I recently had the opportunity to stay at a Maslina resort in Hvar Island that left me with mixed feelings. While the property boasted a stunning design and an exceptionally friendly staff, my overall experience was marred by the disappointing dining options. With an exorbitant price tag, I expected nothing short of perfection, yet the culinary offerings fell far short of my expectations.
Let's start with the positives. The resort's design was nothing short of breathtaking. Every corner exuded elegance and sophistication, making for a truly luxurious atmosphere. From the meticulously landscaped gardens to the well-appointed rooms, the attention to detail in the resort's aesthetic was second to none. I found myself wandering around the property just to soak in the beauty of the architecture and design elements.
Additionally, the staff at the resort were some of the friendliest and most accommodating individuals I have encountered. They were always ready with a warm smile and eager to assist with any requests or inquiries. From the moment I arrived until my departure, I felt genuinely welcomed and valued as a guest.
However, the true disappointment arose when it came time to dine at the resort's highly acclaimed and expensive restaurant. My high hopes were quickly shattered as I encountered a series of issues that were simply unacceptable for an establishment of this caliber.
The first concern was the forgetfulness of the staff. They consistently seemed overwhelmed, leading to orders being misplaced or forgotten entirely. Waiting for our meals became an arduous task, and some dishes arrived cold while others were completely different from what we had ordered.
Sadly, the taste of the food was not up to par with the resort's reputation. While some dishes showed promise, most were lackluster and failed to impress. The flavors seemed muted, and the execution of the dishes lacked finesse. It was evident that the kitchen was not living up to the standard one would expect from a 5-star hotel.
Another letdown was the apparent mismatch of ingredients used in the dishes. Considering the restaurant's premium pricing, I expected a seamless integration of high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. However, some combinations were confusing and seemed as if little thought had been put into their creation.
Taking into account the steep price of dining at this restaurant, the overall value was simply terrible. For such a significant investment, one should reasonably expect an exceptional culinary experience that would complement the beauty and luxury of the resort. Unfortunately, the subpar dining significantly detracted from the overall enjoyment of our stay.
In conclusion, while the resort dazzled with its awe-inspiring design and the staff went above and beyond to make us feel welcome, the poor dining experience left us disappointed and questioning the value of our stay. The resort undoubtedly has the potential to be a standout destination, but until they address the issues plaguing their dining offerings, I would find it challenging to recommend it to others seeking a top-notch culinary experience in...
Read moreThe food disappointed on so many levels. First, the good, the scallop appetizer was very good. Also of note was the fried risotto (sounds strange, I know but it was the highlight of the meal...). Up next, the tuna tartare; it looked good but flavor wise..eh, I have had better in so many places. Then, we tried the fish entree...the fish was paper thin but its utmost sin was that it was dry! Now we have to talk about the lobster,... was it good? No, it was average at best and served in a bowl of overpowering cream soup. We did order some polenta on the side and that polenta was very good 👍. To finish the meal, we ordered two desserts: a sorbet with some goat cheese and a lemon crumble (cake?). Both desserts were lack luster. I almost forgot, the amuse bouche that came at the beginning of the meal was couscous, and it was not good. Don't eat the bread that comes with the meal, it's terrible. Remember to order a lot of wine because the...
Read moreMaslina is a wonderful resort, but the greatest surprise was our dinner on our final night. It turns out the owner is friends with a chef named Serge who previously ran a 2-Michelin-star restaurant and the chef agreed to come stand up the restaurant at this new, clean and well-staffed resort in a beautiful location on Hvar island. The four of us split three appetizers and all were tip-top shelf. The best among the three was the tuna tartare, hands down the best we’d ever had, anywhere in the world. Coriander oil and guava are my best guess for the light flavors added to pristine tuna. The veal tournedos and 28-hour braised lamb shank were divine. The sommelier, Mario, was legit and he paired a wonderful Croatian red with our dishes. Go to Maslina and make sure to dine at the restaurant. Shockingly good. Pic is of my...
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