March 31 – Easter is fast approaching, a magical time in Hvar, as Hotel Adriana opens its doors for the season.

And just like that, here we go again.

Having lived in Hvar for 13 years, I got used to the subtle changes not only in the seasons, but also in the mood towards the tourist season. The winters were longgggg. Initially, the locals were tending to their olives and relaxing after the stress of another good season. But in January, many were eager to start again, to see more signs of life.

And then came the approach of Easter, the opening of hotels and businesses, and the first significant numbers of tourists, mainly for the UNESCO-protected Holy Week procession called Za Krizen (Behind the Cross), which has taken place every year for over 500 years, including in a refugee camp in the Sinai desert during World War II, so that the cycle is not broken.

As a local, after a long winter with many businesses closing, the sight of a new season beginning with restaurants and hotels opening in the spring sunshine is a heartwarming thing. It makes you want to spend lazy summer days at the beach even more.

April is one of my favorite months of the year to visit Hvar. It still has that pre-season local feel, where locals have time to chat and open businesses are welcoming and reasonably priced. Sometimes it feels like tourists and hosts share a guilty secret – Hvar out of season is really, really cool, but don’t tell anyone.

So it’s nice to see Suncani Hvar announce the opening of Hotel Adriana on Saturday. This 4-star wellness hotel is a popular spot, with its spectacular waterfront views overlooking the fortress, the main square, the legendary Hvar Riva and the Pakleni Islands. The views from the Top Bar are some of the best on the island, a delicious spot for a coffee or something stronger.

Hotel management must be a very stressful business in these difficult times, but it seems Hvar’s hoteliers are confident of a good season, with all of its flagship hotels slated to open this summer. The Amfora Hotel and the historic 5-star Palace Elizabeth hvar will open in early May, and the Riva Hotel in early June.

One of the big advantages of the visit, besides the absence of crowds, is of course the price. A spring deal from Hotel Adriana sounds like a real boon for those looking to explore Croatia‘s premier island at this time of year:

INCLUDED:
✓ Prices from 59 EUR per person with breakfast included ✓ Bottle of house wine ✓ 10% discount in restaurants and bars

TERMS:
✓ Stay period April ✓ Minimum stay 2 nights ✓ Free upgrade upon availability.

The winter cobwebs are slowly being swept away and another season in paradise awaits.

To find out more about hotel opportunities in Hvar, visit the Suncani Hvar website.

To learn more about this magical town, check out the Total Croatia Hvar guide.