Rixos Premium Dubrovnik

You know what struck me first about Rixos Premium Dubrovnik? It’s not actually in the old town like you might expect from the name – it’s tucked away in Lapad, which honestly turned out to be a blessing. I mean, sure, you’re about a 15-minute bus ride from the city walls, but you get this gorgeous beachfront location without the crushing crowds of tourists that make the old town feel like a theme park in summer.

The hotel itself sits right on this lovely stretch of coast where the water’s this incredible blue-green color, and there’s something almost surreal about lounging by their infinity pool while medieval Dubrovnik shimmers in the distance. The rooms – well, they’re proper luxury without being stuffy about it. Floor-to-ceiling windows everywhere, and if you snag a sea view (which you absolutely should), you’ll find yourself just standing there with your morning coffee watching the ferries head out to the islands. The beds are ridiculously comfortable, though I’ll be honest, the air conditioning can be a bit aggressive – kept waking up freezing until I figured out the controls.

What really sets this place apart, though, is how they handle the whole resort experience. The staff actually remembers your name after day two (rare these days), and they genuinely seem to know Dubrovnik inside and out. Ask them about the best time to visit Rector’s Palace or where locals go for seafood, and you’ll get real answers, not rehearsed tourism board responses. The spa’s fantastic if you need to decompress after climbing those city walls – I practically melted during their signature massage. And here’s a tip: grab dinner at their terrace restaurant at least once. Yes, it’s pricey, but watching the sunset paint the Adriatic orange while you’re eating fresh branzino… well, that’s the kind of moment that makes you understand why people keep coming back to Croatia. The breakfast spread is impressive too – proper Croatian pastries alongside the usual international stuff, plus they make fresh juice that actually tastes like fruit. Only downside? Parking can be tight during peak season, and you’ll definitely want to book their shuttle to the old town rather than driving yourself – those medieval streets weren’t designed for rental cars, trust me.