One of the challenges as a parent of living full-time on Hvar is keeping the kids entertained. In summer of course, this is no problem, with the Adriatic providing the best swimming pool in Europe, and plenty of activities to entertain little minds. But twelve months a year?
In order to liven things up a litte, I invented excursions to Daddy’s Secret Places, as we went off together to explore and discover the very best of the weird and wonderful island of Hvar. Disneyland it wasn’t, but secret bays, ancient olive trees and bizarre festivals were all included in Daddy’s Secret Place. All proved to be a hit.
“Daddy has a new secret place. We are going on Saturday.”
“Oh, Daddy, do we have to? I want to go to the beach with my friends.”
Two reluctant children and a curious wife to the good, we set off east, half way to Sucuraj, before taking a turning north. Our destination was a brand new villa, offering something truly unique on the island: total privacy and tranquility on a 40,000m2 plot of land, with facilities which included a floodlit tennis court, swimming pool with spacious chilling area, gym, sauna and even a small chapel. Not THAT sounded like a secret place!
And so it proved to be, and so much more, as the girls got to road test first the inviting pool and then the rest of the facilities of newly-opened Villa Amalia, while we sat down in comfy sofas over a drink with the very hospitable owners.
If you thought all the luxury accommodation was in Hvar Town and the Pakleni Islands, think again, and with a helipad one of the additional touches planned by the owners, Amalia has the potential to be one of the great and accessible hideaways on Hvar.
Don’t be fooled by the remote location. Villa Amalia is a few minutes by car from the bay of Pokrevenik, a hidden celebrity yacht stop, which has seen – among others – Roman Abramovich’s yacht in recent years.
The villa has been constructed by a local family on family land, and the project started after the owner’s mother saw that the roof of the old stone house that had been on the plot had fallen in. She was devastated, and her son decided to do something about it. Perhaps even he had no idea back that what a project it would become…
The property is quite simply stunning. A few square centimetres short of 400m2 of residential space, the superbly designed property comprises five bedrooms and bathrooms, spacious kitchen, dining and living room, with separate dining room downstairts. There is also a gym, sauna, jacuzzi, floodlit tennis court, balote pitch and a small chapel. The only sound apart from the splashing of the pool is the backdrop of the cicadas, and the only possible intruders to the idyllic calm are the occasional rabbits which pass by.
The accommodation is intelligently arranged, with two units separate from the main house – one a separate building, the other a separate entrance – which is ideal for families coming with hired help. And with introductory prices of 1,200 euro a night, Villa Amalia compares favourably with luxury accommodation on the island.
Despite its sleek modern look, the villa is bound by family tradition, from the name which is that of the owner’s grandmother to the majestic olive tree by the pool which was planted by the owner’s mother in 1947. And that was one of the abiding memories of an excellent day – a quality construction with all the mod-cons, combined with a love of the heritage of this fabulous island.
More improvements are planned, including the contruction of biking paths, a kids play area and other accessories. With water tanks of an impressive 260,000 litres, supply is not an issue, and Amalia is genuinely one of the most chilled and luxury places I have had the pleasure or visiting during my 13 years on Hvar.
And as for the two young ladies who were asked their opinion of Daddy’s latest secret place:
“This was the best ever, Daddy. Can we come back next week?”
A website will be launched soon, but for now, follow Villa Amalia on Facebook.
