5 Best Hotels in Dubrovnik, Southern Dalmatia

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.

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.

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.