The Fisherman's House

Rooms

From the restaurant, paths of pebble mosaics lead through lush foliage of palms, oleander, prickly-pear cacti and lavender, to the guest bungalows. Each of the 6 bedrooms has a private terrace or balcony. Four rooms sleep 2, while 2 rooms can sleep 4 (double bed plus sofabed, suitable for either 2 children or one adult). They are functional rather than stylish, but we slept soundly.

Our room had a comfy bed with white wrought-iron bedsteads (some have four-posters) a tiled floor, and whitewashed walls decorated with Perina's artworks, made from driftwood and pebbles. The ensuite bathroom was small but spotlessly clean, with a shower, washbasin and WC. Our little terrace had a rattan chaise-longue, a table and 2 chairs for sitting out amongst the leafy planting. Note that rooms have no TV, no minibar and no air conditioning (windows have mosquito nets, so you can leave them open for a gentle night breeze).

Features include:

• Mosquito net
• WiFi

Eating

You're in for a treat here, with meals prepared from organic local produce (artichokes in May; tomatoes and courgettes in July), plus homemade wine and olive oil. Stays are half board so you get two delicious meals each day. The setting is lovely too, with seating on a stone terrace, or on a raised wooden platform overlooking the olive groves. Yachties put down anchor in the bay and come ashore for dinners of barbecued fresh fish or brodet (Dalmatian fish casserole).

Overnight guests awake to a generous breakfast (7-10am) of yoghurt, muesli, eggs cooked-to-order and good strong coffee. Dinner is a set communal meal, with all guests sitting together at long wooden tables. We loved the delicious moussaka and fresh salad, followed by pancakes and homemade limoncello (lemon liquor). It's fun and sociable, with mixed nationalities - the perfect opportunity to practice your French, Italian or German. If you prefer to eat separately, you can request your own table and order à la carte. Those staying for a while might find the choice a bit limited, but with food this tasty it doesn't really matter.

For a change of scene you can walk to other guesthouse eateries or the restaurants at Palmizana hotel (approx 5km).

Features include:

• Bar
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby

Activities

• Spend your first day unwinding - chill on white wooden sunbeds in Vlaka Bay, swim, then snooze in a hammock
  
• Hire a 2-person sea kayak and paddle along the coast to discover hidden beaches (ask Perina to pack a picnic for lunch)
  
• Walk across the island to Palmižana and the ACI marina, stopping at several beaches along the way to swim
  
• Take a water taxi to Hvar Town (www.tzhvar.hr/en) with its elegant Venetian-era architecture - the cathedral, hilltop castle and Europe's oldest public theatre - and hip restaurants
  
• Try scuba diving with the excellent Viking diving centre (www.viking-diving.com/en) based in Hvar Town
  
• Get up early and go fishing with Perina's father, Tonči, on his boat, afterwards Perina can cook what you catch for lunch
  
• If you're here in September, help with the grape harvest and wine-making process

  Activities on site or nearby include:

  • Boat trips
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Historical sites
  • Kayaking
  • Sailing
  • Shopping / markets
  • Snorkelling
  • Swimming
  • Wine tasting

Kids

Adventurous kids will love this secret island hideaway, where they can roam wild in nature, swim in the sea and try kayaking. The owners have young children themselves so they're totally wise to the needs of families. We think it is best suited to children over 4.

Best for:

Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

The larger rooms, with both a double and sofabed, are ideal for families with 2 small children or one teenager

Distances:

• Airport: 40km (Split; 30 min-bus, then 1-hr boat to Hvar, then 15-min boat transfer to the island)
• Basic shops: 3.5km (15 minutes by boat, Hvar)
• Hospital: 45 minutes-2 hours, depending on ferry schedules
  Emergency room: 15 minutes by boat (Hvar) or 12 minutes by helicopter (Split)

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The Fisherman's House is in Vlaka Bay on the tiny island of Sveti Klement, one of the Pakleni otoci (Resin islands) that make up the Hvar archipelago. It lies a short boat ride southwest of Hvar Town on the island of Hvar in Central Dalmatia. Sveti Klement island is only reachable by water taxi or yacht.

By Air:
It is easiest to fly to Split Airport (40km) on the mainland. Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving it.

From the Airport
Take the airport bus to the city centre, then catch a boat to the island of Hvar Town; from here the owners will collect you and take you to the island (Sveti Klement). Alternatively there are local water taxis available.

By Sea:
The most convenient port of arrival is Hvar Town, served by both a Jadrolinija ferry and a catamaran from Split each afternoon through summer. Alternatively, take a Jadrolinija ferry from Split to Stari Grad (7 daily through summer), then the bus to Hvar Town. Water taxis run between Hvar Town and Vlaka Bay (journey time 20-25 mins). Cheaper, more frequent water taxis run day and night from Hvar Town to the ACI marina on Palmizana (a town/hotel 30 mins' walk from The Fisherman's House on a rough island path).

By Car:
Cars are not pemitted on the island but if you need one to explore other parts of Croatia, see our car rental recommendations.

Detailed directions will be sent to you once your booking is confirmed through i-escape.com.

More on getting to Croatia and getting around