Scattered like jewelled shards in the deep blue waters of the Adriatic, Croatia’s Dalmatian Islands are some of Europe’s finest hidden gems. Mediterranean sensibility, Balkan culture and spectacular landscapes combine to make these islands unique, but none are as charming as Hvar, where pine-covered hillsides spill down to the water’s edge and life slows down to a snail’s pace.
Nestled in the slopes above Maslinica Bay, Maslina Resort is a wow-worthy Relais & Châteaux retreat that blends seamlessly into the landscape, welcoming guests into an intimate Eden where wellness and wellbeing take centre stage. This summer, the resort introduces three new private villas to its collection of 50 rooms and suites, designed by local architect Tomislav Alujevic, founder of Aalto architectural studio.
Inside and out, the three villas incorporate local textures, colours and building materials that root them to the region, with ventilated wooden façades allowing them to hide unnoticed in the foliage. Interior designer Léonie Alma Mason, founder of Paris-based LAM Studio, has created minimalist, light-filled interiors to complement expansive outside spaces, which afford sweeping views of the surrounding landscape and gardens.
The two four-bedroom abodes – Villa Litica and Villa Borovina – boast heated outdoor pools nestled amid the surrounding olive trees, with spacious terraces and outdoor showers, as well as a two-vehicle garage for driving adventures.
Villa Uvala offers the ultimate in private luxury, with three king-size bedrooms and two twin-rooms surrounding an open-plan living space complete with fireplace, large family kitchen with bar seating and sea-view bathrooms with natural stone tubs. The villa’s infinity pool spans 55 sun-drenched metres, and there’s a Finnish sauna, fitness room and Jacuzzi. All three villas offer private butlers, in-villa dining and sommelier services and all the perks of the main resort. Villas start from US $2,550 a night; the 60-minute speedboat transfer from Split costs US $1,525 return.