Historic hotel across the street from scenic Gruz Bay
Modern rooms with sleek
bathrooms and minibars, some with balconies
Heated outdoor pool and pretty garden with stone walls
Live jazz and Latin music on-site
Free breakfast buffet in a bright setting
Restaurant and bar with
outdoor seating
Free Wi-Fi
Rooms and balconies are on the small side
Away from the sights in
Old Town
No fitness center
Fee for parking
Because of high walls, pool gets shady
Labyrinthine property can be tricky to navigate (but signs help)
The 163-room Hotel Lapad is an upscale property located on Gruz Bay, less than a 10-minute drive to the sights in Dubrovnik's Old Town and a 10-minute walk to a rocky beach. The beautiful stone building is over 100 years old, but rooms are modern, featuring flat-screen TVs, minibars, free Wi-Fi, and sleek bathrooms with rain showerheads. A breakfast buffet is included in most room rates, a bright restaurant is on-site, a bar with covered outdoor patio has live music some evenings, and more options are within walking distance. Getting a poolside lounger at the heated, outdoor pool is rarely an issue, though additional lounge spaces can be found in a pretty walled garden. Some rooms are on the small side, and though sea-view balconies are available, most are tiny with only room for a single chair. Rates are fair for this caliber, but those willing to pay a bit more to be right on a beach should consider the Valamar Dubrovnik President Hotel.
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Scene
An upscale, historic property with a nice outdoor pool
Formerly a family-owned castle known as Piccola Venezia housing a chapel, this property first opened as a hotel in 1914 named Weisses Schloss. The name was later changed to White Castle, and then again to Hotel Lapad at the end of World War I. Today, this lovely, historic upscale property still has original features such as cathedral windows and stone stair rails. The lobby is a bright, simple place with checkerboard floors. The restaurant benefits from lots of light pouring in through panoramic windows, while outside, white stone walls make a beautiful backdrop for the pool area. There’s a bar with a covered outdoor patio and live music is performed at the hotel on some evenings ranging from original music from Dalmatia to jazz and Latin music.
This modern property attracts both leisure and business travelers, though for sightseers, the location is a bit far from the main tourist attractions of Dubrovnik (about 10 minutes away by car or bus). The clientele here skew a little older, though younger couples shouldn't feel out of place. Kids are welcome but not particularly catered to.
Location
Bayside location, but not within walking distance of Dubrovnik's Old Town
Boats dock just across the street from Hotel Lapad in Gruz Bay. There isn’t much of a shoulder for walking on here, but the bay views are beautiful and the waters are bustling with cruise ships and sailboats. There are some grocery stores and restaurants within walking distance, and there is a bus stop near the hotel (the number 6 bus comes frequently and heads to Old Town), but this property is not within walking distance of the main tourist attractions. It’s less than a 10-minute car or bus ride to Dubrovnik Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with preserved churches and fountains dating back to the 13th century. The Dubrovnik-Cilipi Airport is around a half hour drive away.
Rooms
Smallish, modern rooms with sleek bathrooms
Rooms at Hotel Lapad have posh decor including chic bedding, lighted headboards, and funky lamps. Bathrooms are especially sleek with basin sinks and modern shower/tub combos with rain showerheads, though doors allow for light from the bathrooms to seep into the sleeping area. All rooms have minibars, flat-screen TVs, coffee/tea making facilities, and free Wi-Fi. Rooms with sea-view balconies are available, but balconies are tiny. Note that none of the rooms in the newer Superior wing have balconies. The Family Room comprises two adjoining Classic Rooms, one with a double bed and one with two singles, but as these are in the Classic wing balcony preferences can't be guaranteed (some Classic Rooms have balconies, some don't). Rooms receive lots of natural light and provide work desks.
Features
Buffet breakfast, outdoor pool, and restaurant on-site
This hotel provides a breakfast buffet that’s included in most room rates, and a restaurant is on-site, but food earns mixed reviews. There are indoor and outdoor bar areas, and live music is provided on some evenings. The hotel has a small, heated, outdoor pool, and there is also an outdoor garden area. Private meeting spaces are available. Airport transfers and parking are available for a fee. Wi-Fi is available for free throughout.
