Croatia Hotels|Hvar, Croatia

Palace Elisabeth, Hvar Heritage Hotel

Name: Palace Elisabeth, Hvar Heritage Hotel
Telephone: 385-21-750-555

Historic luxury framing Hvar’s harbor views

VERIFIED LUXURY

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Perched on Hvar’s main square overlooking the harbor and Dalmatian Sea, Palace Elisabeth, Hvar Heritage Hotel is a longtime fixture on the island. Rising from the site of a 13th-century duke’s palace, then transforming into a hotel in the 19th century thanks to its namesake, Empress Elisabeth of Austria, Palace Elisabeth was most recently reborn through a thoughtful restoration that honors its Venetian and Austrian architectural DNA.

Entering through ancient city walls, you’re immediately immersed in layers of history, from stone lions that once guarded the duke’s residence to arches that frame views of the bustling Pjaca and glittering marina. Interiors strike a deliberate balance between heritage and contemporary comfort with muted tones, hand-painted murals and sea-view balconies.

At San Marco restaurant, meals of Mediterranean seafood and local wine unfold against uninterrupted views of Hvar Bay from the terrace.The hotel’s spa sanctuary, with its indoor pool and treatment menu inspired by local ingredients, adds a restorative counterpoint to days spent wandering cobblestone streets or island-hopping the Pakleni archipelago.

Our Inspector's Highlights

Palace Elisabeth’s location above Hvar’s main square gives you a front-row seat to the town’s rhythm, but thick stone walls and modern soundproofing keep interiors remarkably quiet once the shutters close. It’s a tranquil escape.
Rooms are laid out with residential sensibility, prioritizing usable space over decorative excess. We appreciate thoughtful touches like full-size desks and generous bathrooms.
The staff excels at logistics, from arranging early ferry transfers to securing last-minute boat rentals without fuss. The concierge team can steer you toward everything from low-key wine bars to lesser-known swimming spots.
The hotel’s historic bones are woven subtly into the experience, with original stonework and architectural details left visible rather than hidden behind renovation polish. It feels comfortably lived in rather than museum-like.
San Marco offers one of the more discreet dining rooms in Hvar’s historic center, rising above the harbor yet removed from the square’s bustle. The kitchen focuses on Adriatic seafood and Dalmatian ingredients, with a wine list that champions Croatian producers over international labels.

Nearby Attractions

The expansive St. Stephen’s Square (aka Pjaca) is Dalmatia’s largest historic square, lined with cafés that invite early-morning coffees before the crowds arrive. It’s also home to local gatherings and seasonal events just steps from the hotel entrance.
On the eastern edge of the square, the Renaissance-era Cathedral of St. Stephen houses carved choir stalls, ancient stone reliefs and a bell tower that’s become Hvar’s signature silhouette.
Mere minutes from Palace Elisabeth, the graceful Venetian Loggia and Clock Tower stand as reminders of Hvar’s Venetian governance and public life. The nearby Hvar Arsenal & Theatre is a 14th-century shipyard that also happens to be home to one of Europe’s oldest public theaters, dating back to 1612.
A short stroll from the square, the Port of Hvar buzzes with ferries, private boats and local fishing vessels — a perfect spot for people-watching and sunset cocktails by the water.
Accessible by quick taxi boat from the harbor, the pine-covered shores and rocky coves of the Pakleni Islands and Pokonji Dol islet offer hidden beaches and crystal-blue waters that are worth exploring.

Amenities