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An expert guide to the best hotels on the Adriatic coast, featuring top places to stay for gorgeous sea views, private beaches, great restaurants, terrific rooftop bars, beach clubs and stylish spas, in locations including Croatia, Montenegro, Italy and Slovenia.
CROATIA
The main pulls are the fantastic sea views and proximity to Dubrovnik’s medieval-walled Old Town, visible across the water. Dating back to 1913, the Excelsior has hosted illustrious guests including Queen Elizabeth II, Sir Roger Moore and Francis Ford Coppola. It comprises the original building, Villa Odak, plus a modern extension, all built into a steep hillside. The hotel reopens next month after an extensive renovation that promises to take it to new levels of luxury.Read expert reviewFrom£216
A family-friendly seaside resort and spa, with a beach and wonderful sunset views over the Elaphiti islands, just a 20-minute drive from Dubrovnik. All rooms have either a balcony or terrace.
The grounds are planted with pines, palms and olive trees, and give onto a shoreline with three pools and several small open-air bars and restaurants overlooking the Adriatic. There’s a sophisticated spa with indoor pools, offering a full range of health and beauty treatments.Read expert reviewFrom£117
A sophisticated but relaxed five-star retreat in Dubrovnik with a spa and indoor pool that looks out onto the turquoise Adriatic. Built into a cliff, the sea views are out of this world: rooms have private terraces and there’s a terrific rooftop bar. The fabulous spa offers beauty treatments, massage, yoga, and an indoor pool with more views onto the turquoise Adriatic. An indulgent cooked-to-order breakfast is served below the pines on the Restaurant Pjerin terrace. In the evening, the menu switches to creative Mediterranean fare.Read expert reviewFrom£549
In Lozna bay, a secluded turquoise north-facing inlet, backed by pine-wooded slopes, on the island of Hvar. “Less is more” is the motto at this barefoot-chic boutique retreat, founded by a French brother and sister, with backgrounds in hospitality and design respectively. Nestled in an isolated pine-scented bay, immersed in emerald greens and turquoise blues, it’s a place for total relaxation. Built on the site of an old farmhouse, the stone façades hide slick interiors of polished concrete painted in earthy tones, with big wickerwork lampshades and grainy linen textiles, and considerable attention to detail.Read expert reviewFrom£356
On the coast, a 15-minute walk from Korčula’s lovely medieval Old Town on the island of Korčula. The hotel has big open-plan communal spaces, lots of natural light and good sports facilities. It also has a clean, minimalist look and most rooms have sea views. The hotel’s big plus is the pebble beach front, with plenty of space for sunbathing and organised activities such as aqua groove. There’s also a circular outdoor seawater pool, rimmed by sunbeds, white parasols, and two clay tennis courts.Read expert reviewFrom£99
On the coast, two miles from Split’s Old Town, this purpose-built modern hotel has light and airy interiors with fantastic sea views towards the island of Brač. The hotel is hip and stylish with lots of glazing (even the balconies have glass fronts) for unobstructed sea views. Interior colours are inspired by Mediterranean flora and fauna. Most of the rooms have sea views and balconies. There’s also a choice of six excellent bars and restaurants.Read expert reviewFrom£106
The Navis is an uber-stylish modern design hotel with stunning architecture and luxurious rooms, where dark, polished concrete is juxtaposed with plush textiles and modern art. The private beach and secluded location add an exclusive feel, yet the atmosphere is welcoming and unstuffy. All of the rooms have balconies with amazing sea views, big comfy beds and artworks by local artists. The hotel’s fine-dining restaurant is fabulous.Read expert reviewFrom£178
In a beautiful waterside location, set into the hillside on one side of a bay, surrounded by lush trees, and just a 15-minute walk from Rovinj’s Old Town.
The hotel has direct beach access, and it’s just a short walk to the Miulini Beach Club, where guests enjoy complimentary use of sun loungers. There’s also a large and beautifully stylish spa. The hotel has two à la carte restaurants, Mediterraneo and the Wine Vault, both with an enviable reputation for fine dining.Read expert reviewFrom£179
Sveti Stefan lies a few miles south of the medieval-walled town of Budva, and is part of the so-called Budva Rivijera, noted for its fine beaches. Two completely seperate and very different properties are within the Aman Sveti Stefan complex. On the island, 15th-century stone buildings have been exquisitely renovated to create luxury accommodation — it still feels like an (exclusive) village, rather than a hotel. In contrast, Villa Miločer, is set in immaculate grounds overlooking a sheltered bay. It was built as the summer residence of the Serbian royal family in the Thirties.Read expert reviewFrom£950
In a sheltered bay with a sandy beach, this big, modern five-star resort hotel is ideal for families. Facilities include spectacular outdoor pools with cascades and hot tubs, a well-organised kids’ club, a vast spa and a good choice of bars and restaurants. The 322 rooms are spacious, comfortable and plush. Decorated in yellows, they have pale wooden furnishing, floral bedspreads, swirly carpets and floor-to-ceiling windows opening onto balconies (worth paying extra for sea views).Read expert reviewFrom£99
This slick waterside hotel overlooks the marina at Porto Montenegro. Designed to reflect the region’s centuries-old ties with Venice, it is elegant, aristocratic and refined. All rooms have balconies and the décor subtly evokes the feeling of being aboard a luxury yacht, with the use of wood, fabrics in blues, cream and beige, and a linen canopy above the beds suggesting sails. There’s also an excellent restaurant and a bar reminiscent of a gentleman’s club in London.Read expert reviewFrom£151
The white building lends something of a Grecian vibe to this tiny, 10-roomed boutique hotel – Monopoli was, after all, established by the Greeks. Its size and location – opposite homes with balconies, washing lines and flower pots in full view – gives it a residential feel.
All the action takes place on the rooftop, a split-height space which acts as restaurant, bar and relaxation area, complete with mini infinity pool. Huge prickly pear cacti sit atop the tallest chimneys. This is the kind of place which mixes classic monogrammed crockery with rattan chairs – it’s polished but with a bohemian edge.Read expert reviewFrom£164
A luxurious imitation citadel that has put Puglia on the map among celebrities, sybarites and affluent families, offering meticulous service, high contemporary design, a range of restaurants and an indulgent spa. Whether you want to hire bikes, drop the children at the friendly kids’ or teens’ clubs, take them to the miniature farm, escape for a Vair spa treatment, learn to make orrecchiette pasta or local pottery, play tennis, golf, take up windsurfing, kitesurfing, kayaking or just peg out at one of the resort’s two private beaches or three outdoor pools, it’s all for the taking.Read expert reviewFrom£302
The 95-room Belmond Cipriani is a five-star Venetian classic. It’s also an oasis of breezy elegance, with huge pool, manicured gardens, luxury spa, fine-dining restaurant, and the kind of discreet professional service you’d expect in a hotel used to hosting VIPs. All rooms have private balconies, gorgeous fabrics, Fortuny light fittings and sumptuous bathrooms. A light lunch, consumed poolside or on the terrace overhanging the lagoon, is always pleasant.Read expert reviewFrom£1,011
The hotel is split into two parts; old and new. The old is the original palace building, with its grand Habsburg façade and immaculate historical gardens. Alongside which stands a modern and contemporary extension with glass-fronted balconies and cool design. Despite the stark contrast, all parts of the hotel feel decadent with plush furniture, high ceilings and wonderful views out over the Adriatic Sea. There’s a good choice of restaurant and guests can eat alfresco in the lovely gardens.Read expert reviewFrom£155
