Palace Elisabeth is the address in Hvar Town for couples who want to be at the center of everything. The hotel occupies a historic palace on St. Stephen's Square, one of the largest squares in Dalmatia, a few steps from the harbor where the catamarans and yachts tie up. Step out of the door and you are among the cafes, the cathedral and the waterfront restaurants.
It is a five-star heritage hotel run by Sunčani Hvar, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, with two Michelin Keys. The name recalls Empress Elisabeth of Austria, known as Sisi. The spa leans into that story with treatments built on natural ingredients. A pool looks out over the rooftops of the town. San Marco, the restaurant, serves Mediterranean cooking with a view over the square and harbor.
It suits couples who want Hvar Town's dinners, sunset walks and boat departures on their doorstep, in a hotel with real history. Couples who want silence at night or a beach outside the door will be happier in Stari Grad or a cove hotel.
Highlights at a glance
- On St. Stephen's Square in Hvar Town
- Sea views over the harbor and Pakleni Islands
- Pool overlooking the rooftops
- Spa inspired by Empress Elisabeth
- Member of The Leading Hotels of the World
Why Couples Love Palace Elisabeth
Location comes first. You are on the square, so you can walk out for an espresso before the day boats leave, come back for a siesta and wander out again after dark. The fortress above town, the Franciscan monastery and the best restaurants are all within a short walk.
The building makes the stay feel like an occasion. Hvar has a long history as a resort, with tourism here going back to the 19th century. This palace carries some of that heritage. The interiors are refined rather than flashy, with sea-view rooms that look over the harbor toward the Pakleni Islands.
The hotel also makes Hvar Town easier. Concierge staff can book water taxis, private boats and restaurant tables in a town where the best ones fill up quickly in July and August.
Rooms and Suites to Book
Pay for a sea view. The hotel faces the harbor. A room looking out over the boats and the islands beyond is the whole point of staying on the square. Rooms at the back are quieter but lose that view, so weigh up which matters more to you.
For a honeymoon, a suite with a sea view is worth the upgrade. The extra space makes it easier to enjoy a slow breakfast in your room. Many couples like to watch the harbor wake up from the window before the town gets busy.
Hvar Town can be lively at night in high summer, especially near the bars on the waterfront. If you are light sleepers, ask the hotel for a higher room or one on the quieter side of the building. Mention your honeymoon when booking, since heritage hotels tend to vary room by room.
San Marco, the Pool and the Spa
San Marco is the hotel's restaurant, serving gourmet Mediterranean cooking with views over the town. It is the easy choice for a first dinner when you arrive tired from the catamaran. Terraces add outdoor seating for lunch or drinks while you watch the square.
The pool is a big advantage in a town center where pools are rare. It has panoramic views over Hvar's rooftops and harbor, so you can swim between lunch and dinner without heading to a beach club.
The spa uses skin care products made from natural ingredients and draws on the story of Empress Elisabeth, after whom the hotel is named. Lavender is the scent of the island, so look for treatments that use it. A gym is available. Guests who book directly with the hotel also get a discount at selected Sunčani Hvar bars and restaurants.
Why guests fall for it
Things to Do
Book a private boat for a day in the Pakleni Islands, the pine-covered islets across from the harbor. Swim in turquoise coves, stop for a long lunch at a konoba on Palmižana and come back as the light softens. Water taxis also run from the harbor for a cheaper half day.
Climb to the Fortica, the Spanish Fortress above town, for sunset over the harbor and the islands. Inland, the island is lavender fields, old stone villages and vineyards. Wine tasting around Jelsa and Sveta Nedjelja makes a good afternoon, as does a drive through the lavender near Velo Grablje in early summer.
On the north coast, Stari Grad has one of the oldest towns in Croatia and the UNESCO-listed Stari Grad Plain, where farmland still follows boundaries laid out by ancient Greek settlers.
Getting There
Fly into Split Airport (SPU), then take a taxi or transfer to Split harbor, roughly 30 to 40 minutes. Catamarans run from Split to Hvar Town in about an hour and dock a short walk from the square. The hotel can help with transfers.
Car ferries from Split arrive in Stari Grad, about 20 minutes by road from Hvar Town. That route only matters if you bring a car. You do not need one in Hvar Town, which is largely pedestrian. Taxis and scooter rentals cover trips to the vineyards and villages.
In summer, book catamaran tickets in advance and travel light: the harbor area is all stone paving and steps. Catamarans also link Hvar with Korčula, Vis and Dubrovnik in season, so the hotel works well in a multi-island trip.
Is It Worth It?
For couples who want Hvar Town on their doorstep and a hotel with history and service, yes. It is one of the few top-tier hotels right on the square, with a pool and spa in a town center that has little space for either. Expect roughly $650 a night and up for an entry room in high season, less in May, June and late September. These figures are approximate.
It is not the right hotel for every couple. You will hear the town on summer nights. There is no beach at the door, so most swimming happens by boat or at the pool. Couples who want peace and pine trees should look at Maslina Resort near Stari Grad. Those who want a rooftop pool and a slightly lower price should consider Hotel Adriana on the harbor.
Insider tips
- Pay for a sea-view room, since the harbor is the point
- Ask for a higher floor if you are light sleepers
- Book a private boat to the Pakleni Islands early in summer
- Walk to the Fortica for sunset before dinner
