With flights times around three hours from most major airports, Dubrovnik in Croatia makes for an ideal mini-break abroad throughout the year. This captivating city in southern Croatia has been a popular choice for many travellers over the years, especially following the popularity of HBO's Game of Thrones. If you're considering visiting Dubrovnik with its famous terracotta-tiled houses and medieval architecture and are after somewhere to stay, we've got the perfect place for you.
Getting to Dubrovnik
As we had an early flight, my husband and I drove to Birmingham the night before. Via Holiday Extras, we parked our car in the Airparks car park where we kept hold of our car keys before catching the included shuttle bus which dropped us off at the departures of the airport.
We were pleased to see how very close our hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn, was to the airport - just across the road in fact. After checking in, we were really impressed with our room. Having stayed at airport hotels before, we’re used to them being fairly basic but were surprised to find a really comfortable room where the quality matched that of more high-brow hotels we’ve stayed in. Before checking out, we made use of the hot buffet breakfast which was full of everything you could wish for from a full English to pastries and even a waffle machine. Then it was just a case of wheeling our luggage over to departures.
Both the car parking and hotel stay were part of a Holiday Extras package which truly made the start of our holiday effortless.
We flew to Dubrovnik with Jet2 from Birmingham Airport. Jet2.com offers friendly low fares, great flight times, and a generous 22kg baggage allowance to Dubrovnik from Birmingham Airport, meaning you can make the most of packing a full suitcase. They also fly to Dubrovnik from London Stansted, Manchester, Newcastle and more. Flights start from £49 one way including taxes.
Having never flown with them before, we were unsure what to expect but had an excellent experience from start to finish. We checked in online effortlessly and downloaded our boarding passes onto our phones via the app. There were no queues when it came to checking in our luggage and before we knew it, we were lining up to go through security.
Where is Valamar Dubrovnik President Hotel?
The city of Dubrovnik is located in southern Croatia fronting the Adriatic Sea. The hotel enjoys a beautiful beachfront location on the tip of the Babin kuk peninsula, just 6km from the Old Town of Dubrovnik.
We got to our final destination by arranging a private transfer, something Valamar can arrange for you. The driver was waiting for us when we got through to arrivals and whisked us off to the hotel, just 30 minutes away. Sepending on the season, the hotel regularly shares special offers that include private transfer at no extra cost for bookings of more than 3/4/5 nights.
At check-in, we were met with prosecco and a face towel to refresh after our flight before the receptionist spent some time explaining more about the hotel and the area to us with a handy map.
The Valamar Dubrovnik President Hotel combines spacious, bright rooms with modern decor, pops of colour and plenty of greenery. The lobby, with its large windows, welcomes guests with views of the dazzling turquoise waters of the Adriatic Sea. There are also several small shops including a fashion boutique and a general store for all those holiday extras you may require such as snacks and suncream to keep you safe in the sun.
Where will I sleep?
The hotel offers up to 11 different types of rooms to stay in, ranging from the classic twin or double room to the V-Level presidential apartment, complete with a jacuzzi. All enjoy a sea view with a balcony or terrace.
We stayed in the V-level premium double, a 35,50 m2 spacious room complete with a queen-size bed, plenty of storage space and a comfy seating area.
The roomy bathroom had a double sink as well as both a bath and shower. The separate toilet and the shower shared a door which could be used to confine either side.
There was everything we could need during our stay including air conditioning, a TV, robes and disposable slippers and of course, a kettle and mini fridge.
Everything was spotlessly clean and the daily housekeeping team were efficient and friendly.
We especially loved spending time out on the balcony which held a table and chairs plus our own sun loungers. The view (just like throughout the hotel) was spectacular and we loved watching the sunset from it.
What is there to eat?
We were on a half-board package so for breakfast and dinner, we headed to the premium buffet to eat. Breakfast included all the much-loved staples such as bacon, eggs, pancakes, fruit, cereals, cold meats and cheeses and a gorgeous range of pastries. We especially liked the omelette station and smoothie bar which offered fruit and vegetable smoothies for the more health-conscious.
Dinner offered a Mediterranean medley consisting of seafood such as tuna, trout, squid and more alongside succulent meat dishes like veal, chicken, pork and lamb plus a variety of salads, pasta and grilled veggies. There’s also a well-stocked deli meat and cheese counter.
It was impossible to resist the dessert selection too with delicate cakes, generous slices of cheesecake, whipped mousses and a well-stocked ice cream bar with toppings on offer.
Overall, the food at dinner was incredibly varied each night and most importantly, absolutely delicious and of high quality. It’s worth bearing in mind however that drinks are not included at dinner and we were surprised to find this included tap water which we found quite disappointing, especially as water in Croatia is safe to drink.
As well as the buffet restaurant, there was also Miramare restaurant and Momenti restaurant if you fancied an à la carte selection and a change of scenery.
What is there to do at Valamar Dubrovnik President Hotel?
As you’d expect from most hotels in sunny climates, relaxing is a huge part of staying at the Valamar Dubrovnik President and there is an indoor and outdoor freshwater pool to choose from, the outdoor one sitting on a terrace overlooking the sea.
Then there’s the Val President Relax Beach, a pebbly beach just a few metres from the hotel where you can relax on a sun lounger by the sea and enjoy the view of the Elaphiti Islands while sipping on a cocktail or tucking into some lunch.
Next to the beach is the water sports and diving centre. From here you can hire everything from an electric surfboard to a jet ski or paddleboard. My husband made use of the diving centre during our stay and booked several dives and was delighted with the underwater sights. The staff were friendly and knowledgable and really enhanced his experience.
The helpful Valamar Concierge can also help provide information on a wide range of experiences such as excursions, local attractions, recommendations for local restaurants and bars, wine and olive oil tastings, hidden beaches, cycling trails and more.
One of Dubrovnik’s biggest attractions is the Old Town with its sturdy stone walls which enclose the historic centre. For incredible views, we recommend paying to walk along these impressive walls. Tickets cost just under £30 each and it will take you roughly two hours. Otherwise ambling down the many cobbled alleyways, stopping for gelato and lunch, dipping in and out of the shops and checking out Game of Thrones filming locations is a leisurely afternoon well spent and thoroughly recommended. Handily, you can catch a bus right outside the hotel which will take you to the Old Town in around 15 minutes.
We also enjoyed a round trip in the Dubrovnik cable car for more stunning views of the old city and the sparkling Adriatic Sea. When you reach the top, there’s the Panorama Restaurant for some alfresco dining where you can sit back to drink in the scenery.
Spa facilities
Although we did not personally get to try any out ourselves, the hotel’s spa is available to book treatments including massages and body and face treatments.
Decorated in a Mediterranean style, the spa is available for guests to use at their leisure and is home to Finnish and infra-red saunas, an outdoor relaxation zone with a whirlpool, Kneipp foot bath and a Turkish bath. Should you need to burn off some energy, the cardio fitness studio is well equipped and free to use for all guests.
How much does it cost to visit?
A stay at the 5-star Dubrovnik President Valamar Collection Hotel costs from £138 per night for a double.
Final thoughts
For our first trip to Croatia, we couldn’t have asked for a better base than Valamar Dubrovnik President. The location was spot on for what we were after - to relax by the pool and the beach after a busy summer but to have easy access to explore the highlights of Dubrovnik. Waking up each day to the beautiful mountains and crystal clear sea was an absolute delight and much of our time was spent basking in the surroundings.
The facilities and food make it easy to see why the hotel has five stars and meal times were something we looked forward to every day. Although drinks are fairly expensive, this is in keeping with Croatia as a destination in general so no real surprise to us. We would however love to see basic drinks such as water and fruit juices included at dinner like they are at breakfast.
While children are welcome at Valamar Dubrovnik President and families are encouraged, we noticed an absence of a children's pool or entertainment so felt the hotel is more suitable for those holidaying without little ones who require entertaining. That said, Valamar offers plenty of other family-friendly destinations.
Overall, I would not hesitate to recommend a stay at Valamar Dubrovnik President, whether you are looking to stay put by the pool or beach for some much-needed relaxation or to get out and explore beautiful Dubrovnik.
To book your stay, visit their website or call +385 52 465 000.