Valamar Amicor Resort

Valamar Amicor Resort is a four-star family resort for travellers who like their seaside base organised, practical and close to the water. Villas and family suites sit among green surroundings, with private entrances, terraces and views towards the sea or garden. The setting is made for a proper holiday rather than a room-and-breakfast stop: you can swim, eat, let the children disappear into their own activities and still reach Stari Grad on foot.

The resort's website is available in English, useful when you are sorting out the details before travelling. The atmosphere is family-led, with a kids' club, indoor play area, playground and waterpark, but couples also have reasons to choose it: direct beach access, an outdoor spa and a historic town within walking distance. In other words, there is enough going on for a family without requiring every adult to join in.

Air conditioning, free WiFi throughout the property and daily housekeeping keep the practical side tidy. After a long day in the sun or at sea, that matters more than another decorative cushion.

The resort is at Naselje Helios 5 in Stari Grad, on the island of Hvar, Croatia. It has direct access to a pebbly beach, with sun loungers and parasols available on the shore. Hotel Beach is about a minute away on foot, while Banj Beach is roughly 500 feet away; Lanterna is around 1.5 miles away if you fancy trying another stretch of coast.

Stari Grad's historic centre is about 0.8 miles away on foot, around a 15-minute walk. That puts cafés, restaurants and old-town streets within reach when staying on site feels like too much of a family production. Eremitaz is about 1,400 feet away, while Grano Duro Pizza & Pasta and Pharos Ex Lido Slasticarnica are each roughly 1 mile away.

Split Airport is about 43 miles from the resort by road. Brac Airport is closer as the crow flies but around 59 miles away by road, so the airport that looks nearest on a map is not automatically the simplest arrival point.

The accommodation is built around villas and family suites rather than conventional hotel rooms. That gives you a private entrance, a seating area and outdoor space, with sea or garden views depending on the accommodation. Families have room to spread out, and the larger villa has two bathrooms and a private pool, which can make the difference when several people are getting ready at once.

For two people, the villa with a jacuzzi is the obvious choice if the evening should include a little soaking rather than another round of organised activity. The seaside villa makes more sense if the view is part of the reason for coming. Travelling with children? The larger family options are the ones to look at first, while the family suite offers a more generous indoor layout without needing a private pool.

Every accommodation has air conditioning, a private bathroom with shower, hairdryer and toiletries, plus a tea and coffee maker. A refrigerator and microwave are useful for keeping water cold, storing fruit or dealing with the occasional snack when the main meal is still some distance away. Hardwood or parquet floors, a flat-screen TV and a terrace complete the basics; cots can be requested for younger children, while extra beds are not available.

Dining is covered by half board, with a buffet breakfast and dinner included in the resort's main rhythm. Breakfast brings the usual useful fuel for a day outdoors: juice, cheese and fruit alongside the buffet selection. No need to turn the first meal into a culinary expedition when you are trying to leave the table in time.

Mediterraneo serves breakfast and dinner, with Mediterranean cooking and local produce at its centre. The wider restaurant offer also covers local, European and Croatian dishes, with vegetarian choices available. The resort's food programme puts emphasis on ingredients sourced locally, which is more useful information than a heroic list of international specialities.

There are two restaurants in total. Sweet & Petite patisserie is the place for premium sweet treats, handy when coffee alone is not going to repair the afternoon. Bars and continuous snack service are not part of the information here, so plan your between-meal needs around the restaurants and the facilities in your accommodation.

The resort is well set up for days when you are not in the water. There is an outdoor swimming pool, a separate children's pool and a waterpark with a slide, so families can keep the timetable full without leaving the property. Sun terraces, garden areas and outdoor furniture provide the slower alternative when all you want is a chair and a drink of water.

For adults, the outdoor spa offers a place to unwind, while massages and a hot tub are available as paid options. Stay Fit classes, yoga and aerobics give you a way to move without committing to a serious training plan. Tennis, cycling, table tennis and the games room add more active choices; tennis equipment, the court and table tennis carry an additional charge.

The family facilities are substantial: a kids' club, children's playground, indoor play area, games room and board games or puzzles. That makes the resort workable for mixed groups, where some people want another activity and others would rather remain horizontal. The beach is right outside, but it does not have to be the only plan.

Check-in runs from 14:00 to 20:00, and check-out from 07:00 to 10:00. The front desk is open around the clock, with luggage storage available if your travel times do not fit neatly around those hours. Airport transfers are available from Split Airport, in a private or shared arrangement to be booked with the resort.

Private parking is available on site. The booking information describes it as free, while the resort's own service information lists parking as paid, so confirm the current arrangement when you book rather than building your arrival plans around an assumption. WiFi is free throughout the property and in the accommodation.

Children of any age are welcome, and there is no minimum age for check-in. Cots are available for children aged two and under on request, subject to the accommodation selected; children aged 14 and over are charged as adults. Pets are allowed, and cash is an accepted payment method.

The resort was designed around sustainable development principles, using local and recycled materials in its construction. The villas are made of wood, the paint is non-toxic to support indoor air quality and the construction is described as fully recyclable.

Solar energy is generated on site, while all electricity comes from renewable sources. LED lighting covers 85% of the resort's energy-saving lighting, and 77% of the food ingredients are sourced locally. ISO 14001 forms part of the resort's environmental framework, alongside DGNB and City Kids Magazine certifications.