Where to Stay in Dubrovnik for a Local Experience

Sitting high above Lapad Bay, with striking views across to the Elaphiti Islands, Hotel Adria places itself at the top of the pile for the best vistas in Dubrovnik. Rooms are modern and light-filled, while its restaurant serves Dalmatian cuisine to the backdrop of Gruz Bay. Be sure to head to the outdoor pool at sunset for a cooling dip with postcard-perfect views.

Just a short walk from Pile Gate in the Old Town, the 16th-century Boutique Hotel Stari Grad was once the home of a local nobleman. Today, the hotel creates an intimate feel with its eight beautifully designed guest rooms. After sipping on a cocktail at the lobby bar, book in for a sunset dinner at the rooftop terrace for views across the terracotta-topped abodes.

Moments from the Old Town, Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik was the city’s first purpose-built hotel when it opened in 1895. Behind its vibrant facade, many of its original features (like its sweeping staircase and stone columns) have been beautifully preserved. For when the Croatian heat gets a bit too much, there’s an indoor pool or, if you fancy a short walk, the ’grammable Šulić beach is just around the corner.

Fringed by expansive gardens that burst with fragrant lemon and orange trees, Grand Villa Argentina sits at the base of an ancient pine forest. Just a 10-minute walk from Old Town (best seen from the wicker sun beds by the pool), rooms here are spacious, many with lovely balconies to take in the famed Croatian sunshine. Be sure to make a reservation at the on-site La Caravelle Restaurant & Piano Bar to dine on seafood under the stars.

Nestled along a quiet street just off the Stradun, the main thoroughfare in Dubrovnik’s Old Town, St Joseph’s is a quaint family-run hotel with just six suites. The owners grew up in the area, so be sure to ask them for restaurant recommendations, private guided tours of the city or see if they can arrange a day trip to nearby islands for you.

Flanking the pebbly Uvala Lapad Beach, Villa Wolff is a boutique hotel neatly placed by the sea. With just three rooms and three suites, it’s ideal for a romantic getaway. The intimate, beachfront Casa Restaurant is one of the best in the area, serving a blend of Dalmatian and Mediterrannean cuisine – think fresh oysters, octopus carpaccio and prosciutto with white truffle.

Perched neatly above Lapad Bay, the Royal Palm Hotel is a quiet oasis with unparalleled sea views. Rooms are light-filled and neutral-hued, but it’s Restaurant Zoe that draws a crowd. Here, local seafood is served alfresco – be sure to time your reservation with the sunset to watch the sky turn pink over the sea.

With a storied history (it was built as a summer residence for Zamagna, one of Dubrovnik’s noble families), today Hotel Kazbek is housed in the 16th-century villa overlooking Gruz Bay. Each of the 12 rooms and one suite are individually decorated – think exposed beams and opulent furnishings. Croatian fare is on the menu here and dinner can be served in the courtyard terrace or the old stone vault.

Just outside of Dubrovnik Old Town, carved into a rugged cliffside, Hotel Bellevue Dubrovnik sits above a pebbled beach. Rooms here are palatial, many with a private balcony to make the most of the Dalmatian coastline vistas. Lunch is best served at the romantic beachfront restaurant, Vapor, where you can dine with your other half on local seafood and meat dishes.

Despite its sprawling views across Lapad Bay and prime sunset positioning, Hotel More is, perhaps, best known for its Cave Bar More. Exactly what it says on the tin, this is a bar set in a cave where you can sip on everything from champagne to cognac. When you’re not enjoying a tipple, head to the private bathing area with direct access to the azure Adriatic.