One of the things I found pleasant about Croatia was how easy it was to get around without a car. So, please don't think it's a lot of trouble! We were in Croatia in June 2001 - we spent an afternoon in Split, then took the ferry to Hvar, stayed in Stari Grad, which we loved, for three nights. You can take a bus to Hvar Town. Then we took a ferry to Korcula (a large, comfortable ship), where we spent one night, and then on to Dubrovnik by ferry-bus. It was all very easy and inexpensive. And, yes, Croatia is worth the trouble! (But it's not trouble.) In Dubrovnik you can rent a room from a travel agency right outside the walls. So, I would suggest 1 day (not staying overnight) in Split, 3 in Hvar, and 4 in Dubrovnik. I hope you decide to go.

Thank you for the additional info. I am going to try to decide this weekend.

Rebecca, How late in the day can you get transportation to Hvar from Split?

Thanks.

WanderingTexan,
You can find the ferry schedule at:

http://www.hvar.hr/eng/travel.htm.

Good luck!

Thank you. WT

I found another hotel that says it has been renovated, The Pod Stine. Did anyone see it? It is a short walk from town. If you are familiar with it, would you choose the Adriatic or the Pod Stine.
Thanks.

I also found another hotel in Dubrovnik. Has anyone stayed at the Pucic Palace or know anything about it. It is described as a luxury hotel and I am wondering how it compares to Villa Argentina or Villa Orsula. Thanks.

WT, we went by the Pucic Palace and I remarked how fun it would be to be staying in the middle of the Old Town. But it appears to be very expensive and doesn't have that marvelous view of the Adriatic Sea.

A sea view room in the Villa Argentina just can't be beat. It's a ten minute walk to the Old Town and I think that is a good trade off for the beautiful rooms at the Argentina. I assume the Villa Argentina is less expensive than the Pucic Palace.

Thanks Judi, That is exactly the info I was looking for. Is it worth it to stay in Villa Orsula or would you stay in Villa Argentina. It appears that there are really several properties at Villa Argentina? WT

Anyone heard of the Pod Stine Hotel in Hvar? Thanks.

WT, Villa Argentina has a main building, which is several stories and several small villas which they have annexed. The villas are on the same side of the road, and one across the road. I stayed in the one across the road. I suspect that the villas may be more updated.

If you stay in the villa be sure to get one on a higher level and that you have a sea view. Mine was a really great comfortable room with a king bed, lots of pillows and a soft duvet, a large tile bathroom, lots of amenities, and a tile balcony with a fantastic view of the sea and the old walled city. The only caveate was that there was no elevator and 53 stairs to my room.

I would stay in that room again in a heartbeat.

The common areas of the hotel; the wonderful breakfast on the outside deck, the lobby with a wall of sea view, the bar, the pool and private sea access, are all in the main building and you can access everything by elevator.

website looks great

http://www.podstine.com

I can't figure out though where the hotel islocated in relation to the town, Hvar. Let me know - maybe i'll stay there in September.

I second staying at a hotel south of the Old Town in Dubrovnik - the view is enchanting.

I can't figure out if they just have a good website, or if it looks better than the Adriatic. Simply Travel has some good photos of the Pod Stine so I am leaning that way just because I can find so few photos of the Adriatic. On the other hand, on my last trip, I trusted my fellow fodorites and never went wrong and several of you have suggested the Adriatic.

Thanks for the info on the villas Grasshopper! I am definitely staying there. wt

Back to the Villa Argentina...
We stayed in the main building and the room was beautiful. The rooms are built around an atrium so you don't walk down a long dark hall to get to your room.
We appreciated the elevator to our room after that uphill walk from the Old Town to the hotel.

The view from the balcony is fabulous.

You must be getting excited about your trip to Croatia after hearing all of these enthusiastic responses!

WT -
I was glad I stayed in Hvar proper on my first visit - being able to hangout at a cafe and be in my room in less than 5 minutes was nice (even though the room wasn't) - lots of restaurants at my fingertips.

I am getting excited! It is so great to hear from those that have been there.

The Pod Stine is just below where we stayed last June.The town map doesn't show you that there is a steep hill/mountain just to the north which is the reason that the roads on the whole run from west to east.Our apartment was up on the bank and it used to take us about 20 minutes to walk down to the waterfront.We invariably got a taxi back!

Frances -
Is Podstine towards the lighthouse (the south side of the island) or is it in the other direction (towards Stari Grad - the north side of the island)?

I'm only going from the town map on the website(the third map down)but it showed me that this is west of the town so if you are standing with your back to the sea its just out of sight on the left.
We traweled around for quite a long time before we found accomodation in Hvar and it was one of the most difficult places we went to in this respect. Before finding our "pad " we had driven pretty high up behind the Pod Stine and failed at a number of places there. It was on our way back into town that we struck lucky-about £35 for our apartamen for 4 per night.

Frances, how did the Pod Stine look to you? Would you stay there?

Francis, How far from town is the Podstine? If it is too far, perhaps I would enjoy the Adriatic more?