My Trip to Dubrovnik, April 2024

Only 3 hours from Manchester airport, Dubrovnik airport is the third largest in Croatia. Having said that, it was easy to navigate and queues moved quickly and efficiently. Outside the airport, we found our shuttle transfer easily and arrived at our hotel in about 40 minutes. On arrival at Hotel Bellevue Dubrovnik, we were greeted attentively by the hotel porter who took care of our luggage. Check-in at reception was friendly and informative. Reception is adorned by its accolades; Croatia’s Best Spa in 2022, Croatia’s Best Hotel Restaurant for two years in a row, and is proud to be part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World. I’m now excited to experience this for myself. The stunning panoramic views can be seen from all floors of the hotel, which is built into a cliff. The hotel had a full facelift in 2019 and the designers have done a wonderful job of using the views as the backdrop. The decor is chic and modern which accentuates this perfectly.

There are 91 rooms at Hotel Bellevue Dubrovnik and all of them have a sea view (either partial or panoramic) and most have balconies. There is a small selection of interconnecting rooms for families and suites that hold up to 6 people. The presidential suite is huge and they host many celebrities and politicians here, although under discretion they didn‘t name names. All rooms have minibars, tea and coffee-making facilities, and complimentary water which is replenished daily. We were hosted in a Junior Suite which was stunning. The rooms have lots of white fluffy towels, dressing gowns and slippers for maximum comfort. The Junior Suites have a bath, rainfall shower and separate living area. The living area can accommodate two extra people on the double sofa bed and access to the large balcony from both the bedroom and the living room.

The award-winning spa has a large indoor heated pool, hot tub, sauna and treatment rooms. There is complimentary water and herbal tea to help yourself to and the daybeds are comfy. My highlight is the fantastic views through its floor-to-ceiling windows which look out to the cobalt-blue sea.

Dining in the Hotel Bellevue Dubrovnik is an experience in itself. The main restaurant, Vapor, is a contemporary fine-dining restaurant with a terrace overlooking the bay. Recognised by the Michelin Guide, you can experience a 7-course tasting menu or enjoy one of the signature dishes; Lamb Rump or Lobster Tail. If you fancy something a little more casual you can share an oyster platter at Nevera Beach restaurant, directly overlooking Miramare Beach. Breakfast had a wonderful selection on the buffet and à la carte menu. Not every day you get a glass of bubbly on the terrace with your eggs Benedict. The hotel has a small section of the beach reserved for hotel guests with sunbeds available. The rest is public but the hotel is accessed via the lift so you will need your room card to get back in.

The hotel concierge team are on hand to help book trips and recommend other spots to visit. A stroll into Old Town Dubrovnik took about 15- 20 minutes (back to the hotel is uphill so maybe a little longer). You can get a local bus but an Uber is only 4 euros which we found was the same price. We were given a detailed map of the city so you can get your bearings. If you are a fan of Game of Thrones you can book a 2-hour tour, or you can use the map to pinpoint these places of interest and easily navigate yourself. The tour we booked was to Mostar and Kravice Waterfalls. We were picked up from the bus stop close to the hotel first thing and headed across the border to Bosnia & Herzegovina. The views of Lapad on the way are stunning and you can see where all the cruises dock. The guide spoke great English and was informative along the way. The first stop is at Kravice Waterfalls. We had around an hour to look around the breathtaking falls. You can swim, relax, and unwind in this natural oasis, but April was far too cold for us to take the plunge. Mostar is like traveling back in time and it‘s incredibly beautiful. The food and drink is much cheaper than in Dubrovnik and there are lovely markets to shop. You have about 3 hours here but be aware that many places don’t accept cards so pack your euros.

Another must-do is the cable cars. Unfortunately, it was too windy for them to operate during our visit so we took an Uber to the top of Mount Srd. At the summit, you will find Restaurant Panorama with enchanting views of the Old City, Lapad Bay and nearby islands. We took the waiter‘s recommendation of the Dubrovnik chop which was stunning. The best sunsets can be found in Lapad. The peninsula has a huge marina, lots of beach bars and lovely walks. Along the seafront, we found an amazing cocktail bar called Cave Bar More and as the name suggests, it‘s built in a cave. You are spoiled for choice for bars and restaurants in Dubrovnik. Within the city walls, there are lots to choose from. You would be looking to pay around 13 euros for a cocktail and 7 euros for a pint of beer in the bars. Lots of restaurants down the side streets offer al fresco dining and the local delicacies include fresh fish and black risotto. Expect to pay about 20 euros for a main course. We even tried an octopus burger! There are many ferry rides you can take, but we couldn’t do them all in three days.

On the last day, we went to Locrum Island which is only a 10-minute journey from the Old Town port. The ferries run every hour so you can spend as much or as little time there as you like there. You’ll find wildlife, picturesque walks, stunning lagoons, cocktail beach bars and some more iconic GOT photo ops… and yes, you can sit on the Iron Throne.

I’ve always wanted to explore the city of Dubrovnik and I wasn’t disappointed. The Old Town is compact but there’s lots to venture out and see.