Nine Olives Hvar

• Sleeps: 10
• Bedrooms: 5
• Bathrooms: 5
• Minimum stay: 4 nights

Ideal for whole-family get-togethers and relaxed catch-ups with friends, Nine Olives Hvar is beautifully set directly behind Lanterna Bay, with spectacular sea views across a whispering olive grove.

After falling in love with the ancient Croatian town of Stari Grad, owner David searched high and low for the perfect local setting to build his dream house. He then teamed up with Morpharos, a specialist Mediterranean architecture studio, to create just that – a jaw-dropping ‘upside-down’ retreat that combines cutting-edge design with local building traditions that include dry stone walling.

Feeling as though you’ve stepped into a paradise-like world of your own, here you’ll discover delights that include a shaded loggia, a furnished Mediterranean garden peppered with olive trees and aromatic herbs, and enormous roof terraces that overlook the sea.

There’s also a beautiful al fresco swimming pool to laze around on balmy afternoons, complete with comfy recliners and views to the distant hills. Perfect for luxuriating in the cool sea breeze – known as the Maestral – that Stari Grad is famous for.

Heading back inside? The sea-facing side of the house is completely glazed, which means the views from the mezzanine living space are particularly captivating… taking in Stari Grad Harbour and stretching all the way out to the neighbouring island of Brac.

(If you can get up early enough, catching the sunrise – and the beautiful deep blues and greens of the sea – will be an unforgettable highlight of your stay).

Whip up family-sized feasts in the well-equipped kitchen, your meals flavoured with herbs plucked straight from the garden. Or head up to the largest roof terrace, which comes complete with a pergola and a gas barbecue for sizzling sunset suppers.

At a glance

• A breathtaking, architect-designed retreat set directly behind Lanterna Bay on the Croatian island of Hvar, close to the UNESCO World Heritage town of Stari Grad.
• A total of five ground-floor bedrooms sleep up to 10 guests – ideal for families and groups of friends.
• Highlights include large furnished roof terraces and a sea-facing mezzanine living space, a Mediterranean garden with herbs, and an al fresco swimming pool.
• Full self-contained facilities include a well-equipped kitchen and four en-suite shower rooms, together with a traditional shared family bathroom.
• Walk or cycle to Stari Grad – just 600m along the harbourside promenade – stretch out your towel on the beach, or visit bustling Hvar Town in a 20-minute drive.

Features

• Dog Friendly
• Family Friendly
• Large Groups
• Seaside Breaks
• Swimming Pools

More information

When it’s finally time to turn in, make your choice from four large ground-floor double or twin bedrooms: each one boasting sea or garden views and its own en-suite shower room. One suite-room also features its own separate twin bedroom, making it an ideal choice for a young family, or simply a comfortable fifth bedroom for the grown-ups.

The house also includes a traditional bathroom for long bubble-soaks… and there’s even a hot al fresco shower in the garden for invigorating post-beach freshen-ups.

It’ll be highly tempting not to leave Nine Olives Hvar at all, but if you can manage it there is plenty to see and do close by. Walk or cycle to Stari Grad, a stone-built UNESCO World Heritage town built around a lively harbour, and explore its ancient monuments and sheltered courtyards (or its many bars and restaurants, whichever you prefer!)

Or stretch out your towel on the area’s many incredible beaches, including Lanterna Bay, where you can also take a refreshing swim and refuel at the beach bar.

Hvar Town, the island’s bustling hub, is a mere 20-minute drive away, or take a private waterbus to the Pakleni Islands and immerse yourselves in nature, culture and history, before cradling a welcome sundowner back at Nine Olives Hvar.

Things to note

Pets are permitted to stay on request.