15 Best Hotels in Dubrovnik, Southern Dalmatia

Located in four restored 16th-century stone buildings near the Cathedral in the heart of the Old Town, these tastefully furnished apartments, with heavy antiques and traditional decor, are an excellent value. Each apartment consists of a single room, bathroom, and cooking facilities, while some have small balconies. There is a restaurant of the same name nearby that serves reliable traditional food and where breakfast is served to guests.

These five well-established apartments, equipped with kitchenettes, televisions, simple furniture, and basic but comfortable decor, are some of the best budget finds in the Old Town. Choose between a 600-year-old stone building high up on a quiet street or another directly above the Sponza Palace overlooking the Stradun. If you're willing to venture a little farther, opt for their Viktorija Apartments; you'll have to hike a bit out the Ploče Gate to get there but will be rewarded with a spacious apartment, a perfect view of the Old Town, and a panorama of the sea stretching out for miles beyond your balcony.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

These eclectic apartments are the best budget choice in the Old Town, just steps away from the Cathedral and the Old Port, with high ceilings, well-stocked kitchenettes, colorful furniture, and books and relics collected from all around the world. They will transport you back to old Dubrovnik, 1960s London, or wherever else the brilliant Marc Van Bloemen and his family feel like taking you with their fascinating stories. The apartments make a comfortable and affordable base to self-cater and explore the Old Town for a few days, and it doesn't hurt that the excellent Gianni café is right downstairs. Try to request Apartment #1 for stunning views of the city walls.