by Jane Foster, The Telegraph, May 26, 2017
A neighbourhood guide to the best areas to stay in Dubrovnik, as chosen by our resident expert, including the top hotels on the Lapad peninsula, around Gruž port and in the Old Town, Ploče, Mlini and Srebreno Bay.
Dubrovnik Old Town
Romantic and otherworldly, Dubrovnik's pedestrian-only Old Town lies within medieval fortifications. You might recognise it – Game of Thrones and Robin Hood: Origins were both filmed here. Its paved streets are lined by aristocratic stone palazzi, secretive monasteries and grand Baroque churches. It's magical after dark, with restaurants and cafés serving glamorous clientele at candlelit tables. But it does get overcrowded in summer, when music and banter fill the air beyond midnight.
Where to stay
Pucić Palace Dubrovnik, Croatia
8Telegraph expert rating
This five-star boutique hotel in the medieval old town of Dubrovnik offers antique furnishings, two motorboats for private excursions and free use of nearby sunbeds at the nearby Banje beach club. Small and refined, and you’ll sleep like a lord. Read expert review. From £103 per night. Check availability. Rates provided by Booking.com.
St. Joseph's Dubrovnik, Croatia
9Telegraph expert rating
In a beautifully restored 16th-century stone building in Dubrovnik’s pedestrian-only old town. This lovely boutique hotel attracts discerning couples on a romantic city break, in search of a chic but unpretentious retreat, offering sightseeing and a measure of independence (each suite comes with a kitchenette). Read expert review. From £293 per night. Check availability. Rates provided by Booking.com.
Fresh* Sheets Kathedral Bed and Breakfast Dubrovnik, Croatia
8Telegraph expert rating
This chic guesthouse within Dubrovnik's medieval walls, behind the Cathedral, occupies the second floor of a 17th-century stone building. There are six tastefully-decorated guest rooms and a communal kitchen, for guests' use. Expect a warm homely atmosphere and highly-personalised service. Read expert review. From £67 per night. Check availability. Rates provided by Booking.com.
• The best hotels in Dubrovnik
• View our best luxury cruises in Croatia
Ploče
Named after the Old Town's southern entrance, Ploče Gate, this neighbourhood lies on the coast, immediately south of the city walls. Here, on Frano Supilo street, you'll find Dubrovnik's oldest and most prestigious hotels, looking over the deep blue Adriatic towards Lokrum islet, and also capturing magnificent views of Dubrovnik's fortifications, floodlit at night. Backed by the steep and rocky Mt Srdj, Ploče lies between trendy Banje beach and Sveti Jakov pebble cove.
Villa Orsula, housed in a white stone villa dating from 1939, is a truly romantic retreat.
Where to stay
Villa Dubrovnik Dubrovnik, Croatia
8Telegraph expert rating
A sophisticated but relaxed five-star retreat in Dubrovnik with a spa and indoor pool that looks out onto the turquoise Adriatic. Built into a cliff, the sea views are out of this world: rooms have private terraces and there’s a terrific rooftop bar. Expensive, but worth it. Read expert review. From £501 per night. Check availability. Rates provided by Booking.com.
Villa Orsula Dubrovnik, Croatia
9Telegraph expert rating
This boutique hotel, housed in a white stone villa dating from 1939, is a truly romantic retreat. Ideal for couples, it offers discreet luxury and impeccable service. There are just 13 rooms, plus a chic restaurant serving Peruvian cuisine with tables on a vine-draped terrace affording sublime sea views. Read expert review. From £346 per night. Check availability. Rates provided by Booking.com.
Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik, Croatia
8Telegraph expert rating
The main pulls are the fantastic sea views and proximity to Dubrovnik's medieval-walled Old Town, visible across the water. While the modern wing is a little garish — think lots of mirrored glass — don't be put off by the exterior. Read expert review. From £134 per night. Check availability. Rates provided by Booking.com.
• The best beach hotels in Dubrovnik
• View our best luxury holidays in Croatia
Lapad Peninsula
The rise of commercial tourism in the 1970s saw the construction of several big modern concrete waterside hotels, with decent sports facilities, on Lapad Peninsula. Recently renovated, the best ones are in the Babin Kuk area, or overlook Lapad Bay, a sheltered west-facing inlet, with a pebble beach, 3.5km (2 miles) northwest of Dubrovnik's Old Town. Lapad is a good choice for those who want to combine cultural sightseeing and total relaxation.
Hotel Dubrovnik Palace is a luxury waterside hotel on Dubrovnik's Lapad peninsula.
Where to stay
Hotel Kompas Dubrovnik Dubrovnik, Croatia
9Telegraph expert rating
In a sheltered bay on Lapad peninsula, close to Dubrovnik's old town, Hotel Kompas opened in August 2015 following total reconstruction. The minimalist all-white interiors have contemporary furnishing and fantastic sea views. There are 173 rooms, an outdoor pool, a spa, and a big restaurant with a waterside terrace. Read expert review. From £78 per night. Check availability. Rates provided by Booking.com.
Hotel Dubrovnik Palace Dubrovnik, Croatia
8Telegraph expert rating
Luxury waterside hotel on Dubrovnik's Lapad peninsula. It has 308 rooms with contemporary décor, a rock-and-concrete beach with a scuba diving centre, two outdoor pools, a spa with an indoor pool, and a tennis court. It's a perfect base for combining seaside relaxation and cultural sightseeing. Read expert review. From £78 per night. Check availability. Rates provided by Booking.com.
Hotel More Dubrovnik, Croatia
8Telegraph expert rating
Built into the hillside overlooking Lapad Bay, this hotel has 47 rooms, a lovely sea view terrace restaurant where breakfast is served, a mini wellness centre and a small outdoor pool. The highlight is the romantic underground Cave Bar. It's a 15-minute bus ride from Dubrovnik's medieval Old Town. Read expert review. From £74 per night. Check availability. Rates provided by.Booking.com.
• The best boutique hotels in Dubrovnik
Gruž
Gruž lies 3km (1.8 miles) northwest of Dubrovnik's Old Town. The port for ferries to the nearby Elaphiti islets, Mljet and Korčula, as well as the docking area for cruise ships can be found here. The sheltered bay and Orsan sailing marina, located between Gruž and Lapad peninsula, is currently undergoing extension – but it's bound to become increasingly popular with yacht owners and charter companies, and several nice little restaurants and wine bars have recently opened.
Hotel Kazbek occupies a 16th-century stone villa on Dubrovnik's Lapad peninsula, overlooking Gruž Bay.
Where to stay
Hotel Kazbek Dubrovnik, Croatia
8Telegraph expert rating
A sedate five-star boutique hotel occupying a 16th-century stone villa on Dubrovnik's Lapad peninsula, overlooking Gruž Bay. Set in a walled garden with a pool, the hotel is popular with couples looking for a special hideaway and it's also possible to rent the entire complex for exclusive use. Read expert review. From £65 per night. Check availability. Rates provided by Booking.com.
Berkeley Hotel Dubrovnik, Croatia
8Telegraph expert rating
An easy-going Dubrovnik hotel that puts on an excellent buffet breakfast, one block back from Gruž harbour. There’s a hotel motorboat, available for private excursions to the nearby Elafiti islands, and an outdoor heated pool, whirlpool tub, bar and deck with sunbeds. Read expert review. From £41 per night. Check availability. Rates provided by Booking.com.
Bokun Guesthouse Dubrovnik, Croatia
8Telegraph expert rating
A family-run guesthouse hidden away in a wonderful lush walled garden, close to Gruž port, a 25-minute walk from Dubrovnik's Old Town. Occupying a centuries-old stone farmhouse, it has eight rooms and three apartments, an outdoor pool, and a gorgeous vine-draped terrace where breakfast is served. Read expert review. From £56 per night. Check availability. Rates provided by Booking.com.
• The most romantic hotels in Dubrovnik
Mlini and Srebreno Bay
A sheltered turquoise cove, rimmed by pebble beaches and pine trees, and backed by rugged mountains, Srebreno Bay offers an escape from touristy Dubrovnik. Mlini, the village above Srebreno, is 10km (6 miles) southeast of the Old Town (served by local buses and excursion boats). It's ideal for visitors who want to swim and sunbathe, away from the crowds, and make occasional sightseeing trips. Several big new resorts are under construction here.
Hotel Mlini is ideally positioned, overlooking a turquoise cove with a pebble beach.
Where to stay
Hotel Mlini Mlini, Dubrovnik, Croatia
8Telegraph expert rating
Ideally positioned, overlooking a turquoise cove with a pebble beach, 10 minutes from Dubrovnik by car. The chic interior design, by London architects Scott Brownrigg, draws inspiration from the blues and greens of Dalmatia, giving the 85 rooms and restaurant a fresh and easy-going seaside atmosphere. Read expert review. From £86 per night. Check availability. Rates provided by Booking.com.
Sheraton Dubrovnik Riviera Hotel Srebreno, Dubrovnik, Croatia
8Telegraph expert rating
In a secluded bay six kilometres from Dubrovnik, the Sheraton is located between the airport and the old town. It is ideal for business travellers who come for conferences, and families who enjoy the beach, outdoor pool and spa. It has 250 spacious rooms and several stylish bars and restaurants. Read expert review. From £70 per night. Check availability. Rates provided by Booking.com.
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