Hotel Snapshot
There's a stone lion guarding the entrance to Palace Elisabeth that's older than most countries. It dates to 1462, making it the oldest preserved stone lion on the island of Hvar, and it's just one small piece of the 800-year history sitting underneath this hotel. The site started as a Duke's Palace in the 13th century, under Venetian rule, complete with four towers watching over the property. It burned down, got rebuilt, fell into disrepair, and was finally torn down in 1881, right around the time Hvar itself was becoming something of a destination.
As for proof, Hvar is credited as the birthplace of organized tourism in Europe, dating back to 1868, when the Hvar Hygienic Society started drawing in aristocrats from the Austro-Hungarian Empire who came for the mild climate, clean air, and a slower pace of life. It took 17 years to rebuild what's now Palace Elisabeth, and when it finally opened in 1899, it went by Spa Hotel Empress Elisabeth, named for Austrian Empress Elisabeth (better known as Sisi), who personally financed the whole thing. The hotel reopened in 2019 under its original name, this time as Hvar's first five-star hotel, and today it holds Michelin Two Keys and a spot in The Leading Hotels of the World and Virtuoso. Sisi never got to see the hotel finished, but her name has never left Hvar.
Design & Character
Walking into Palace Elisabeth means walking through an actual archaeological site. The entrance sits on what used to be the southwestern edge of the old city wall, and you can still see the cannon holes built into it centuries ago. On the wall, two stone lions stand guard, one from 1462 and one from 1483, both originally placed on the Duke's Palace by Francesco Giusti, the Duke of Hvar at the time.
The current building dates to 1899, designed by Viennese architect Bernard Schwarz, with a look that's part Venetian and part Austrian, the same split that defines Hvar's old town as a whole. The 2019 renovation, a two-year project led by Czech interior designer Oto Blaha alongside the Croatian firm Agro Inženjering, kept that history intact while bringing the interiors into the present. Blaha's hand shows up throughout the rooms in the hand-painted murals depicting motifs pulled straight from Hvar itself. Near the spa and gym, there's a dark stone panel that used to be the lintel of the Chapel of the Lady of Sorrows, part of the original Duke's Palace, built into the renovation.
The Rooms
Palace Elisabeth has 45 rooms and suites (down from 73 before the 2019 renovation), a kind of trade that turns a hotel from "fits more people" to "fits people better." Most rooms come with sea views and balconies, looking out over either the harbor or the main square below. The decor stays in muted blues, grays, and whites, with Oto Blaha's hand-painted murals, alongside turquoise and saffron upholstery on the armchairs and ottomans. Bathrooms are roomy and spacious, with tons of marble and walk-in showers or tubs. Deluxe Sea View Suites are the pick for anyone who wants the harbor as their main view, and a Penthouse Sea View Balcony Suite sits at the very top of the building, with windows that showcase it all. As for the best room in the house? The Elisabeth Suite, of course.
The Food & Drink
San Marco is the one main restaurant at Palace Elisabeth, and it covers a lot of ground: breakfast, lunch, and dinner, all on a terrace that looks right into the city center. Chef Josip Jukić runs the kitchen, sticking to a Mediterranean menu built around fresh, local ingredients and heavy on fish and seafood. The wine list leans into Hvar wines, plus prosecco and champagne. Breakfast holds up just as well as dinner, with the classics covered (avocado toast, lox and cheese, eggs Benedict) and the same harbor and square view to go with it.
Beyond San Marco, there are two more spots for drinks. The Bar takes over at night, with the same harbor view lit up by the yachts coming in, plus cocktails and a wine list split between Croatian and international bottles. The Cigar Lounge Bar is a bit slower; think a low-lit room with a nice cigar selection.
Amenities
The spa here takes its cue from Empress Elisabeth, who was famously devoted to health and beauty long before "wellness" became a marketing term. Treatments lean toward anti-aging, with two massage rooms and a VIP treatment room built for couples, plus a Turkish bath and bio sauna. The indoor pool is big, with the same Venetian and Austrian detailing as the rest of the hotel, and an outdoor terrace pool adds a good place to tan.
The gym is the most unusual room in the hotel. It sits in the basement, built directly around one of the largest private wells from the Venetian era, decorated with carved winged lions and a figure of St. Stephen, the patron saint of Hvar. You can see the top of the old well right from the patio outside while you're on the treadmill. Beyond the spa and gym, Palace Elisabeth runs its own yacht charter program, with a Pardo GT52 available for private excursions, sunset cruises, or day trips out to the Pakleni Islands.
Location & Neighborhood
Palace Elisabeth has the best location on the island. It sits right on St. Stephen's Square (the largest square in Dalmatia), which means almost everything in Hvar Town is a short walk away. The Franciscan Monastery, the public theater from 1612, the ferry terminal, and the water taxi stand for the Pakleni Islands are all within a few minutes. Fortica Fortress, also called Španjola, sits above the old town and is worth the climb, especially at sunset, when the view stretches out over the rooftops, the harbor, and the Pakleni Islands in the distance.
Speaking of the Pakleni Islands, they’re great for a day out on the water. They're a cluster of mostly uninhabited islands just ten to twenty minutes away by water taxi or private boat, known for turquoise coves, quiet beaches, and a handful of beach clubs if you want more of a scene. Palmižana, on the largest island, is the most developed spot, with a small marina, a botanical garden from 1886, and a few excellent seafood restaurants.
Fast Facts
Address: Hvar, Croatia
Vibe: Historic Venetian and Austrian history meet modern-day luxury
Rating: Five-star, Michelin Two Keys
Starting Rate: $850/night
Room Count: 45 rooms and suites
Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: Handmade, the location. It's hard to beat sitting right on St. Stephen's Square, with the harbor on one side and centuries of Hvar history built into the walls around you.
Amenities: San Marco restaurant, The Bar, Cigar Lounge Bar, indoor and outdoor pools, spa with anti-aging treatments and VIP couples' room, 24-hour fitness center, private yacht charters, concierge
Nearby Attractions: St. Stephen's Square, Fortica Fortress, the Pakleni Islands, Hvar Public Theatre, Franciscan Monastery
Airport: Split Airport (SPU), followed by a ferry or catamaran transfer to Hvar
Hvar, Croatia
