Villa Dubrovnik

In the heart of the Diocletian’s Palace beside the ancient Roman vestibule walls, this exclusive and delightful boutique property has just seven contemporary rooms and suites in the city’s most romantic and historic setting. The intimate Vestibul Palace is a merger of three distinct architectural styles, Roman, Gothic, and Renaissance. In contrast, the rooms and suites are modern in design highlighting the original architectural features as does the striking glass atrium just off the reception. A restaurant, bar, and wine cellar are also tucked into the property. Step outside the door into the middle of a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, surrounded by the city’s ancient history and its magnificent monuments. The ruins of ancient Salona, the capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia and the central Dalmatian Islands are also nearby.

Occupying a sympathetically restored 19th-century building, Apolon overlooks Stari Grad’s charming, boat-filled harbour, just a short distance up the bay from the main square. As the oldest town in all of Croatia and a former Greek colony, Stari Grad is still one of the most charming towns on the Croatian coast. Despite the pink neo-classical facade’s aristocratic vibe, Apolon remains unpretentious, offerring instead a delightfully laid back retreat in authentic historic surroundings. There are just three rooms and four suites, all with wooden floors, oriental rugs, and chintz bedcovers and curtains and most enjoy views through large windows across the bay. Bathrooms are spacious and feature free-standing bathtubs and under-floor heating. The terrace restaurant is popular with the passengers of passing yachts who often moor up their vessels on the quay out front. Food here is focussed on the use of local seasonal ingredients such as fresh Adriatic seafood, lamb, and organic garden produce, all accompanied by Dalmatian wines. Service is personalised and professional, with local staff on hand to arrange a number of tailored activities such wine tasting, cultural excursions, hiking, and boat trips.

Described as a Mediterranean medieval masterpiece, the Lesic Dimitri Palace is a charming boutique hotel occupying an 18th century bishop’s palace in the heart of historic Korcula. It’s also a Relais and Chateaux property, meaning that you can be guaranteed exquisite service and a highly personalised, luxury stay. Composed of the main palace and five adjacent cottages, Lesic Dimitri Palace has been designed to echo Marco Polo’s travels on the Silk Road. Sublimely imagined by Thai designer Attauyut Piravinich, the Palace’s five residences are individually decorated in the style of a particular region. Each one-to-three-bedroom residence is self-contained and equipped with a fully-fitted kitchen, plasma screens with satellite TV in every room, an iPod dock, and iPads, board games, and DVDs for guests to borrow. Enjoy meals overlooking the sparkling Adriatic and the Korcula archipelago at the terrace hotel and bar, and take some time to relax at the spa where a team of Thai therapists offer a treatment list with influences from the Silk Road, Thailand, and the Mediterranean. Venture outside, and you’ll find that you’re steps from Marco Polo’s house and the old cathedral within the Old Town wall. The stone-paved Zakrjan Beach is also just a short stroll, while a pebbly beach can be found nearby the Old Town and the charming sandy beach in Lumbarda Village is within striking distance. Lesic Dimitri Palace also has a private yacht that can be rented per hour or per day to take you to the numerous coves and beaches of Korcula Island and Peljesac Peninsula.

The five-star Monte Mulini occupies a covetable position just a 10-minute walk away from Rovinj’s town centre. Part of the exclusive Maistra Hotel Collection, guest at this boutique hotel will enjoy its surrounding lush parkland and bay views. Effortlessly combining natural materials, luxury comfort, and elegant design, each of the 113 rooms come with balconies offering views over the pool, the garden, and the sea. Air conditioning, satellite TVs, and bathrooms with walk-in showers are standard throughout. During your stay you will have a choice of two restaurants to enjoy. The relaxed Mediterraneo offerring Mediterranean-style dishes and the fine-dining Wine Vault serving French cuisine and the option of a Chef’s table experience. You’ll also benefit from use of the Art Wellness Centre comprising indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, a gym, and a Mediterranean garden. When you’re not out exploring the stunning Istrian Peninsula, relax on the Mulini Beach, a private pebble-strand looking out to Lone Bay and presided over by the Cocktail Bar. Take some time here to enjoy the personalised service of a beach concierge and hostess along with changing facilities, showers, a towel counter, and sun-lounger rental.