Villa Dubrovnik is a small five-star hotel stacked down a cliff just east of the Old Town, with every room looking across the water to the city walls or out to Lokrum. It closed in October 2023 for a complete interior renovation by Brazilian practice Studio Arthur Casas and reopened in July 2025, so 2026 is its first full season in the new look. The verdict in one line: this is the address for travellers who want to see Dubrovnik rather than sleep inside it, with a view, a Michelin-listed restaurant and real quiet, as long as you accept no outdoor pool and a short ride or walk to the gates.
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Quick facts: Villa Dubrovnik
- Location: Vlaha Bukovca 6, on the cliffs east of Ploče, facing the Old Town and Lokrum. You arrive at road level and take a lift down into the hotel.
- Rooms and suites: around 55 to 56 rooms, suites and residences, all with sea views (sources differ, see below).
- Price level: very high, especially from June to September. Breakfast is usually included.
- Season: seasonal. The hotel opened for 2026 on 1 April and typically runs until early November. Ask the hotel for the closing date.
- Nearest airport: Dubrovnik (Čilipi), about 18 km, roughly 20 to 30 minutes by car depending on traffic.
- Membership: The Leading Hotels of the World; two Michelin Keys in the Michelin Guide.
- Best for: couples, design lovers and anyone who wants Old Town views with a calm base to return to.
Check prices and availability
With so few rooms, the suites and the higher sea view categories sell out early for June to September. Compare dates before you commit.
Location and getting there
The hotel sits below the road on Vlaha Bukovca, on the stretch of coast between Ploče and the bay of Sveti Jakov. The building began life in 1961 as a residential block and became an annex of the neighbouring Hotel Argentina in 1963; today it cascades down the rock in terraces, which is why every room faces the sea. From street level, a lift built into the cliff takes you down to a garden and the lobby. Luggage is handled for you, but anyone with limited mobility should still ask how the levels connect before booking.
The Old Town is about 1.3 km away. On foot it is roughly 15 to 20 minutes along the road past Ploče to the Ploče Gate, with some gradient on the way back. The hotel also runs a shuttle into town, and here our research turned up contradictory information: older reviews and some travel agents describe a complimentary boat to the Old Town harbour, while recent 2025 and 2026 reports describe an hourly shuttle in the afternoon and evening (roughly 3 pm to 11 pm) without saying it goes by sea, and one booking partner lists road transfers. It was not clear to us whether the boat runs in 2026, so confirm the current shuttle and its timetable with the hotel before you plan dinners in town.
Dubrovnik airport at Čilipi is about 18 km south. Allow 20 to 30 minutes by car, longer on cruise ship days, when the road around the Old Town is busy. The hotel arranges airport transfers on request. Arriving from Italy, Jadrolinija’s seasonal overnight ferry normally links Bari in Puglia with Dubrovnik’s port at Gruž, but the company has suspended all its international sailings until 5 January 2027, so check the timetable; our guide to crossing from Italy to Croatia by boat covers the options, including private yacht crossings. Croatia uses the euro, so there is no currency switch if you come on from Italy.
Rooms and suites
The 2023 to 2025 renovation was a full interior reimagining by Studio Arthur Casas: a palette of white, sand and beige with terracotta accents, polished wood, local stone, furniture from Croatian maker Prostoria and design classics including Gio Ponti pieces, plus work by Croatian artists. The effect is light and mid-century rather than palatial.
On the room count, our research turned up contradictory information. The hotel’s own factsheet lists 55 units, and booking platforms and some recent reviews say 55. The company’s 2026 report to the Zagreb Stock Exchange, the Michelin Guide and press coverage of the reopening say 56. It was not clear to us which applies, and in practice it changes little: this is a small hotel. According to the official factsheet, categories run as follows.
- Superior Sea View Room (35 m²): the entry category, with a balcony facing the water.
- Deluxe Sea View Room (40 m²): slightly larger, with a bathtub and the option of an extra bed.
- Deluxe Grand Sea View Room (40 m²): floor-to-ceiling windows, with interconnecting options for families.
- Comfort Room (56 m²): a single room without sea view, but with a terrace and jacuzzi.
- Signature suites: Romantiko (87 m²) and Beleca (89 m²) with Adriatic and Old Town views; Amor (115 m²) and Mirakul (118 m²) with terraces and jacuzzis; Tezoro (216 m², two bedrooms) with a 122 m² terrace, private jacuzzi and garden.
- Villa Kolin (180 m²): a three-bedroom, four-bathroom residence with its own entrance, garden terrace, whirlpool and kitchenette, sleeping up to six.
Because the hotel looks west towards the city, the higher floors and the suites named for their Old Town views give the classic picture of the walls at sunset.
Dining
The main restaurant is Pjerin, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. It appears in the Michelin Guide Croatia 2026 as a recommended restaurant, without a star. The inspectors describe a contemporary, relaxed fine dining room with sea views, a seasonal Mediterranean menu built around Adriatic seafood, handmade pasta and Croatian wine pairings. Both a tasting menu and à la carte are offered, and prices sit at the top of the Michelin scale.
- Pjerin: fine dining with a terrace over the water; breakfast is served here too.
- Giardino: a casual garden restaurant with an open-air kitchen, for lunch and light meals during the day.
- Libero Bar: the all-day lounge bar, styled as a library with historic costume replicas.
- Galanto Bar: the rooftop bar, which the hotel bills as Dubrovnik’s only rooftop bar. Opening hours follow the season and the sunset, and it opens weather permitting.
For wine, ask the sommeliers for Plavac Mali from Pelješac, the peninsula just up the coast. Our Pelješac wine guide explains Dingač and Postup, the two famous slopes, if you want to visit the producers on a day out.
Check rates at Villa Dubrovnik
Spa and pools
Villa Spa spreads over the lower levels of the building. Recent reviews describe five treatment rooms, a relaxation area, a sauna and a steam room, and the sauna and steam room can be used without booking a treatment. Treatments draw on Mediterranean herbs, such as lavender for relaxation. There is also a gym, with scheduled yoga and Pilates sessions.
The pool is indoors: around 18 metres, with a hot tub beside it and glass walls facing Lokrum. A sundeck outside the pool area overlooks the Adriatic. Some older reviews mention an outdoor pool, but current sources describe only the indoor one, so do not book expecting an outdoor pool scene.
Sport and activities
At the foot of the cliff the hotel has a sea platform with loungers and ladders straight into the water. This is rocky Dalmatian coast, not sand, and when the wind picks up the water here can be rough, so check conditions before you swim.
The concierge arranges private boat trips, typically to the Elaphiti islands, and the hotel’s position makes a day on the water an easy addition. Our guide to Dubrovnik by boat sets out the classic routes to Lopud, Šipan, Mljet National Park and Korčula. There are no tennis courts at the hotel; for a game, see our guide to where to play tennis in Dubrovnik and Split.
What’s nearby
- The Old Town: the walls walk, the Stradun and the Rector’s Palace are 15 to 20 minutes away on foot. Our Dubrovnik travel guide explains how to time your visit around the cruise ship crowds.
- Lokrum: the wooded island directly opposite the hotel, reached by boat from the Old Town harbour.
- Pelješac and Korčula: a scenic drive or boat day north for vineyards, oysters at Ston and the old town of Korčula. Read our Korčula and Pelješac guide.
For a wider view of the city’s districts, from Ploče to Lapad, our guide to where to stay in Dubrovnik compares the options, and you can also see all hotels in Dubrovnik.
Villa Dubrovnik vs other Dubrovnik luxury hotels
| Hotel | Location | Standout | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Villa Dubrovnik | Cliffs east of Ploče | Small, all sea view, Arthur Casas design, Michelin-listed Pjerin, rooftop bar | Couples and design lovers who want calm and the view |
| Villa Argentina | Next door, east of Ploče | 1920s landmark, reopened in August 2026 after a redesign, gardens, indoor and outdoor pools, terraced beach | Travellers who want a larger resort feel and an outdoor pool |
| Villa Orsula | Beside Villa Argentina | Very small, outdoor pool, access to the Villa Argentina spa | Privacy seekers who still want shared facilities |
| Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik | Ploče, closest to the gates | Walking distance to the Old Town, long-established grand hotel | Those who want to walk to dinner every night |
In short: Villa Dubrovnik wins on intimacy and design, its two neighbours (both run by Adriatic Luxury Hotels and reopened after renovation in summer 2026) offer more resort facilities, and the Excelsior wins on proximity. Our round-up of the best luxury hotels in Croatia sets these against the coast’s other top addresses.
Who it suits, and who it does not
It suits:
- Couples on an anniversary or honeymoon who want a sea view from every room.
- Design lovers curious about the new Arthur Casas interiors.
- Food lovers happy to dine in, with Pjerin and a rooftop bar on site.
- Travellers who want to see the Old Town in the morning and evening, then escape the crowds.
It does not suit:
- Anyone who needs an outdoor pool or a sandy beach.
- Guests who want to step straight out into the Stradun: the walk back includes a climb.
- Large families, unless you book Villa Kolin or connecting rooms.
- Winter travellers, as the hotel closes outside the season.
Charlotte’s tip: book the shoulder months and the Old Town view
April, May and October bring lower rates than high summer, easier Old Town visits and sunsets that are still warm enough for the rooftop bar. If budget allows, ask specifically for a room or suite with a direct view of the walls rather than Lokrum: it is the view people come here for.
Practical tips
- Booking: with only around 55 keys, June to September fills well ahead. Reserve Pjerin, spa treatments and boat trips when you book the room.
- Best rooms to request: Romantiko or Beleca suites for Old Town views, Amor or Mirakul for a terrace with jacuzzi, Villa Kolin for families or two couples.
- Season: the hotel opened on 1 April in 2026 and typically closes in early November. Confirm the closing date with the hotel.
- Getting to town: ask at check-in for the current shuttle timetable, and whether the boat is running on your dates.
- Dress: relaxed by day, smart casual for Pjerin and the rooftop bar. Pack sea shoes for the rocky platform.
- Kids: children are welcome, with cots and extra beds available in most categories (not in Superior rooms). Ask the hotel about babysitting.
Check prices and availability
Compare the sea view categories and signature suites, and check spring and autumn dates for better value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Villa Dubrovnik within walking distance of the Old Town?
Yes. It is about 1.3 km, roughly 15 to 20 minutes on foot to the Ploče Gate, with a climb on the way back. The hotel also runs a shuttle; check the current schedule and whether it goes by boat or road.
Does Villa Dubrovnik have an outdoor pool?
No, current sources describe an indoor pool with sea views, a hot tub and a sundeck. For outdoor swimming there is the hotel’s sea platform below the cliff.
Is Villa Dubrovnik open all year?
No. It is seasonal: in 2026 it opened on 1 April and it typically closes in early November. Ask the hotel for exact dates.
Does the restaurant have a Michelin star?
No. Pjerin is listed as a recommended restaurant in the Michelin Guide Croatia 2026, without a star. The hotel itself holds two Michelin Keys.
