4 Best Hotels in Southern Dalmatia, Croatia

Set on 54 acres of sprawling gardens in Orašac—a tiny settlement 11 km (7 miles) up the coast from Dubrovnik—Sun Gardens is the best value resort in the region and a rare property that manages to never feel overwhelming despite its large size. It comes with killer views from every room, renowned spa facilities, a long private beach, and three seafront pools. It's ideal for families, with two children's pools, a terrific kids' club, and a pebble beach perfect for tiny feet, but it's equally attractive for adults looking for a relaxing vacation, with 16 restaurants and bars to choose from, excellent spa and sports facilities, an adults-only pool, and nightly entertainment. Club-level rooms and suites come with welcome bottles of wine and canapés, luxury Salvatore Ferragamo toiletries, and access to a private lounge with an open bar and afternoon tea. It's worth the upgrade to Club level for the breakfast alone, which is served on an exclusive rooftop terrace where the chef whips up stunning à la carte dishes made with premium ingredients like oysters and foie gras. Public buses travel hourly to Dubrovnik, or the hotel can organize a shuttle bus or, better yet, a shuttle boat to Dubrovnik.

Set on a pebbly beach a 10-minute walk from the center of Orebić, this resort is a perfect base for the whole family. The kids can run wild at the pool and on the beach while the adults enjoy pleasant facilities such as a generous buffet, lounge bar, all-inclusive options, and evening entertainment. The rooms are simple but smartly decorated and spacious; most have sea views.

Situated in the middle of the island near the peaceful village of Brna, this resort 32 km (20 miles) southwest of Korčula Town is a perfect base for mountain biking to pristine beaches and viewpoints, visiting wineries in nearby Smokvica, or just lying on a lounger and gazing at the sea. With breezy modern rooms, two lovely restaurants, a small pool, and a wide stretch of beach, this is an ideal place to get away from it all. The half-board package is an excellent value, especially since there are not many restaurants nearby and the buffet is substantial.

This large five-star property spills down a rugged cliff between Lapad and the Old Town, and it makes excellent use of its space with three restaurants, libraries to browse, Ping-Pong and pool tables, a huge outdoor pool and sundeck beside the private beach, and a fantastic spa that includes a full-size Turkish hammam, salt room, and even an igloo. It is located a short drive away from the Old Town, Lapad, and Gruž, so it makes a good base from which to explore the rest of town; there is also a car-rental agency on-site so it makes a smart start or end point for a road trip. A delightful varied breakfast is included and half-board options are available. The Rixos also offers heavy discounts through the off-season, and its fabulous indoor facilities make it a great option for a winter getaway.