On the rugged, almost mystically beautiful island of Pag, Boškinac is a small family run hotel with just 11 rooms. The venture began in 2001, when wine producer Boris Suljic opened his cellar for tastings. By 2003 he had added this small hotel built from local stone in traditional Dalmatian style, plus a lovely colonnaded terrace restaurant. And keen to make his enterprise really special, he brought in a team of chefs to offer sophisticated yet innovative cuisine based on local ingredients, which paid off handsomely with the award of a Michelin star in 2020.
It’s set amid vineyards, olive groves, pine trees and fragrant gardens, just a stone’s throw from the seaside resort of Novalja. What guests love most about Boškinac is the serenity; just being there is profoundly relaxing. This, plus its discreet staff and heralded dining, make it an ideal retreat for a romantic break.
Highs
- Two restaurants: gourmet Michelin-starred dining upstairs and relaxed, homestyle dishes in the tavern-cum-wine cellar
- You're away from the bustle of the coast, yet the dining terrace offers sea views
- Helpful and professional staff, who will go out of their way to ensure you have a once-in-a-lifetime experience
- There's a pretty, leafy patio, plus an inviting plunge pool
- The bedrooms are chic, spacious and airy; and the moody-blue Deluxe Suite is a show-stopper!
Lows
- The nearest town and beaches lie 4km away in Novalja; you'll probably need to hire a car for your stay
- Novalja itself is a rather characterless modern resort, though the island’s capital, Pag Town, is well worth a look for its Renaissance architecture
- The hotel (and island) get very busy in July-August; book early - or, better, come in the shoulder season
Best time to go
The best period to visit Pag is from May-June or September-October when the seaside resorts are not too crowded, the sea warm enough to swim, and the weather sunny but not too hot. During July and August, Novalja’s beaches (especially the party beach of Zrce) are overrun with visitors, while from November-April, most tourist facilities close down completely.
Our top tips
Spend a day exploring the city of Zadar (80km), with its charming old town built upon a walled peninsula. Founded by the Romans, its narrow cobbled streets are packed with shops and cafés, and its top attractions include magnificent Romanesque churches.
- Boutique Hotel
- 11 rooms
- Restaurants + bar (open daily)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Bicycles Available
Rooms
Hotel Boškinac has 11 rooms, all of them stylishly comfy and chic. Expect natural materials, grainy wooden floors, neutral colours and plenty of space, including a sitting area with funky cushion chairs.
Standard rooms are lovely - not at all cramped, at 35 sq.m. - with comfy beds, ample wardrobes, slimline TVs and views of the garden. Ensuite bathrooms are large, modern and tiled, with a combined bathtub and shower, Pascal Morabito toiletries, big white fluffy towels, bathrobes, slippers and a hairdryer. Superior rooms are basically the same, just slightly bigger and with better views, plus a sofabed.
If you can afford it, opt for one of the 3 suites. Each has a living room, a bedroom, 1-2 bathrooms, a Jacuzzi tub and lovely views. Two of the suites also have a small private terrace, and one (the huge attic-level Deluxe) comes in a very seductive blue hue, with a leather sofa corner and gleaming copper discs to reflect the warm light.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Bathrobes
- Central heating
- Cots available
- Hairdryer
- Minibar
- Radio
- Safe box
- TV
- WiFi
Eating
Breakfast is served in the Boškinac Restaurant, with a generous buffet including fresh fruit, yoghurts, Dalmatian pršut (similar to Italian prosciutto), oven-warm croissants and fresh strudel filled with either apple or cheese. Most guests choose to eat on the covered stone terrace, at tile-top wrought iron tables, overlooking the Boškinac vineyards.
Come evening, tables are candlelit for dinner, with mellow background music and professional multi-lingual waiters creating a discreet, romantic atmosphere. The chef works with fresh local ingredients - notably seafood, lamb and sheep’s cheese - and takes a modern and award-winning approach to produce delicious innovative cuisine. Choose from either a 3, 5 or 7 course tasting menu showcasing delicacies such as carpaccio od brancin (wafer thin slices of raw sea bass), Jakovska kapica (scallops and shrimps in béchamel, gratineed with local sheep’s cheese) or grdobina (monkfish) served in a creamy tomato sauce.
In addition to the restaurant, there's a rustic ground-floor konoba (wine cellar) and tavern where relaxed, traditional fare is served. Expect plenty of grilled fish and comforting stews. Guests can also take part in an organised wine-tasting session. The standard offer includes 5 different Boškinac wines, along with platters of prosciutto, Paški sir (Pag cheese) and salata od hobotnice (octopus salad). Wines come from the Boškinac vineyards and include the white Gegic (produced from an indigenous grape), and a prize-winning red Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot.
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Organic produce
- Restaurant
- Room service
Activities
- Explore Pag, a barren yet beautiful island of rugged inlets and mountains, connected to the mainland by a bridge. Main attractions are Novalja Town Museum and the adjoining 1st-century Roman Aqueduct; Lun olive groves, a botanical reserve of 80,000 olive trees, some said to be 1,000 years old; and Pag Town, a miniature Renaissance settlement with a fine 15th-century church
- Relax on one of Novalja’s 3 Blue Flag beaches: Zrce, a wide pebbled party beach lined with bars; Straško, a long pebbled beach backed by pinewoods; and Trincel, a small sandy beach near Stara Novalja
- Go scuba diving with Blue Bay Diving (based in Stara Novalja), who offer instruction and diving trips for all levels, with nearby sites including several wrecks, a cave and abundant underwater life
- Take a boat trip to the scattered islets of Kornati National Park, or to the larger islands of Rab and Lošinj
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Cooking classes
- Cycling
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Horse riding
- Nightlife
- Sailing
- Scuba diving courses
- Shopping / markets
- Swimming
- Wine tasting
Kids
Children are welcome and the hotel can provide baby cots and extra beds.
Best for:
Babies (0-1 years)
Family friendly accommodation:
Superior rooms can sleep a child on their single sofabed. Suites can each fit an extra bed and baby cot, and some have 2 bathrooms.
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Kids Activities on site:
Children's play area
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Hotel Boškinac lies 4km from the seaside resort of Novalja on the island of Pag (connected to the mainland by a bridge). It's 80km northwest of Zadar in North Dalmatia
By Air:
Zadar is the closest airport, but this is only served by a few flights from the UK so it might be easier to fly into Rijeka (120km + short ferry) or Split (200km by road).
From the Airport
From Zadar, take the airport bus into town then take a bus to Novalja, or drive the whole way. See below for car hire info.
By Sea:
Jadrolinija operate ferries (daily in high season) to Zadar from Ancona in Italy.
By Car:
We'd recommend hiring a car for ease of getting here, and so you can reach some of the more isolated spots on Pag, not served by public transport - see our car rental recommendations.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.
More on getting to Croatia
Airports:
- Zadar 80.0 km ZAD
- Rijeka 120.0 km RJK
Other:
- Beach 0.1 km
- Shops 2.0 km
- Restaurant 2.0 km