Hotel Bol

Hotel Bol is converted from a small apartment block, so it's in a quiet residential setting, and has beautiful ocean and mountain views. It's an intimate hotel with a friendly atmosphere, and guests feel at home. Decor is contemporary, inspired by Brac's most famous export -- the olive. Walnut floors and pale greens complement the natural pebble design that's featured in select common areas. The lobby doubles as a chic bar area, with both sofas and bar stool seating, and the breakfast room is equally stylish. To the rear of the hotel, the pretty courtyard pool deck is a welcome retreat, with a secluded feel. The hotel attracts couples on the whole, and staff have received great reviews from previous guests for their attention to special occasions like honeymoons and anniversaries.

Hotel Bol is on a leafy, residential road looking down the hillside to the ocean. There are a couple of restaurants and a shop along the same road, and it's a 10-minute walk down through quirky alleys and back streets to the center of Bol. Boat connections from the central marina run to local islands, and to Split or Makarska on the mainland, taking about an hour. A shady path leads along the coast to the island's most popular beach, Zlatni Rat, though it's a 20-minute walk. The journey by car takes about five minutes, and the hotel provide free transfers. Aside from the beaches, many of the island's top attractions -- including the Olive Oil Museum -- are found in the 16th-century village of Skrip, a 35-minute drive north from the hotel. It's also worth visiting the Stonemasonry School in Pusisca, one of the only ones remaining in the world and a 30-minute drive away.

Hotel Bol has just 18 rooms, and most include balconies with glass fronts to maximize the sea or pool views. Decor echoes the fresh, natural colors of the hotel's common areas, with pale olive greens alongside walnut floors, plus artistic black-and-white photographs. Standard Rooms are compact, so it's worth upgrading to a Superior or a Deluxe Suite for a bit more living space. All rooms have air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, safes, and minibars. Unfortunately, there are no kettles or coffee facilities. Mirrored wardrobes offer good storage, and include bathrobes and slippers across all categories. Deluxe Suites are double the floor space of lower-category rooms, with separate bedrooms. Bathrooms have a slick metallic finish, featuring shower/tub combos, heated towel racks, and a small selection of toiletries.

For a small boutique hotel, Hotel Bol packs in a lot. There's a pool to the rear, a nice leafy setting. It's surrounded by a good number of lounge chairs on a quiet deck, and drink service is available from the lobby bar -- including a good cocktail menu. The gym is small, but has a few good-quality cardio machines, plus a weights area. There's a sauna too. The restaurant serves a well-received breakfast buffet that includes eggs made to order and pancakes. Breakfast can also be served in-room. The hotel provide free shuttles to Zlatni Rat beach and to the bus station in Supetar. Other useful features include free Wi-Fi and covered garage parking.