Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik

One of the chicest places to stay in town, this landmark hotel was established in 1913 as Villa Odak, and the original building stands to this day (rooms are located here and in a newer Tower building). However, despite its long history, this property has a contemporary look and feel, with sleek interiors and a design that's meant to take full advantage of the hotel's prime beach-facing location. The lobby features recessed lighting, low-to-the-ground mid-century retro furniture in hues of beige, navy, and charcoal, and lots of big potted plants. Floor-to-ceiling windows abound, and the sea-facing back of the lobby is loaded with chairs positioned for guests who want to gaze out over the waters. Restaurants have a similar aesthetic, and all feature modern furniture and sea-facing windows with indoor and outdoor seating. All sorts of celebrities have stayed here over the years, from Morgan Freeman to Elizabeth Taylor, and their photos appear on the walls of the Abakus Piano Bar. To this day, most guests are well-heeled vacationers or business travelers.

Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik is located just down the coast from the Dubrovnik Old City, a five-minute walk from the medieval fortress and about a one-hour hike from Fort Imperial. The area is full of restaurants, supermarkets, and other hotels and vacation rentals, and there are plenty of spots to eat within walking distance. The ferry to Lokrum departs from the Old Part, about a 10-minute walk from the hotel, while the Dubrovnik Airport takes just under half an hour to get to by car.

The Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik offers Classic, Deluxe, and Superior Rooms in both the Villa Odak building and The Tower, along with Villa Odak Suites and a variety of suite-style Tower units. The design is similar across categories and in both parts of the hotel, and the overall aesthetic is sleek, modern, and businesslike, so travelers should not expect nods to its history. Decorative elements include light wood-finish floors paired with gray curtains, rugs, and furniture, navy-blue highlights (think upholstered chairs and blue-dominant artwork), and pink blankets that add softness to the spaces. Those in the newer building feature light-wood wall paneling, while rooms in the original Villa Odak maintain original interior features such as crown molding on pale-gray accent walls. 

Amenities found across categories include free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, well-stocked minibars, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and flat-screen TVs with satellite channels. Deluxe Rooms and higher add balconies, though some are small and Juliet-style. Bathrooms across categories are elegant and sleek like the rooms, with lots of gray and cream-colored marble, double vanities, separate walk-in rainfall showers and soaking tubs, and little extras such as heated towel racks, makeup mirrors, and L'Occitane toiletries.

This property offers all sorts of stand-out features, including 24-hour room service and two fabulous restaurants, both with views out over the Adriatic. The most posh restaurant at the Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik is Sensus, which offers fine-dining at lunch and dinnertime with indoor and outdoor seating. The menu here is predominantly Mediterranean. For something more casual, the seasonal Prora Restaurant serves fresh seafood for lunch and dinner in an alfresco space; guests can either sit in a semi-open area with big stone arches that look out over the sea or at shaded tables on a terrace right by the water. All rates include a well-regarded breakfast buffet with hot and cold items, including made-to-order omelets. For drinks and snacks, Abakus Piano Bar features a mix of indoor and outdoor seating, with plenty of comfy sofas and views out over the sea and the Old Town.

Wellness facilities here are top-notch and include a swish spa with an indoor pool surrounded by plush loungers, two whirlpool hot tubs, steam and sauna rooms, and a mezzanine-level fitness center with treadmills and free weights. There's also a beach of sorts, though it's really more of a terrace, with a stone ledge lined by shaded lounge chairs and views out over the city's medieval ramparts.The hotel also offers conference and meeting space with a solid selection of audiovisual equipment. Wedding services are available, and The sea-view Palm Terrace is a popular spot for events. Other facilities include free hotel-wide Wi-Fi, a business corner, valet parking (for a fee), and currency exchange.