Maslina Resort
One Michelin Key
Hotel Details
Location
Maslina Resort · Stari Grad, Croatia
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Expert Review: Maslina Resort
Maslina Resort in Stari Grad, Croatia, a Michelin Key One-Keys property, consistently receives exceptional reviews for its mindful luxury, stunning design, and impeccable service, offering a tranquil escape on the island of Hvar.
1. Overall Rating & Sentiment
The overall sentiment for Maslina Resort is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing it as "absolutely stunning," "exceptional," and a "beautiful resort with attention to detail". It holds a "Superb" rating of 9.0 based on 172 reviews on Booking.com, with high scores across all categories, including cleanliness (9.5), comfort (9.6), and staff (9.3). The resort embodies a philosophy of "mindful luxury," emphasizing authenticity, attention to detail, and a deep care for guests.
2. Key Highlights
Guests consistently laud several aspects of Maslina Resort:
- Service & Staff: The hospitality is frequently cited as "unbelievable" and guests highlight staff members who "go above and beyond to ensure your experience is faultless". The Guest Relations Manager, Batu, is repeatedly mentioned for his exceptional attentiveness, helpfulness, and competence.
- Design & Vibe: The resort's design is a blend of Nordic-inspired minimalism with Mediterranean warmth, featuring natural materials like Croatian oak, terracotta, marble, and local limestone. The architecture is integrated into the landscape with pine slats and planted roofs, creating a serene and calming "oasis". The "chill vibe" and "mindful luxury" are highly appreciated.
- Location & Views: Situated on Maslinica Bay, just outside the UNESCO-listed town of Stari Grad, the resort offers a "prime beachfront location" with "fabulous views" of the sea and gardens. Its secluded position provides a peaceful retreat while still being accessible to the town.
- Amenities: Guests appreciate the "amazing facilities," including two swimming pools (one seasonal), a private beach, and a "stellar spa and fitness suite". The availability of electric bikes for exploring Stari Grad is also a popular feature.
3. Room Quality
The rooms, suites, and villas at Maslina Resort are described as "very spacious" and "beautiful" with an "exceptional attention to details". They are designed with an airy feel and feature furniture made from local wood. Many rooms boast balconies or garden terraces with sea views, with beds often positioned to maximize these vistas. Bathrooms are luxurious, with stone sinks and wooden bathtubs in every room, along with double vanities made from local Brač stone and walking showers. The intention behind the room design is to create a more "residential feel" than a typical hotel room, emphasizing space and natural materials. Amenities include air-conditioning, minibars, flat-screen TVs, bathrobes, and refillable organic bath products.
4. Dining Experience
Mealtimes are considered a highlight at Maslina Resort. The main restaurant serves fresh Mediterranean cuisine, with many ingredients sourced from the hotel's own organic garden, located approximately 350 meters away. The restaurant caters to various dietary needs, offering vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options for brunch, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast is included in the stay and guests particularly enjoy items like crepes with homemade fig syrup and omelettes with local goat's cheese. While some guests have found the restaurant to be expensive, they also acknowledge the "good quality" of the food, with some describing it as "excellent and well priced with big portions". The cocktails are also highly praised.
5. Service & Staff
The service at Maslina Resort is consistently highlighted as a standout feature, with staff being described as "friendly and attentive," "incredibly warm and welcoming," and genuinely appearing to enjoy their work. Many guests specifically commend the Guest Relations Manager, Batu Cetiner, for his exceptional hospitality, helpfulness, and ability to organize holidays perfectly. Housekeeping is also noted for its excellent work. The hotel's philosophy revolves around ensuring guests feel genuinely cared for, fostering a sense of being a "host".
6. Location & Accessibility
Maslina Resort is ideally situated on Maslinica Bay, offering a private and secluded beachfront location just outside the historic, UNESCO-listed town of Stari Grad on the island of Hvar. While providing a tranquil escape, it remains accessible. Stari Grad is a short walk or a 10-minute drive away, and the resort offers a free shuttle to town. For reaching Hvar, Split Airport is the nearest international hub, approximately an hour away by sea. The hotel can arrange private speedboat transfers, or guests can utilize public catamaran and ferry services. The resort also provides electric bikes, making it easy for guests to explore the surrounding area.
7. Value & Pricing
Maslina Resort is a luxury property, and its pricing reflects this. Room rates start from around £350 a night, while villas can cost upwards of £2,200 a night. While some guests find the dining to be on the pricier side, many still consider the overall experience, including the quality of food and comprehensive amenities, to be "worth the value". The inclusion of breakfast and a complimentary minibar in suites adds to the perceived value. Expedia reviews give the resort a "Value for money" score of 8.3 out of 10.
8. Common Complaints
While overwhelmingly positive, some recurring issues or criticisms have been noted:
- Dining Cost: A few guests have mentioned that the restaurant food, while good, can be expensive, with one review suggesting it did not fully meet the expectations for a Relais & Châteaux property in terms of culinary excellence.
- Service Lapses (infrequent): One guest mentioned feeling that service around the pool area was sometimes lacking, with no one approaching to offer drinks, which they felt was not up to "5-star resort standards". Another review alluded to the resort seeming "top heavy with managers" and wishing for service to always match the price point.
- Noise/Privacy: One isolated complaint mentioned thin walls leading to hearing neighbors, and a lack of privacy in a private plunge pool room due to other rooms looking down.
- Seasonal Pool Closure: The seasonal outdoor pool is typically closed from October 15 to May 1.
Sources
Points to Consider
- •While overwhelmingly positive, some recurring issues or criticisms have been noted:
- •Noise/Privacy: One isolated complaint mentioned thin walls leading to hearing neighbors, and a lack of privacy in a private plunge pool room due to other rooms looking down.
Google Reviews
281 reviews
Recent Guest Reviews
Raiza Arnone
Pros and Cons of Maslina Resort Pros: • The resort is beautiful in a minimalist, contemporary way, and the spa is truly exceptional — one of the highlights of our stay. The treatments were excellent and the staff throughout the property were friendly, attentive, and professional. • The location is gorgeous, set right by the water with a scenic 25-minute walk along the sea to town. If you pref...
Response from the owner
Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a thoughtful review. We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed our minimalist design, spa, and attentive team, and that our location and shuttle serv...
Julianne Bohlen
I stayed at Masalina end of August with my husband. We were disappointed for the price paid. Our plunge pool was situated on the back deck vs front patio with absolutely no view. Our room was listed as a “panoramic” view which we paid more for, but could not see the sea from our balcony. The food at the main restaurant was just ok and service was incredibly slow. We loved the beach bar - that was ...
Response from the owner
Thank you for taking the time to share your impressions of your stay with us. We’re truly sorry to hear that your experience at Maslina did not fully meet your expectations.<br><br>Your feedback about...
Matko Kalac
This is what happens when poor management gets a hold of a place with a great potential. It started from the moment we wanted to check in. There was nobody at the reception and after finding a sleepy employee I mentioned that I had a reservation. A reservation?? he replied.....for sleeping??? After realizing that in fact I was at the right place I was told that we were expected earlier in the day ...
Response from the owner
Thank you for taking the time to share such detailed feedback about your recent stay. We’re truly sorry to hear that your experience did not reflect the level of service and care we strive to provide ...
Damir Šlogar
The biggest downside of this hotel are the rooms. Family suite at 2,000€ per nigh in post season was not what you would expect from a 5* hotel. Room design and the quality of the furnishing is actually quite good. Room layout is not great though. Not nearly enough cabinet space to store the clothes. There is no enough space to place the toiletries or even the towels. View of one of the rooms is d...
Response from the owner
Thank you very much for taking the time to share such a detailed review of your stay. We truly value your honest impressions as they help us understand where we can continue to improve while staying t...
Armelle P.
Wonderful! I stayed at Maslina Resort last year with my best friend. The setting is stupendous: secluded, on the water, surrounded by gorgeous trees. The building itself is first class, offering breath-taking water front rooms, impeccable modern yet organic decor such as the foyer island, the dressing armoires LV-inspired, Japanese bath tubs, serene infinity pool and much more. Attention to det...
Response from the owner
Thank you so much for sharing such a beautifully detailed reflection on your stay with us. We’re delighted that you and your friend found Maslina’s setting, design, and service so memorable, and it me...
Jon Robertson
Overall a fantastic time. Started off rocky. The check-in experience was terrible. We spoke with 3 different people. Waited around a long time. The third person, Ivanna? Her name started with an I. She showed us to our room, which was the very first room directly next to the pool. I had just heard kids playing loudly in the pool a few minutes prior and asked if it was possible to have a differen...
Response from the owner
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. We truly appreciate your honest feedback. <br><br>We’re very sorry that your check-in experience and the initial room assignment did not...
About One Michelin Key
One Michelin Key is awarded to hotels that offer a very special stay. These properties are characterized by their unique personality, high quality, and ability to create memorable experiences for guests.
