Palace Elisabeth, Hvar Heritage Hotel
by the TopOfHotel team
Palace Elisabeth is a night inside Hvar's oldest and most distinguished historic building, planted right in the middle of the central square — with a harbour-view terrace, a spa whose story runs back to 1899, and Leading Hotels of the World service.
Palace Elisabeth is a night inside Hvar's oldest and most distinguished historic building, planted right in the middle of the central square — with a harbour-view terrace, a spa whose story runs back to 1899, and Leading Hotels of the World service.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
Picture a hotel that sits above the town's old town hall, right in the middle of the largest marble square in Dalmatia — that's Palace Elisabeth, Hvar Heritage Hotel, the 5-star heritage hotel that's the most prestigious address on Hvar Island. The character starts with the building itself, whose roots reach back to the 13th century and which has been carefully restored to keep its graceful classic feel intact. All 45 rooms and suites are done in warm, classic-European tones, with high ceilings and large windows that pull in the light and the Adriatic breeze. Many look out over St Stephen's Square or the tiled rooftops of the old town. Step inside and it feels like sleeping inside living history — if you like a hotel with story and character over identical modern boxes, this one lands from the first step.
Food and amenities
The most talked-about highlight is the spa and its long story — this site held the town's first public spa from 1899, in the era of Empress Elisabeth (Sisi) of Austria, which is where the hotel's name comes from. It pairs with an indoor pool for an easy soak even when the sun doesn't show. Up top, a panoramic balcony and terrace look down on the Riva harbour and the yachts moored below — at sunset it's one of the most romantic spots in Hvar for a drink. The food holds its own, with a fine-dining restaurant serving contemporary Dalmatian dishes and fresh seafood, and a breakfast that reviews call generous and served in a graceful setting. What guests rate highest is the service — as a Leading Hotels of the World member, reviews agree the staff are warm, detail-minded, and handle every request with a smile.
Location and getting there
The location is the dream for anyone who loves a seaside old town. The hotel sits in the heart of Hvar Town, above the old town hall, next to St Stephen's Square, the largest marble square in Dalmatia. Walk out the door and you hit St Stephen's Cathedral, restaurants, cafes, and the winding old stone lanes. The Riva, the seafront promenade lined with yachts, is just a few steps away — from there you can take a water taxi over to swim at the Pakleni Islands, or walk up to the Fortica fortress for views over the town and sea. The ferries and catamarans linking to Split and other islands dock close by. If you like ditching the car and exploring on foot all day, this location scores a perfect ten.
Things to know before booking
Straight talk to help you decide. First is price — as the island's 5-star flagship, rates here are the highest on Hvar, especially in the summer high season when the island is a hot pick and rooms book out fast. Second is room size and view: this is a boutique in a historic building, so room types differ quite a bit in size and position. Some are smaller or have more limited views than the rate suggests, so ask and pick your room type carefully. Third is the night-time atmosphere — being in the middle of a lively old town means summer evenings here bring bars and crowds, and rooms facing the square or a main street may catch some noise. If you're a light sleeper, ask for an inward-facing room for a quieter night.
Our take
From reading through plenty of real reviews, Palace Elisabeth, Hvar Heritage Hotel sells "the charm of a historic building + a central old-town location + Leading Hotels of the World service" so fully that it's hard to match anywhere on Hvar. If the trip in your head is waking up in a building with roots in the 13th century, walking a few steps down for coffee by St Stephen's Square, taking a boat over to swim at the Pakleni Islands, then soaking in a spa whose story runs back to 1899 before a fine-dining dinner and a sunset harbour view, this one stays with you. But if you care most about large rooms, friendly prices, or total quiet, the rate and the busy central location may give you pause. Overall we give it 9.4/10 — best for couples and luxury travelers who fall for old towns and a stay inside living history.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- The most central spot on Hvar — above the old town hall on St Stephen's Square, a few steps from the Riva harbour, the cathedral, restaurants, and the boats out to the Pakleni Islands.
- A historic building with roots in the 13th century, carefully restored so the classic character stays intact, plus Leading Hotels of the World membership backing the standard.
- A spa with a long story going back to 1899 in Empress Sisi's day, paired with an indoor pool so you can unwind even when the weather doesn't cooperate.
- Staff draw consistent praise for being warm, attentive, and helpful beyond expectations — many reviews single out service as the high point of the stay.
- A panoramic balcony and terrace look down on the harbour and the moored yachts, alongside a fine-dining restaurant and a breakfast that reviews mention often.
- Pricing sits at the top of the island as the 5-star flagship, especially in the summer high season when Hvar is a hot destination and rooms fill fast.
- It's a boutique in an old building, so rooms differ quite a bit in size and position within the structure — some are smaller or have more limited views than you'd expect from the rate. Pick your room type carefully when booking.
- It sits in the middle of a lively old town, and on summer nights the bars and crowds pick up. Rooms facing the square or the street may catch some noise.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Hvar
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Insider Tips
- Head up to the terrace or the harbour-view balcony around sunset — it's the prettiest spot in the hotel for the Riva and the yachts.
- If you're a light sleeper, ask for a room that doesn't face the square or a main street, since Hvar's old town gets busy on summer nights.
- When you book, ask in detail about how the room types differ — the old building means sizes and views vary, so match your pick to your budget and expectations.