Riva Yacht Harbour Hotel

Opened in 1927, the Riva Hvar Yacht Harbor has attracted some famous names over the years including Sean Connery and Orson Welles. These days it tries to make its guests feel like Hollywood stars, and extra touches like free prosecco and brownies in the rooms do add an extra special touch. The property aims for glitz and glamor throughout, from the spotlit marble staircases to the corridors lined with huge nude sketches and a dramatic red border. The hotel tends to attract a younger crowd, drawn by the central location and the trendy decor, and the terrace, with its retractable roof, has a bit of a see-and-be-seen vibe and is especially popular around sunset. 

Located on the south west coast of Hvar Island, the hotel sits right on Hvar old town's harbor.There are a number of popular restaurants and bars up and down the boardwalk, just a few steps from the hotel, like the excellent Gariful Fish Resturant or Divinio's Mediterranean diner. It’s a busy and bustling area that’s packed with tourists day and night, and has ferries and yachts coming and going non-stop. Hvar Port is a two-minute walk from the hotel, and St. Stephen's Cathedral is just a four-minute walk. It's also only two minutes to the beach, and walks to Hvar Fortress, an uphill climb that's rewarded with great views over town, will take 15 minutes. The Split airport is accessible by combining taxi and ferry, and will take about two hours to reach.

The hotel has 54 rooms and there's a choice of Superior Room, Junior Suite, or Riva Marina Suite accommodations. Superior Rooms can be a little snug, but the decor across all categories is vibrant and dominated by shades of gray and red, and the furniture is contemporary and minimalist. The dominant visual element in each room is the large vintage monochrome print of a famous Hollywood icon above the bed, including Audrey Hepburn and James Dean. Otherwise, the style is fairly subtle, ranging from faux-stone white-on-gray accent walls to mid-tone wood veneer furniture. Each room has air-conditioning, a minibar, flat screen TV with satellite channels, safe, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms have a shower/tub combo or stand-up showers, hair dryer, and bathrobes. They have a contemporary design, too, with striking red square basins and ultra-modern fixtures. The Riva Marina Suites have private terraces overlooking the harbor, plus two separate balconies. Many rooms have views over the harbor, and some have views over the town, but a few look onto a brick wall at the back of the building. Rooms on the back side of the building are better for light sleepers as activity on the harbor can go until late. We also spotted a lot of nicks and wear on furniture in some guest rooms. 

The hotel has a waterfront terrace restaurant and bar, BB Club and Shrimp House. It's a great place for evening drinks, as it overlooks the many yachts going in and out of the harbor, and the bar is open until the early hours of the morning. Food includes fresh shrimp, and there's an extensive wine and cocktail menu. The hotel's free breakfast is served here as well and includes a wide range of hot and cold dishes. There's also a fresh pasta house which is located on the terrace. It has a retractable roof, so guests can dine there whatever the weather. It has a wide range of excellent upscale pasta dishes such as pumpkin tortelloni with lobster. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Tours and activities can be arranged, and many services are also available through the hotel's sister properties in the area.