Relaxing accommodation with simple luxury - The Quaich Experience, Croatia is your escape. We want you to have the best holiday you've ever had and to tempt you to come back year after year.

The Croatian island of Hvar is regarded as being one of the ten most beautiful islands in the world and we at boutique self-catering accommodation The Quaich, are very fortunate to be able to call it home.

The unique and faithfully-restored property consists of three gorgeous (and extremely practical) guest cottages, 'jedan', 'dva' and 'tri' (Croatian for one, two and three), which surround the central courtyard, large enough for a relaxing al fresco breakfast or a shady pre-dinner glass of wine. Steps lead to the secluded swimming pool with spectacular views across the island and beyond...

The property dates back nearly three hundred years but, prior to renovation, had been derelict since the Second World War.  Many of the original features remain and have been carefully and authentically restored by local builders. Each cottage was originally provided for the keeping of domestic animals but after careful renovation, the tumbledown stone buildings now house our beautiful and fully-equipped self-catering cottages.

In 2005 Mick and Chris made the bold decision to leave their nine-to-five lives in Sussex behind and move to the Croatian sun!  An energetic couple not quite at retirement stage - they found the ideal location to create a small holiday complex offering holiday accommodation with simple but elegant luxury.

Chris and Mick bought The Quaich* as a ruin back in 2005 and after much hard work and many trips back and forth from Brighton in UK with the majority of their furniture etc. they opened their doors to guests in the summer of 2008. The project turned out to be much more demanding than they first thought, but with help from family and friends they have turned the ruin into a luxurious holiday spot that retains its authentic Croatian character. Their life on the island is very different from back in the UK where Mick managed his own glazing company and Christine was a financial administrator. They still have a base back in Brighton and return there in the winter to see family.

To visit the village of Vrbanj is a little like stepping back in time...

In addition to the wonderful climate, Chris and Mick chose to buy property on Hvar because it reminded Chris so much of her home country of Scotland, with the mountains and pine forests reaching for miles across the island. In the spring, the land is covered with wild stocks and freesia and the smell of rosemary lingers. It makes for wonderful cycling and hiking trips and the smell of lavender in the summer is intoxicating. Vrbanj is a small mountain village - away from the main road but not too far away from the nearest towns of Jelsa and Stari Grad. The crystal clear water and the beaches are only 3km away and there are so many places to go swimming, you will be spoilt for choice!

Christine was brought up in a small Scottish village where everyone knew each other and you helped your neighbours (and they helped you). From their very first visit to the village of Vrbanj (where The Quaich is located), it was clear to both Mick and Chris that the lovely old Croatian village was still like this. The people are friendly and the atmosphere is relaxing; Vrbanj is a sleepy little town, that feels like it has been suspended in time.

The Quaich is not your average self-catering accommodation - The Quaich Experience offers many services - Jeep transportation around the island, air conditioning and full Wi-Fi throughout the complex are just to name a few. Chris and Mick live on site and have anticipated your needs as fully as possible, but if during your stay you think anything is missing they are only too happy to make it happen. The Quaich's motto is simple luxury and if there is anything that can be done to make your holiday more memorable, you only have to ask.

We've tried to answer all of the questions you might have for us on this website but if there's anything that's unclear or you'd like to have a chat about your holiday then please feel free to contact Chris by email or phone.  Details are on our contact page.