Le Méridien Lav Split ★★★★★

In my experience, everyone has a memory of a particular holiday that lingers with them regardless of how widely they travel or the time of year. It captures your imagination on cold, dreary Thursdays and takes you back to a warmer time with sun soaked beaches and serene crystal clear waters. For me, this was that holiday. From the moment we arrived, luggage in tow and travel weary, we were swept off our feet by the spectacular coastal views from Le Méridien Hotel Lav Split. The glittering Adriatic waters in hues of turquoise and emerald that stretched as far as the eye could see were a breathtaking introduction to the hotel; I already knew I’d come across a real gem.

But these views weren’t just to be admired in the bright, airy lobby, oh no – our bedroom was fitted with huge floor to ceiling windows that drenched the room with warm light. Lorenzo Bellini’s timelessly elegant designs featured soft taupe walls with sunny yellow and deep navy blue accents. I myself loved the walk-in wardrobe (it’s impossible not to feel glamourous with one of those), while my boyfriend favoured the balcony overlooking the hotel’s private stretch of beach. I felt like a queen and I hadn’t even left my room yet!

A real luxury hotel does more than rest on good looks, and Le Méridien Hotel Lav Split definitely doesn’t disappoint. What surprised me was that there really was something for everyone; we saw couples on romantic getaways like my boyfriend and I, families and even those on business trips. Before you even consider the treasure trove of bars and restaurants in Split, the hotel has seven of its own all offering a twist of something different - but always scrumptious - complete with the hotel’s trademark stunning vistas.

Yet for me, the real crown jewel of this hotel was the Diocletian Spa. We decided to splurge on the spa’s signature Diocletian Four Hands Massage (for the benefit of you, the VeryChic readers, of course) favoured by Roman Emperors in centuries gone by. I can honestly confess, hand on heart, I have never felt more spoilt. With all our cares and troubles melted away in the spa, we concluded a day of supreme indulgence with sparkling cocktails at the bar while marvelling the view of the sun setting over the Adriatic sea. I think it’s safe to say the boyfriend was highly impressed with my hotel choice.