Perched directly above the Adriatic on the coastal shelf just east of Dubrovnik's medieval walls, with the limestone battlements of the Old Town framed in every seaward window like a painting someone forgot to remove, the Hotel Excelsior holds what is arguably the most privileged position of any hotel on the Croatian coast. The property dates to 1913 and was substantially rebuilt and modernized over subsequent decades, its current form presenting a clean-lined, white-rendered facade of six floors that steps back from the cliff edge in horizontal bands of glazing — contemporary in posture but careful not to compete with the UNESCO-listed fortifications directly across the water. Interiors follow a measured contemporary idiom: warm oak wall paneling provides the dominant texture in the guestrooms, offset by dusty rose bed throws, navy upholstered lounge chairs with a mid-century profile, and black marble vanity surfaces edged in brass. The palette deliberately echoes the sea outside — blues deepening toward indigo, neutrals pulling toward the bleached stone of the old city. At the Prora Restaurant, set within a ground-level arcade of rough-cut limestone arches that survive from an earlier structure on the site, iron bistro chairs and white linen tables meet water-worn stone in a contrast that no amount of interior design could manufacture. The upper-floor restaurant, fully glazed on three sides, suspends diners between sky, sea, and the walled city in a way that makes the Old Town feel simultaneously distant and close enough to reach.

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With its prestigious location, just steps from the UNESCO Old City of Dubrovnik, Hotel Excelsior is ready to show its revamped grandeur as one of the most lavish hotels on the Adriatic. Housed in a former 1913 royal villa and built to take full advantage of a west-facing view of the glorious Old Town, Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik enjoys the most enviable location of any hotel in the city – just a five-minute walk from the medieval fortress walls. It has been welcoming famous guests from the start, including Queen Elizabeth II and Elizabeth Taylor. It’s only when you go there that you fully appreciate the magnificence of the setting: the tranquil gardens in which to stroll, a beautiful beach and three restaurants, all offering cinematic views of the Adriatic. For added luxury, there is also an indoor swimming pool, plus a glamorous spa and fitness centre.