PLACES Hvar by Valamar, formerly known as Hotel Lavanda, sits in the pine shaded Helios area on the north side of the Stari Grad bay, an easy flat walk around the water to the old town. The nearest pebble beaches are just below the hotel.
The pool area is the main gathering point, large enough that sunbeds are not a fight, with more loungers stretching down towards the sea, and the hotel runs a daily credit system guests can spend on food and drinks. Rooms are compact, clean and modern, and wifi and parking come free.
It suits younger travellers, couples and groups after a sociable, good value base on the quieter side of the island, with the restaurants of Stari Grad a stroll away.