Look, I've stayed at a lot of places in Dubrovnik over the years, and SB Apartment No 1 honestly surprised me in the best way possible.
Look, I’ve stayed at a lot of places in Dubrovnik over the years, and SB Apartment No 1 honestly surprised me in the best way possible. It’s tucked away on Korčulanska ulica in Lapad – which, if you know the area, means you’re actually in a proper neighborhood where locals live, not some tourist bubble. The building itself is one of those solid Croatian structures that feels like it’s been there forever, and when you walk up to number 2, you get this immediate sense that someone actually cares about this place.
The apartment itself is… well, it’s exactly what you’d want after spending a day dodging cruise ship crowds in the Old Town. Everything’s been done up nicely – not fancy-hotel-fancy, but more like staying at your well-traveled friend’s place who has good taste. The kitchen actually works (I mean, you can cook real meals here), and there’s this lived-in comfort that makes you want to kick off your shoes and stay awhile. What really got me was the attention to small things – proper hangers in the closet, decent water pressure, and – this might sound weird – but the lighting is actually pleasant in the evenings, not those harsh overhead bulbs that make you look like you’re in a police interrogation.
Being in Lapad means you’re about a 15-minute bus ride from the Old Town, but honestly? That’s perfect. You get to escape the madness when you want to, plus there’s this great coastal walk practically on your doorstep. I’d head out in the mornings when the light hits the water just right, and you’ll pass maybe three other people – it’s nothing like the packed city walls. The neighborhood has a few solid restaurants too, the kind where you’ll see Croatian families eating, not just tourists Instagramming their risotto. Parking can be a bit of a puzzle during peak season (aren’t we all tired of that story in Croatia?), but the owners seem to have sorted out some options, and they’re actually helpful about it – not just “figure it out yourself” like some places. The whole setup just works, you know? It’s got that 9.4 rating for a reason, and after staying there, I totally get it. You’re not paying for marble bathrooms or a concierge, but you’re getting something better – a genuine place to land that feels like home while you explore one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
