Hotel Snapshot
Riva Marina has been sitting on Hvar's waterfront promenade since 1914, making it one of the first hotels to ever open in town. For decades, it operated under a different name, the Riva Hvar Yacht Harbour Hotel, and built a reputation as the place to be seen on the island: Orson Welles, Sean Connery, and Jeanne Moreau were regulars back in the day, and more recent visitors have included Tom Cruise and Steven Spielberg. The hotel relaunched in 2022 under its current name and operator, Sunčani Hvar, with a full refurbishment and a new restaurant concept built specifically around the marina view that's always been its biggest draw.
What hasn't changed is the location. Riva Marina sits right on the harbor, close enough to watch the superyachts come and go from your own terrace, in a spot that's been the social center of Hvar Town for over a century.
Design & Character
Riva Marina sits directly on the Riva, Hvar's main waterfront promenade, and the design leans into that on purpose: floor-to-ceiling windows in the public spaces, balconies on most rooms, and a restaurant that puts you right by the harbor. Superyachts dock just steps from the building, and the constant motion of boats coming and going becomes part of the scenery, whether you're at breakfast or just walking through the lobby.
The Rooms
Riva Marina has 50 rooms and suites, split across three categories: Superior Rooms, Junior Suites, and Corner Suites. Most look out over the harbor or the marina below, though a few face the town instead. Bathrooms are clean and contemporary, and a nice place to get ready before a night out on the Riva.
Corner Suites sit at the top of the lineup, with a private terrace and two separate balconies over the water, while Junior Suites offer more space than a standard room without going all the way up to a suite. Superior Rooms are the smallest of the three, but that hardly matters here, since most of the actual time spent at this hotel happens out on the terrace.
The Food & Drink
BB Social Bar & Kitchen is the hotel's restaurant, right on the waterfront terrace that's the real heart of this property. The menu is Mediterranean with a la carte breakfast running into all-day dining, so there's always something going on, whether you show up at 9 am or 9 pm. It's known for its artisanal cocktails as much as the food, and the drink list alone is worth sticking around for after the plates are cleared.
What’s more, people gather here for a sunset drink, dinner turns into a few extra hours of people-watching, and the boats coming in and out of the harbor become part of the evening, whether you're paying attention to them or not. The drinks are great, the vibe is fun and easy, and watching the yachts roll in while you eat never really gets old.
The Amenities
Riva Marina keeps its amenities short and built around what people actually come here for. There's a gym for anyone determined to stick to a routine, but the real draw is the location: a front-row seat to the harbor, with mega-yachts visible right from the terraces. Riva Marina also offers private yacht charters aboard a Pardo GT52, available for VIP transfers from Split, daily charters, or sunset cruises out to hidden coves and crystal-clear bays.
Location & Neighborhood
As noted, Riva Marina sits on Hvar's main waterfront promenade, right in the thick of the action. Hvar Port is a two-minute walk, St. Stephen's Cathedral is four minutes away, and the beach is just two minutes in the other direction. Restaurants and bars line the boardwalk right outside the hotel's front door, so there's no shortage of places to eat if you want a night out. The climb up to Fortica Fortress takes about fifteen minutes and rewards you with a sunset view over the harbor and the Pakleni Islands, which are themselves only ten to twenty minutes away by water taxi.
Fast Facts
Address: Hvar, Croatia
Vibe: A modern, waterfront hotel with a great vibe and views
Rating: Four-star
Starting Rate: $550/night
Room Count: 50 rooms and suites
Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: The terrace. There's nowhere else in Hvar Town with a better front-row seat to the harbor and the yachts pulling in.
Amenities: BB Social Bar & Kitchen, gym, private yacht charters, concierge
Nearby Attractions: St. Stephen's Square, Fortica Fortress, the Pakleni Islands, Hvar Port, St. Stephen's Cathedral
Airport: Split Airport (SPU), followed by a ferry or catamaran transfer to Hvar
Hvar, Croatia
