Absolutely Disappointing
Absolutely Disappointing – Price-Performance is Outrageous
We were looking forward to a pleasant stay at Vila Bleue on Hvar, but unfortunately, we were very disappointed. At nearly €1,000 per night, we expected a 4–5 star property – in reality, it is more like a 3-star house, which was not clearly communicated beforehand.
The rooms are tiny, sparsely furnished, and don’t even have wardrobes. The furniture feels cheap and partially worn. For 9 people, there are hardly any refrigeration options for food and drinks – especially frustrating since the nearest supermarket is almost an hour away.
The access road is a real challenge and makes arriving unnecessarily stressful. The garden and outdoor areas feel neglected, and right at the entrance we encountered a poisonous plant that sprays liquid when touched – completely unsuitable for children.
The nearby beach is full of trash and not inviting at all. Access to the house is very inconvenient for older guests. The terrace offers no privacy, as other guests walk right by. On the upper terrace, there are no sunshades, making it barely comfortable to use.
Overall, the price is completely out of proportion to the standard offered. We were extremely disappointed – neither the location nor the price justifies the poor condition and lack of care for the property.
Reply from Hvar Away
This review came as a real shock to us, and we are deeply saddened that a guest felt so upset to leave a 1* review. We would offer our sincere apologies and regret that their experience did not meet expectations.
There are clearly things to be learned from, including areas within our control, as well as those that aren’t. When we receive feedback like this, we believe it our responsibility to address it all – not only to provide a response to the guest, but to ensure that everything learned is paid forward to future guests.
Before addressing the points, we would draw attention to La Villa Bleue’s record over 5 seasons: more than 50 reviews across several platforms – all consistently 5* with glowing reports of the villa, the location, and our service. This is all the more reason to identify what went wrong here and how we can improve.
First looking at the issues we can solve/improve:
1. We located the offending wild plant and we bow to the guest’s knowledge (as a Croatian national) that this is as described – unfortunately we were blissfully unaware. We unhesitatingly removed the plant – cautiously!
2. We note the lack of shades on the upper terrace. Notwithstanding the canopy roof shading the lower terrace, we understand how some would rather use the upper terrace with some shade provision. We immediately discussed this with the owner and will provide a parasol for future guests.
3. In regard to the outdoor areas – there are various plants on an irrigation system. However, La Villa Bleue is off-grid (water supply is by way of delivery and storage) meaning there is a limited allocation for plants over guest usage. It’s frustrating – Mediterranean villas are loved for their vibrant blooms – but in summer's peak heat, the water needed to keep all of the plants vibrant isn’t achievable. That said, we can adjust by replacing some plants with more resilient species, such as cacti – we will work on this.
Many of the other points go to the nature of what this particular villa is at heart. It is a very secluded location, as stated online “at the end of a 4km winding gravel road” and “sections that are a little bumpy and steep”.
We make a point that the luxury here is the seclusion and immersion in nature. Without doubt, the charm of La Villa Bleue leans into its quaintness – it does have some smaller bedrooms, as seen in the photos, as well as the larger attic suite. Together with the designer vintage furniture (far from being cheap, the Hans Wegner armchairs are €3,800 each!), it creates a certain quirkiness. Of course, such choices can be very individual, but over 5 seasons, the reviews have supported and appreciated these choices.
We note the concerns about the refrigerator size. There have been plenty of full-occupancy bookings over the 5 seasons, and it seems people have managed – it hasn’t been mentioned before. Opinions on such things can be very individual based on the level of in-villa food preparation desired.
Regarding the supermarkets, there are 4 large stores within ≈30 mins, and two minimarts in the nearby villages, ≈10 mins. The villa guidebook gives advice on the most convenient ones.
The beach is one of the most secluded and quiet on Hvar. We have never been aware of trash problems, other than after a storm (which was possibly the case here). Of course, this is unfortunate, and the nature of our seas these days, all sorts can be washed up. On our numerous visits since departure, the beach seems fine (other than the natural occurrence of some seaweed).
The main terrace is elevated and overlooks the sea – slightly below runs a path that connects the neighbouring house to the beach. Again, the foot traffic is proportional to the secluded locality.
We encourage anyone considering La Villa Bleue to read the reviews for insight into the fantastic experiences past guests have enjoyed. We are committed to constantly reviewing and making improvements to ensure the best possible experience for every guest.