Hvar Island, Croatia
Gloriously arty villa (for 10-16; can be divided into 2 apartments)
on the sunny Dalmatian island of Hvar
The Meneghello family have built a great reputation for creating
bohemian-style villas set amidst lush botanical gardens. Their
artistic retreat on the islet of Palmizana is one of
Croatia’s most idyllic island hideaways, and in 2007 they purchased
this 2-storey villa overlooking the turquoise sea on the edge of
Hvar Town to expand their collection. Available as 2 separate
3-bedroom apartments or a large villa, it’s a haven for friends or
families who want to escape the mainland’s crowds.
Set in a rocky hillside garden of towering pines and exotic blooms,
it feels very private, yet it’s only a 15-minute walk into Hvar
Town for sailing or glitzy evenings out. The décor is at
once eclectic and vibrant, with bright colours and big bold oil
paintings filling the walls. The
upper
apartment has a harlequin theme of primary colours, whilst the
ground floor is decked out in a more subdued,
black-and-white style. The bedrooms are funky, the living areas
light and spacious, and there’s an outdoor kitchen for evening
BBQs, plus a pool.
But for us what makes this villa so special is Dagmar
Meneghello’s private art collection. The entire complex is
something of a live-in gallery, a homage to modern Croatian art.
Dagmar has been patronising contemporary painters and sculptors
since the 1960s, and has some 150 pieces on display here. She also
has an amazing flair for combining Hvar’s traditional stone
and driftwood sculptures with quirky modern design pieces. Very
inspiring.
Reviewed by Jane Foster
Highs
- Lush gardens with plenty of outdoor sitting spaces, plus a
pool - Perfect for big groups of friends hiring the whole place for
sun, sea and nightlife - Plenty of taxi-boats and chartered yachts from nearby Hvar Town
to myriad islands and secluded bays for snorkelling or diving - Fab restaurants and a hectic nightlife are near enough to walk
to, but far enough away that no noise intrudes
Lows
- Unless you hire the whole villa, you’ll be sharing the pool and
garden with strangers (and you might keep different hours from
them) - The décor won’t suit all
- Hvar Town gets very crowded in July and August: try to come in
May-June or September-October if you prefer a more relaxed
atmosphere - There’s a 7-night minimum stay between July and August
