Between the olive trees, pine forest, and views of the Adriatic Sea, there is a sense of bliss that exists on Hvar. The island, one of Croatia’s most popular destinations, has a spirit of tranquility magnified by the arrival of holistic resort Maslina.

“Maslina Resort is rooted in organic, sustainable hospitality,” says Zoran Pejovic, managing director at Paradox Hospitality, the company behind the hotel that is already well known for Paradox Wine & Cheese Bar in Split. “We wanted to honor Hvar’s pristine environment and cultural heritage to afford our guests a meaningful luxury escape.”

Designed by Croatian architect Tomislav Alujević Grgas, as well as interior designer Léonie Alma Mason and landscape designer Thomas Seconde from Paris, the property comprises a mix of 53 rooms, suites, and villas that highlight local history, architecture, and materials. “We wanted it to feel contemporary yet soft, and spent a lot of time and attention to make it original and let the natural elements sing,” says Mason.

At the infinity pool, guests relax on double loungers set underneath olive trees

Thanks to a wooden façade and materials like limestone from nearby Brač island, Maslina is unobtrusive and blends into the Mediterranean landscape of Aleppo pines and herb bushes. Likewise, the public spaces feature more of the stone alongside terracotta, local timber, and a range of antiques. For example, a large brass Italian pendant from the City Hall in Stari Grad, one of the oldest villages in the country, now hangs in the spa.

In the intimate guestrooms, where seaside views are taken in from private loggias, amenities include organic linens and handmade bath and body products with Croatian herbs and essential oils. “It would be much easier to sign with a big spa brand that will do the training and create the formulations, but we don’t want to do that,” says Melanie Martinez Thomas, who runs the facility.

All aspects of Maslina have sustainability top of mind. At the restaurant, the menu revolves around Adriatic seafood and there is an organic garden onsite. Guests can also rent electric bikes to explore the island and swim in the non-chlorinated pool. In lieu of plastic, the hotel only uses biodegradable products. All of these elements encourage guests to consider what wellbeing means to them. “For some, wellness is cooking, baking, running, or doing yoga,” Martinez Thomas says. “But when we ask them, ‘What do you do to feel good?’ that is wellness and that is what we have been able to do at Maslina.”

Locally sourced seafood is the focus at Maslina’s Mediterranean-inspired restaurant

The palette favors natural materials including Brač island stone; there are ample spots to relax at Maslina, such as this terrace awash in greenery

This article originally appeared in HD’s November 2020 issue.