12 Best Hotels in Central Dalmatia, Croatia

Set in a row of sun-bleached stone houses in the charming neighborhood of Veli Varoš, these beautifully renovated apartments and rooms have been lovingly reimagined to create a clean, bright, modern accommodation that preserves historic elements, like the steep tiled roofs and tiny shuttered windows. Divota (the Dalmatian word for "splendor") is close to Split’s harbor and UNESCO-listed center, so there are loads of restaurants and shops nearby. The airy apartments and rooms include units that can accommodate groups as large as six and also the lone traveler. Spa and yoga sessions are available, and breakfast at a local café is included in the price.

Built into a sheer cliff face overlooking the Cetina River, Villa Dvor has comfortable rooms offering sea, mountain, or river views. Out front, the Knez Restaurant terrace (where breakfast is served) looks onto the river canyon, and there's also a small outdoor whirlpool. The eco-friendly owner has ingeniously devised a way of using the river to power the hotel's heating and air-conditioning systems, and the building also uses solar panels.

Experience the peacefulness of the Croatian countryside at the Kalpić family estate while exploring both Šibenik and nearby Krka National Park. Just 10 minutes from both, it provides the perfect complement after a busy day of sightseeing, allowing guests to gather their impressions and soak up nature. The rooms are comfortable and nicely furnished, and meals are prepared using local produce and old-fashioned methods, most often on the grill or under the peka, a traditional bell-shape lid used to cook meals over an open fire.

Sitting in its own bay with a pinewood backdrop, this colossal modern white structure is a peaceful 10-minute walk along the coastal path from the center of Hvar Town. The rooms are decorated in warm hues and have spacious bathrooms. There's a large, free-form, cascading pool set in gardens out front.

Set amid pine trees on the path to Zlatni Rat Beach—and just a 10-minute walk from Bol's Old Town—this hotel occupies a modern, three-story white building with rooms renovated in 2022, and amenities include an outdoor pool and a gym, as well as a restaurant with a terrace. The hotel can assist with organizing diving lessons, excursions across the island, and airport transfers.

Freshly renovated, this boutique villa with rooms and suites offers guests a sophisticated taste of times past in an intimate island setting. The villa was once home to a prominent 19th-century Croatian writer and archaeologist, Hvar-born Don Šime Ljubič, who named the villa after the mythological Greek god Apollo (Apolon in Croatian). Each room's design takes its inspiration from a different Greek muse and combines traditional Mediterranean style with contemporary touches. Glossy wooden floors, earth-tone decor, and bathrooms with glass-enclosed showers add to the luxurious atmosphere. At the time of this writing, the restaurant and wine bar are due to reopen in summer 2024. 

Located just outside the palace walls and close to the port, this contemporary boutique hotel makes a great base for exploring Split and has spunkily designed rooms that are both sleek and well-insulated from the cacophony of the city. The hotel offers wonderful views of the city's patchwork of clay-colored rooftops. A cigar lounge is available on-site for relaxation in style, and the breakfast buffet offers fresh substantial fare.

This 19th-century stone building on the seafront in Prvić Luka was once the village school, and after a careful restoration it reopened as a boutique hotel with rooms that have wooden floors, modern minimalist furniture, and some exposed stone walls. Many rooms also offer a sea view. On the ground floor, the Val Restaurant serves Dalmatian cuisine on a waterside terrace. The owners can organize excursions to neighboring islands and to the Krka and Kornati national parks, and the hotel stays open all year.

Friendly and family-run, this simple hotel in a refurbished stone town house in the center of Skradin was the first hotel in town. It has comfortable rooms and a restaurant with a pleasant terrace out front. 

Just east of the Old Town, this hotel is a traditional Dalmatian stone building with green wooden shutters and guest rooms rustically decorated with wood and metal elements. The ground-floor restaurant features exposed stone walls and modern wood furniture; it serves breakfast and dinner (pizza, seafood, and meat dishes).

A world unto its own and set in landscaped gardens with a half mile of beach, this vast self-contained complex was Split's first five-star hotel, offering guests water-skiing, windsurfing, tennis courts, a luxurious spa and wellness center, an indoor pool, and an outdoor infinity pool overlooking the sea. The modern, sleek, minimalist interior was designed by Italian architect Lorenzo Bellini. Spacious guest rooms and suites have floor-to-ceiling windows, and most of the light-wood-paneled bathrooms have a separate tub and shower.

Commanding a prime site on the edge of the main square and overlooking the harbor, the Palace was built in the 19th century, claiming the title of Hvar's first five-star hotel—and first hotel ever—but it now includes plenty of modern amenities. All rooms are modern in style and have a view overlooking the harbor with its beautiful sunsets, and a luxurious spa and pool are at guests' disposal. Not all rooms have sea views, so check as you book.