The Top Luxury Hotels On The Croatian Coast

What once was an inside secret has been shouted from the cover of every travel mag in recent years: Croatia is on of the world’s best beach destinations.

Not only does the country offer a fascinating and layered history, but the crystalline waters surrounding its 1,000-plus islands are ideal for swimming, sunning, and sailing. And now, Croatia’s culinary and luxury hotel scenes are finally catching up to it breathtaking natural beauty.

From Dubrovnik (AKA “the pearl of the Adriatic”) and the dreamy Dalmatian islands in the country’s southern region, to magical Rovinj on the northern Istrian Penninsula, here are the most lavish hotels on Croatia’s stunning coast.

Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik – Dubrovnik

This landmark five-star villa built in 1913 boasts unparalleled views of Old Town Dubrovnik from its restaurants, bars, swimming platform, pools, and chic guest rooms. Plus, its prime location puts you a just a five-minute walk away from city’s storied medieval walls.

Get a pampering massage at the serene spa, which looks out on the sea and features a large freshwater pool, Jacuzzis, steam bath, a Roman bath, and Finnish sauna.

Swing by the Abakus Piano Bar – one of the city’s best sea-view bars – to peruse the black and white portraits of royals, starlets, and other glamourous celebs the Excelsior has hosted over the years, including Queen Elizabeth II and Elizabeth Taylor.

Hotel Bellevue Dubrovnik – Dubrovnik

On the other side of Dubrovnik’s Old Town is Hotel Bellevue, another five-star hotel with stunning sea views. This luxury property sits perched high on a cliffside overlooking Miramare Bay. The panoramic views of the Adriatic and private pebble beach – a rare sight on the rocky Adriatic – give guests a private and secluded feel removed from the bustling activity around the city walls.

Floor-to-ceiling windows and stylish, airy interiors in tasteful neutrals add to the serene vibe. But whenever you’re ready to explore, just stroll to famed Pile Gate to enter the walled city.

Lešić Dimitri Palace- Korčula

Head to the idyllic island of Korčula to visit this singular Relais & Chateaux property housed in a former 18th-century bishop’s palace.

The historic property has just six luxe “residences” that play homage to the island’s rich history: Marco Polo once called it home, and the island is said to be where the Silk Road originated. Each of the painstakingly renovated 1- and 2-bedroom apartments (all with living rooms and sleek, modern kitchens) is designed after stops on the spice route: Venice, Sumatra, Ceylon, India, China, and Arabia.

Not to be missed: dinner on the patio at LD Restaurant – one of 10 Michelin-starred restaurants in Croatia – and a private tour around the island in Lešić Dimitri’s own handsome sailboat.

Palace Elisabeth- Hvar

This elegant historic landmark – a fine example of Venetian and Austrian architecture – is one of the first sights that greets you as you enter Hvar Harbor. The distinctive and stately hotel looks out over the marina and the main square. Above it looms the medieval Spanish Fort, which glows golden at night.

Palace Elisabeth was the first five-star hotel in Hvar, and its pedigree is indeed royal. In the 13th century, a duke’s palace was built on the site. Then In 1899, it was rebuilt as the Spa Hotel Empress Elisabeth, named after its patron, the famous Empress Sisi, Elizabeth of Austria. The current name is a nod to the property’s rich history.

Dine or sip cocktails on one of the hotel’s terraces to look out over the marina, nearby islands, and town square, and watch Hvar go by.

D-Resort Šibenik – Šibenik

No need to worry about booking D-Resort early enough to score a room with a sea view. This modern marvel on a small peninsula on Šibenik Bay is surrounded by water on three sides. Each of the 63 rooms, six suites, and three posh villas have balconies with sea views for watching the sailboats and superyachts cruise by.

You can even walk the wood-planked rooftop of the curved white structure, which feels like you’re aboard a large ship. It was designed by by architect Nikola Bašić, who won the European Prize for Urban Public Space for his Sea Organ, a famous sound-art project in Zadar.

During your stay, make sure to make the most of pools positioned at the tip of the peninsula, and perched above the hotel at the sleek, modern spa.

Meneghetti Wine Hotel & Winery – Bale

Tourists flock to Dubrovnik for the history, and to Hvar for the beaches and party scene. But many make the mistake of missing out on northern Croatia’s gorgeous Istrian Penninsula.

But Meneghetti is a perfect example of Istria’s tranquil allure. The Relais & Châteaux property is made up of a stately white stone mansion and many outbuildings, all enveloped by acres of lush vineyards and olive groves.

Book an elegantly-appointed room in the main hotel. Or, splash out with a 1- or 2-bedroom residence with a private pool, or a 3-bedroom villa with a pool and private garden overlooking the vines.

Have a leisurely dinner at the hotel’s fine dining restaurant, which sources as much produce, fresh pasta, cheese, and Istrian delicacies like truffles it can from within a 50-km radius.

Grand Park Hotel Rovinj – Rovinj

There’s no better place to take in the romantic charm of Rovinj than this sleek, ultramodern hotel overlooking the marina. The property offers countless vistas for admiring Rovinj’s café-lined promenade, cobblestone streets, and towering steeple punctuating the skyline.

Take a dip in the hotel’s impressive rooftop infinity pool. Or, have the hotel motor you over to their beach club on tiny, forested St. Katarina Island, where you can swim on the pebble beach and doze under beach umbrellas.

The hotel is also the site of the Michelin-starred Agli Amici Rovinj restaurant, which has sparkling views of Rovinj at night and inventive, modern Mediterranean fare.