Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik

Style

Historic heavyweight

Setting

Overlooking the Old Town

If you spent your entire stay at Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik with eyes a-glue to the lobby views, we wouldn’t blame you: behold the Old Town and the Adriatic. Other items worth gawping at in wonder include the rocky beach with its sun-beds and city views, the debonair staff in their ink-black uniforms and preppy polo shirts, and Excelsior’s on-the-money mish-mash of old and new, which spans a historic villa, a modern Tower, concrete floors, pops of colour and bold sea-green and blue velvet furniture.

Facilities

Rooms

A total of 158, including 19 suites.

Checkout

Noon; earliest check-in, 2pm.

More Details

Rates usually include breakfast (pick from Continental, American, buffet and à la carte options).

Also

Architecturally speaking, this hotel has something of a split personality: there’s the handsome historic section, Villa Odak, which dates back to 1913, and the modern – but equally majestic – Tower.

Fitness Center

Free Internet Access

Laundry

On-Site Restaurant

Room Service

Spa

At the Hotel

Beach (rocky, not sandy); spa; hairdresser; fitness centre; gift shop; free WiFi throughout. In rooms: TV, free WiFi, desk, air conditioning, minibar, tea- and coffee-making facilities, black-out curtain and Natura Bissé bath products.

Our Favourite Rooms

We love the Superior Rooms set in the historic Villa Odak, especially number 208, which has high ceilings, a ravishing terrace, an antique carpet and a bath tub with an overhead shower. This room is dangerously romantic (you might put a ring on it, if you haven’t already).

Poolside

Rub your flippers together with glee, mermaids and mermen: not only does the hotel has a heated indoor pool, but the Adriatic is right on its doorstep (you'll need to walk down the coast a little if you want a sandy beach). Guests do get access to the hotel's rocky beach, which has daybeds and a delightful beach restaurant.

Spa

Even indecisive Smiths can expect to enjoy decision-making at Excelsior’s spa, which goes a little something like this: Jacuzzi whirlpool first, or begin with the steam- or Roman baths? Soak up the intense heat of the Finnish sauna, or succumb to a massage by an expert wielding Sisley products? There’s an air-conditioned gym too, but we really don’t expect you to use it.

Packing Tips

Bring deck shoes, diamonds and an appetite for seafood.

Also

The hotel has a hairdresser and an on-site gift shop, should you need your barnet beautifying or a little something for the folks back home...

Children

Little Smiths are welcome (water-babies will love it here). Families can request interconnecting rooms and there are lifts, so no buggy-lugging is required.

Gallery

Food & Drink

Top Table

Work out your favourite view and pick accordingly (tables outside win hands down, in our book).

Dress Code

Deck shoes and diamonds for Sensus; ‘kini and cover-ups (or the male equivalent) for Prora.

Hotel Restaurant

Fall hook, line and sinker for Excelsior’s three brilliant restaurants. Salin Restaurant serves breakfast on a dreamy terrace; landlubbers will also love elegant Sensus, where you can spy on the chefs in the open kitchen, or nab tables on the terrace and soak up the cityscapes. The clever chef hails from southern Croatia and knows his way around local ingredients: toothsome lobster comes with home-made pappardelle, baby tomatoes, olives and pepperoncini; sea scallops are served with Romesco pesto, courgette, spaghetti, white wine and a zingy pink-grapefruit sabayon. There’s also a beachside restaurant called Prora, which comes with knee-weakening views. Unless you’re cursed with a seafood allergy (poor thing), do not bypass the local oysters – they’re famous for good reason. The just-plucked-from-the-waves fish is another obvious highlight.

Hotel Bar

Laid-back Abakus Piano Bar is sitting pretty on the ground floor, with spectacular views: come for sunset and stay put until your thirst is quenched (or your shoulders shiver). Live music performances are hosted here throughout summer; resident DJs also take to the decks. Don’t miss the interesting Croatian wines, especially the moreish white. (Add light bites from the bar if you’re peckish.)

Last Orders

Sensus and Prora are open until 11pm; breakfast is served at Salin til 10.30am.

Room Service

Rejoice, nocturnal nibblers: you can order treats to your room 24/7. The menu includes breakfast options, salads and other snacks.

Planes

Dubrovnik airport is a half-hour drive away and hotel transfers are €70 each way.

Automobiles

Smith24 can sort your car hire from Dubrovnik airport. Free parking is available at the hotel; plenty of parking spaces await. If you're travelling through Croatia, Split is a three-hour drive away.

Worth Getting Out of Bed For

Start with what’s just beyond your bedroom: splash in the sea and top up your tan on Excelsior’s rocky beach. Visit the spa for some Sisley-product pampering before hitting the beachside restaurant. Toast the sunset with ice-cold drinks at the bar; you might get to watch a band play or a DJ work the decks. The hotel can arrange guided Old Town tours, which last two hours and end on a high with wine or cocktails at the top of Srđ Hill (accessed by a cable car), while enjoying Dubrovnik’s panoramas. Join a tour that takes in the neighbouring wine region and oyster farms, where you can taste some succulent bivalves (they’re something of a local headliner). Spend a cultured afternoon ticking off the city’s museums and galleries. Set off on a day trip to the neighbouring islands, or make a beeline for beautiful Banje Beach.

Earn or Redeem Points with World of Hyatt

This Mr & Mrs Smith hotel participates in the World of Hyatt loyalty program. As a member, you can earn and redeem points and enjoy exclusive benefits for qualifying nights. .