Overview
We’ve found it – the perfect, pint sized boutique spot for parent’s who avidly avoid souless resorts (while tiny travellers will delight, as fun waits around every corner). Scattered with countless slides, swings, seesaws & sunken trampolines, there are also trikes and bikes to whizz round the resort. Yet its just a 15 minute walk into gorgeous Stari Grad, not to mention green and serene, with sparkling sea views
The easy breezy atmosphere at Amicor is contagious – from the gorgeous (and generously sized) drop-in kids club, to the drama-free al fresco dining at Mediterraneo buffet, overlooking Hvar’s mountains. The cleverly designed, shallow pools (boasting plenty of sunloungers, slides, sprinklers & shade) provide endless entertainment, though none at the expense of adult appeal
A masterclass in sustainable luxury, it is Croatia’s first fully sustainable resort, which translates into tactile, chic interiors featuring lots of natural materials and neutral tones. Offering exclusively suites and villas, all of the accommodation is spacious with private outdoor areas, whilst thoughtful touches such as in-room microwaves and fridges make travelling with baby a breeze
There’s evening entertainment, the staff are superb, and the setting is unbelievable stunning. It’s like they read our minds (just worth noting, beautiful beaches are a short drive away)
Mama
Get in touch
Flight
2 hr 30 mins flight from London to Split Airport
Transfer
From Split Airport, it’s around a 30 min drive into Split Old Town, where you’ll find the ferry port. It’s a super smooth journey either on a regular airport shuttle coach or by taxi if you prefer. Ferries across to Hvar run frequently throughout the day, and don’t need to be pre-booked (trust us – from first hand experience, it couldn’t be much simpler to buy tickets and board). The ferry crossing itself takes just under an hour, and the hotel can arrange for a transfer to be ready and waiting at the other end (it’s a short 20 minute drive from here). These start from as little as 15eur per adult (with kids travelling for free) and car seats can be arranged as well
If you’d rather, you can break the journey up by spending a night or two in Split – it’s charming, brimming with history, and has loads of quaint restaurants and gelaterias to try (it’s gone immediately on to our ‘we’ll come back here’ list)
Best time to visit
Open from mid May through to September, there’s no such thing as a bad time to visit. While the heated pools ensuring splashing and swimming is always on the agenda, the lovely cool kids club provides plenty of respite from the sun (not to mention, there are ample shady areas and parasols around). If you aren’t bound by school holidays, we have a soft spot for September, when Hvar is a little quieter and you might even bag a beautiful beach to yourself
May: highs of 25 degrees
June: highs of 29 degrees
July: highs of 31 degrees
August: highs of 31 degrees
September: highs of 28 degrees
Favourite room
In case Amicor Resort didn’t already have enough going for it, it’s exclusively suite-and-villa offering is music to our ears, ensuring absolutely everyone is treated to well deserved peace and privacy during their break
For families of three: If you’re happy to share the same sleeping space, the ‘Villa for 2+1’ option features a double bed and sofa bed which can sleep one child, as well as an outdoor terrace area with a sunlounger, chairs and table (perfect for a morning coffee). Inside you’ll also find a smart TV, mini fridge, microwave, coffee machine, and yoga mats (one of our favourite touches) and if you’re travelling with a tiny tot, a cot can be added as well. If the budget allows, we’d highly recommend the alfresco jacuzzi optional extra, for some post child-bedtime bubbles
Looking for separate sleeping spaces? Check out the ‘Families of four or five’ options just below
For families of four or five: Families of four or five have one main choice to make – whether they’d rather a villa or a suite. While ‘Villas for 2+3’ consist of two bedrooms (with child number 3 bunking in with mum & dad on a sofa bed), ‘Suites for 2+3’ have a separate living room for child number 3, featuring a fold out single bed. This means overall, suites are bigger – however it is worth bearing in mind they are also further from the sea than villas, and they tend to be slightly darker inside. While the villas are glass fronted and flooded with light thanks to huge panoramic windows, the suites are more traditional brick buildings – though the flip side is, their terraces are more secluded and contained. Ultimately, it’s down to personal preference! And a cot can be added to all options
For families of six: There are two main options here as well. The ‘Villa for 4+2’ takes the form of two interconnecting bedrooms, each of which sleeps 3 (thanks to a double bed and single, fold out daybed on both sides). Both bedrooms also have their own bathrooms & private terraces, and you have the option of an al fresco jacuzzi as well
But we will admit, we have saved the best ‘til last. The second option for families of six is the ‘Villa for 4+2 with private pool’ and let’s just say, this one has the wow factor. As well as a very generously sized private pool, these villas enjoy sea views, plus have dedicated outdoor areas for both lounging and dining (as well as a fully equipped kitchen and BBQ). Instead of having daybeds in the two bedrooms, you’ll find a separate lounge area with a double sofa bed in it (meaning there’s a total of 3 different sleep spaces). And all of the rooms have huge, panoramic doors which open out onto the pool, so no one draws a dud. Basically, if you have the budget, we wouldn’t even stop to think twice!
Price & Special Offers
It’s definitely worth remembering that all of the below prices include half board, as standard –
From £214 room/night in low season and £426 room/night in high season for a family of three
From £240 room/night in low season and £472 room/night in high season for a family of four or five
From £493 room/night in low season and £603 room/night in high season for a family of six
FAQs
What family facilities are there, and how much do they cost?
At Amicor, the family facilities haven’t just been bolted on as an afterthought. The whole place has been designed to embrace tiny travellers right down to its roots – culminating in a small but perfectly formed boutique resort that feels safe, peaceful and entirely practical for kids
From the countless mini playgrounds cleverly dotted on *every* corner, to the pram-friendly layout, clearly, a team of (very talented) parents had a hand in the design. There’s also a bigger playground (with zipline and climbing frame) right next to the indoor/outdoor check-in area, which sets the tone (and their smiles) from the moment you arrive. Our favourite touch? The fleet of mini bikes, trikes and scooters little ones can use to whizz (instead of walk) around the resort
When it comes to kids clubs, we were charmed to say the least. Known as the ‘Maro Club’, children aged 4 and over can be left at your leisure – or you’re free to join the fun if you’d like. It works on a very practical drop in basis all day (as opposed to scheduled slots), though they do also host an agenda of planned activities too which you can check via the app (there’s usually 3 to 4 a day). Children under 4 are welcome to stay and play with their parents – and there’s tonnes of toys for tinier tots. Spread across 6 rooms, you’ll find everything from engineering focused activities to arts and crafts, building blocks, a little ballpit, roleplay, climbing wall, trampolines, floor-to-ceiling interactive games screen (which you can play football and things against), and a cool Games Console lounge. It’s light, it’s bright, and it’s beautiful – we have nothing but fab feedback. Oh, and it’s free!
Right outside Maro Club, there’s also a lovely terrace area, where you’ll find football tables, ping pong and pool (perfect to hang around with a drink, either with your tiny travellers or whilst they’re in the kids club!)
There aren’t babysitters available – that’s not really the vibe – it’s much more laid back. But as every accommodation has it’s own terrace area, there’s no need to go to bed with the little ones. Sundowners from your mini fridge are very much on the agenda
Amicor Resort also has its own waterpark – Aquamar. More on that in the pools section below
Which equipment is available to borrow for babies & children?
Plenty of baby bits are available upon request – we’re talking cots (at a cost of 5 eur a day, which can be added to all room options), highchairs in the restaurant, baby monitors, strollers, bouncers, bottle warmers, potties and baby baths. With all, it is recommended to request them in advance (especially during peak)
What are the pools like?
Heated (tick!), with shallow & shaded areas (tick!), plus full of slides, sprinklers and giant floating beanbags (the latter truly are as good as they sound!). We will break it down…
There are two pools at the resort, one dedicated baby pool and one larger family pool. Practically, these are right by each other, with plenty of loungers – there is nothing we could really improve upon! The baby pool has a shade, as well as some sprinklers and two little slides (and was honestly bubble bath warm, heated to 30 degrees!). Plus by usual standards, it is a really generous size
The family pool has 3 sections which flow into each other. The first section features a waterslide tower (with two kids flumes) and has a depth of 40cm throughout. Then, there’s a gradual slope into a slightly deeper middle area, which is 80cm and also has some lovely, wide steps you can play around on. Finally, to reach the deepest end (120cm), you go down one final slope – meaning whatever your child’s confidence level or age, there’s somewhere suitable for them to splash. The whole pool is heated to 28 degrees
Lastly, there are also 3 bigger slides for tweens, teens and adults within the wider pool area – a spin bowl, a toboggan flume, and a lazy river that you ride in an inflatable ring
The only things worth calling out? If you’re looking for sunlounger service, this isn’t your spot (though there is a slushy station and bar within eye sight). And while the sea is a few minutes’ stroll away (complete with waterfront beach bar), you will need to jump in a car if you’re searching for paradisical sandy stretches
Is there evening entertainment?
There is indeed – and we promise, your little ones will love it. A few members of staff host a mini disco down by the pool every evening at 8pm (which is just below the restaurant terrace, meaning you can finish your meal in peace!). The star of the show here is Maro, the hotel’s mascot (we were on the fence until we saw the unadulterated joy he brings to tiny travellers!)
This lasts for half an hour, and is then followed by either an al fresco cinema screening beneath the stars, a little live fire eating and acrobatics show or a family friendly movie in the Maro Club
What’s the protocol for allergies?
When it comes to allergen awareness, all of the buffet food is very clearly labelled with common allergens highlighted. We also spied lots of alternative options for specific dietary requirements, including dairy free milks and yogurts laid out at breakfast, and gluten-free bread available at all mealtimes
The hotel staff are also trained to deal with allergies. Guests are encouraged to communicate these at the point of check in, so staff can make appropriate recommendations throughout your stay
What’s the dining set up?
The hotel has one main restaurant, Mediterraneo, which works on a daily changing, buffet basis across both breakfast and dinner (all stays are half board as standard). Breakfast kicks off at 7.30am and runs through until 10am, whilst dinner service commences at 6.30pm. At lunch time, an a la carte menu is available
The resort really leans into local produce, with a strong emphasis on fresh flavours thanks to seasonal ingredients. In summary – cast away any ‘buffet’ preconceptions. The terrace ambience, overlooking the mountains, is absolutely gorgeous and we didn’t eat the same (delicious) thing twice during our getaway (though that said, there is plenty for younger, fussy eaters as well)
‘Sweet & Petite’, located poolside, is your go-to for pastries, ice creams & drinks throughout the day, whenever you need to fill a little hole
Meet the family...
Becky
Parent to Tiny Travellers aged 4 yrs & 7 months old
There's no denying it - I fell for Amicor Resort, big time (to be honest, I think anyone would). It's gorgeously laid back, filled with lush foliage, and boasts light, chic and spacious villas & suites, right above the sparkling sea. What really shines through is that kids aren't just an afterthought - Amicor embraces it's smallest guests with commendable enthusiasm. The kids club is casual, colourful and packed with toys for all ages. The pools are super warm, shallow, and full of slides and sprinklers, the evening entertainment captivates them while you eat in peace, and there's even little trikes and bikes for them to whizz (instead of walk) around. It's the first time I've been anywhere with a playground on (literally) every corner, and charming Stari Grad is a short wander away
Worth waking the baby for
01
Water taxi to Stari Grad
A gorgeous and historic tiny town basically built for lazy afternoons popping into quaint restaurants and little shops, the novelty of the quick water taxi across from the hotel will delight tiny travellers again and again
02
Hvar Fortress
The perfect place to scratch your cultural itch (while also getting a little exercise), Hvar’s ancient fortress promises castle ruins and stunning panoramic views out over the island
03
Beaches
Whilst in all honesty, we think you’ll have a hard time tearing yourself (and the kids) away from the hotel, if you’re a bit of a beach bum we’ve heard you’ll want to head to the bays around Jelsa, or Dubovika beach
