In Stari Grad, discover another side of the Croatian island of Hvar
From the moment I ascended the stairs of Maslina Resort, a sense of peace enveloped me. Surrounded by olive trees and overlooking the clear Adriatic Sea, I felt my breath slow.
Maslina means “olive” in Croatian, and the resort is built on a former olive grove in Maslinica Bay on the island of Hvar. “Olive trees are closely linked to life on the island of Hvar,” says Andrea Lach, Head of Health at Pharmamatiq in Maslina. “They have fed families here for generations, shaped the landscape and remain part of the island’s character today.”
Maslina opened in 2020 with a focus on sustainability. In 2025, it received the National Sustainable Tourism Award on Croatia Tourism Days, the first time such an award was given in Croatia. “In building Maslina Resort, we wanted to work with the land and not erase everything that existed before us,” Lage said. “In line with our ‘Minded Luxury’ philosophy, every olive tree that had to be removed during construction was carefully preserved, potted and then replanted throughout the property as part of the landscape design.” They have also planted more than 1,000 olive trees throughout the resort, allowing the grove to continue to grow in new ways while ensuring the spirit of the land is retained.
“At Maslina, there is a strong emphasis on presence and awareness,” Lach said. “The environment naturally encourages guests to slow down, connect with themselves, enjoy the island's beauty, soak up the sun, embrace the slower pace of island life and truly relax.”
She explains that Pharomatiq Wellness is at the heart of this philosophy, incorporating the island’s natural healing environment, the power of herbal remedies and expert healing techniques to support mindfulness, rejuvenation, healing and holistic wellness.
After a whirlwind multi-city trip through Croatia, I needed to reset, so I booked a treatment at the 7,000-square-foot Pharomatiq Spa, which features an aromatherapy steam room, Finnish sauna, experience shower, hydrotherapy pool and cold-water soaking area, as well as relaxing indoor and outdoor seating spaces and a fresh garden herb tea station featuring locally grown plants. The Adriatic Rejuvenating Treatment is inspired by the healing herbs and flowers grown in Maslina's 75,350 square feet of organic gardens.
A full-body exfoliation is the first step in a 120-minute treatment that helps cleanse and detoxify the skin. Premium organic olive pomace is sourced from ecological olive groves and is naturally rich in antioxidants and minerals. Grapeseed, olive and shea butters deeply nourish and soften skin, while horsetail extract and finely ground olive kernels create a gentle exfoliation that removes dead skin cells, leaving skin feeling smooth and refreshed. “The formula is enriched with orange, petitgrain, vanilla and peppermint essential oils,” says Lage. “Orange essential oil has an uplifting and energizing effect, petitgrain essential oil helps calm and rebalance the senses; vanilla provides warmth and comfort, and peppermint refreshes and rejuvenates the skin and mind.”
Follow with a powerful aromatherapy bath to promote deep relaxation. “Fresh seasonal plants such as sage, lavender, rosemary, lemongrass and rose petals are hand-picked and infused into the warm herbal bath,” says Lage. During the half-hour soak, I also enjoyed a pot of herbal tea from their garden. The ritual ends with a full-body aromatherapy massage using selected essential oils blended with local, organic virgin olive oil to help nourish the skin, relieve muscle tension and invigorate the senses.
“Our intention is for each guest to leave feeling uplifted, rejuvenated and more connected to themselves, integrating a greater sense of presence, gratitude and awareness of well-being into their daily lives, ultimately benefiting the individual and the wider community,” said Lage. “After having a great time at Maslina, I felt refreshed and ready to embark on the next part of my journey.”
Photo courtesy of Maslina Resort
