Palace Elisabeth Hvar

Welcome to Palace Elisabeth, the first five-star hotel in Hvar! The hotel was built in place of the residential complex of the Duke’s Palace on the main town square, which is also the largest square in Dalmatia.

Its greatest importance was in the period of Venetian rule, when different dukes alternated in the area, with each of them leaving their mark in the history of this place. After the fall of Venice, the palace lost its spark, became neglected and was eventually demolished at the turn of the 19th century.

In its place spa hotel Empress Elisabeth (Kurhotel kaiserin Elisabeth) was built, which successfully overcame the difficulties of the past century.

Commemorating centuries-old Venetian heritage that has left this city with beautiful stone monuments and the glory of Austria that helped initiate the development of tourism in a small, remote place, hotel Palace Elisabeth presents you the best of these two worlds, harmoniously blended into a unique experience on this sunny island.

HOTEL ENTRANCE
The entrance to the hotel is through an archeological site: the former southwestern part of the old city wall.

There are also round cannon holes (loopholes) in the walls. This space was significant even before the Venetian rule. The early history shows that in this very place there was a villa or a residential building here – perhaps belonging to a ruler – back in ancient times.

MEDITERRANEAN GARDEN
To the left of the entrance is a small Mediterranean garden with wild orange trees; since archaeological excavations have found traces of orange seeds in this very spot. Centuries of history are right under your feet.

Hvar has long been an important maritime hub and a safe harbor for ships that needed to find protection on the often whimsical and unpredictable sea.

Here, you can find stairs dating back to the 2nd or 3rd century, probably what was once a formal entrance to a monumental building, perhaps a residence belonging to an important figure in that time.

STONE LIONS
There are two stone lions at the entrance of the hotel, which are symbols of Venetian authority. Given that the Duke’s Palace was the center of the government, it is no wonder that this is where a large number of stone lions are located.

The larger lion is the oldest preserved one in Hvar. It was put there by the Duke of Hvar, Francesco Giusti in 1462. on the so-called upper Duke’s palace. Its original location can be seen on old photographs.

This lion is similar to an ox or a dog, but it should be taken into consideration that artists of that time never saw a real-life lion. The smaller lion, made in 1483., used to be located on the so-called. lower Duke’s palace, which was in place of today’s entrance to the hotel.

An unknown stonemason exceptionally displayed the symbol of the Venetian rule with veins on his legs and human features. His front paws are placed on land and his back paws are placed in the sea, symbolically showing land and sea properties of the mighty Republic of Venice – Stato da Terra and Stato da Mar.

THE WELL AND FILTER- THE SOURCE OF LIFE AND HEALTH
On the hotel lounge terrace, on the same level as the swimming pool, there is a well that used to beautify the courtyard of the Duke’s Palace.

It is one of the largest wells located in private houses, 172 cm in diameter. The top of the well has winged lions with a book, symbols of the Venetian rule, and the figure of St. Stephen, pope and martyr, patron saint of the town of Hvar.

WELL’S WATER FILTER
The hotel’s gym area is located below the well. This area includes the well’s water filter, which is one of the oldest preserved on the Adriatic coast.

At the spa and gym entrance there is a dark stone panel, which is the lintel of the Chapel of the Lady of Sorrows, which was located in the central building of the Duke’s Palace.

In the middle of the lintel is the Virgin Mary and the Latin inscription UNICA LUX – MEMENTO MEI (translated: Only Light – Remember Me) and crosses with the abbreviations IC XC (Jesus Christ).

The chapel was built by Duke Pietro Semitecolo, founder of the theater, renovator of all significant city buildings and the Duke’s Palace. In honor and memory of him, one of the hotel rooms is named after him.

ELISABETH SUITE, BALCONY, SEA VIEW
This exceptional suite, named after Empress Sisi herself is the largest suite in the hotel, positioned on the second floor with a central view of the town square and harbor. Wonderfully spacious, the suite includes a large balcony, offering a delightful open seating area for enjoyable summer moments.

This luxury suite is unique and characterized by an elegant design incorporating venetian elements. Further comforts include free high-speed Wi-Fi, marble bathroom with shower and bathtub, refreshment bar, 55-inch flat HD TV, Nespresso machine.

IMPERIAL SUITE, BALCONY, SEA VIEW
Treat yourself to an extra touch of luxury in this ample suite that boasts an in-room bathtub. The suite is positioned on the top floor of the hotel and includes a balcony that offers a delightful open seating area yielding breathtaking views of the Hvar harbor and town square.

This luxury suite is unique and characterized by an elegant design incorporating venetian elements. Further comforts include free high-speed Wi-Fi, marble bathroom with shower, refreshment bar, 55-inch flat HD TV, Nespresso machine.

SAN MARCO RESTAURANT
Positioned on top of the famous Loggia, overlooking the main town square, San Marco provides a haven for those who want to enjoy delectable dishes with uninterrupted sea views.

Enjoy tasty Mediterranean cuisine with innovative and artfully-presented dishes inspired by fresh, local products and aromas that together create a truly unique culinary experience.

THE BAR
Marvel at the views of the Hvar bay and the city from this classic stylish bar with rich textured fabrics and soft lighting. The Bar mixes creative cocktails and pours some of the finest Croatian and international wines, setting the perfect scene for admiring the flickering lights of yachts in the bay.

THE SPA
The Spa features luxurious spaces and VIP areas with premium quality spa products and indoor pool with sundeck overlooking Hvar Bay and Adriatic Sea.

Services offered are centered on relaxing, rejuvenating and restoring principles using finest Hvar based ingredients and result driven cosmetics. VIP Treatment Suite is available for additional experience created and designed according to individual needs.

NATURAL FACIALS
Sodashi facials combine unique plant essence formulas with deep cleansing of mineral-rich Argiletz clay, face polish and warm essence compresses.

You will deeply relax as you enjoy Sodashi’s facial gemstone massage customized to your skin’s needs. Ruby, Emerald, Amethyst or Black Tourmaline gemstones activate energy pathways, enhance circulation, facial elasticity, and balance.

A following mask, individually adapted to your skin’s requirements will deeply nourish your skin and will leave it rejuvenated, refreshed and plum up.

BALANCING FACIAL

This treatment combines Sodashi’s unique plant essence formulas with the deep cleansing properties of mineral-rich Argiletz clay to cleanse and balance congested, breakout prone skin. This facial experience refines pores and leaves skin feeling purely refreshed, clear and balanced.

SODASHI ASIAN EUROPEAN FUSION BODY MASSAGE

Sodashi facials combine unique plant essence formulas with deep cleansing of mineral-rich Argiletz clay, face polish and warm essence compresses. You will deeply relax as you enjoy Sodashi’s facial gemstone massage customized to your skin’s needs.

Ruby, Emerald, Amethyst or Black Tourmaline gemstones activate energy pathways, enhance circulation, facial elasticity, and balance. A following mask, individually adapted to your skin’s requirements will deeply nourish your skin and will leave it rejuvenated, refreshed and plum up.

SODASHI SCALP TREATMENT

This treatment begins with Sodashi’s warm and aromatic foot compresses to relax and refresh aching feet. A luxurious and moisture rich Sodashi Scalp Mud is then massaged over the scalp to release pressure and tension. This mask treatment is left to deeply nourish the scalp and leave the hair feeling silky and looking shiny.

SODASHI – VIP SUITE EXPERIENCE
Sodashi takes a holistic approach to beauty that transcends skincare; it is a total experience that works to nurture the mind, body, spirit and emotions.

We believe that creating skincare in its most natural state is the finest nourishment for beautiful skin, intact with all of the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Sodashi is alive with the intelligence of nature.

VIP SUITES

your suite experience starts with a body balance exfoliation with himalayan salt infused with mandarin and frankinsence oil to calm and relax the body.

• relax in a couple soaking bath infused with soothing oils and salts
• enjoy a private wet sauna to start detoxification and relaxation
• a 60 min customized massage with choice of fitness, detox, or tranquility oil
• your treatments are finished with an application of body lotion with a blend of lemon grass & bergamot to awaken the scense
• customize your VIP suite with our champagneand refreshments – not included in price

DIRECTIONS
Palace Elisabeth is located about 100 meters from the port, at the main town square. If arriving by catamaran, go towards the town square, hotel Palace is located behind the Venetian tower with the clock. You can see the exact location on the map above.

LOGGIA – THE CENTER OF SECULAR POWER
Almost every place on the Adriatic coast and islands had a town hall – a closed space where important people made important decisions and discussed numerous topics. The Hvar Loggia was first mentioned in 1289, but its appearance then is unknown.

The new Loggia, built on the same place as the current one, was completed only after the Hvar Rebellion (1510-1514), during the time of Duke Viktor Diedo, and for some time it was called Diedo’s Loggia.

It was completely demolished during the Ottoman march in August 1571 and it takes its final appearance at the beginning of the 17th century, thanks to Tripun Bokanić, a young and talented builder from the nearby island of Brač.

Throughout its history, it served as a public courtroom, auction space and warehouse. After the founding of the Hygienic Society in 1868, one of the first tourist societies in Europe, the Loggia became a kursalon – a place for citizens to gather and socialize.

Today, the Loggia attracts attention with its harmonious arches and warm stone color, but in the past, it was decorated with different colors, whose traces were not erased by centuries of Hvar sun.

The top of the arches have carved human heads and according to the city legend, these were representations of convicted leaders during the Hvar Rebellion that were set up to reprimand the Hvar people.

However, there are also four female characters who definitely could not have been revolutionaries in the bloodiest period of Hvar history. On the last eastern arch there is a depiction of a young man with no wrinkles – east, as a symbol of the beginning of life and youth.

Above the entrance there is a figure of a bearded older man with a crown on his head. This crown symbolizes the astrological regnum – the kingdom, the tenth field found in the solar zenith.

On the last arch on the west side of the Loggia, the figure of a bearded, old man with a hat is a symbol of departure, sunset, and the near end of life.

LEROJ – CLOCK TOWER – DEFENSE TOWER WITH PUBLIC FUNCTION
The clock tower is adjacent to the Loggia and in Hvar it is known by the local name Leroj (clock).

In fact it is a medieval square tower within the southwestern edge of the city walls, which became the city’s public clock in the 15th century. A century later, Leroj received a bell decorated with religious motifs, which is located at the top of the tower and until recently, it was used to tell time.

CHURCH OF ST. COSMAS AND DAMIAN – PROTECTOR OF ALL EVIL
Church of St. Cosmas and Damian is located east of the hotel building and is the oldest preserved church in Hvar. It is in between the city wall and the surrounding houses/palaces. It was built around 1430 after a series of plague epidemics that ravaged Hvar.

It is dedicated to the brothers Cosmas and Damian, doctors, protectors of all evil. Contrary to church tradition, it was facing south (not east as usual) because it was thought that the plague was coming from the south, from the sea.

The church inventory has been taken to other churches in the city due to renovation. Due to its simplicity and intimacy is the ideal space for weddings, baptisms and other occasions.

Website: www.suncanihvar.com

Rooms: 45

Price: from 279 EUR per night