I can't help with hotels as we stayed in an apartment. I would try to find a hotel a short walk to either of the old city gates.

I would not pay that for the Hilton.....we were only at the Hilton to pick up a car but thought it was a pretty standard big hotel without charm.

flygirl, you may want to look for reviews on trip advisor in the B & B category. Croatia seemed to have many more of those than hotels. You may find something with good reviews inside the walls which would make for a very easy walk to the Hilton and might be quite a cost savings.

It's very common in Croatia to stay at in "Sobe" (private rooms) instead of hotels. These usually have private access and private bathrooms. Some of them are more like low-frills B&Bs.

The Hilton Imperial is adjacent to the Pile Gate of the old town of Dubrovnik. In 2009, I stayed in a Soba almost across the street from the Hilton, in the little neighborhood there near the Pile Gate. The place I stayed was called Edi's Sea View Rooms. Not all the rooms have views, and the place is clean but not all that nice - very basic but very adequate for me. I had a small room with a double bed and a private bathroom. (You can find Edi's easily by googling, it's in the hostel booking sites.) I would stay there again, but I felt it slightly overpriced for what it was (but still far cheaper than the Hilton.) There are several other Sobe nearby - just look for something near Pile Gate so you'll be close to the hotel.

Flygirl...

It's been a while since I was in Dubrovnik, 2006 to be exact, but I stayed for about 5 nights in a sobe called Villa Ragusa which is inside the old town walls.

The rooms are not spacious, I stayed in a single and there was shared bath, but the friend I was traveling with booked the other single, so we had the floor with the 2 singles and shared bath to ourselves. I think the double rooms have ensuite baths if you want to consider booking that.

The entire building is a sobe with about 5 rooms, after we checked in we had a key to the front door so we could come and go as we liked, so in this respect it is much more like an apartment. The price was extemely reasonable, I think back when I was there I paid 30 or 40 euro a night, not sure if prices have increased in 6 years!

There really is no view and there is no balcony, but it was very clean the the owner, Peter was as nice as could be.

A few years ago, a friend and I were supposed to stay a couple of days in Dubrovnik before going out to the islands. She made it, but I didn't and we went to Hvar the moment I got to Dubrovnik. Believe this is the place that she stayed in while waiting for me:

http://www.apartments-maslac.com/

This is where we stayed....just looked at the website and it is unclear whether the rooms rent just for one night, but worth looking into. I know we paid 50 Euro/night when we were there...not opulent but adequate with incredible views from the terrace! http://www.villa-adriatica.net/html/accommodation.html

Personally, I would not stay inside the town walls for such a short stay when I'll need to be at the Hilton early the next morning. I'd stay near Pile Gate which is where the Hilton is, so I could walk there quickly in the morning. Should be cheaper to stay near Pile outside than inside, too.

I did considerable research when we visited Dubrovnik several years ago and decided on the Hotel Bellevue. Our driver ( not associated with the hotel) also told us it was the best in town. We loved it. Every room has a sea view with balconey. The place is absolutely wonderful, one of the best places we've stayed. It's an easy and scenic 10 minute walk into town.After loking at other options once in Dubrovnik, we knew we had made the right decision. If your pocket book allows,this IMO is the best in Dubrovnik. Highly recommend.

www.hotel-bellevue.hr

Good afternoon everyone!

Thank you so much for the replies. I did a lot of research this past 24 hours and in the end just decided to go with what was easy: one of the ones Backroads suggested.

In Dubrovnik, my hotel will be the Stari Grad. It looks very nice. 240E a night for a double room (no singles left).

In Split, where we end our trip, I have two nights at the Hotel Marmont at 199E a night.

Backroads actually suggested a few hotels "in" Diocletian's Palace (not sure how that works) and had I arranged the hotels earlier I would have been able to get a room. My friends who are going were able to do so.

Thanks again everyone, I will have a trip report in late September now! (or at least photos...)

99 steps up from the Hilton is where we stayed three nights at the apartments owned by Jadranka Benussi. She was very nice, and we (two couples) enjoyed our stay there quite a bit.

http://www.adriatic-home.com/Croatia/Dubrovnik/Pile-i-Kono/Apartments-BENUSSI-5704

http://www.travelswithmaitaitom.com/Tom_%26_Tracy_Home/Central_Europe_%26_Venice_2008/Entries/2008/6/5_Chapter_Eleven__Dubrovnik_%26_The_Buza_Bar.html

I see you have already booked a hotel, but here is a better website for the apartment in case you want to check it out. Have fun at the Buza Bar!

http://www.dubrovnik-benussi.com/