Aminess Senses Hvar Resort

Aminess Senses Hvar Resort is made for days divided between salt water, a shaded terrace and a proper meal before bed. The setting is quiet, with the Adriatic directly in front and the resort surrounded by pine forest and Mediterranean plants rather than heavy traffic and town noise.

You get the useful sort of comfort here: air conditioning for the return from a hot day outside, a seasonal outdoor pool when the sea is not quite the plan, and a spa for the muscles that have been doing more work than they admit. The resort's website is available in English, as well as French, German, Italian and several other languages, which makes planning before arrival straightforward.

You are in Vrboska, Croatia, at Vrboska 184, on Hvar Island. Soline Beach is only a few steps away, with sun loungers and parasols available at the resort's beachfront area. Camp Nudist Beach is about 0.3 miles away, while Paklena Beach is roughly 0.4 miles away.

Vrboska's restaurants and bars are close enough for a change of scene by car. Trica Gardelin and Wine & Oil Bar Vrboska are each about 1.1 miles away, while Bonaca is around 1.4 miles away. Starogradsko Polje lies about 3.1 miles away, and Stari Grad's historic sites are roughly 4.4 miles away.

For a couple, the sea-view balcony room is the obvious choice if the view matters more than floor space: open the door and the Adriatic is part of the evening. The seaside balcony rooms keep the same practical idea, while the suites give you more room to spread out than the standard doubles. Family rooms are also available, with the accommodation range including options for up to three guests.

Every room has air conditioning, a private bathroom, a wardrobe and a flat-screen television with satellite channels. Minibar fridges and tea- and coffee-making facilities take care of the small but important jobs: cold water when you come back thirsty, and a hot drink before the legs remember the day's activities. Daily housekeeping is included, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.

Choose carefully between the standard and sea-facing options. The balcony and view are category-dependent, so the room card matters here; there is no point booking a room for the view and then discovering that the view belongs to the room next door.

Breakfast comes as a buffet, with continental, vegetarian and gluten-free choices. That gives you a sensible start before a day outside, whether you want something light or the full plate that makes lunch look rather less urgent.

Dinner has a more local accent at Unico, the à la carte restaurant serving local cuisine. The main restaurant also covers European and Croatian cooking and includes a barbecue grill, so the evening does not have to end with whatever was easiest to unwrap. There is one named bar, the Pool Bar, plus a snack bar for less formal eating.

A minibar and tea- and coffee-making facilities are available in the rooms. Wine and champagne can also be ordered, because not every post-dive decision needs to involve analysing a map.

The outdoor pool gives you an alternative to the sea, while the sun terrace, garden, loungers and parasols make it easy to claim a chair and do very little with conviction. The spa adds a sauna, hammam and jacuzzi, with massage, facial and body treatments available when your shoulders have stopped negotiating.

There is a fitness room for those who still feel the need to prove something, along with tennis, mini golf, table tennis, archery and aerobics. Cycling is available, with bicycle hire and bike tours for exploring beyond the resort. Walking tours offer a slower option, which is often the more intelligent choice in the Dalmatian heat.

Kayaking and windsurfing are part of the water-sports offering, while the resort also has a games room, indoor play area and kids' club. Live performances, evening entertainment and karaoke keep the communal side of the resort going when the sun has gone down.

Split Airport is about 47 miles from the resort, while Brac Airport is around 6 miles away. An airport shuttle is available to arrange with the hotel, and car hire is also offered. Free private parking is available on site, although spaces cannot be reserved. A paid shuttle service is available for other journeys.

Check-in runs from 15:00 to 22:00, and check-out from 07:00 to 10:00. The front desk operates around the clock, with express check-in and check-out, luggage storage, a tour desk and an ATM on site. Free Wi-Fi covers the hotel, and laundry services are available.

Children of every age are welcome, with cots available on request. Extra beds are not available. Pets are allowed, and the resort accepts cash, Visa and Mastercard.