Hidden House

Rooms

The three eclectically designed suites - Amanda, Lina and Silvija - are individually styled, but all have wooden floors, exposed stone walls, good kitchens and double-glazed windows with wooden shutters. In each you'll find sumptuous linens and cushions, mirrors, plants and an interesting mix of reclaimed wood and exotic memorabilia.

Bathrooms are extravagantly tiled and have walk-in rain showers, Duravit fittings, fluffy towels and L’Occitane toiletries.

We slept soundly in first-floor Lina Suite in its super-comfy kingsize bed with goosedown duvet, soft-toned linens and plump feather pillows. Expect natural stone and wood with opulent burnished gold accents and a magical bathroom with Piero Fornasetti tiles inspired by his muse Lina Cavalieri. We also peeped into the second-floor Silvija Suite (spirit of the woods) with its blue and taupe walls, natural materials and plants. Both suites have 43” TVs with Netflix and HDMI connectivity.

Luxury open-plan penthouse Amanda Suite enjoys lots of natural light, has a day bed and a big-screen projector - also with HDMI connectivity for film nights. There's an Italian roll-top slipper tub and a rain shower in the ensuite bathroom. Steep wooden steps lead up to a small roof terrace, where you can relax and look out over the terracotta rooftops to the sea - watching the dreamy views and sunsets with a glass of local wine in hand is a pretty wonderful way to end the day.

Features include:

• Fan
• Hairdryer
• WiFi

Eating

Each suite features its own fully-equipped kitchen, with fridge, hob and coffee machine, enabling guests to ‘eat at home’ if desired. Stari Grad has an excellent local grocery market, two good supermarkets, wine shops and an excellent delicatessen, each just five minutes’ walk from your suite. With advance arrangement, Chris and Amanda can arrange for your fridge to be stocked with the essentials in time for your arrival.

The ground floor of Hidden House is home to a cocktail school, so maestro Chris can impart his finely honed skills, and a wine tasting venue.

Hvar Town dominates the travel press, but its restaurants tend to be crowded and over-priced; in contrast, low-profile Stari Grad has several outstanding eateries, with less razzle-dazzle. Within steps of Hidden House, in the town’s ancient squares you’ll find family-run restaurants specialising in not only Dalmatian cuisine but more recently cuisine with an international twist, appealing to the experienced traveller. Produce is locally sourced and wine lists feature excellent selections from Croatian vineyards.

Features include:

• Breakfast
• Coffee maker
• Fridge
• Full kitchen
• Hob or stove
• Restaurants nearby

Activities

• Swim and sunbathe at the town beach, a 10-minute walk from the harbour
  
• Lunch at a waterfront restaurant then explore Stari Grad's car-free cobbled alleys, stopping at the 16th-century Tvrdalj (aka Hektorovic House) and Stari Grad Museum, exhibiting finds dating back to the arrival of the Greeks in 384BC
  
• Hike to the top of Purkin Kuk hill (signed footpath leading out from town) for fantastic views down onto Stari Grad Plain
  
• Hire bicycles and pedal over to the seaside town of Jelsa (10km), calling at Bastijana for wine tasting en route. On the way back, stop for a swim in one of several idyllic coves between Jelsa and Vrboska
  
• Charter a motorboat or sailing boat (skipper required for those with no sailing experience) and spend a day exploring the Dalmatian islands, jumping on and off board to swim in the turquoise sea
  
• Spend a day in Hvar Town (22km / 20-minute drive): there's a 16th-century cathedral, 17th-century municipal theatre, 2 monasteries and a hilltop castle, plus great waterside bars and restaurants
  
• Amanda and Chris can create bespoke experiences for you

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Boat trips
• Cycling
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Museums / galleries
• Private guided tours
• Sailing
• Shopping / markets
• Swimming
• Traditional cultures
• Wine tasting

Kids

Hidden House has peaceful, romantic and discreetly sophisticated suites, but small families who are mindful of other guests are welcome. Each suite has a well-equipped kitchen, there are plenty of groceries and family-friendly restaurants nearby.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

Lina is best for families as it has a double sofabed, while Sivija and Amanda both have a day bed each, which can be made up for a child. All suites can take a baby cot

Cots Available

Distances:

• Airport: 1 hour (speedboat), 2.5 hours (ferry + taxi/bus)
• Doctor: 5 minutes; Clinic: 15 minutes (Jelsa)
• Shops: 2 minutes

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Hidden House is in the centre of Stari Grad, one block from the harbour, on the north shore of Hvar island in Dalmatia. It's 10km from Jelsa and 20km from Hvar Town.

By Air:
Split has the best ferry connections, or you can try Dubrovnik.

By Ferry from Split or Dubrovnik
From Split airport, take a taxi to the port, then a ferry (1.5-2 hrs) or catamaran (50 mins) to Hvar.
From Dubrovnik there is a catamaran to Hvar port (4 hrs) via Mljet and Korcula - see Krilo.

On the Island
When you arrive on the island, the owners will meet you in either Stari Grad or Jelsa and lead you to the property so that you don’t have problems finding it first time. You probably won't need a car - the town is on your doorstep, and there are buses to Hvar or Jelsa - but if you do hire one, you can park for free near the property (on-road).

Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.