Worth Traveling For
The new Hotel Katarina brings a private villa vibe to the boutique hotel concept. The 11-key hotel is located on the shores of the crystalline Adriatic Sea on Croatia’s stunning Pelješac Peninsula in the village of Orebić. As the sister Relais & Châteaux property of the opulent Villa Korta Katarina & Winery just down the road, Hotel Katarina serves up some of the region’s best wines and ultra-fresh seafood, including the area’s prime Ston oysters and other local specialties.
After exploring the Dalmatian coast’s hectic tourist destinations like Dubrovnik and Split, reward yourself with an escape to this picturesque seaside haven where the pace slows, nature soothes, and you can indulge your foodie side.
Hotel Highlights
Chill out poolside by the sea, take a dip off the pebbly beach, or stroll into town to learn about its rich maritime history in the local museum. For active types, there’s a scenic 5.5-mile circular trail starting from town that passes through olive groves, cypress forests, and historical captain’s mansions on the way up to the hilltop Franciscan Monastery of Our Lady of Angels, with breathtaking views of Korčula island across the sound.
The hotel’s Neptune Spa offers a serene sanctuary featuring a thermal circuit with steam room, sauna, jacuzzi, and relaxation area, plus a fitness room. Treatments and rituals take inspiration from the ocean. For example, the Heritage Sea Experience combines exfoliation using natural sea sponges followed by a relaxing massage with warm shells.
As a Relais & Châteaux, cuisine is front and center. At the waterfront Captain’s Terrace, with both indoor and al fresco dining, the diverse menu ranges from refined local favorites such as black risotto made with cuttlefish ink and other seafood dishes, to hearty grill fare like steak and lamb. Upstairs, the wood-paneled American Bar, with a sprawling oceanview terrace, is the spot for aperitifs and nightcaps with craft cocktails and light bites.
Featured wines are sourced from the award-winning Korta Katarina Winery, focusing on local varietals including robust Plavac Mali red, crisp white Pošip, and other native wines expressing the region’s storied terroir.
Rooms and Experience
Each spacious room and suite is a sophisticated retreat delivering ocean views and individualized interiors with high-end fabrics and colorful coastal prints featuring sea fan coral, shell, and fish motifs that inject a jolt of fresh flair with Palm Beach undertones. The four suites have separate sitting rooms, and the two penthouse suites have expansive terraces with panoramic sea views framed by palms overlooking the distant coastline across the Pelješac Channel.
The creative vision is that of American interior designer Marie Meko, who has worked with the Korta Katarina Collection’s American owners Lee and Penny Anderson for years. She also tapped the talents of local artist Neven Kralj, who created colorful murals and accents for the airy public spaces. With so few rooms, the ambiance is private and intimate, like a residential villa.
What to Know Before You Book
For a splurge, book the Korta Katarina Collection’s M/Y Katharine, a 201-foot custom-built CRN mega-yacht for a multi-day private voyage through the Adriatic Sea or reserve their 43-foot Invincible Cruiser for a day of island hopping or sport fishing.
Late spring to early summer is optimal for skipping the high heat and heavy tourist crowds of July and August. Wine lovers will want to book during harvest season in September and October, when the weather is still pleasant and the sea is still warm.
Address: Škvar 2, 20250 Orebić, Croatia
Closest Airport: Dubrovnik Ruđer Bošković Airport (DBV) is two hours by car.
Featured image courtesy of Korta Katarina Collection.
