Best Spa & Wellness Stays in Hvar

Hotel Moeesy, Blue & Green Oasis only welcomes guests aged 14 and over, so it suits families with teenagers rather than young children. For that age group it works well: the hotel sits on the Hvar seafront among Mediterranean gardens, with an infinity pool, an indoor pool, a large gym and a quiet spa. Parents of older teens get a calm, five-star setting, and the indoor pool keeps swimming on the menu when the sea is cool.

For a family, Riva Marina Hvar Hotel offers a sea-front address in the town centre, with terraces from which the yachts in the marina make the evening entertainment. Air-conditioned rooms follow individual themes and have large en suite bathrooms, flat-screen TVs and minibars. Free Wi-Fi and room service are available, and food and drink outlets give a discount to guests. Pets are welcome. I would choose it for the marina setting, not for quiet.

Adriana Hvar Spa Hotel overlooks Hvar town, and I would recommend it to couples and travellers who want a view with their spa. The rooftop terrace and swimming pool give panoramic outlooks, and there is a spa and a sky bar. Rooms have queen-size beds, ergonomic mattresses, air conditioning and flat-screen TVs, while the penthouse suites add sea and town views. Pets are welcome. The guest rating is very high.

For a family, Hotel Fortuna is a beachfront property in Milna village, 5 km from Hvar town, with four pebble beaches nearby for swimming. Rooms have air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV and a coffee and tea maker, and each has a private bathroom and a balcony or outdoor seating, some with ocean views. A bar and restaurant are on site. Pets are welcome. I would choose it for a quiet seaside base, with Hvar town a short drive away.

Golden Bay Hvar is a beachfront aparthotel in Hvar with direct access to a private beach area, and I would recommend it to families who want space and the sea. Family rooms have kitchenettes and balconies with sea views. There is a restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine, a bar and a sun terrace, and a lush garden with an outdoor fireplace. Wi-Fi is free and pets are welcome. The guest rating is excellent.

Palace Elisabeth Hvar Hotel is the oldest hotel on Hvar, set between St Stephen's Cathedral and the Hvar Theatre on Pjaca square, so a family sleeps in the very centre of town. Rooms are air-conditioned and look over the square and Hvar Bay. The pool and the spa give everyone a break from the summer heat, and pets are accepted. I would choose it for families with older children who appreciate history, and a score of 9.2 from 145 reviews matches its five stars.

For a family, Hotel Podstine has direct beachfront access with a private beach area and a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, so children have both sea and pool. Rooms have sea views, balconies or terraces, and free Wi-Fi covers the hotel. The modern restaurant serves Mediterranean cuisine, and a spa and wellness centre is there for the adults. I would choose it for a restful beach stay, since it is quieter than central Hvar.

I would choose Pharos Hvar Bayhill Hotel for a family that wants a quieter base on Hvar, away from the busy harbour nights. The hotel was completely renovated in 2016 and sits in a secluded pine grove, with an outdoor swimming pool where children can spend the afternoon. Rooms are bright and air-conditioned, the modern restaurant covers meals, and parents can use the outdoor gym. Free high-speed WiFi runs throughout, and pets are welcome. A guest score of 8.4 from almost 1,800 reviews backs the pick.

Amfora Hvar Grand Beach Resort earns its place with families through the Cascades, a multi-level pool area with palm trees and waterfalls, plus a dedicated children's pool. I like that parents can stay close to the swim-up bar while children play. A pebble beach nearby faces the Paklinski Islands, and Hvar Town's historic centre is a short walk away for an evening ice cream. Pets are welcome, which few resorts on the island offer.