The Daily Telegraph - Saturday - Travel
TEN HOT HOTELS ON THE ADRIATIC
Croatia 1 Hotel Excelsior, Dubrovnik
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 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.
Doubles from £135 telegraph.co.uk/tt-hotelexcelsior
2 Villa Dubrovnik
A sophisticated but relaxed five-star retreat in Dubrovnik with a spa and indoor pool. Built into a cliff, the sea views are out of this world: rooms have private terraces and there’s a rooftop bar. 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.
Doubles from £500 telegraph.co.uk/tt-villadubrovnik
3 Little Green Bay, Hvar
“Less is more” is the motto at this barefoot-chic boutique retreat nestled in an isolated pine-scented bay, immersed in emerald greens and turquoise blues. It’s a place for total relaxation. Built in a an old farmhouse, the stone façades hide slick interiors of polished concrete painted in earthy tones, with big wickerwork lampshades and grainy linen textiles.
Doubles from £312 telegraph.co.uk/tt-littlegreenbay
4 Hotel Liburna, Korcula
On the coast, a short walk from Korcula’s Old Town, there are communal spaces, lots of natural light and good sports facilities. It also has a clean, minimalist look and most rooms have sea views. A big plus is the pebble beach front. There’s also a seawater pool and two clay tennis courts.
Doubles from £75 telegraph.co.uk/tt-liburna
5 Hotel Monte Mulini, Istria
In a beautiful waterside location, set into the hillside on one side of a bay, surrounded by lush trees, and just a 15-minute stroll from Rovinj’s Old Town. The hotel has direct beach access, and it’s just a short walk to the Miulini Beach Club. There’s also a large and stylish spa. The hotel has two à la carte restaurants. Doubles from £143 telegraph.co.uk/tt-montemulini
Montenegro 6 Aman Sveti Stefan
Sveti Stefan lies a few miles south of the medievalwalled town of Budva, and is part of the so-called Budva Rivijera, noted for its fine beaches. Two completely separate and very different properties are within the Aman Sveti Stefan complex. On the island, 15th-century stone buildings have been renovated to create luxury accommodation – it still feels like an (exclusive) village, rather than a hotel. In contrast, Villa Milocer, is set in immaculate grounds overlooking a sheltered bay. It was built as the summer residence of the Serbian royal family in the Thirties.
Doubles from £605 telegraph.co.uk/ tt-amansvetistefan
Italy 7 Don Ferrante, Monopoli
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 splitheight space which acts as restaurant, bar and relaxation area, with a mini infinity pool. Doubles from £86 telegraph.co.uk/tt-donferranti
8 Borgo Egnazia, Fasano
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, it’s all there for the taking. You could also learn to make orecchiette pasta or local pottery, play tennis, golf, take up windsurfing or kayaking, or just peg out at one of the resort’s two private beaches or three outdoor pools.
Doubles from £166 telegraph.co.uk/ tt-borgoegnazia
9 Belmond Cipriani, Venice
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, and sumptuous bathrooms.
Doubles from £589 telegraph.co.uk/ttbelmondhotelcipriani
Slovenia 10 Kempinski Palace Portoroz, Portoroz
The hotel is split into two parts; old and new. The old is the original palace building, with its grand Habsburg facade 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 of the Adriatic. There’s a good choice of restaurant and guests can eat alfresco in the lovely gardens.
Doubles from £79 telegraph.co.uk/tt-kempinskiportoroz
For a guide to 15 great summer holiday islands in Europe, see: telegraph.co.uk/tt-summerholidayislands