Hotel Excelsior captures the best of both Dubrovniks
26.01.2024 - 18:41
/ travelweekly.com
/ queen Elizabeth Ii II (Ii)
There's no wrong way to do Dubrovnik. But the best way to experience this centuries-old city is from just beyond the walls of Old Town. Close enough to soak up the cinematic views of the setting sun dipping into the sea behind the white-stone city but far enough away to be removed from the throngs of tourists, the Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik is the perfect vantage point from which to experience the very best of Dubrovnik.
I checked into the historical seaside hotel during a monthlong roadtrip in Croatia. A welcome respite after days on the road, the Hotel Excelsior wowed me from its cliffside perch overlooking the brilliantly blue Adriatic Sea. Just off to the right was the 800-year-old city walls, wrapped snugly around one of the most beautiful medieval cities in the world.
Dubrovnik is a city with a split identity. It's fiercely proud of its history and tradition, with buildings, shops and customs that have remained unchanged. And yet the city was thrust into the 21st-century entertainment spotlight after serving as the set for television shows and movies seen the world over -- "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" and the HBO meghit series "Game of Thrones" are probably the most notable. Since then, it has attracted everyone from casual cruise passengers to the sun-worshiping, Champagne-sipping glitterati. The beauty of the Hotel Excelsior is that it marries both of these identities in a way that is both classically Croatian and internationally chic.
History in its hallways
History and tradition are baked right into the bones of the hotel. The original hotel structure is a villa built in 1913. Over the past 110 years, the hotel has welcomed the international elite -- everyone from Queen Elizabeth II to Elizabeth Taylor. Surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens and with iconic Adriatic Sea views, it's easy to see why this hotel has been an A-list favorite for so long. It's also a five-minute walk from the city's stone gates that lead to the maze of cobblestone streets within.
The Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik's two wings showcase both old world glamour and modern elegance. Photo Credit: Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik
But the hotel has also fully integrated into the 21st century with a modernized tower that has sleek guestrooms, a spa, a fitness center, a sun-drenched clifftop lobby, a terrace restaurant, and a bar.
I checked into a Deluxe Room, one of the hotel's 158 rooms and suites. The Deluxe Rooms are located in the original villa building and have sea views as well as private terraces that have stunning views of Old Town.
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A glance down below reveals the rustically elegant pool deck -- a seafront promenade made of stone with a series of