8 Best places to stay in Dubrovnik

Nostalgia and understated glamour await you at Dubrovnik’s oldest purpose-built hotel, opened in 1897. Its grand wood-panelled lobby has received many illustrious guests, from the worlds of politics and show biz.

A 2018 refurb has combined old-fashioned charm with contemporary comforts. Sip retro-cocktails in the stately lounge-bar, before dining on traditional Dalmatian specialties on the restaurant’s garden terrace, shaded by camphor, magnolia and palm trees.

There are 149 rooms, a basement spa with a small indoor pool, and ample business facilities. And at just a stone’s throw from Pile Gate and Dubrovnik’s medieval walls, you’re perfectly located for cultural sightseeing.

Built into steep cliffs overlooking the azure Adriatic, this minimalist white hotel was reconstructed in 2010. All 56 rooms have a contemporary design, glass-walled bathrooms with under-floor heating, and private sea-view terraces (some with Jacuzzi).

It suits sophisticated couples who want to explore Dubrovnik’s medieval historic centre, while also indulging in 21st-century luxuries – a spa with an indoor pool, a chic rooftop wine bar, and creative Mediterranean cuisine.

Enjoy a la carte breakfast on the pine-shaded restaurant terrace, swim, then slumber below a white parasol on the rocks above the sea. It’s a 15-minute walk from Dubrovnik’s old town.

Bokun occupies an old stone cottage, set in a lush garden planted with orange trees and roses, where guests breakfast at tables on a vine-covered terrace. It’s informal, welcoming and reasonably-priced, with eight basic but comfortable rooms, plus three self-catering apartments.

Guests have the use of an outdoor pool and built-in stone barbeque with a big wooden dining table. It’s run by a friendly family who’ll give you local recommendations and help arrange excursions. Ideal for local boat trips, it’s located near Gruž port, a 25-minute walk from Dubrovnik’s old town.

Originally built as a private villa in 1930’s (hence the Art Deco details), this 13-room boutique hotel treats guests like respected friends.

Set in an exquisite terraced garden, planted with orange trees, pines and fragrant lavender – from here, winding steps lead down to a bathing platform with sun-beds by the sea.

You’ll feel truly privileged, breakfasting on the vine-covered terrace, with views of Dubrovnik’s medieval walls across the water. At sunset, dine on Peruvian fusion cuisine, or sip cocktails at the garden lounge-bar, which also hosts occasional live jazz.

This is the most upmarket quarter of town, offering a unique mix of quiet streets, wonderful views of Dubrovnik and an easy ten-minute stroll into the centre of town.

Enjoying a wide seascape and stunning sunsets, at the opening to Lapad Bay, this 1970’s Brutalist concrete structure (refurbished in 2014) is built into a hillside with a series of sea-view terraces. Set in grounds graced by fragrant pines and pink-flowering oleander, it has two outdoor pools, rock-and-concrete bathing areas, and a scuba-diving centre.  

 On chilly days, retreat to the magnificent rooftop spa with an indoor sea-view pool and gym, then at dinner, feast on the Fisherman’s Pot signature dish and fine wine at the Maslina taverna. For sightseeing, a regular public bus runs to Dubrovnik’s old town. 

Built into a steep cliff overlooking the deep blue waters of Miramare Bay, with its own beach and a luxurious spa, Hotel Bellevue lies a 15-minute walk along the coast from Dubrovnik’s old town.  

Its 91 rooms and suites all have chic contemporary Mediterranean interiors and glorious sea views. There’s a fine-dining sea-view terrace restaurant, an informal seafood eatery for lunch on the beach, and a wine bar with a sommelier offering guided Croatian wine tasting. 

It’s the perfect choice for design-conscious couples, who want to combine cultural sightseeing with plenty of time for relaxation and pampering.  

This restored 16th-century historic townhouse ideally located in the Old Town, is a fine heritage stay and perfect for exploring the city and its main sights.,

The main building has six plush suites with exposed stonework, white Baroque-inspired furnishing (including cleverly hidden kitchenettes) and white marble bathrooms.

The highlight is breakfast, delivered to your room at the time of your choice by a maid – feast on platters of sliced fresh fruit and divine homemade pastries. The annex (opened in 2021) has an additional three rooms and a shared kitchen.

The welcoming concierge will fulfill your whims and wishes, including recommendations for dining, sightseeing and excursions.

One of only a handful of hotels situated inside Dubrovnik’s medieval walls, the big draw here is that everything is within walking distance – from the Rector’s Palace and Gundulic market, to the cable car up to Mount Srd.

The other x-factor is the open-air, rooftop restaurant, which gives panoramic views over the city’s patchwork of terracotta roofs. Below, the eight rooms have a chic, boutique-style feel, although some are a touch on the small side – inevitable in such an old building.

There’s a small spa, offering Thai massage for post-sightseeing pampering, and a ground floor whisky bar, but most guests settle in at the rooftop for sunset drinks. The restaurant has an inventive menu of locally-sourced produce – the lamb with sweet potato and swordfish with hummus are both excellent.