Villa Rai | 4-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool in Jesenice Dugi Rat

Ten guests arrive at Jesenice on Croatia’s South Dalmatian coast and discover a luxury villa rental that transforms a week into memory. Villa Rai occupies a quiet hillside position between Split and Omiš, commanding clear views across the Adriatic toward Brač Island—the kind of location where you understand why people move here permanently and never leave.

Inside Villa Rai

Villa Rai sleeps 10 guests across 4 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms, distributed across two floors with careful attention to privacy and comfort. Ground level hosts the main living spaces: a sprawling open-plan kitchen and dining zone anchored by a substantial island bench, the type of galley setup where cooking transforms from chore into entertainment. Dark contemporary furnishings establish a refined aesthetic, while full-height glass doors dissolve the boundary between inside and out, flooding the space with Adriatic light and that particular quality of air that comes only from proximity to saltwater.

The kitchen itself is comprehensively equipped—dishwasher, ice machine, coffee machine, juicer, blender—the sort of thoughtful provision that suggests the owners have actually lived here themselves. A wood-burning fireplace anchors the living area, functional on cooler April and October evenings and atmospheric year-round.

Bedroom 1, positioned on the ground floor, features a double bed, an en-suite bathroom, a sofa bed for an additional guest, and unobstructed sea views. The upper floor houses three further double bedrooms, each with its own en-suite bathroom. Bedroom 2 delivers direct Adriatic sightlines. Bedrooms 3 and 4 both include private balconies, the sort of outdoor sleeping platforms where you wake to the sound of waves and the calls of seabirds. All four bedrooms employ a consistent philosophy: generous proportions, abundant natural light, and the kind of mattress and pillow investment that suggests serious consideration for guest rest.

Bathrooms (five in total) are finished with contemporary fixtures and supplied with full amenities including hairdryers. A washing machine, drying rack, iron and board occupy the utility spaces. High chairs and cots are available on request for families traveling with young children.

Outdoor Spaces and Living

The exterior grounds represent the property’s most compelling asset. A covered terrace area spans the upper level, accommodating a summer kitchen—purpose-built for Mediterranean cooking—and a dining space for ten. A wooden barbecue stands ready for grilling fish from the morning market or meat from local producers. This is where almost every evening meal at Villa Rai occurs, eating beneath the stars while the Adriatic darkens from blue to black and the lights of Split twinkle on the horizon 25km away.

A stone staircase descends to the lower terrace. Here sits the heated swimming pool, measuring 27 square meters—substantial enough for genuine swimming rather than token cooling off. Six sunbeds position themselves around the deck. The pool operates year-round with heating, extending the swimming season from April through October and making a January visit genuinely feasible for those seeking warmth without summer’s crowds. An outdoor shower allows guests to rinse salt water immediately after swimming, a practical luxury that prevents sand traveling through the villa’s interior spaces.

The courtyard provides additional outdoor zones for quiet reading or private conversation. Multiple terraces at different levels create distinct environments: one catches morning sun, another benefits from afternoon shade, a third offers complete privacy from the main living areas.

Location: Jesenice and the Surrounding Area

Jesenice itself—a settlement of roughly 600 permanent residents—represents the Croatian coast before mass tourism arrived. The village stretches along a rocky shoreline punctuated by small beaches and swimming spots. Jesenice Beach, directly accessible from Villa Rai’s position, offers the nearest swimming within walking distance. Locals favor a small pebble cove 800 meters south where a handful of waterfront taverns serve grilled fish and drinkable house wine.

For broader beach experiences, Omiš lies 8km south—a proper Adriatic town with a long shingle beach, boat rental companies, and the mouth of the Cetina River. Kayaking the Cetina Gorge, roughly 5km inland from Omiš, represents the region’s most popular adventure activity: paddling through limestone canyons with cliff walls rising 300 meters overhead. Rafting operators offer summer runs of varying difficulty. The Cetina River is also home to numerous freshwater swimming holes and jumping points accessed via hiking trails through pine forest.

Split, 25km north, deserves an overnight visit minimum. Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site dating to the 3rd century, occupies the old town’s heart—not a museum removed from daily life but a living urban organism where locals live within ancient walls and tourists navigate streets so narrow that three people cannot walk abreast. The seafront promenade (Riva) runs parallel to the palace; sunset drinks overlooking sailing yachts and the island of Hvar comprise a Split ritual. The Museum of Glass in the old town showcases medieval and Roman examples. For contemporary art, the Museum of Contemporary Art operates in a Habsburg-era mansion overlooking the harbor.

Brač Island, visible from Villa Rai’s terraces, sits just 3km offshore and receives regular ferry service from Split (50 minutes) and Omiš (20 minutes). The island’s Zlatni Rat beach—a shifting crescent of pebbles extending into turquoise water—ranks among the Mediterranean’s most photographed. Less crowded, Lovrečina Beach on Brač’s quieter north coast offers excellent swimming and a waterfront tavern serving grilled octopus.

For those willing to drive, the Dalmatian interior offers wine routes through regions known for Plavac Mali and Babic reds. Imotski, 40km inland, centers on two crater lakes (Blue Lake and Red Lake) and operates as a regional market hub with excellent produce stands. The Biokovo Mountain range rises immediately inland from the coast, its ridge-top roads offering panoramic views toward Italy on exceptionally clear days. A well-maintained hiking trail ascends from Omiš toward Biokovo’s peak (1422 meters), taking approximately four hours return for moderately fit walkers.

Gastronomy in the immediate area favors simplicity and seafood. Taverna Dalmatino in Jesenice’s village center prepares grilled fish and squid to order, serving plates large enough to share. Pizzeria Maro operates a wood-fired oven producing thin-crust pizzas favored by locals. For market shopping, a small supermarket operates in Jesenice village (500 meters walking distance from Villa Rai); a larger Kaufland supermarket sits in neighboring Dugi Rat (3km by car). The Dugi Rat farmers’ market operates on Wednesday mornings during summer months—the source for asparagus, cherries, and the region’s famous strawberries depending on season.

For destination insights, explore our collection of luxury villas in Croatia, browse our properties in Opcina Dugi Rat, and review our comprehensive Split travel guide for detailed visitor information.

Who This Villa Suits Best

Extended families and multigenerational groups form Villa Rai’s natural constituency. Four separate bedrooms eliminate the forced togetherness that damages family trips. Parents and grandparents occupy bedrooms with balconies; children sleep in ground-floor proximity to adults without occupying the same space. The heated pool accommodates simultaneous swimming by multiple age groups. High chairs and cots serve families with toddlers.

Professional groups, creative teams, and corporate retreats function effectively here. The ground-floor living spaces work for meetings and collaborative sessions. Internet/Wi-Fi connectivity supports remote work. The outdoor entertaining areas accommodate team meals for ten people comfortably.

Couples seeking privacy without isolation also find value—two double bedrooms could host visiting adult friends or adult children without forcing shared accommodation, while the couple maintains their separate ensuite bedroom with balcony and views.

This villa does not suit guests requiring minimal steps, as upper-floor bedrooms require stair access and the pool area involves descending a stone staircase. It does not suit those seeking beach-level accommodation—while the coast is accessible, Villa Rai positions itself on a hillside overlooking rather than fronting water.

Practical Information

Villa Rai accommodates a maximum of 10 guests: 4 double bedrooms providing 4 primary sleeping spaces, plus a sofa bed in Bedroom 1 and availability of cots and high chairs upon request. Five bathrooms ensure realistic morning routines for groups of this size.

Split Airport (Resnik), 33km north, serves as the arrival point. Car rental at the airport followed by a 40-minute drive south delivers guests directly to Villa Rai’s driveway; parking is available on-site. Transfer services can be pre-arranged through the property management. Public buses operate from Split to Dugi Rat (20 minutes) and Jesenice (25 minutes), though onward local transportation from these villages to Villa Rai itself requires private arrangement.

The property includes Wi-Fi internet, air-conditioning in all bedrooms and primary living spaces, heating in the swimming pool, and a pre-stocked fridge allowing guests to begin their stay without immediate market shopping. Linens and towels come included. Check-in times show flexibility depending on guest arrival and property turnover schedules—advance communication with management confirms specific arrangements.

Frequently Asked Questions about Villa Rai

How many guests does Villa Rai sleep?

Villa Rai accommodates 10 guests maximum. The property features 4 double bedrooms providing primary accommodation for 8 guests, plus a sofa bed in Bedroom 1 and the availability of cots and high chairs upon request, enabling families with young children to sleep more comfortably. All four bedrooms feature en-suite bathrooms.

What is the nearest airport to Villa Rai in Jesenice?

Split Airport (Resnik), located 33 kilometers north of Villa Rai, represents the primary arrival point. The drive from airport to villa takes approximately 40 minutes via the coastal highway. Direct car rental at the airport is advisable given the distance and villa’s hillside location; public transportation from Split to Jesenice is available but requires onward private arrangement to reach the property itself.

What is the best time of year to rent Villa Rai?

May through September delivers warm, predictable weather with water temperatures 20-24°C, ideal for swimming and water activities. June sees the least rainfall; July and August bring the most tourists and highest prices. April and October offer pleasant 18-20°C temperatures, fewer crowds, and prices 20-30% lower than peak season. The heated pool extends swimming feasibility into shoulder months. November through March experiences occasional rain and 10-14°C water temperatures; however, winter provides exceptional peace and the annual Feast of Saint Demetrius (late October) brings local celebrations.

Is Villa Rai suitable for families with children?

Yes, with practical considerations. The heated 27-square-meter pool allows safe supervised swimming for children; the pool surround contains sufficient sunbed space for parental supervision from shallow areas. Cots and high chairs are available on request. The nearby beaches at Jesenice and Omiš (8km) accommodate families with child-friendly sloped entries. The villa’s ground-floor arrangement allows parents of young children to settle toddlers while remaining accessible to adults on the terrace. The closest pediatric services operate in Omiš (8km) and Split (25km). However, the stone staircase descending to the pool and the upper-floor bedroom locations with exterior staircase access require mobility consideration for families with mobility challenges or very young children requiring constant vigilance near exterior areas.

What is included in the rental price at Villa Rai?

The rental includes accommodation in all 4 bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, Wi-Fi internet connectivity, air-conditioning in bedrooms and main living areas, heating of the 27-square-meter swimming pool year-round, linens and towels, a pre-stocked refrigerator allowing immediate arrival without shopping, parking on the property, and access to all outdoor terraces, the summer kitchen, barbecue facilities, and sunbed provision. A washing machine, drying rack, and iron/board support extended stays. Utilities (electricity, water, heating) are included. Cleaning at departure may incur an additional fee depending on departure condition; cleaning mid-stay can typically be arranged for a supplementary charge.

What restaurants and shops are near Villa Rai?

Jesenice village center (500 meters walking distance) contains a small supermarket adequate for coffee, basics, and household supplies, plus Taverna Dalmatino serving grilled fish and traditional Dalmatian specialties. Pizzeria Maro operates a wood-fired oven 400 meters from Villa Rai. The larger Kaufland supermarket in Dugi Rat (3km by car) stocks comprehensive groceries, wine, and prepared foods. For dining, Omiš (8km south) contains numerous waterfront restaurants specializing in fresh fish and local wines; Restaurant Dalmatino and Pizzeria Bruno operate reliable kitchens. Split (25km north) offers fine dining restaurants including Nostromo (seafood) and Boban (Mediterranean). The Dugi Rat weekly farmers’ market (Wednesday mornings, June-September) provides seasonal produce including the region’s renowned strawberries, asparagus, and cherries at substantially lower cost than supermarkets.