THE DESTINATION
Set along the Adriatic Sea, Dubrovnik, Croatia, lures jet-setters with its rich history, serene setting and famed architecture. Fly into the Dubrovnik Airport, less than 15 miles from the city center, before checking into an Adriatic Luxury Hotels property. With 11 hotels and villas strewn throughout the region, the independently owned brand provides upscale havens for travelers of all tastes, ensuring premium service as they explore one of the Mediterranean’s most breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Hotel Supetar in Cavtat features seaside dining and a tranquil outdoor pool
THE SITES
Old Town Dubrovnik is marked by its monolithic stone walls, which were crafted in the 13th century and completed in the 16th to defend the city from attack. Their grandeur inspired Game of Thrones’ fictional King’s Landing, and Queen Cersei Lannister’s infamous walk of atonement in season five of the HBO show was filmed at Old Town’s Jesuit Staircase. While the hit show has drawn fans to the region, Dubrovnik shines on its own with the Dubrovnik Cathedral, the Church of Saint Blaise and Fort Lovrijenac, which Rod Stewart rented out for his son’s wedding in May 2024.
After soaking up the Old Town, charter a boat to the nearby Elaphiti Islands, which offer snorkeling, cave exploration and picturesque landscapes. Day trips to Ston—a military fortress of the Dubrovnik Republic that boasts over 3 miles of medieval walls—and Cavtat also provide exciting ways to immerse yourself in Croatian culture and cuisine. Ston is home to the oldest salt mine in Europe, and local guides are ready to whisk you aboard Ston’s floating oyster farms for wine and briny tastings.
Soak up views of the Dalmatian coastline at Hotel Bellevue Dubrovnik.
THE ACCOMMODATIONS
For the first half of our visit, we stay at Hotel Bellevue Dubrovnik, a boutique property that underwent a complete overhaul in spring 2019. Carved into a 98-foot-high cliff on the Miramare Bay, the seaside sanctuary includes 91 rooms—14 of which are suites—that embrace their surroundings with dazzling views of the Dalmatian Coast. The on-site Vapor restaurant is one of Croatia’s top seafood destinations thanks to executive chef Mate Matić, who emphasizes the region’s herbs and spices.
On the second day of our trip, we tour Hotel Supetar, a 16-room boutique hotel in Cavtat that reopened in summer 2022 with design-driven guest rooms and an adjacent five-bedroom residence perfect for families. Don’t miss dinner at The Restaurant at Hotel Supetar—its wine program impresses with a top-notch selection of Croatian varietals.
Our final stay is at the five-star Hotel Excelsior, which provides spectacular views of the Old Town. With 139 spacious rooms and 19 luxury suites, the sky-high property has hosted myriad celebrities and royals and has become a viral sensation thanks to its natural ocean pool. When hunger strikes, visit Sensus, where modern interpretations of classic Mediterranean dishes are served against the backdrop of the Old Town.
DON’T MISS
We finish our trip with dinner at Nautika, an award-winning restaurant housed within the former Dubrovnik School of Maritime Studies. Set just outside the Old Town’s walls, the seaside fine dining favorite is tucked between the Bokar and Lovrijenac fortresses, providing a true sense of place as you indulge in chef Mario Bundt’s meticulously executed dishes. As the waves of the Adriatic crash below our table, Croatia’s illustrious fortresses and walls glow under the moonlight—a reminder of the breathtaking history that has occurred here and the memories that wait to be made.
