A brand new luxury resort and spa has recently opened on the Croatian island of Hvar, inspired by local healing traditions and nature.

Located near Stari Grad, the 53-key Maslina Resort is operated by Relais & Chateaux and immersed in nature. Surrounded by olive groves and terraced vineyards, the resort stretches across two hectares of lush pine forest overlooking the Adriatic Sea.

Hvar has been a popular health retreat since the 19th century, well known for its green landscapes, clear waters and fresh sea air.

Inspired by the island’s reputation, Maslina offers a wide range of wellness opportunities, most notably its 854sq m Pharomatiq Spa with five indoor treatment rooms and two outdoor salas.

“Wellness doesn’t necessarily have to be just yoga and massage but also taking in the environment surrounding you,” said Melany Martinez Thomas, founder of consultancy, Spa and Wellness Collective, and the wellness and spa developer for Paradox Hospitality, the managing company behind Maslina.

“When developing the spa with the architects, we aimed to present a seamless transition between the indoors and the outdoors.”

She explained that the inspiration behind the spa lies in Stari Grad’s natural beauty, along with its abundant healing traditions, scenery and fresh aromas.

Continuing the focus on nature, the spa makes use of the resort’s on-site garden to source herbs for treatments, such as medicinal baths, and ingredients for macerates for massage oils.

The facility also supplies treatments using products from Helios 45, Le Primitivance, Plasmus Essential Oils and BIOMER.

Therapists integrate various healing modalities, including traditional massage techniques, sound therapy, vibrational healing, reiki, herbal tonics, and therapeutic-grade essential oils. Plus as of 2021, the spa will roll out wellness programmes lasting up to three weeks in duration.

Wellness services also extend to offer Mindful Movement Classes, including various forms of yoga, meditation, and fitness classes.

A 100sq m wet area offers a hamman sauna, Finnish sauna, cold plunge pool, sensorial showers and a relaxation plunge pool with a small relaxation lounge area by the pool.

“Today, instead of people being just passive receivers, they’re actively engaging in their wellbeing,” said Martinez Thomas.

“So, spas and wellbeing are also about people reclaiming responsibility for their health, with the guidance, support, and love of the therapist and team.”

Croatian architect Tomislav Alujevic helped realise the project, along with input from European interior designer, Léonie Alma Mason, and landscaper, Thomas Seconde, who drew inspiration from the natural world.