Dubrovnik Sobe Warning
 

Just want to post a warning about obtaining a Sobe in Dubrovnik. I had a great trip traveling alone, winging-it in Croatia, but this experience was the low-light of my trip. As you will find, Dubrovnik hotels are limited and the few that there are, are 4 star + and very expensive. Do not be lured by Sobe owners waiting at the bus and ferry station in Dubrovnik. Do not make my mistake of going with an older woman with short spikey blonde hair (he may use others) to see sobes near the Pile Gate. She will bring out a big older guy (I think his name is Tony) that will be very nice in an insincere way and show you rooms. If you are a guy or with someone else, you might be ok, but if you are a single woman, he will probably make inappropriate comments. I politely turned down the rooms as I felt uncomfortable (I had confirmed there was no obligation upfront). He tried to trap me inside the building and then chased me down the street, as he hurled every conceivable insult in my direction. Not much scares me as I have traveled all over the world alone, but if it had not been the middle of the day and I wasn't able to run as fast as I did with the limited luggage I had, I worry what would have happened. If you go looking for Sobes outside the Pile gate, you will most likely be dumped on this guy, as a lot of the older ladies do not speak English and he is the 'salesman' for the area. Do not give this nut who abuses foreigners any business, even if he seems nice and you are with a group. I strongly suggest, and I know it's a pain if you have luggage, to take the bus from the ferry or main bus station to the last stop (by the Pile gate) and walk inside the Pile gate and go up and down the side streets off the Corso (the ocean side without the steep stairs!). Knock on doors that have the blue Sobe signs and see the rooms and try to only arrange in buildings run by a woman. I got a good deal in September for only 30 Euros right inside the city walls. This guy has a reputation and other sobe owners knew exactly who I was talking of. The police can't do much unfortunately.

Yikes-that is scary. Glad everything turned out okay. Just curious if you will be posting a trip report? We are going to Croatia in March, and I have been enjoying reading of others' travel highights and advice.

What a horrible story!

Thankfully we missed the sign-brandishing people you mention when we were last in Dubrovnik. We booked our sobe in advance and were fortunate that it was a lovely one. While doing research we narrowed it down to ten good ones priced under 50 euros per room (not per person). We lucked out on a lovely apartment about a block and a half from the old city, near the pounding surf.

Sessa, I would love to go to Croatia in March. To me it would be the perfect time but then I don't like heat nor do I like crowds. You are going to fall in love with the country, I'm sure.

travel2live-
We cannot wait! We actually enjoy traveling in the off-season, so I am hopeful that March will a perfect time. We have already booked a sobe in Dubrovnik and got what seems to be a great deal since it's end of winter.

My husband and I fell so in love with Croatia that we want to retire there. Seriously. It is that fabulous.

Too bad you didn't know Karate.

We'd like to visit at the end of March; best flight deal is in to Venice. Are the ferry's running? Any other idea how to get there from Venice?

The first ferry starts in april so your options are train or bus to Trieste and then bus into Croatia or bus all the way. There are several buses every day and the journey is pleasant.

Oberee1, do you have the information on the place you stayed? Or the others you researched? Thank you in advance. Shirley

Booking on-line is more of a pain than winging it... and certainly less spontaneous... but it worked out fine for me.

There are a number of websites that list a variety of rooms and apartments for rent. Here's just one example:
http://www.dubrovnik-private-accommo...i&id=index

I'd also say that anyone with any apprehension about renting private rooms can easily do so through the local tourist office. You may pay slightly more, but there is more quality control.

I luckily never had any trouble with sobe owners, but after my first trip I knew what to look for and always booked online.

After reading this post, I want to have our reservations made before arriving, but the choices for rooms/apartments are overwhelming. We don't need fancy, but would like a veranda or balcony and private bath. Would love to hear where travel2live stayed and anyone else who has a gem for 50E per night.
Have already benefited so much from your posts.
Thanks.

I stayed about 50 steps vertically UP above the Excelsior Hotel.

Really nice apartments with fantastic views - I stayed in Lukre 2 which is small, but Lukre I is much bigger. It's about 5 minutes walk to the Ploce Gate, and about 10 minutes back given the climb, but those 50 odd steps are nothing to what some people have to contend with!

Here's the links...

http://www.dubrovnik-private-accommo...=2&lang=en

http://www.dubrovnik-private-accommo...20engleski.htm

I've resurrected this old post because I'm looking for somewhere in Dubrovnik that doesn't cost and arm and a leg. I travel alone so my budget is around 50 euros. I can see that julia t and travel2live may have some suggestions. I wonder if you could pass them on?

Sure - last time we stayed just outside the old town (about a block away) in a charming apartment called Dubrovnik Dream. The room was the Ragusa Apartment with a cute little bedroom loft (also a nice double room downstairs). It was only 50 euros. Only drawback - no views. It faces onto a courtyard. However, there is a little-known (at least it appeared that way!) little bay or inlet just metres away with pounding surf and gorgeous views.

When we return to Dubrovnik we will stay there again.

Great! Many thanks. I have e mailed them and will post back!

Hi Gertie...
While I was very happy with my apartment up on the hill - the view was fantastic and all I hoped for and wanted, I think that when I return to Dubrovnik I'd like to stay in the Old Town. While I'd love the view again, I feel that as a single traveller I'd like to be more central on a future trip.

I've bookmarked this apartment as a possibility...

http://www.dubrovnik-accomodation.co...&apr=99865

Thanks Julia. I have also e mailed them though it might be a bit pricey for me. How did you find them?
Two replies in 30 minutes. Isn't Fodors wonderful!

Julia_t:

I like your description of the place you stayed in Dubrovnik--50 steps up from the Excelsior Hotel. We stayed 85 steps up from the Excelsior. When the sobe owner wrote me and told me about the steps, I foolishly replied--do you mean along the sidewalk or UP? He came down to the hotel and carried both our bags up to his apartment.
I wrote a trip report: "Thoughts on a Croatian Trip" last fall when we returned. We booked the apartment on one of the websites--they did provide many pictures. We were going to finish a tour and wanted to to be sure we had a place for three extra nights. I think I would be a bit fearful of booking as the origional poster did. My husband was against the idea, and I guess he was right. One bad apple can certainly hurt the opportunities for the other honest people trying to earn some extra $$.

Right now, I am looking to book an extra night in Istanbul in September, prior to a tour and I have gotten many good suggestions from this board. Ciao!!mhm

Just to report back. Both the places recommended by travel2live and julia t aren't available for the dates I want. I'm surprised ho difficult it is to find somewhere for 3 days in July. Any other ideas?

Gertie: July is high season and many of the places with the best marketing rent for whole weeks only. It can be tough to find apts that are affordable if you are solo.
50 euros may be tough in July/Aug. I would consider going to the tourist office upon arrival. On my first trip, I stayed in a room with private bath (sort of a minihotel) booked through Atlas Travel, and I still dream of that view. The elderly couple caretakers lived below the rooms. Just to give you an idea of what is available besides apartments or rooms in people's houses.
There are 1000s out there though, so keep searching online and you'll eventually find something.
You can find more links at
www.dubrovnik-online.com
www.dubrovnik-accomodation.com
www.dubrovnik-apartments.com
www.dubrovnik-area.com
www.adria-island.org