The Most Sumptuous Hotels to Book in Dubrovnik for a Luxury Stay

Just three minutes from the Old Town’s walls, Scalini Palace is a luxury hotel in Dubrovnik that’s primed for exploring the ancient city. Set in a 16th-century stone house, each of its rooms and suites pays homage to its heritage with exposed stone walls combined with very modern interiors. If you can, opt for one of the rooms with balconies for the best views of the famed sunrises and sunsets.

Perched above Dubrovnik’s Old Town, with the azure Adriatic as its backdrop, Hotel Excelsior is nothing if not picturesque. Built as a royal villa in 1913, its rich history has seen Queen Elizabeth II and Elizabeth Taylor as guests. Now, the hotel exudes minimalist charm – pops of rose, mustard and midnight blue adorn the rooms – and there’s a gargantuan spa to get lost in as well.

Plonked near Pile Gate in the Old Town, Boutique Hotel Stari Grad dates back to the 16th century, when it was the home of a nobleman. Today, there are just eight guest rooms – kept contemporary with bursts of colour. Just across the alley is the Icona spa where Thai massages are on offer for guests, but this is only when you can pull yourself away from the hotel’s rooftop restaurant. The views across the terracotta-topped abodes are unparallelled.

With the city walls just down the road, Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik is far enough away from Old Town to escape the tourist hubbub but close enough to explore it at your leisure. The Imperial was Dubrovnik’s first purpose-built hotel when it opened in 1895. More recently, the hotel has had a very modern refurbishment – all blonde wood floors and abstract chandeliers – but many of its original features have been beautifully preserved.

Carved into a cliff face, overlooking the strikingly turquoise bay, Rixos Libertas Dubrovnik is set in a quiet area of Croatia’s largest city. Most rooms here boast sea views. When you’re not dining on Dalmatian cuisine at the hotel restaurant or relaxing in the spa, it’s best to take one of the ladders that lead directly into the crystalline waters of the Adriatic.

Minutes from the historic centre of Catvat, with views to Dubrovnik across the bay, Hotel Croatia sits neatly on a peninsula surrounded by swathes of pine trees. Its brutalist exterior makes way for welcoming, neutral rooms. Wander to one of the hotel’s beaches (yes, plural) or treat yourself to a full-body pampering in its luxury spa.

With the Elaphiti Islands peppered across the horizon, the Valamar Collection Dubrovnik President Hotel makes the most of its commanding view from the Lapad peninsula. Here, days are best spent at the private, palm-lined pebble beach or relaxing in a whirlpool at the in-house spa. Scuba diving lessons are available from the neighbouring Abyss diving centre.

Sitting pretty atop a steep cliff, Grand Villa Argentina is a luxury hotel in Dubrovnik that boasts some of the best views of the Old Town. Decor here is palatial and rooms with balconies are best to take in lungfuls of fresh sea air. Days are best spent lounging on the wicker sunbeds by the pool. For dinner, try the seafood risotto at La Caravelle Restaurant and Piano Bar.

Set in a quiet street just off the Stradun, the main thoroughfare in Dubrovnik’s Old Town, St Joseph’s is a blissful hideaway in the middle of a tourist mecca. Here, there are just six luxury suites, each with high-beamed ceilings, exposed stone walls, marble-clad bathrooms and oodles of space. Breakfast, including the signature St Joseph’s green smoothie, is served in your room.