / galleries
  • Private guided tours
  • Sailing
  • Shopping / markets
  • Swimming
  • Traditional cultures
  • Wine tasting

Kids

Hidden House has peaceful, romantic and discreetly sophisticated suites, but small families who are mindful of other guests are welcome. Each suite has a well-equipped kitchen, there are plenty of groceries and family-friendly restaurants nearby.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

Lina is best for families as it has a double sofabed, while Sivija and Amanda both have a day bed each, which can be made up for a child. All suites can take a baby cot

Cots Available

Kids Activities on site:

Some teddies, toys for little ones and a few books are available

Families Should Know:

Note that there is a steep ladder style staircase to the roof terrace. Stari Grad is car-free

Distances:

  • Airport: 1 hour (speedboat), 2.5 hours (ferry + taxi/bus)
  • Doctor: 5 minutes; Clinic: 15 minutes (Jelsa)
  • Shops: 2 minutes
Kid Friendly:

Location

Hidden House is in the centre of Stari Grad, one block from the harbour, on the north shore of Hvar island in Dalmatia. It's 10km from Jelsa and 20km from Hvar Town.

By Air:
Split has the best ferry connections, or you can try Dubrovnik.

By Ferry from Split or Dubrovnik
From Split airport, take a taxi to the port, then a ferry (1.5-2 hrs) or catamaran (50 mins) to Hvar.
From Dubrovnik there is a catamaran to Hvar port (4 hrs) via Mljet and Korcula - see Krilo.

On the Island
When you arrive on the island, the owners will meet you in either Stari Grad or Jelsa and lead you to the property so that you don’t have problems finding it first time. You probably won't need a car - the town is on your doorstep, and there are buses to Hvar or Jelsa - but if you do hire one, you can park for free near the property (on-road).

Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.

Airports:

  • Split 40.0 km SPL

Other:

  • Beach 2.0 km
  • Shops 0.2 km
  • Restaurant 0.2 km

Our guests' ratings...

Based on 2 independent reviews from i-escape guests

10/10
Room
10/10
Service
10/10
Value
10/10
Overall

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Rates for Hidden House

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