With its translucent turquoise waters and blissful islands, the coastal Dalmatia region of Croatia abounds with historic attractions — best known is the port city of Dubrovnik, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Through summer, Dubrovnik and Split are connected by fast catamarans, via the pine-scented islands of Korcula and Hvar, making the area superb for a multi-destination tour.
With United Airlines operating direct seasonal flights from Newark Liberty International Airport to Dubrovnik and Split, clients can more easily reach Croatia’s most popular coast.
Dalmatia is also well known for luxury, with yacht-filled harbors and frequent celebrity visitors. For clients who want in on the upscale action, here are seven of the region’s top luxury hotels to recommend.
Villa Argentina, Dubrovnik
Following a total reconstruction, this graceful 1920s waterside property — just a 10-minute walk from Dubrovnik's old town — is now accepting bookings for April 2027.
Villa Argentina is set in lush, terraced gardens with palms and cypresses, where clients can enjoy open-air fine dining and an outdoor pool.
The 96 rooms preserve the hotel's historic character (Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton stayed here in 1971) while adding an air of modern Mediterranean seaside chic. Below the hotel, Cala Beach Club affords views of Dubrovnik's fortifications across the water.
Villa Argentina is set in lush, terraced gardens.
2026 Villa ArgentinaVilla Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik
The obvious choice for design lovers, the 53-room Villa Dubrovnik is smaller and more discrete than the nearby Villa Argentina. The 1960s building was renovated by Brazilian architect Arthur Casas in 2025. It's graced with wide sea views, Yugoslav-era artwork and modernist designer furniture by Eileen Grey and Gio Ponti.
It offers gourmet dining on terraces shaded by Aleppo pines, and a stone-paved beach for secluded bathing. While here, clients can purchase custom-made items, including handmade ceramic coffee cups and bespoke beach towels.
Villa Korta Katarina, Orebic
Villa Korta Katarina is an ideal choice for wine aficionados — it is perched on the Peljesac Peninsula, which produces Croatia's most-esteemed red wines. Here, in Orebic (connected to Korcula island by passenger boat), the Korta Katarina Winery adjoins a 1930s villa set in hillside gardens with a pool, high above the coast. It has eight opulent suites with magnificent sea views, wooden floors, Persian rugs, chandeliers and gilt-framed mirrors, and offers tours of the winery and gourmet dining with wine pairings.
The property offers magnificent sea views.
2026 Villa Korta KatarinaNearby, the less formal sister-property Hotel Katarina opened in spring 2026. It has 11 rooms and a sea-view garden with palms and a pool. Both are Relais & Chateaux affiliated.
Palace Elisabeth, Hvar Town
Another sophisticated island-hopping option, the historic Palace Elisabeth overlooks Hvar Town's harbor, with its 16th-century hilltop castle. Dating from 1898, it was built for Empress Elisabeth of Austria, hence the name.
Its 45 guestrooms have sumptuous white period interiors with hand-painted murals and marble bathrooms. Clients will love the San Marco terrace restaurant, the spa's indoor pool and sauna, and the nearby Beach Club Hvar with waterside cabanas. Hvar Town, a huddle of cobbled alleys revealing boho-chic eateries and boutiques, is regarded as Croatia's trendiest island destination.
Guestrooms at Palace Elisabeth have sumptuous interiors.
2026 Palace ElisabethMaslina Resort, Stari Grad
With extensive facilities, Maslina Resort is ideal for eco-conscious clients and families wanting a longer stay on the islands. Near Stari Grad on Hvar, it occupies a secluded west-facing bay backed by pines. Opened in 2020, it has 50 rooms with contemporary decor, three villas, an infinity pool, a small sandy beach and its own organic vegetable garden.
There's a holistic spa for natural, custom-made skin treatments, yoga and sound-healing, and Terra serves creative Mediterranean fare made from locally sourced ingredients.
Hotel Park, Split
The grande dame of Split's hotels, Hotel Park, overlooks Bacvice Beach, a 10-minute walk from the UNESCO-listed old town and ferry port. Dating from 1921, this historic property has Art Deco interiors in marble and wood, with big vases of fresh flowers. There are 72 rooms, as well as a garden with a small pool and dining below a wooden pergola draped with wisteria. Very much a part of city life, Hotel Park is a popular venue for local weddings.
Dating from 1921, Hotel Park overlooks Bacvice Beach.
2026 Hotel ParkBonus recommendation: Clients planning a 2027 vacation might also consider the long-awaited Hotel Marjan, opening in spring 2027. It will have 285 rooms, a spa, two outdoors pools and three restaurants, truly bringing Split into the elite market.
Aminess Younique Korcula Heritage Hotel, Korcula Town, Island of Korcula
Old-fashioned and romantic (Sophia Loren slept here in 1964), Aminess Younique Korcula Heritage Hotel is ideal for clients who want to combine Dubrovnik or Split with an island stay. Standing on the seafront promenade in the town of Korcula, it dates from 1912. Freshly renovated for summer 2026, with Belle Epoque interiors, it has just 11 guestrooms and a sea-view terrace restaurant with palms, pink oleander and gorgeous sunsets.
The concierge can arrange guided tours of Korcula's medieval old town, with its Venetian-era fortifications, Saint Mark's Cathedral and Marco Polo Center; visits to local wineries and agrotourism eateries; and private sailing trips onboard a vintage wooden boat.
