It was aristocrats who originally swanned through the halls behind the honey-coloured walls of this splendid building. Three centuries later, The Pucić Palace's doors swing open to guests who seek a touch of grandeur in their lodgings.
Located on Dubrovnik’s atmospheric main square, the hotel has been traditionally restored with wooden-beamed ceilings, wrought-iron balustrades and lustrous green marble. Corridors are lined with glass cases displaying antiquities, walls are hung with valuable artworks on loan from city museums, and each of the 18 rooms is named after a famous Croatian poet, musician or artist. If it’s all sounding a bit too much like an over-stuffed cultural excursion with Great-Aunt Matilda, don’t fret: there are swanky toiletries, fast WiFi, delicious breakfasts and not a stitch of pretentiousness in the staff. The Pucić Palace is comfortably modern and yet conveniently located on the doorstep of Dubrovnik’s tremendous history.
Highs
- The sense of privilege: this is one of only a handful of hotels located in the old town, and the only 5-star
- The location: walk out the door and you’re in Gundulić Square, ready to stroll down the Stradun and explore the cathedrals, outdoor cafés and hidden corners of this impressive walled city
- The arrival: we loved being met at Poce gate by the porters, who took our luggage through the car-free Old Town to the hotel
- The extras: coffee-making facilities, fresh lemonade, discounts on dinner, and free use of sunbeds on Banje Beach, a 5-minute walk away
Lows
- Because the palace is within the walls of the old town, you will miss the views of the sea from the lower floors
- Rooms may seem expensive for their size: this is the price for the unbeatable location
- If you decide to bring a car, the closest parking is several streets away, outside the car-free city walls
Baby cots available on request
Some equipment may need to be requested in advance
Babysitting available by arrangement
- Game of Thrones Tours
- Walk the Old City's walls
- Head to the hotel's private beach
- Charter the hotel yacht for the day
- Kayaking
- Head to the beach (Copacabana in Lapad is the best)
- Boat trips to nearby islands
- Boutique Hotel
- 18 rooms
- Restaurants and bar (open daily)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Babysitting
- Creche / Kids Club
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Beach club
- Excursions
Rooms
Ok, maybe you haven’t heard of Ivan Gundulic, the 17th-century Dubrovnik-born writer who predicted the downfall of the Ottoman Empire in his epic poem ‘Osman’. But if you stay in the suite named after him, you can read one of his manuscripts - it’s hanging on the wall, along with other fine works of art. Every room has the motif of an esteemed Croatian artist on its door and all are tastefully decorated with elegant period furniture, antique rugs, polished olive wood floor and lush silk-and-velvet-draped windows.
Splash out on the Deluxe Suite, on the top floor, with its own in-room Jacuzzi for that extra bit of luxury. Or opt for the Junior Suite which has a balcony overlooking Gundulić Square. But the Corner and Deluxe rooms are also excellent options, with high beamed ceilings and dark oak floors.
The bathrooms are especially spectacular - both the roll-top bathtub and sink are encased in copper and the mosaic floors have been laid by local artisans. Here you can step on the designer scales in your Japanese bathrobe before pampering yourself with Bvlgari toiletries. Then, dim the stylish lighting alcoved in the high ceilings before falling asleep in cool cotton bed linen.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Minibar
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
A trinity of gastronomic venues make up The Pucić Palace - and one does double duty day and night. Lucijan Restaurant & Caffe, a Parisian-style café by day, serves up freshly baked pastries for breakfast, right by the bustle of early-morning market traders in Gundulić Square and when the stalls are cleared, re-emerges with an evening menu of Croatian specialities such as smoked ham with marinated figs and ‘sea stone soup’.
Lemon and bay trees border the terrace of Magdalena Restaurant, the first-floor eatery in front of what was once the palace’s private chapel. Here, a robust seafood-based Eastern Mediterranean cuisine is on offer, with Dalmatian dishes like octopus salad, squid-ink risotto and plenty of fresh fish.
There are numerous restaurants within walking distance serving a range of cuisines. Ask the hotel staff for recommendations.
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- Stroll the marble-polished Stradun which runs the length of the pedestrianised Old Town, from the harbour to the Pile Gate - lined with open-air cafes
- Walk the vertiginous city walls for amazing views of the city’s red terracotta roofs and the dazzling blue of the Adriatic sea
- Drink in the wonderful range of medieval and Baroque buildings, from cathedrals to palaces to chemists (Europe’s oldest)
- Relax on your complimentary sunlounger at the hotel's private portion of Banje beach, a 5-minute walk away
- Diving trips, windsurfing and other outdoor excursions can arranged by staff. There is also a private sailing yacht on hand for hotel guests’ use (extra cost)
- Take in a classical concert or theatre performance during the Summer Festival (July/August)
- Pop over on the ferry to the pretty island of Lokrum and have a bite to eat before a snooze in the sun
- Or just stay put and people watch from one of the many cafés dotted about Dubrovnik and see how many pastries you cannot resist!
- Go on a day trip to one of the islands further afield, such as Hvar, Mljet, or pop over the border to Montenegro. The hotel are more than happy to arrange this for you
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Private guided tours
- Sailing
- Scuba diving
- Snorkelling
- Traditional cultures
Best Time to go
To enjoy the Dubrovnik Summer Festival, you have to go in July or August, but this is high season and the city gets very crowded. By far the most pleasant time to visit Dubrovnik is in September, when it’s still warm but the tourists have gone home.
Our Top Tips
Men will want long trousers and women a skirt to enter the churches and some of the nicer restaurants.
Location
The Pucic Palace has a privileged position within the car-free city walls of Dubrovnik's Old Town.
By Air:
Fly to Dubrovnik airport (20km). Usually you have to fly to Zagreb, Croatia’s capital and then catch a flight to Dubrovnik; during the high season there are some charter flights that fly directly. If combining a stop in Dubrovnik with a tour of the islands, Korçula and some of the other islands offer ferry service, as does Split, a city on the mainland with a big airport.
From the Airport
Transfers (approx. 40 minutes) by limousine or taxi are available at a supplement, but please note that due to the location in the Old Town, the last 200m of the transfer is on foot.
By Car:
A car is not required in Dubrovnik, but if you want to explore further afield, see our car rental recommendations. Bear in mind that parking in Dubrovnik is a problem, especially in summer, though the situation has improved slightly with the opening of a 24-hour public garage at Ilijina Glavica (Zagrebaèka ulica bb), a 5-minute walk from Pile Gate.
By Sea:
If you are arriving from Italy, Jadrolinija operate a twice-weekly overnight ferry to Dubrovnik from Bari. From Dubrovnik’s Gruž harbour, take a bus or taxi to Pile Gate, the entrance to the old town.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Dubrovnik 30.0 km DBV
Other:
- Beach 0.5 km
- Shops 0.5 km
- Restaurant 0.5 km