Dubrovnik, Croatia
First Impressions When I first pulled up to Villa Olivila, I honestly wasn't sure what to expect from this four-star property tucked away in the hills above Dubrovnik.
When I first pulled up to Villa Olivila, I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect from this four-star property tucked away in the hills above Dubrovnik. The villa sits on Vrh Sela, which literally means “top of the village” — and you know what, they weren’t kidding about that name. The moment you arrive, you realize this isn’t your typical hotel experience. It feels more like staying at a friend’s incredibly well-appointed family home, complete with parking right on site (which, trust me, is worth its weight in gold in this part of Croatia).
What strikes you immediately is how Villa Olivila manages to feel both secluded and accessible at the same time. You’re perched high enough to catch glimpses of the Adriatic through the trees, but you’re not so far out that getting to Dubrovnik’s Old Town becomes a production. The property has this relaxed, residential vibe that I actually preferred to some of the more formal hotels closer to the city center. There’s something refreshing about having space to breathe — literally and figuratively — especially after spending days wandering through the packed medieval streets below.
I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect to spend as much time at the villa as I did, but the facilities kept drawing me back. The swimming pool becomes your best friend during those hot Croatian afternoons when even the locals are seeking shade. They’ve got badminton equipment if you’re feeling energetic, and there’s a darts setup that somehow becomes surprisingly competitive after a few evening drinks on the terrace. It’s the kind of place where you might plan to just cool off for an hour and end up spending half the day lounging around.
The room I stayed in felt spacious and thoughtfully designed — not flashy, but comfortable in that understated way that actually lets you relax. The air conditioning works well (crucial in summer), and the beds are genuinely comfortable. What I appreciated most was the attention to practical details — good lighting for reading, plenty of outlets, and a bathroom that doesn’t make you feel like you’re playing Tetris every time you need to move around. The whole setup just works without trying too hard to impress you.
Looking at that 9.9 rating, I can see why couples especially gravitate toward Villa Olivila. There’s an intimacy to the place that larger hotels simply can’t match — you’re not fighting crowds for pool chairs or waiting in line for the restaurant. The staff treats you like actual guests rather than room numbers, and the location strikes that perfect balance between peaceful retreat and easy access to Dubrovnik’s attractions. It’s the sort of place where you can have a genuine Croatian experience without sacrificing comfort, and honestly, that combination is harder to find than you might think.
Hotel in Dubrovnik reservations spike ahead of cruise arrivals, so savvy guests lock in harbor-view balconies before ships sail in.
Choose from 1 room types
| Room | Type | Beds | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Five Bedroom Villa with Private Pool | Max persons: 6 | 2 x 1 extra-large double bed, 3 x 1 large double bed, 2 sofa beds | From $344 /night |
Everything was awesome : the pool is big, you have the facilities you need and even more, the beds and sheets are really confortable and clean, the owner is a top guy with great hospitality!
The villa was large, bright, finished to a high standard and clean. Plenty of room for the 8 of us to enjoy the space.
Amazingly kept property with a great pool and other facilities.
Superb villa accommodation with excellent facilities to cater all requirements. Very spacious rooms with lovely private swimming pool. Within walking distance to the waterfront and a number of local restaurants. Host (Ognjen) was available as required to support our family with any additional needs. Even took us to the supermarket so we could get a large food shop for the week. Also helped organise airport transfers, including luggage storage due to the return flight being later that night. Would definitely recommend this accommodation for any family breaks/visits to Dubrovnik.
What could be improved: Everything was perfect to allow for a super family holiday to Dubrovnik. Croatia is a lovely country.
We were in the villa in a group of 11 and it was great stay. There were two bedrooms and two bathrooms (one in the bedroom, the second one common) downstairs, and three bedrooms and two bathrooms (also one in the bedroom and second one common). One person slept on the sofa in the living room, so I'd rather recommend the villa for group of 10 for maximum comfort, but sleeping on the sofa was still OK. There was an extra toilet outside next to the pool. There was also bar with fridge in the pool area. Pool was big and the water was warm, there was even pool shower. There were enough parking spaces for 3 cars. There were also ice cubes maker, huge speaker and coffee maker available. We loved sitting by the table under the tree. There was no problem with late check in, host waited to greet us. I recommend staying in the villa.
What could be improved: The air conditioning was only in common areas so the rooms were pretty warm.
The villa was fantastic and our host so welcoming and helpful. We had fruit, water and wine left as a welcome and were gifted local olive oil when we left. Ognjen was very helpful with directions and knowledge of the area. The villa is a 5 mins walk down to a beautiful harbour with plenty restaurants and bars. It was very handy for Dubrovnik and surrounding villages and towns.
We had a great holiday in Villa Olivila. We were 3 families and everything was awesome. Very clean and big house, new rooms and bathrooms, good facilities overall. Both adults and kids enjoyed the pool, which was suitable also for smaller kids. Zaton was a small beautifull village, authentic atmosphere away from the resorts and big hotels. The owner of the place was really helpful and we could even do early check in and late check out. He aldo drove us the supermarket in our first day. Thank you for your hospitality!
Villa was beautiful and it had so much to do like table football, darts, badminton and when I asked if they had volleyball the owner bought one for us. Pool was amazing and it had many sunbeds. Owner had bought us water, orange juice and two wine bottles which was so friendly. The owner was a sweetheart and super helpful. I asked for bus information and they told me about them and that shops are usually closed at sundays and then told me which stores are open that day. Owner told that we did not have to do any cleaning and that they will take care of everything. Villa had much cooking things and the grill was also nice. Owner also gave us coffee tablets for the coffee machine. Villa also had icecube maker which was very nice in the hot weather. Could not wish for better villa or better host. Thank you very much :). Warm regards Mona.
What could be improved: -
Its facility and host.
What could be improved: There isn’t any.
The owner allowed us a late check-in and welcomed us with cold bottles of water, which we needed after a long journey. Everything was great.
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