Recently refurbishd Hotel Riva is a very stylish design hotel on the beautiful Croatian island of Hvar. Blessed with a picturesque natural harbour, elegant 17th-century piazza and a striking Renaissance cathedra Hvar is a joy and a favourite playground for the Croatian elite.

Rooms are cool and sleek, decorated in grey and muted reds with an open-plan, smoked-glass bathroom.

The Riva's stunning bar and restaurant (see  low) both on the waterfront terrace in front of the hotel, are uber-chic. Its a place where the cool crowd hang out.

Valsabbion was one of Croatia's first boutique-style hotels. Decked out in lush primary colours the hotel has lovely views of the Adriatic and the restaurant is renowned as one of the best in Croatia, with the accent on produce from the region - truffles, seafood and locally grown vegetables and herbs.

Villa Astra, Lovran - Istrina Peninsula

A grand villa dating from 1905, Villa Astran, on the Istrian peninsula, has an elegant restaurant, cream-walled rooms with fabrics in bright blues and reds, and a sleek outdoor pool area.

A holistic centre offers spa therapies and non-surgical treatments, along with yoga and tai chi classes - which often take place on the front lawn overlooking the Adriatic.