A Week of Mindful Luxury at Maslina Resort

Location

Maslina is situated in the tranquil Maslinica Bay of Hvar Island. You’ll feel worlds away from busy Hvar town, though it is just a 25-minute drive. And although the resort is peaceful and secluded, it is walking distance from the charming town of Stari Grad, which happens to have an incredible food scene. The staff will be happy to make you reservations at all the best restaurants, such as Blue Doors and Jurin Podrum. Enjoy a waterside stroll to the town, or take advantage of Maslina’s complimentary car service.

Accommodation

Whether you choose to stay in a room, suite or villa, you’ll be very impressed by the lodging. We stayed in a panoramic room that we absolutely loved. Our room was on the top floor of one of the many three-floor towers that make up the resort. Because there are only three rooms on each floor, we never had to wait for the elevator or heard a peep from the other rooms. One of the nice things about Maslina is that it only has 50 rooms, so it never feels crowded.

Our room had a private balcony overlooking the bay. It was the best feeling waking up to that view in the morning and enjoying a cup of tea or coffee outside. The décor of the room reflected the natural beauty of the island — sleek yet cozy.

The housekeeping team completes both a daytime and evening service. During the evening service, they’ll prepare your room for bedtime and leave a different little treat each night. My favorite was the fresh cookies they left on our bedside tables.

Amenities

Complimentary Breakfast: We loved starting our day eating breakfast by the infinity pool. Breakfast starts with homemade pastries and espresso drinks, followed by whatever you want from the menu of fresh and delicious items. We tried something different every day, and especially enjoyed the eggs benedict and fruit with yogurt.

Pools: The two pools are side-by-side, surrounded by lounge chairs and olive trees. The water is heated to the perfect temperature, and each pool is even equipped with jets for maximum relaxation.

Beach: It’s a short walk down to the water, where you’ll find wooden platforms built into the rocky shore. On each platform, there are more lounge chairs and umbrellas for seaside relaxation. The water of the bay is very calm and perfect for a swim. If you’ve never swam in the Adriatic before, you’re in for a treat. Get ready for the clearest, most refreshing water.

Spa and fitness center: Wellness is very important at Maslina, so they’ve put a lot of effort into this beautifully designed building. Because it was our honeymoon, we treated ourselves to a 2-hour couples treatment at the spa – it was outstanding. It included sound-healing, massage and facial treatments that all left us feeling brand new. Afterward, we sat by the hot pool and drank tea made from the fresh herbs grown in Maslina’s garden. This was one of my favorite things at the spa. They had bowls of different herbs set out with little teabags to put them in, so you could create your own concoctions.

Restaurant: We treated ourselves to a romantic sunset dinner by the infinity pool on our first night at Maslina, and spent about two and a half hours enjoying the food and scenery. The scampi risotto was particularly tasty, as was the tri-tip with carrots and hazelnut cream. I would recommend having one dinner here, and then trying restaurants in Stari Grad on your other nights.

When you book through Fora, you’ll get a $100 food and beverage credit that you can put towards a nice dinner here.

Daily Activities: Every single day, the resort offers complimentary activities for all guests. Yoga, wine tasting, sound healing, fitness training, olive oil tasting – all included in your stay. All you have to do is sign up at the front desk.

Maslina is a great pick for any kind of vacation – from a romantic getaway to a memorable family trip. And yes, it's kid-friendly. Its location is accessible to all that Hvar has to offer, though you’ll find it difficult to spend much time away from the resort. You’ll never want your stay to end, but when it does, you’ll feel rested and rejuvenated — and ready to book your next visit.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Croatia. In need of further inspiration? Check out Rosemary Schmidler’s guide, Guide to Istria: Croatia's Wine Country.