Iva Dulcica 38, on the Babin Kuk peninsula, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Family-focused holiday resort close to beaches
Set in extensive grounds with sport facilities
Wide range of kids' entertainment and activities
Large, impressive outdoor swimming pool
Pleasant air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi
Large restaurant with al fresco terrace
All-inclusive rates available
General ambience
lacking character
Some rooms show
signs of wear
Some reports of
mustiness in rooms
No spa facilities
The 338-room Valamar Club is a mid-range, family-focused holiday resort set on the north shore of Dubrovnik's Babin Kuk peninsula. Children are indeed particularly well catered for with a wide range of kids' clubs and entertainment programs, plus a basketball court and beach volleyball court. An all-inclusive option makes life easier (and cheaper) for families too, while nearby beaches mean not all the time has to be spent around the big, impressive pool. Like the property as a whole, rooms are basic, functional, and perfectly adequate -- and reasonable rates reflect this.
Scene
Family-focused resort complex set in leafy grounds overlooking the countryside
Self-proclaiming as the only family-oriented hotel in Dubrovnik, the Valamar Club's main emphasis is on creating a summer camp atmosphere conducive to vacationing with children. Built in 1987, the resort is housed in a series of interconnected modern buildings surrounded by extensive grounds with well-tended lawns, trees, and shrubbery connected by a network of paths -- dotted with the occasional napping cat or dog. Interiors are simple, bright, and generally well-maintained, though with little in the way of character beyond the odd splash of modern art. However, the property opens up onto vast furnished terraces that look out over the picturesque hillsides and nearby waterway, while a pebble beach can be found a short amble away.
Location
Set just back from north shore of Dubronik's Babin Kuk peninsula
The hotel is located on the northern tip of the Babin Kuk peninsula, northwest of Dubrovnik and three miles from the city's renowned Old Town. There's not a great deal in the immediate area besides other hotels and small parks and pine forests, however there are a couple rocky and pebbled beaches -- Cava and Copacabana -- a few minutes' walk away that are renowned for their pristine waters. The location is not really convenient without a car, though public buses to Dubrovnik Old Town do pass through every 10 to 15 minutes. Dubrovnik Airport is 15 miles away, or around 30 minutes by car.
Rooms
Simply decorated, air-conditioned rooms all include free family kit and Wi-Fi
The hotel has 338 rooms, all of which are sparsely decorated with white walls, basic modern furnishings, and carpeted floors -- rooms generally feel a little dated and some show signs of wear. Air-conditioning comes as standard, as does free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs with satellite channels. The free family kit (with kid's toiletries, coloring books, and games) in each room is also a nice touch. Bathrooms are adequate, but some are a little small and mustiness has been reported. Most rooms, however, open to furnished balconies or terraces with some offering sea views.
Features
Wide range of kids' activities and large outdoor pool
The hotel's centerpiece is its large, outdoor swimming pool which is surrounded by loungers and parasols and has a shallow end for children. The wealth of child-friendly activities and facilities includes entertainment programs, mini-discos, and free ice cream happy hour. There is also a wide range of sports activities on-site, including basketball and tennis courts -- though no spa facilities for the grown-ups. The hotel has one large on-site restaurant which provides buffets three times a day (with an all-inclusive plan) as well as an a la carte menu and a terrace for al fresco dining.