21 Best Hotels in Southern Dalmatia, Croatia

Locals are proud of their seafaring history in Orebić, but the Mikulić family has gone the extra mile and turned their boutique hotel—one of the most elegant, charming, and classy hotels on Pelješac—into an unofficial seafaring museum. Previously a 17th-century church and then a schoolhouse, the hotel has been tastefully decorated with relics from past ages, from ancient Greek and Roman vessels to antique binoculars. The rooms are beautifully restored, with original stone walls, soft neutral furnishings, and paintings of ships adorning the walls. The family can also organize tastings at their nearby winery.

Perched up on a steep cliff overlooking a rocky beach just under a mile from the Old Town, boutique Hotel Bellevue is a luxury property with both style and soul, thanks to the dedicated staff devoted to customer service. Rooms are effortlessly breezy and light, giving off a hip sailing vibe with crisp white-and-gray-striped linens, light wood furniture, and black-and-white artwork. Each room has a sea view, and some have balconies. Just below the hotel, a half-mile of pebble beach awaits, with a small corner reserved just for hotel guests with chairs and umbrellas available. The water is clear and calm, and there's a small cave within easy swimming distance. The hotel also has an indoor pool, spa, and two excellent restaurants.

The boutique Hotel Kazbek, located in the 16th-century home of a noble Dubrovnik family, offers five-star luxury on an intimate scale, with rooms individually decorated in classic Dubrovnik style, receptionists who know your name, and a peaceful courtyard pool that you'll never want to leave. Rooms are comfortable, tastefully designed, and welcoming, with a platter of sweets waiting at check-in, handmade furniture, king-size beds, bathtubs, and designer toiletries; opt for a room on the first floor if possible, as they have higher roofs and larger windows than rooms on the top floor. Breakfast is made-to-order at the restaurant, where you can also enjoy an excellent gourmet lunch or dinner on the shady courtyard terrace or indoors at a table in the old stone vault. The parent company of Hotel Kazbek, Pervanovo, also operates several apartments in the Old Town, as well as luxury villas.

On the seafront promenade overlooking the harbor, this hotel in a 1920s-era stone villa is one of the freshest and most stylish boutique properties in the region. Every space—from the individually decorated rooms to the wine bar on the ground floor and the peaceful rooftop terrace and pool bar—is immaculately designed with luscious colorful fabrics and a sense of fun and luxury.

This solid lodging option rises from a perfect pebble beach up a hillside overlooking the stunning bay of Lopud. Everything faces the sea, from the terraces of each room to the infinity pool to La Baja Restaurant (one of eight bars and restaurants on-site), where you can have a breezy lunch on the terrace. Elsewhere around the large but manageable property, the on-site Waterhill Wellness Spa is a sanctuary with its Turkish hammam and saunas, infinity Jacuzzi, and outdoor whirlpools. There are hiking trails that start right outside the hotel, and there's no better way to finish an afternoon than with a leisurely stroll along the promenade to the pastry shop to grab a gelato and watch the bright red sunset. Private transfers can be arranged directly from Dubrovnik Airport (€120 for up to four people).

A cluster of stone buildings seamlessly woven into the fabric of the Old Town, this 18th-century palace has been thoughtfully restored into six luxury residences, each its own unique creation that pays subtle homage to stops along Marco Polo's silk route. Lešić Dimitri Palace is more than a hotel; it's a night in an Arabian desert, a bath surrounded by the grandeur of old Venice, or a night sleeping amid the soft textiles of South Asia. Breakfast is served at the on-site Michelin-starred LD Restaurant, where you can also enjoy a lunch or dinner tasting menu prepared by chef Marko Gajski and one of the most stunning seaside locations on the island. With a spa offering Thai and Ayurvedic yoga massages, private sailboats for rent, excursions aboard a traditional wooden boat, and five-star service throughout the property, Lešić Dimitri offers unmatched richness and luxury.

This wonderful property just steps from sandy Saplunara Beach is relaxation at its best, thanks to its light, airy, and spacious rooms, infinity pool, and superb restaurant. Each room is uniquely designed with floral accents and soft furnishings, some with kitchenettes, private balconies, and sea views. The warm and attentive owners will help plan your activities on the island.

Occupying a beautifully restored 17th-century Renaissance-style palace on Gundulić Square, The Pucić Palace stands out for the warm personal service you'll receive; returning here after a busy day in the city really feels like a welcome home. The design is impeccable—think dark wood parquet floors and high wood-beam ceilings, antique furnishings, Italian mosaic-tile bathrooms with freestanding copper tubs, and luxury toiletries. Some rooms have a balcony overlooking the square, offering a perfect vantage point over the morning market, outdoor terraces, and the Jesuit Steps. There are two restaurants on-site: the fine-dining Restaurant Magdalena and the more casual Restaurant Lucijan on Gundulić Square.

Located on a quiet street just a five-minute walk from Gruž Harbor, this welcoming hotel run by a Croatian-Australian family is one of the best value properties in town and makes a comfortable and convenient base for exploring Dubrovnik and the surrounding areas. Rooms are stylish and well-equipped with designer toiletries, while rooms on the upper floors feature large terraces with sweeping harbor views. There is a small spa, pool, and jacuzzi on-site, and the included breakfast will keep you going all day.

The Grand Hotel Imperial was Dubrovnik's first modern hotel when it opened in 1897, and through the years it has played a part in the city's most memorable events, attracting high-class visitors from Viennese counts to King Edward VII and Wallis Simpson, who danced in the garden in 1936. Its acquisition by Hilton in 2005 restored its former glory after it was targeted by shelling in 1991 and 1992; today, it blends 19th-century charm with luxurious modern facilities and offers a tranquil ambience and unparalleled views over the Old Town and Fort Lovrijenac. Rooms are decorated in shades of breezy white and teal, with marble bathrooms stocked with designer toiletries. Other hotel facilities include a small indoor pool, spa, gym, executive lounge, restaurant, and two lounge bars serving throwback 19th-century cocktails. If you can request Room 427, it's worth the splurge for a jaw-dropping view of the city walls.

One of the most welcoming, peaceful, and relaxing hotels in the region, Hotel Božica on Šipan makes a great base for exploring the Elafiti Islands and beyond. Rooms are cozy and warmly decorated and there's a lovely infinity pool and a private beach. Bikes and kayaks are also available to rent. BOWA restaurant is nearby, as is the port and sleepy village of Suđurađ, where you'll find a couple of cafés.

This spot offers a pleasant and comfortable stay right in the center of town. Rooms are tastefully decorated, and there is a wonderful rooftop infinity pool with views of Tiha Bay. Breakfast is served at the restaurant below, located right on the promenade just steps away from the beach.

Sprawling across its own rocky pine-studded peninsula, with quiet walking trails weaving through the property, this vast hotel offers guests the chance to find their own place in the sun or shade, seemingly miles away from the rest of the world. A 10-minute walk west of the town center, it has modern, softly furnished rooms, each with a balcony or terrace, five restaurants, indoor and outdoor saltwater pools, and some of Cavtat's best swimming spots (including a nude beach). There are five restaurants and bars on-site, including the Steakhouse Restaurant and seafood-centric Spinaker Restaurant, as well as a couple of bars and a buffet where breakfast and dinner are served.

Located at a secluded tip of the Lapad peninsula, this vast five-star hotel is a destination in itself with a private rocky beach, indoor and outdoor pools, a spa, tennis courts, a PADI dive shop, and four on-site restaurants. The rooms have a classy contemporary design, decorated in elm wood trim and soft subtle furnishings. Each room has a balcony and floor-to-ceiling windows, affording some of the best sunset views in the city. The hotel is a fair distance from the rest of the city; you can walk to Lapad, but you'll need to take a taxi or Uber to the Old Town; a public bus does stop just outside the hotel—ask the concierge for the timetable.

On the coastal road east of the center, this iconic hotel was the first five-star property in Dubrovnik, dating back to 1913—everyone from Queen Elizabeth II to Francis Ford Coppola has come to stay. Today, the prestigious Excelsior is not only one of the most historic properties in the city, but also one of its most chic, with rooms elegantly furnished in granite gray, pops of yellow and light wood trim, abstract photos of Dubrovnik adorning the walls, and sleek black balconies overlooking the sea. There is a wonderful indoor pool, a private beach, three restaurants, and a piano bar with a comfy lounge and unparalleled views of the Old Town.

Rising from a seaside walkway up a forested cliff just a few minutes walk from the beaches and restaurants of Lapad, this affordable five-star property boasts a peaceful seaside location, superb sunbathing and swimming right off the rocks, and the city's most unique venue for a cocktail. Rooms are decorated in fresh marine-inspired blues and whites, with classy wood and marble furnishings; most have a balcony with a view of the sea. There are two swimming pools, two restaurants, a pastry bar, and Cave Bar More located on-site. The only downside to the hotel is that it's spread out between two different buildings, and you'll spend a lot of time trying to figure out which elevator you need to take, sometimes even having to walk through the parking garage. But the price, proximity to Lapad, and otherwise superb facilities make up for it.

Located in the village of Pomena, just a 15-minute walk from the lakes, the Odisej's main appeal is its proximity to the national park. The rooms are basic but comfortable and there are excellent sports facilities nearby, including a scuba-diving school and a small marina, plus bicycles, kayaks, and canoes to rent. Their waterfront terrace is a great place to sit and watch the quiet life of Mljet go by.

Perched on a wild remote hill surrounded by olive trees, bougainvillea, and Mediterranean plants in a hamlet near Brsečine, 17 km (10 miles) up the coast from Dubrovnik, you'll find one of the sleekest boutique hotels in the region. Its immaculate Croatian-designed aesthetic—concrete, glass, and jet-black walls complemented by light wood, natural materials, and soft carpeting—belie the fact that this is actually a family-run hotel, and their warm personalized service is one of the greatest advantages of a stay. Choose between premium and deluxe rooms, or if you're in a larger group, the Deluxe Suite is more like a private villa with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, kitchen facilities, and its own outdoor pool. The hotel has panoramic sea views out to the Elafiti Islands from every space, indoor and outdoor pools, an on-site spa, and an ambience so quiet you'll forget you're anywhere near one of the busiest cities in the world. It's located just off the main coastal road to Dubrovnik, and there are a few points of interest nearby, including the Sun Gardens, Trsteno Arboretum, and the jumping-off harbor to BOWA.

Exuding old-fashioned charm, this became the island's first hotel when it opened in 1912 and has hosted the likes of Jackie Kennedy, Sophia Loren, and Wallis Simpson. It is located just outside the Korčula Town walls and the highlight is the delightfully shady harborfront terrace bar, one of the best spots in town to spend an afternoon. Rooms have a vintage feel, with chandeliers and tasteful decor, and some have balconies overlooking the harbor.

This fantastical property in the center of the Old Town merges an impeccably restored 15th-century palace with a modern art gallery; each room was created by a different artist with explosions of color and photography, Murano chandeliers, collages, lavish prints, and everything draped in silk. The Superior Room features an original balcony overlooking Prijeko Street, draped with a 250-year-old grapevine. Double rooms are equipped with small kitchenettes and Nespresso machines. Every corner of the hotel features another unique piece of art so you'll want to go for a wander before heading into the on-site restaurant, Stara Loza, one of the best in town with one of the only rooftop terraces.

A prime location right beside the city walls makes up for the basic facilities at this family-run hotel. Consider it your home base for all things Mali Ston; the same family also operates Ston's famous salt pans, and you can buy souvenir bags in the restaurant. The whole place could use a refresh, but the staff is friendly and helpful and it makes a welcoming and practical base.