The best hotels in Dubrovnik for a picture-perfect cultural escape
From stylish spa resorts to historic boutique hotels, here's our pick of the best hotels in Dubrovnik
With its Hollywood-worthy old town, Adriatic views and ancient history, Croatia's sophisticated walled city is a superb place for a culture-packed city break and our pick of the best hotels in Dubrovnik will help you explore the destination in style.
If checking into one of Croatia's Airbnbs won't do, there's a whole host of charming hotels for you to soak up the beauty of Dubrovnik while you enjoy a little luxury and relaxation along the way.
Founded in the seventh century as a refuge for villagers fleeing the Barbarians, Dubrovnik is known as the 'Pearl of the Adriatic' and has loitered around the top of the list of best European city breaks for the past two decades.
Famous as the backdrop to HBO's Game of Thrones, Dubrovnik is one of best preserved medieval towns in the world. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, its medieval walled Old Town is a tumble of terracotta rooftops and narrow cobbled lanes lined with sandstone houses, ornate 17th-century palaces and grand churches.
Take a boat trip over to Lokrum Island, a lush, rugged nature reserve roaming with wild peacocks and bunnies. The island was first inhabited by Benedictine monks in the 11th century, the crumbling cloisters of the old monastery are now home to a Game of Thrones exhibition. And, don't miss a sundowner in one of Old Town's famous hole-in-the-wall bars, Dubrovnik's rugged wine taverns carved from rock.
From boutique hotels in historic villas to contemporary beach resorts, take a look at the best hotels in Dubrovnik for a cultural break to explore the wonders of this magnificent city.
Dubrovnik President Valamar
Perched on Babin Kok peninsular, the opulent Valamar Dubrovnik President hotel is just the ticket for some five-star luxury on the Adriatic Coast. Located four miles north of Old Town, it's within easy reach of Dubrovnik's famed medieval charms, yet offers peace and serenity for when you're looking for some proper R&R. With indoor and outdoor pools, a fancy spa, and multitude of topnotch restaurants, including a chichi seafood restaurant, there's little need to venture far.
All of the rooms and suites have been warmly decorated in soft creams and baby blues giving them a breezy seaside vibe. The biggest draw is every one has a private terrace or balcony with direct views over the Adriatic Sea and the Elaphiti islands. Heaven.
Hotel Excelsior, Ploče
An easy 10-minute stroll from Ploče Gate, the eastern entrance into the walled Old Town, this fancy five-star hotel overlooks Dubrovnik's medieval walls. Jutting out of a pine-covered hillside and with prime views of the Lokrum Island, the Hotel Excelsior has had some esteemed guests over the years, including HRH Queen Elizabeth II and Francis Ford Coppola.
The rooms are spread across two wings; Villa Odak, the original hotel from 1913 and a modern glass-fronted building, all have a contemporary style: think muted palettes and rich velvet furnishings in pale pink, grey and teal. The highlights are the Wellness Spa, which has a lagoon-style pool, a Roman bath and Finnish saunas, as well as Prora, a seafood restaurant with the most romantic seafront terrace.
Hotel Bellevue
Like many of Dubrovnik's more upmarket hotels, the fabulous clifftop location of the Bellevue boasts incredible views over the Adriatic Sea and surrounding islands. Even the many restaurants, all have spacious terraces so guests can drink in those views. Wander down to the private beach for a paddle in the sea or explore further with an easy stroll down to the Old Town.
All the rooms and suites are impeccably styled in a warm, natural palette. Most rooms and suites have balconies, many with sweeping views along the coastline. Breakfast is a pretty big deal, not least because it's served on a fantastic terrace overlooking the sea. For lunch try Nevara, an atmospheric cave restaurant renowned for its seafood.
Rixos Premium Dubrovnik, Lapad Peninsula
Originally built in the 1970s, when Croatia hotels were going through a modernist period, upmarket waterfront hotel Rixos Premium Dubrovnik has staggered terraces down the hillside giving it a dramatic oceanfront appeal. It has an abundance of rooms, most with high ceilings, muted décor and sea views. Spend lazy days relaxing around the vast swimming pool, encased in a teak sundeck, or chill on Libertas Beach, a rocky terrace jutting out of sea with ladders down to the Adriatic's cool aquamarine waters.
Alternatively, head to the Anjana SPA, which has a traditional Turkish steam bath with hammam treatments, an indoor heated pool, and treatments using handmade oils prepared by a 700-year-old recipe from The Old Pharmacy of the Franciscan Monastery in Dubrovnik.
St Joseph's, Old Town
A Dubrovnik holiday is not all about sprawling beach resorts. For a romantic city break, consider booking into St Joseph's, a beautiful boutique hotel housed in a 16th-century stone house in the Old Town. Tucked away down a quiet lane off Stradun, the main street, this historic building has been fully restored to its original splendour with stone wall features, wood-beamed ceilings and wrought-iron staircases.
The six rooms are a delight. Decorated in serene creams and soft whites, both of which bring out the original textures of beamed wood ceilings and exposed stone walls. A fine feast of breakfast is included, Croatian continental style with pastries, pies and rich Arabic coffee, and served directly to your room.
Hotel Dubrovnik Palace
Overlooking the Elaphite Islands on the leafy Lapad peninsula, Hotel Dubrovnik Palace is a short bus ride or a scenic hour's stroll into Dubrovnik's Old Town. Spread across 10 floors, the Seventies-built hotel has been transformed into a chic and contemporary pad. Relax on the huge sun deck area with a brace of ocean-facing pools, while the large wellness area has a spa and an indoor pool with more views of the Adriatic.
Stylish rooms and suites are decorated in a warm muted palette: light taupes and navy, and most rooms have balconies and sweeping sea views. And there's little need to leave the hotel for dinner. There are four restaurants on-site, including the charming beachfront Maslina Tavern, which serves Dalmatian dishes, including their signature Fisherman's Pot, described as 'everything the sea has to offer.'
Hotel Kompas, Lapad Peninsula
Combine a chic beach holiday with some cool culture by booking into Hotel Kompas, a contemporary coastal resort which overlooks Lapad Bay. A serene escape, you can spend halcyon days relaxing by the pool or in the Energy Clinic spa and wellness centre, which has an indoor pool, experience showers and yoga classes.
The rooms have a minimalist vibe, with clean lines and cool local art. The modern terrace restaurant, shaded by pine trees and blowsy white awnings, makes a perfect start to each day – and a sundowner on the rooftop Zenith Bar ends it well too. It's four kilometres from the hustle and bustle of the Old Town, but only a short walk from Šetalište kralja Zvonimira, a lively strip lined with pavement cafés, bars and tavernas which runs down to Lapad Beach.
Sun Gardens Hotel Dubrovnik
Boasting a prime spot overlooking the sparkling Adriatic Sea, Sun Gardens Dubrovnik is a fabulous five-star resort perched on the Orasac waterfront. A true fly-and-flop holiday, there are several pools, a full-service spa, and plenty of bars and restaurants to keep you fed and watered. And when the relaxation gets too much, it's a short drive – or even better, a boat ride – over to Dubrovnik's medieval Old Town for a little bit of culture.
There are more than 200 rooms, all bright and contemporary in style, most have balconies and sea views. Our favourites are the club suites, which have dual-aspect windows and wrap-around balconies with spectacular views of the islands.
Boutique Hotel Porto
A stylish boutique hotel in with a cool urban vibe, Hotel Porto brings a modern appeal to this medieval city. Steps from Gruž harbour where local and international ferries dock, it makes a great base for exploring the islands. And for the more traditional Dubrovnik attractions, the Old Town and Sunset beach are both an easy 20-minute stroll.
There are just 36 rooms, all stylishly decorated – think soft oatmeals, cool whites and flashes of blue. While there are plenty of places to eat and drink in the buzzy Gruž neighbourhood, the restaurant offers a Mediterranean fusion menu in a sleek and stylish setting.
Hotel Stari Grad, Old Town
If it's location, location, location you're after, you simply can't beat Hotel Stari Grad in the heart of Dubrovnik Old Town. An elegant boutique hotel set within the stone walls of a 17th-century building, it has sweeping views across Dubrovnik's terracotta rooftops and out across the Adriatic Sea.
There are just eight rooms, two on each floor, and they all blend a contemporary-slash-old-school style. Breakfast is included and served in the beautiful rooftop terrace overlooking the city. After a day of pounding the polished cobblestones of Old Dubrovnik, relax in the bar or book into the Icona Thai Spa on the ground floor, which offers massage and aromatherapy treatments under a grand vaulted ceiling.
Valamar Lacroma Dubrovnik Hotel, Lapad Peninsula
Surrounded by tropical gardens dotted with palm and olive trees, this sprawling modern resort – a vision in glass, stone and wood – is great for couples and families looking for a sunny seaside break. Located on the Lapad Peninsula, Dubrovnik Old Town is only a four-kilometre taxi ride from Valamar Lacroma, however, this makes it a quieter choice away from the crowds.
Great for a week or even two, modern rooms are bright and contemporary, many feature sea or pool views and balconies. There's a generously sized spa with an indoor heated pool, steam rooms and saunas, as well as an outdoor pool and a children's splash pool. And if you don't fancy venturing out too much, dine out in Lacroma's brace of good Mediterranean restaurants.
Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik, Pile
One of the grandest places in town, the Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik is an elegant yolk-hued mansion with an air of Wes Anderson about it. Built in 1897, it was Dubrovnik's first purpose-built hotel and has seen some sights over the past century. Its most famous guests were Edward VIII and Wallace Simpson, who stayed during their Grand Tour of Europe in 1936.
Extremely well placed for all that Dubrovnik has to offer, it's a few minutes’ walk from Pile Gate and the walls of Old Town. The rooms are more contemporary than expected and decorated in a neutral palette of seaside blues and greys, many have wrought iron balconies and views over Lovrijenac Fortress. There's a small spa and an indoor pool with a glass domed roof, a lovely terrace restaurant and the grand Imperial Bar, which serves cocktails inspired by the 1890s.
Villa Orsula, Ploče
For the ultimate romantic Dubrovnik escape, look no further than Villa Orsula. Housed in a grand villa built in the 1930s, this intimate boutique hotel surrounded by fragrant pine trees is regarded as one of the best small hotels in Dubrovnik. With just 13 rooms and suites, all with arched windows, plush furnishings and complimentary treats like fresh biscuits or fruit platters, it has a warm and welcoming vibe a little like stepping into a good (and oh-so wealthy) friend's home.
The Victoria Terrace restaurant has a Peruvian restaurant: think sparkling fresh ceviches from locally caught seafood. And if you can tear yourself away from the dazzling sea views, it's a 10-minute potter down to Ploče Gate, the eastern entrance into Dubrovnik's Old Town.
Villa Dubrovnik, Ploče
Overlooking the turquoise waters of the Adriatic, this stylish villa retreat shaded by lush pine and cypress trees has some of the best views of Lokrum Island. And while the peaceful setting feels a million miles away, Villa Dubrovnik is only a 15-minute stroll into Ploče Gate and Dubrovnik Old Town.
The rooms have a mid-century modern vibe with plenty of glass, teak and muted warm tones, all have secluded terraces and sea views, while some have private hot tubs. By day, you can lounge on the staggered rocky sundecks with steps that drop into the sea for a cooling swim, or nip into the Villa Spa, with its indoor pool and waterfront terrace. As the sun sets, head up to the rooftop wine bar or dine out in Restaurant Pjerin, a romantic waterfront restaurant with views over Lokrum.
Royal Princess Hotel, Babin Kuk
With far-reaching views over the beautiful Elaphiti Islands, this swish all-suite hotel is a peaceful choice for visitors wanting to combine enjoying the historic attractions of Dubrovnik's Old Town – a short bus ride away – with some R&R by the sea.
Set in the swish Babin Kuk district on the Lapad Peninsula, the Royal Princess is part of the Importanne Resort group, a collection of hotels which share a clutch of waterfront restaurants, spas, outdoor pools and private beaches. A more intimate affair than the other properties, the 54 suites here all have a classic luxe vibe and are decorated in a warm olive and cream palette. All have private balconies, most with views towards the islands and the Old Town.
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