Hotel Dubrovnik Palace — Hotel in Dubrovnik

Stayed for 6 nights at Dubrovnik Palace Hotel. As other people mentioned this is definitely not what I would consider a 5 star property at all as it does not possess that luxury or high standard. That said I would recommend it and go back if given the opportunity as I did enjoy my stay.

Positives: Housekeeping did a very good job of cleaning the rooms, they seemed like very nice ladies. I didn’t find anything unsavory cleanliness wise in rooms which is very important to me. Front desk / guest services were helpful with recommendations and making dinner reservations. The last stop of the 4 bus going right to Old Town is literally right outside the hotel. For 1.73 Euros each way this is a super easy and quick way to get to Old Town and runs steadily. I find sometimes buses to be confusing in various countries but this one was super easy in terms of route and access. You could buy tickets for bus in hotel which was also super easy. Buses run at least two times each hour. The property is on the water which for me was a must. Although there is no rocky beach to “walk into” the water there are plenty of access points to get into the water from where the hotel is. This was a real selling point of the property. I was between this hotel and Valamar President. After seeing where both hotels are located I would say the view from Palace is absolutely better. The views from this property are very nice and plentiful. Comfortable shower/bath and beds. Proper duvets on beds. If it should rain there is a nice inside pool where the spa is with two hot tubs that anyone can use. Sauna is also available for all guests to use. Also chairs facing all glass wall where indoor pool/spa is. This is a good option should it rain. Check in and out was easy.

Negatives:

Common areas of hotel could use a bit of updating, hallway carpets stained. Food: edible but not good by any means. Breakfast was standard European buffet- omelet station, cold cuts, fruit. Dinner at hotel if you get the half board was a bummer and not at all worth it. Not many options and not very good (pasta, cold pasta salads, a weird meat dish, usually a fish option and some vegetarian rice or veg stew dish). If you are staying here I would recommend the breakfast as it’s easy but not to eat other meals here. That means you will have to leave the property often. I had half board so did have some food at hotel but would not opt to pay for anything a la carte there or even room service based on what I tasted. This included food by pool, you could get "lunch" from outside little restaurant but menu stunk. Had two basic salads, badly done pizza, sandwiches, smoked salmon pasta or very chewy fried calamari. The outside restaurant menu needs a complete overhaul. Outside lounge chairs by pool, wall facing water: unless you secure a chair early in the morning it was hard to find seating. Technically not enough seats to accommodate all the guests. There is a large main pool and a second small pool. I was not told in advance for the second small pool you have to make a lounge chair reservation which I think is with an extra cost. This didn't make any sense to me as that area was not any nicer. No poolside service, for drinks you have to go to bar which was crowded all the time. Totally OK in my book but not “luxury” of a 5 star. Service was slow for drinks at one outside bar by pool. Lounge chair service should be provided. Main pool needs to be cleaned a bit. Wasn’t terrible by any means and I did enjoy it but quite a few tiles had some mold on it. It wasn’t everywhere but I did notice it. Since it’s peak high season I would think the pool would be in tip top shape. Small details like this are lacking. Kids: there were a lot of kids there. Ill behaved kids who were not watched by parents. Rooms are small which for me was not an issue but if you have multiple people or kids in tow it might be something to consider. No where to put away clothes except for few hangers in small closet.

Overall this property to me is a solid option...

Check In, Bliss Out: A Stay to Savor A Unique Five-Star Hotel Experience

How would you describe your stay at a five-star hotel? Clean rooms, a nice and modern ambiance, a rich and delicious breakfast, and nice restaurants all contribute to the overall rating and can form the basis of a short review on e.g. booking.com. Service can range from poor to excellent. Just as there are different moods among people.

But what does five stars really mean? I have never looked up the official criteria, but I will make my own assessment. Yes, all of these aspects can be measured to some extent, but it's the personal touches that really set the Palace Dubrovnik apart.

We start in the morning... The cheerful and lovely laughter of Berina, who holds her hair together with a flower clip and brightens your sunny day even more, is infectious and uplifting. Pero and Drazen, the O-gang aka the Omelette Gang, keep the eggs cracking and the toppings melting. Pero cracks the eggs with sharp precision and jokes with the guests, while Drazen, introverted and kind, works diligently to make sure everything is perfect, his quiet dedication evident in every bite. Lovran, the speedy Gonzales of table clearing, makes sure dirty dishes and cups are quickly removed, always with a smile and a quick word of encouragement. Vedran's - the quiet and wise breakfast boss - concerned look in the breakfast room shows his dedication to making sure his staff keeps the tables clean and serves the guests. Each member of the staff has a unique character and works together to meet your needs, whether it's a special coffee with or without milk, or with soy milk. Some will go the extra mile for you, cleaning up the mess left by a family with small children while the father remains unimpressed. Their attention to detail and willingness to accommodate every guest's preference is impressive.

Enjoy the day… Room service brings you two Kras Bajadera chocolates every day. As a Swiss, I would say this is the equivalent of Lindt & Sprüngli's "Luxemburgeli". The thoughtful gesture of daily chocolates is a delightful touch that adds to the feeling of being truly pampered. Maybe you can enjoy a short coffee with Ivica while he with his white beard gives you profound and funny, Dalmatian wise sayings like Hemingway.

It would be easy to write that everyone is very kind and extremely friendly, although some of the staff are very young and inexperienced. However, it is the genuine smile of the hotel manager, Hrvoje, and his passion for making your stay extraordinary and memorable that stands out. Hrvoje's leadership is reflected in the seamless service and warm atmosphere that permeates the hotel. A hotel is perhaps like a carefully constructed house of cards, with guests as many delicate Mikado sticks, each playing a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the structure.

Five-star stay, million-star staff My apologies to all the other staff whose names I have not mentioned, but whose efforts I have noticed and appreciated. (There are many Ivan and Ivana’s). ;-) Every single member of the team contributes to the exceptional experience, from the housekeepers who make sure every detail of your room is perfect to the concierge who offers the best local tips.

The Secret of Five-Star Magic: It's the People The moments and experiences that make up your stay at a five-star hotel are enhanced by many, many five-star people, creating the micro-universe of an unforgettable vacation. The blend of impeccable service, warm hospitality and personal touches creates a unique and enchanting atmosphere.

I would go bankrupt if I tipped for each and every gentle service I received and appreciated. This is a testament to the outstanding hospitality that defines this exceptional hotel. The level of care and attention to detail provided by the staff goes beyond what is expected and makes every guest feel...

Staff 5/5 - The staff are fantastic, the cleaning crew always kept the room in fantastic shape and we're quick. The guest services team helped us with scheduling covid testing and in general other inquiries. They were always friendly and helpful.

The room/views 5/5 - The room was about right for the size. We did just come from a corner suite at the Esplanadah in Zagreb and this room was half the size but it was ple ty bug enough for two people and all of our luggage. The real winner here is the view from the room. It's fantastic. You have views of several tiny islands and the sea. The bed was comfortable and the room amenities included coffee, tea selection, and a kettle to warm it as well as a fridge. All of these were refilled every morning or on demand via the front desk. I can't stress the view enough several nights my wife and I just opened a bottle of wine and watched the boats and the ocean.

Pool/bar/beach 5/5 - The bar is priced higher as you would expect from a hotel, but they are quick and know how to make a wide selection of drinks even if they are off menu. The pool is fantastic and the beach is amazing. The view from both as well as their cleanliness and maintenance is fantastic. They always keep clean towels on hand and we never found either too crowded to get a reclining chair.

Included Hotel restaurant aka dinner breakfast 3/5 - So this is the only thing keeping me from giving this Hotel 5 stars. They have a wide selection of food for both breakfast and dinner. But it's really just at the level of catored food, and there was nothing I would say that was good... It was all edible and fine. This coupled with the lack of organization when attempting to get food reminded me of being hearded like cattle. I believe if they would just designate lines or areas to queue this would be solved. But at it's current state it is a hot mess and frustrating to figure out. This is not coupled well with the staffs apparent short handedness inside the restaurant. I do not mean to say the staff are negligent on the contrary they were fantastic! Very quick to help, kind, and attentive, but they are grossly overwhelmed by the amount of people eating and always seem to be at a slight jog to keep up with it all. I think maybe if each waiter had a "section" and they had a couple more hands this could be solved easily. But they are currently all waiting on the entire eating area and it doesn't seem to work well. Leaving you waiting a while for things. So I think if the food quality and the experience could be improved then this hotel would easily get 5 stars. This did have one side effect that was great though. We had originally planned on eating Lunch out at a new place every day and then coming back for dinner, but we decided after the second dinner to eat dinner out as well and we got to try so many fantastic places that we wouldn't have otherwise.

Some final notes not associated with the hotel. We rented a car because in Zagreb before debrovnik. I recommend Uber for all travel. Car parking in Dubrovnik will cost you far more then an Uber both ways if it's any longer...