Amfora Hvar Grand Beach Resort

The exterior of this hotel is not particularly attractive, and the concrete structure looks a little dated. Inside, however, is a different story. The lobby is bright, chic, and minimalist, with a wall of cascading water, trendy gray and purple leather chairs, and a sleek monochrome reception desk. Corridors are lit by spotlights and lined with plants in contemporary square pots. This is a large property, from the huge pool to the multiple dining and drinking establishments, so those looking for more of a boutique vibe will want to explore hotels right in Hvar town. Despite the upscale look, the atmosphere is friendly and easy going, with guests ranging from couples and groups to families wanting a relaxed vacation. 

Set on a hill overlooking the Adriatic Sea and the multi-level pool, the hotel is in a tranquil bay, surrounded by a pine grove. It's located around a 10-minute walk from Hvar's town center and its attractions, including the Port of Hvar, St. Stephen's Square, the historic Arsenal, and the Renaissance Theater. It's a nice walk into town along a beautiful stretch of beach. The hotel also has its own private stretch of pebbled beach with crystal clear water. Split Airport is around two hours and 15 minutes away by taxi and ferry. Guests with mobility issues should be aware that due to the hillside location of the hotel, getting around the property involves walking up and down lots of steps.

There are a wide range of different room types available at the Amfora, from Standard and Deluxe Rooms to four different types of suites. Rooms are stylishly decorated in soft neutral colors with chic, contemporary white gloss furniture. There are trendy modern touches like the TV's built into the wall and modern glass seascape artwork. Decorative headboards with a brown and turquoise color scheme stand above beds made with white linens. At the top end of the scale is the Deluxe Two-Bedroom Suite. This has a living room and two bathrooms, as well as two spacious bedrooms with king or twin beds. All room types have air-conditioning, a minibar, safe, flat-screen TV with satellite channels, and free Wi-Fi. Some have a balcony and many have fantastic views over the sea and the Paklinski islands. Bathrooms are modern and trendy as well, with frosted glass feature walls and angular, minimalist fixtures. The square toilets and showers in many rooms aren't the most conveniently designed, though, and have been noted by plenty of guests as problematic.

One of the most popular features at the Amfora Hvar Grand Beach is the spectacular multi-level freshwater swimming pool. Designed to look like the sea dotted with islands, it has walkways leading to patio areas, each with a table and chairs. The sea views are stunning. There are also waterfalls built into the pool, and it’s surrounded by comfortable lounge chairs and Mediterranean-style gardens. There's a swim-up bar, which also serves snack food, plus plenty of other dining options on-site. These include a Balkan Grill which serves local specialities, a steak and seafood restaurant, and Windows, which offers fresh Mediterranean food with panoramic views over the island from the hotel's fifth floor -- the buffet restaurant only gets mediocre reviews. An good buffet breakfast is served and is included in the room rate. The hotel also offers a range of other facilities, including beach volleyball, rock climbing, a children's playground, games room, bike hire, free Wi-Fi, free parking, and a spacious rooftop fitness center with a range of cardiovascular equipment and stunning views. The private beach area is pebbly but secluded, and there’s also a private beach club located within the hotel where guests can hire cabanas, book massages, and use the spa facilities. A large conference facility is also available on-site.