Best Dubrovnik hotels for style, location and value for money

Discover the best place to lay your head in this historic port city

Its sprawling cafe terraces are all the more attractive once the cruise crowds have gone for the day

(iStock)

From its shiny marble streets to rocky coves and famous filming locations, the world’s love affair with Dubrovnik shows no sign of slowing down.

Croatia’s biggest tourist attraction is filled with medieval and Renaissance walls, white stone houses and sprawling cafe terraces – and it becomes all the more attractive once the cruise crowds have gone for the day.

But whether you plan to walk the length of the city’s walls or hit the beaches of Lapad and Babin Kuk – which are situated just north of the Old Town, where life moves at an agreeably slower pace – you’ll want to find a stay that’s just as beautiful as this Croatian city.

You’re truly spoiled for choice when it comes to places to bed down in. You can opt for romantic villas that overlook the Adriatic as well as 500-year-old stone palaces that have stunning views over the clay-coloured rooftops of the Old Town. Or settle down in one of the many quiet boutique hotels found in and amongst the city’s narrow alleyways.

Game of Thrones fanatic or not, you’re sure to have an incredible time.

The best hotels in Dubrovnik are:

• Best for beaches: Dubrovnik President Valamar Collection Hotel
• Best for romance: Villa Orsula
• Best for ferry day trips: Bokun Guesthouse
• Best for arty vibes: Prijeko Palace
• Best for boutique chic: Saint Joseph’s
• Best for views: Grand Villa Argentina
• Best for families: Hotel Dubrovnik Palace
• Best for laid-back luxury: BoutiqueHotel Kazbek
• Best for convenient location: Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik

Best for beaches: Dubrovnik President Valamar Collection Hotel

Neighbourhood: Babin Kuk

The Valamar Dubrovnik President enjoys its own private beach

(Valamar Dubrovnik President)

Although it was built in the 1970s, this huge, sleek, white five star has been thoroughly modernised and has its own large stretch of pebbly beach. You also get superb sunsets and views of the Elaphiti Islands from the vast gardens, outdoor pool and most of the rooms. Just outside is the bus that takes you to the Old Town in 15-20 minutes, and you’re right by the footpath that curves around the peninsula past Cava and Copacabana beaches.

Best for romance: Villa Orsula

Neighbourhood: Ploce

The Villa Orsula is perfect for romance

(Villa Orsula)

This Art Deco villa is in a heavenly spot – overlooking the Adriatic, with the island of Lokrum in front and Dubrovnik’s city walls to the right; what a view from the sunloungers around the outdoor pool and the stone bathing platform. With only 13 rooms, the feeling is one of intimacy and discreet luxury – and it’s only a 10-minute walk from the Ploce Gate into the Old Town. Book one of the rooms with a stone balcony facing the sea.

Price: Doubles from €519 (£434)

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Best for ferry day trips: Bokun Guesthouse

Neighbourhood: Gruz

Bokun Guesthouse is an ideal base for those wishing to island-hop

(Bokun Guesthouse)

Set in a 400-year-old stone house, this family-run guesthouse is only a 10-minute bus ride to the Old Town and just yards away from the best food market in Dubrovnik. Gruz is also the place to catch ferries to nearby islands. Bokun really does feel as if you’re staying in someone’s house, with an adorable garden, a pool, and rooms and apartments kept cool with exposed stone walls.

Best for arty vibes: Prijeko Palace

Neighbourhood: Old Town

Art lovers will appreciate the idiosyncratic design at Prijeko Palace

(Prijeko Palace)

Artists have been let loose on the nine rooms in Prijeko Palace and allowed free rein in the interior design. The result is sheer stylish fun in this 500-year-old stone palace, with idiosyncratic yet comfortable interiors. You also get gorgeous views of the Old Town from the roof terrace. The hotel’s restaurant, Stara Loza, stands out among the more touristy offerings along Prijeko Street, which runs parallel to the Old Town’s main thoroughfare, Stradun.

Best for boutique chic: Saint Joseph’s

Neighbourhood: Old Town

This intimate boutique hotel has just six suites

(Saint Joseph’s)

There are only six suites in this exquisite boutique hotel in a 16th-century building on a quiet lane in the Old Town. Kitted out in classy French country style, the spacious suites all have kitchenettes if you want to do some light cooking. A sumptuous room-service breakfast is all part of the deal, and the Anglo-Croatian couple running the hotel are full of advice and tips, adding to the delightful feeling of being cocooned in utter comfort.

Best for views: Grand Villa Argentina

Neighbourhood: Ploce

The Grand Villa Argentine benefits from sublime views of the walled Old Town

(Grand Villa Argentina)

Like its neighbour Villa Orsula, the larger and more affordable Grand Villa Argentina has sublime views of the walled Old Town from its extensive gardens, pool and bathing platforms. Try to book one of the sea-facing rooms with a beautiful stone balcony for that classic Adriatic vista. There’s also a well-equipped spa with an indoor pool and a whirlpool bath.

Price: Doubles from €227 (£190)

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Best for families: Hotel Dubrovnik Palace

Neighbourhood: Lapad

The Hotel Dubrovnik Palace: ideal for families

(Hotel Dubrovnik Palace)

This huge modern hotel sits on its own peninsula near the beaches of Lapad, with its outdoor pools, bathing platforms, tennis court and gardens tumbling down the hillside towards the Adriatic. Behind are the woods and forest trails of Velika and Mala Petka Forest Park, and there’s a scuba diving centre as well as a sea-view spa. The hotel gives off a lovely sensation of being away from it all, yet the bus to the Old Town is right outside the front entrance.

Best for laid-back luxury: Boutique Hotel Kazbek

Neighbourhood: Lapad

The Hotel Kazbek has its own speedboat for guests to explore the islands close by

(Hotel Kazbek)

Facing Gruz harbour, this handsome 16th-century stone villa offers chilled-out luxury behind its stone walls. Its 13 rooms hover around the garden terraces and inviting pool, and hark back to the 19th century with brocade fabrics and dark wood. When you’re not dining in the stone-vaulted restaurant, you can take in the sea views from the terrace. If you fancy a day trip to the nearby islands, take advantage of the hotel’s speedboat, which is moored just out front in the harbour. You’re also in a good spot to take the footpath to Copacabana Beach or hop on the bus into the Old Town.

Best for convenient location: Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik

Neighbourhood: Pile

The palatial Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik

(Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik)

You can see why the Hilton is an old favourite among repeat visitors: it’s just outside the Pile Gate – one of the two entrances to the Old Town – yet it’s comfortably away from the crowds. There’s a wonderfully grand look to this palatial 19th-century hotel, with its stately cocktail bar and spacious garden terrace, as well as a spa with an indoor pool. If you don’t get a room with a balcony, try for one on the upper floors for a sea view.

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