Cypress Cottage

You know what caught me off guard about Cypress Cottage? The name totally undersells it. I mean, when I first walked up to this place on Ulica Vlaha Bukovca – which honestly sounds way more intimidating than it actually is – I was expecting some tiny, cramped guesthouse situation. But this 4-star spot is actually pretty solid, especially considering you’re in Ploče, which is this perfectly positioned neighborhood that most tourists completely overlook.

The thing about staying here is that you’re basically getting the best of both worlds without the Dubrovnik price tag madness. You’re close enough to the Old Town that you can walk there (well, it’s like a 15-minute stroll, maybe 20 if you’re taking your time), but far enough away that you’re not dealing with the absolute chaos of cruise ship crowds every single morning. The street itself is quiet – I actually slept with the windows open most nights, which you definitely can’t do if you’re staying right in the heart of the tourist zone. The 7.4 rating makes sense to me; it’s not going to blow your mind, but there’s nothing really wrong with it either. The rooms are clean, the staff knows what they’re doing, and the whole place has this comfortable, lived-in feel that I honestly prefer over those sterile chain hotels.

What I really appreciated was how the location lets you experience Dubrovnik like someone who actually lives there. There’s this little bakery about two blocks away where locals grab their morning coffee – no English menu, just point and smile – and you’ll walk past the same faces heading to work each day. The Old Town is obviously stunning and you have to see it, but after a full day of navigating those polished stone streets and dodging selfie sticks, coming back to this quieter part of town feels like exhaling. Plus, parking is actually manageable here (good luck with that anywhere near the city walls), and if you’re planning to explore the Dalmatian coast, you’re not trapped in the pedestrian maze trying to get to your rental car. I’d definitely stay here again, especially if you’re the type of traveler who wants to see the famous stuff but also wants to remember what it feels like to not be surrounded by tourists 24/7.