Bandureva 1, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Excellent location in Old
Town near plenty of historic attractions
Near many restaurants, bars, cafes, and shopping
Charming decor including maps, antiques, and old photos
Quiet, homey rooms with kitchenettes, lovely art, and book-lined shelves
Lots of thoughtful extras
from bandages to swimming goggles
Free Wi-Fi
No breakfast or restaurant on-site
Stairs can be a challenge
for some guests
The four-room Karmen Apartments is a value property with an excellent Old Town location and lots of charm. Decor is a true highlight here, with framed maps of Dubrovnik, black-and-white photos, and colorful art covering the walls. Rooms are quiet despite the central location, and are homey with eclectic furnishings such as regional knickknacks, art, and book-lined shelves. The apartment-like rooms have small flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and kitchenettes stocked with cookware and tableware. These apartments are a good pick for guests that don't have a problem navigating stairs (which can be quite steep) and want to be near the action of the Old Town. Those willing to trade the central location for a pool and sea views should consider the also intimate but more upscale (and expensive) Villa Klaic.
Scene
Eclectic, value apartments in an old stone building
Inside the outer stone walls and just past the white inner door with a decorative lunette, the entry hallway at Karmen Apartments is covered in charming historic maps and old photos of Dubrovnik. The apartments are located inside the owner’s home, and guests are frequently helped with their luggage to their rooms -- some rooms require navigating more stone steps than others. Well-curated furnishings and intriguing decor continues inside rooms including decorative dishes, colorful rugs, book-lined shelves, and attractive artwork. Some furnishings are from a cafe in London where Jim Morrison and Bob Dylan played that the proprietors previously owned. Guests seeking value are drawn here for both the handy location and the self-catering kitchenettes in the apartments.
Location
Near the city walls in Dubrovnik’s Old Town
Karmen Apartments has a convenient location inside Dubrovnik’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with preserved churches and fountains dating back to the 13th century. This is the main tourist destination in the city, and there are plenty of restaurants, bars, and cafes within walking distance. It’s a one-minute walk to Dubrovnik Cathedral, and the East-West Beach is less than a 10-minute walk away. Dubrovnik Airport is around a half hour drive away, and though cars are not allowed into the Old Town city walls, buses and taxis stop at the Pile Gate just outside. The location may be a challenge for those with limited mobility, as climbing stairs that can be steep is necessary.
Rooms
Quiet rooms with charming decor plus kitchenettes
The four rooms at Karmen Apartments are homey with varied, interesting decor including colorful framed pictures and pretty cabinets with tin punched panels. Rooms have small flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi, and one room has a charming corner booth under wooden shelves lined with books and knick knacks. The rooms we saw have small kitchens with mini-fridges, stovetops, and sinks as well as cabinets stocked with cookware and dining ware. Three of the rooms are a good fit for three guests, and bathrooms are on the the small side with tile with small showers. Room windows look out at the stone walls surrounding the Old Town.
Features
Convenient location and helpful owners plus free Wi-Fi
Karmen Apartments has a convenient location in Old Town within walking distance to historic attractions as well as a popular beach with evening entertainment. The owners of the hotel are helpful with everything from carrying luggage to the room to securing tickets to the opera. The hotel has free Wi-Fi and lots of thoughtful extras such as books, CDs, umbrellas, bandages, and clothes lines. Breakfast is not served at this property and there is no restaurant on-site.