In the quiet village of Sutivan, where fishing boats gently bob in the harbour and narrow stone lanes wind toward the sea, a small miracle of hospitality has taken root: Hotel Lemongarden, a serene adults-only retreat located on the picturesque island of Brač in Croatia. Set within three lovingly restored nearly 300-year-old stone buildings, this boutique hotel is a masterclass in understated luxury. The charm of the architecture — all weathered stone, wooden shutters, and red-tiled roofs — is matched by a thoughtful interior palette that echoes the natural surroundings. Inside, 27 suites and 12 rooms are dressed in soft Mediterranean hues, each designed to capture the essence of the southern Croatian coast. Local materials — from hand-carved wood furniture to Brac’s famous marble — bring authenticity and a quiet richness to each space.
Each of the original buildings retains its unique identity, expressed through colour and design. In Vesna House, sea blues and coral reds evoke coastal breezes and underwater gardens, while Definis Dvor leans into the green-silver tones of Mediterranean herbs. The hotel’s best rooms — the Luxury Suites, ranging from 46 to 71 square metres — offer space for up to four guests, with expansive terraces overlooking the gardens or courtyard. With a relaxed, barefoot-luxury feel, these suites are equally suited to romantic getaways or intimate group escapes.
Offering a deliberate departure from the pace of modern life, Hotel Lemongarden is a calm sanctuary where time has no bearing; instead, relaxation and enjoyment take precedence. Days here begin with the chirping of cicadas and perhaps a dip in the pool, surrounded by a lush paradise garden that lives up to its name. Lemon trees, palms, bright bougainvillea and myriad flowering shrubs provide shade and scent. For deeper relaxation, the hotel’s wellness pavilion offers a sauna, steam room, and sensory showers — an ideal prelude to an afternoon siesta or a cocktail beneath the pergola.
A short 10-minute walk through pine woods leads to the private Lemongarden beach, a secluded cove carved into the coast. Covering 3,000 square metres, it’s designed for true escapism — sunbeds, sea breezes, and not much else. This is a far cry from Croatia’s bustling tourist spots. On Brač, and especially in Sutivan, things move slowly, which is exactly the point.
Still, for those who crave a little exploration, the island rewards curiosity. While most visitors to Brač head to the famous Golden Horn beach in Bol — a unique tongue of bright yellow sand that reaches 500 metres into the sea — the real magic lies in discovering its smaller villages and cultural textures. Renaissance façades, Baroque churches, and traditional stone houses are scattered across the island, whispering stories of centuries past. Brač’s rugged interior, laced with olive groves and hiking paths, makes it a paradise for nature lovers and slow travellers alike.
Back at the hotel, evenings unfold at the in-house restaurant, where the kitchen embraces a firmly Mediterranean ethos: local, seasonal, and deeply rooted in Croatian flavours. With a view over the harbour, dinner here is all about authenticity and genuine enjoyment. Think just-caught fish grilled to perfection, sun-drenched vegetables, and olive oil that tastes of the hills nearby.
What makes Hotel Lemongarden special is that it doesn’t try to dazzle with extravagance. Instead, it offers something quieter, more lasting — a sense of ease that settles in from the moment you arrive. It’s the kind of place where mornings stretch out slowly over coffee in the garden, and days end with a glass of wine by the harbour, the scent of salty seas and lemon trees lingering in the air. Tucked away on an island that still feels like a secret, it’s a rare kind of escape — unhurried, deeply personal, and impossible to forget.
To find out more about Hotel Lemongarden and book, visit the links below:
HOTEL LEMONGARDEN
Perića Kala 1
21403 Sutivan
Croatia
Web: lemongardenhotel.com
Tel: +385 21 66 00 62
Email: reception@lemongardenhotel.com
Instagram: @hotellemongarden
Facebook: @hotel.lemongarden