In Stari Grad, discovering a different side of Croatia’s island of Hvar
From the moment I ascended the stairs to Maslina Resort, a sense of calm washed over me. Surrounded by olive trees and overlooking the clear Adriatic Sea, I felt my breathing slow.
Maslina means “olive” in Croatian, and the resort was built on what was once an olive grove on Hvar Island’s Maslinica Bay. “Olive trees are tied to life on Hvar,” said Andrea Lach, Pharomatiq Wellness Supervisor at Maslina. “They have fed families here for generations, formed the landscape, and remain part of the island’s identity today.”
Maslina, which opened in 2020, has a focus on sustainability. In 2025, it received the National Award for Sustainable Tourism at Croatian Tourism Days—the first recognition of its kind ever presented in Croatia. “When building Maslina Resort, we wanted to work with the land rather than erase what existed before us,” Lach said. “In line with our Mindful Luxury philosophy, every olive tree that had to be removed during construction was carefully preserved, placed into pots, and later replanted throughout the property as part of the landscape design.” They also planted more than 1,000 additional olive trees across the resort, allowing the grove to continue growing in a new way while ensuring the spirit of the land remained.
“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 beauty of the island, soak in the sun, embrace the slower rhythm of island life, and truly relax.”
She explained that Pharomatiq Wellness is at the heart of this philosophy, integrating the island’s natural healing environment, the potency of herbal therapies, and expert therapeutic techniques to support mindfulness, rejuvenation, healing, and overall wellbeing.
I needed a reset after a whirlwind multi-city trip around Croatia, so I booked a treatment at the 7,000-square-foot Pharomatiq Spa, which features an aromatherapy steam room, Finnish sauna, experience showers, hydropool, and cold-water immersion area, plus relaxing indoor and outdoor lounge spaces and a fresh garden herb tea station with locally grown plants. The Adriatic Rejuvenation Treatment was inspired by the healing herbs and flowers grown in Maslina’s 75,350-square-foot organic garden.
A full-body exfoliation is the first step of the 120-minute treatment, which helps cleanse and detoxify the skin. Premium-quality organic olive pomace is sourced from eco olive groves, which are naturally rich in antioxidants and minerals. Grapeseed oil, olive oil, and shea butter deeply nourish and soften the skin, while horsetail extract and finely ground olive kernels create a gentle exfoliating effect that removes dead skin cells and leaves the skin feeling smooth, toned, and refreshed. “The formula is enriched with essential oils of orange, petitgrain, vanilla, and peppermint,” Lach said. “Orange essential oil provides uplifting and energizing effects, while petitgrain helps calm and rebalance the senses; vanilla offers warmth and comfort, and peppermint refreshes and revitalizes both the skin and mind.”
A highly potent aromatherapy bath follows, encouraging deep relaxation. “Fresh seasonal botanicals such as sage, lavender, rosemary, lemongrass, and rose petals are handpicked and infused into a warm herbal bath,” Lach said. During the half-hour soak, I also enjoyed a pot of herbal tea from their garden. The ritual concluded with a full-body aromatherapy massage using selected essential oils blended with organic local virgin olive oil to help nourish the skin, relieve muscle tension, and invigorate the senses.
“The intention is for every guest to leave feeling uplifted, restored, and more connected to themselves, carrying greater presence, gratitude, and wellbeing awareness into their daily lives— ultimately benefiting both the individual and the wider community,” Lach said. After spending some quality time with myself at Maslina, I felt refreshed and ready to embark on the next part of my journey.
Photos courtesy of Maslina Resort
