Dubrovnik hotels

This is Dubrovnik’s original grande dame hotel. Opened in 1897, it drew in travellers from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, who came by steamship to spend winter weeks here by the sea.

I love the sense of history here. It’s known locally as “a hotel which remembers much”: Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson danced in the garden in 1936, while refugees sheltered here during the Homeland War of the 1990s when it was severely damaged.

But it was renovated in 2018 by Hilton, who have done a good job. The colourful balcony railings have been preserved, along with the original staircase and cornice ceilings. Abstract paintings and a blue-and-grey decor give it a contemporary twist.

Times have changed but it’s easy to time-travel back, lounging on the terrace and sipping a Victorian-era cocktail at the bar. This is one of the best hotels in Dubrovnik for atmosphere and old-school glamour.

Prijeko Palace is an Old Town hotel set inside a 15th-century palace. To make it even more special each bedroom is designed by a different Croatian artist. There is a sense of theatrical grandeur with original paintings and photography from the artists, along with quirky details such as dressmaker’s dummies decorated with jewellery.

How much you like each room depends on what you make of the artwork. The pink-toned Kramaríc room, for instance, was curated by a Dubrovnik artist of the same name, who has her studio nearby. My favourite is the Trnski one, with its antique bed and writing desk, and a balcony over the street for people-watching.

But it’s also one of the best hotels in Dubrovnik for its food. The Stara Loza restaurant is spread across three levels, with a street-facing terrace, third-floor restaurant and a rooftop terrace – don’t miss the cuttlefish black risotto.

It has a lot of competition, but I think this is one of the best hotels in Dubrovnik for sea views. Particularly at sunset, when you stand by the pool looking out towards the Elafiti Islands, the waves crashing on the rocks below.

The hotel is set on the pine-covered Lapad peninsula just outside the main town, with 10 floors descending down (so you need to press down not up for your room in the lift, which takes some getting used to!) It’s a bit like a smart cruise ship, with little terraces on the bedrooms – all clear-cut, contemporary spaces with large abstract prints – and panoramic views from the restaurant and top-floor bar.

It’s good for families (lots of rooms inter-connect), though the pool bar draws in couples who like to dawdle all day, dipping in and out of the water. The PADI team are very friendly if you fancy diving.