Places Hvar by Valamar

Rooms and decor

Picture a bright, cheerful resort sitting right on the beach in Stari Grad, the oldest town on Hvar island, over on the north side — that's Places Hvar by Valamar, part of Valamar, one of Croatia's larger hotel groups. The appeal of the rooms here is the contemporary, light-toned design — soft colours playing off the Mediterranean sun, so the space feels fresh and relaxed the moment you open the door. Many rooms open onto blue water and the wide sky of the bay. What clearly separates it from hotels in Hvar Town is the overall mood — Stari Grad is slow and quiet, with old stone lanes and a fishing harbour that still keeps its original feel. Staying here genuinely feels like escaping the bustle into a calm corner of the island.

Food and amenities

The heart of a stay here is the beach and the pool. Step out of the resort and you're in clear water, no travel needed. The resort pool comes with a kids' area, so families with young children can fill a whole day without going anywhere. The late-afternoon hours by the pool and beach, when the sun softens, are what many families remember most — kids in the water, adults stretched out in the sea breeze. Inside there's a restaurant and bar for meals and drinks, free Wi-Fi, and parking for anyone renting a car to explore the island. Being a Valamar property, the service and facilities stay fairly consistent — set up specifically for family rest, with none of the quality swings you get at smaller places.

Location and getting there

The location is what gives this place its character. The resort sits on the beach in Stari Grad, the oldest town on Hvar and the point where the main car ferry from the mainland docks. Walk the bay into the old-town centre and you hit winding stone lanes, small squares, waterside cafes and a slow, likeable fishing harbour. That's a different world from Hvar Town, which sits on the other side of the island and is known for nightlife, bars and busy shops — to cross over you take a car or a taxi-boat, roughly 20–30 minutes. This setup suits travellers who plan a seaside-rest trip: wake up, walk the bay, swim, sunbathe, then cross over for Hvar Town's buzz now and then — more than people who want to be in the thick of it every night.

Things to know before booking

Straight talk to help you decide. The first thing to weigh is the location on the opposite side from Hvar Town. Stari Grad is calm and pretty, but if the heart of your trip is nightlife, seaside bars and Hvar Town's busy shops, you'll be taking a car or boat across — about 20–30 minutes — nearly every time, so check the schedule ahead. Second, this is a large, family-resort-style property, not a small, quiet, private boutique; in high season the pool and beach areas can get busy with plenty of kids around, so anyone after real privacy should adjust expectations. And because Stari Grad is built around calm, evening dining and after-dark options are far thinner than on the Hvar Town side. Finally, since it's a big resort, room positions differ noticeably in view and in walking distance to the pool and beach — if you want a sea view or a room near the pool, ask for it when you book.

Our take

From reading through real guest reviews, Places Hvar by Valamar nails the combination of beachfront location, value and family-friendliness on the quiet side of the island. If the trip in your head is bringing the family to the seaside, kids in the pool and on the beach all day, staying in bright airy rooms without paying Hvar Town prices, and still wanting the slow calm of the Stari Grad old town, this is a value pick that delivers. But if you're travelling for nightlife, luxury, or a quiet private boutique feel, the across-the-island location and family-resort style may not be the best fit. Overall we give it 8.3/10 — best for families and couples who value seaside calm and value over luxury and buzz.