Riva Hvar Yacht Harbour Hotel

Riva Hvar Yacht Harbour Hotel, a Michelin Key Selected property, offers a vibrant and stylish experience on the picturesque island of Hvar, Croatia. Known for its prime waterfront location and 1960s-inspired Hollywood glamour, it generally receives high praise from guests.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The Riva Hvar Yacht Harbour Hotel garners an impressive overall rating of 8.2 and a guest score of 18.2 from the MICHELIN Guide, reflecting a largely positive consensus. Described as a luxurious 4-star property and a "boutique base with a Hollywood twist", the sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with many guests considering it an excellent hotel, particularly for couples.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud the hotel's exceptional aspects:

• Location: Its prime waterfront position in the heart of Hvar allows for breathtaking views of the yacht harbour and easy access to the vibrant city center. Many rooms offer balconies facing the marina, providing an excellent spot for "yacht watching".
• Design: The hotel boasts a unique 1960s-inspired Hollywood glamour interior, featuring large photographs of movie stars like Audrey Hepburn and James Dean, contrasting with its traditional stone facade. The aesthetic is sleek, minimalist, and contemporary chic.
• Service & Staff: The staff is frequently praised for being dedicated, attentive, helpful, and friendly, providing exceptional service throughout guests' stays.
• Lively Atmosphere: The hotel's BB Club and waterfront terrace contribute to a buzzing, social atmosphere, especially popular around sunset and into the evening.

3. Room Quality

The 54 guest rooms are described as contemporary chic, modern, and clean, often with white furnishings and modern photography accents. Rooms are thoughtfully designed and include amenities such as free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, air conditioning, in-room safes, minibars, and private bathrooms with bathrobes and hair dryers. Some rooms feature balconies or terraces with sea or marina views. However, a common point of feedback is that rooms can be "very small" or "compact," with some guests noting limited space to move around or open suitcases.

4. Dining Experience

Dining at Riva Hvar is an experience to be savored.

• Breakfast: The hotel offers an "excellent" and "generous" breakfast buffet available until 11 am, featuring a tempting spread of local and international delicacies, including fresh fruit, yogurt, cereals, pastries, and hot dishes cooked to order. Guests can enjoy breakfast on the al fresco terrace, watching the yachts.
• Other Dining: For lunch and dinner, guests can choose between on-site options like The Shrimp House and Fresh Pasta House. The hotel's restaurant and bar also feature a new food and beverage concept mirroring Dalmatian cuisine. The trendy BB Club serves delicious cocktails. Room service is also available.

5. Service & Staff

The service and staff at Riva Hvar Yacht Harbour Hotel are consistently highlighted as a strength. Guests report a staff performance rating of 8.8, with personnel described as "hospitable," "super friendly," and "helpful". They are available to assist with requests, recommendations, and arranging excursions like sailing. The hotel offers a 24-hour front desk, concierge service, laundry, dry cleaning, and luggage storage.

6. Location & Accessibility

The hotel boasts a "perfect location" right on the waterfront promenade of Hvar's yacht harbour. It's ideally situated directly opposite the catamaran ferry stop, making it easily accessible. Key attractions such as the town square, Hvar Public Theatre, St. Stephen's Cathedral, Hvar Town Arsenal, and Benedictine Monastery are all within a short walk. For those arriving by air, a combination of land and sea transportation from Split Airport (taxi/shuttle to Split ferry port, then a ferry to Hvar Island) is the most common option, with the hotel just a short walk from the Hvar ferry terminal.

7. Value & Pricing

With an average room price of approximately $443, Riva Hvar Yacht Harbour Hotel is positioned as a luxurious option. While this is higher than the average hotel room price in Hvar, the hotel is often considered to offer "exceptional value for money" and "affordable luxury" for the unforgettable experience it provides.

8. Common Complaints

While highly rated, a few recurring criticisms appear in guest feedback:

• Room Size: The most frequent complaint is that the rooms are "very small," "compact," or "tiny," which can be an issue for guests with a lot of luggage or those who prefer more space.
• Noise: Due to its central, lively waterfront location, some guests, particularly light sleepers, find the area to be noisy, especially at night when Hvar's nightlife is in full swing. Rooms facing the back of the building are suggested for those sensitive to noise.
• Lack of On-site Pool/Spa: The hotel does not have its own pool, spa, or fitness center. However, guests can utilize the rooftop pool and spa facilities at The Adriana, a sister hotel located just a five-minute walk away.
• Wear and Tear: Some reviews noted minor nicks and wear on furniture in certain guest rooms.

Sources

1. agoda.com
2. michelin.com
3. h-rez.com
4. easyjet.com
5. thehotelguru.com
6. michelin.com
7. outthere.travel
8. booking.com
9. suncanihvar.com
10. split-dalmatia-hotels.com
11. jet2holidays.com
12. oyster.com
13. hvarcroatiahotels.com
14. tablethotels.com
15. travelweekly.com
16. agoda.com
17. kayak.com