Korčula luxury hotel guide

Quality five-star representing the pinnacle of luxury in Korčula, located in a beautifully renovated 18th-century bishop’s palace and five medieval cottages, in the heart of the Old Town. Suites are named after stages on the Silk Road travelled by alleged Korčula native Marco Polo: Venice comes with a Venetian red ceiling and theatrically large chairs that look like something from Alice in Wonderland; Arabia is hung with flowing fabrics to give it the feel of a nomad’s tent in the middle of the desert. A recurring theme throughout the hotel is provided by the cushion-piled divans and geometric-patterned wooden screens evocative of interiors from the Middle East to the Far East. All the suites have sleek modern kitchens, espresso machines, free WiFi and flat-screen TVs, although sensitive restoration has left much of the building’s original stonework and wooden beaming untouched. As well as being home to the swish LD restaurant, the Lešić-Dimitri also features a spa with a team of Thai therapists. This is pure honeymoon material – without the crowds of Dubrovnik. A member of the prestigious Relais and Chateaux association.

Vela Luka’s old harbourside hotel has been more or less totally rebuilt to provide a home for this new, beautifully-designed four star, with cool, contemporary furniture setting the tone in both public areas and the rooms themselves. Rooms feature hardwood floors, flat-screen TVs and view-through bathrooms enclosed in glass windows. With a good ground-floor restaurant and a kidney-shaped pool at the back, the hotel offers quality relaxation all round. The top-floor gym and Wellness centre overlooking the harbour are a major feature.

This landmark opened in 1912, but in 2015, the hotel group HTP Korčula refurbished the place, investing new live into what was once a rather drab setting. Behind its pristine, palm-lined exterior lie 22 newly-refurbed rooms, and a charming terrace area. Locals use the café as a meeting place - as you should too.

The four-star, three-floor Marko Polo owned by luxury hotel consortium HTP Korčula, offers a sea view from most of its 100 rooms. A two-phase renovation in the mid-2000s, which took it ahead of its disappointing surrounding properties, saw new bathrooms, indoor and outdoor pools, a gym and sauna.

In the heart of Korčula town, just a few steps away from historic centre and ferry port, a 100-year-old stone façade hides five modern apartments. Each has a fully equipped kitchen with a fridge, and a bedroom that can accommodate up to four people, plus an internet connection. More than this, Royal Apartments offer a direct view of the sea that is right across the street. Since you are in the centre of the town, everything important happens right beneath your window. This is also the ideal starting point for any exploration of the island. 

Renovated in 2005, this hotel has 79 rooms, all with views over the sea and the harbour village of Brna. Room are tastefully decorated in warm colours, and most come with a small balcony. It has a tiny outdoor pool, a terrace restaurant and a private beach. They can organise kayaking, sailing and local trips.

Located in a quiet patch of Korčula, about 2 km from the Old Town, Port 9 Apartments was renovated in 2015 and its facilities upgraded to four-star standard. Great proximity for sun lounging, too - the nearest beach is some 400 metres away.

Boasting impressive views of the ancient town, Hotel Liburna has recently been refurbed by the hotel group HTP Korčula. It features a new swanky interior, a wellness centre, an outdoor pool and two tennis courts, as well as an onsite restaurant with a decent selection of Croatian and international cuisine.

A short walk along the coastal path from the Old Town, the Korsal offers a chic, intimate, four-star alternative to the more packagey hotels that lie further out in the same direction. Thought and creativity has gone into the citrus-fruit colour combinations of the room interiors, which come with wood floors and contemporary furnishings. Breakfast on the terrace comes with invigourating views of Pelješac peninsula across the channel.