Hotel Dubrovnik Palace

Some hotels are built around a lobby; this one is built around the coast. Set on the Lapad Peninsula, Hotel Dubrovnik Palace gives you a contemporary base by the water, with direct access to a beach, balconies on every room and wide views across the Adriatic. The setting is polished rather than rustic, but the sea is never far from the conversation.

You can come here for a diving holiday, a couple's break or a few days of Dubrovnik without sleeping in the middle of the old town. The hotel has the scale and facilities of a five-star property, including several restaurants, pools and a large spa, while the peninsula keeps you away from the tight stone lanes and late-night bustle of the historic centre.

English and Croatian are the languages used on the hotel's website, so you can deal with the basics before arrival in English. For the rest, the 24-hour front desk, concierge service and tour desk keep the practical side of the stay under one roof.

You are in Dubrovnik, Croatia, at Masarykov Put 20 on the Lapad Peninsula. The hotel stands directly on the seafront, below the Petka woods, with the coast on one side and wooded walking routes rising behind it. There is direct access to a sandy beach, with sun loungers and parasols ready for the less ambitious part of the afternoon.

Dubrovnik's Old Town is about 2.8 miles away. A local bus stops opposite the hotel every 20 minutes, and the journey takes about 20 minutes, which is considerably simpler than trying to turn a rental car into a piece of urban archaeology. Pile Gate is about 2.4 miles away, while the Walls of Dubrovnik and Onofrio's Fountain are each roughly 2.4 miles away.

The immediate area also gives you a few alternatives when you want to eat or drink away from the hotel: Maslina Tavern is about 100 feet away, and Sunset Lounge is about 200 feet away. Dubrovnik Airport is about 14 miles from the hotel by road, with a drive of around 24 minutes.

The room choice is mostly about how much space you want around the dive bags, rather than whether you get a view. Every room has a balcony overlooking the sea and the Elaphite Islands, so even the more compact double rooms give you somewhere to sit and watch the light change over the water. For a solo trip, the single room keeps things straightforward; for two people, the sea-view double rooms are the natural fit.

If you are travelling as a small group or simply dislike negotiating luggage around the bed, the Deluxe Double Room or a junior suite gives you more room to spread out. The larger suites go further, with the Deluxe Suite offering two bathrooms and the Executive Suite accommodating up to four people. The Ambassador Suite is the grandest option, with a balcony, one bathroom and considerably more room for two.

For the night itself, the useful details are all present: air conditioning for the warm, salt-heavy days, a minibar, tea and coffee-making facilities, free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen satellite TV and a private bathroom with a bath or shower. Bathrobes, slippers, toiletries and a hairdryer are included. Room service runs around the clock, which is handy when your appetite follows its own timetable rather than the restaurant's.

Breakfast is a buffet served at Elafiti Restaurant from 06:00, with floor-to-ceiling views towards the Croatian islands. Dinner returns you to the same restaurant for a Mediterranean buffet, served in the evening. It is the practical option when you want to eat without leaving the hotel, particularly on a day when the only serious decision left is whether to order another coffee.

Maslina Tavern works at the beachfront and serves lunch and dinner from March to November, between 12:00 and 23:00. Its cooking is Dalmatian, with Adriatic scampi and traditional regional dishes on the menu. Beach Restaurant Ponta is the daytime option from June to September, serving lunch between 12:00 and 17:00 directly by the beach.

There are three named bars to choose from. Lanterna Glorijet Bar is a pool bar specialising in cocktails, while Sunset Lounge is a rooftop bar for cocktails and wine, with a pianist in the background as the sun goes down. Lean & Light takes the late slot, offering post-dinner drinks and late bites including raw dishes, fish, light salads, low-fat desserts and smoothies. If you would rather stay put, 24-hour room service covers the hours when the rest of the hotel has closed its doors.

The beach is directly accessible from the hotel, so you can swap fins for a sun lounger without organising a transfer or locating a second coastline. There are three pools in total: two outdoor pools, including an infinity pool, and one indoor pool. Sun umbrellas and beach chairs are available around the leisure areas.

The spa is substantial at 1,510 square metres and carries the Thalgo name. Its facilities include a steam bath, sauna, hot tub and jacuzzi, with massages and facials available as treatments. This is the place for the post-dive recovery plan that begins with good intentions and ends with staying in the robe longer than strictly necessary.

You also have a fitness centre, a padel court and access to jogging and walking routes through the woods on Petka hill. Snorkelling and the beach provide the lower-effort alternatives, while the nearby Old Town, Fort Lovrijenac, the city walls and Dubrovnik's museums give you a reason to leave the pool area altogether. Couples can mix a slow afternoon by the water with an evening in the historic centre without turning the day into a logistical exercise.

Check-in starts at 14:00 and check-out runs until 12:00. The front desk operates around the clock, with luggage storage, currency exchange, an on-site cash machine, concierge service and a tour desk available for the practical details of a Dubrovnik stay. Car hire is also available through the hotel.

An airport shuttle is available for the journey from Dubrovnik Airport, which is about 14 miles away. Private parking is available on site, and valet parking is offered. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, while daily housekeeping keeps the room side of the trip uncomplicated.

Children of any age are welcome. Cots and extra beds can be requested, with availability and permitted numbers depending on the accommodation selected; children aged three and over are charged as adults. Pets are not allowed. The hotel also has a lift, facilities for disabled guests, non-smoking rooms and a non-smoking policy throughout.