'I stayed at a hotel that had one of the best buffet selections I've ever seen'
With a bold design that's part Scandi-style cathedral, part cruise ship profile and part terrace cascading down a cliff, the revamped five-star Rixos Premium Dubrovnik hotel in Croatia is a real showstopper. with killer sea views
The food and drink is terrific and it's an easy stroll to the Dubrovnik’s UNESCO listed Old Town with its spectacular city walls which you can walk round and Game of Thrones fan sights. Nothing not to like here...
A €20million makeover in 2020 brought a lot of sleek luxury and, given Dubrovnik’s Game of Thrones filming links, the views of the Adriatic Sea from the hotel are worth their weight in Valyrian steel.
(DAILY MIRROR)The 310 rooms sprawl over the large site, a handy 20-minute stroll to the Pile Gate in Dubrovnik’s UNESCO listed Old Town, and everything feels affluent with something akin to a forest in the atrium and a contemporary feel to public spaces, rooms and the pooldecking. Many of the rooms are stepped down the slope, snag one of these if you can for size and a huge balcony overlooking the sea. Bvlgari amenities and huge beds adds to the luxe feel.
Style
Aerial view of the eye-catching Hotel Rixos Dubrovnik (DAILY MIRROR)Part Scandi-style cathedral (the glass roofed atrium is vast), part cruise ship profile (seen from the sea or the road to the Old Town) and part terrace cascading down a cliff, there’s a bold “look at me” statement. Days will focus on the pool area and it’s excellent, with top-quality sun loungers and parasols– and plenty of them. There is no beach, but if the Adriatic beckons there are steps from the rocks at the front of the terrace, plus a few tables and chairs perched on flat, fenced areas in the rockface – lovely spots for a sundowner.
Eight remote and beautiful but brutal jobs if you want to leave it all behind
Food and drink
Most guests will be eating at the half-board-included Turquoise buffet and terrace... and this is the buffet of the gourmet gods. Each night has a culinary theme besides the regular selections and my stay coincided with Indian, Japanese and Greek evenings. I was not in the mood for spices, so dived into one of the best selections of cold meats, cheeses and salads I have ever seen. Apologies to any guests wanting Bresaola and Parmesan, I may have scoffed the lot.
One of the bars at Hotel Rixos DubrovnikJapan delivered with top-notch sushi, gyoza, noodles and tempura veg, then Greece completed a tasty trilogy with fab feta, olives, grilled meats and unctuous desserts. For a special occasion or treat, extra charge dining is on offer – a teppanyaki table (€100 each), a sushi table and the high-end Libertas fish restaurant.
Dubrovnik's gorgeous Old TownBy day, drinks are generally enjoyed at the poolside Libertas Beach Snack Bar – where lunch is also available – and at the small bar beyond the kiddies’ pool. In the evening, guests gravitate to the Libertas Terrace & Lobby Bar and the tucked away Sports Bar for live matches.
Alcoholic and soft drinks are typically expensive in Dubrovnik and the Rixos in no exception with a draft lager €10, a glass of wine €9-12, cocktails €12-14 and a Coke €6. Local bars within walking distance are noticeably cheaper.
While you're there
The Anjana Spa is one of the jewels in the crown. Treatments are chargeable but guests can enjoy the sauna, steam room, Turkish hammam, salt room, igloo room (your goosebumps will huddle together for warmth), pool and relaxation room for free. Not normally a huge fan of spas, this one merited a return visit, though one go in the ice-cold-bucket-of-water room (it does what it says on the tin) was ample.
A bar terrace at the Hotel Rixos DubrovnikGuests can also relax with a post-spa pot of quality tea chosen from dozens of varieties on display. There’s also a good gym, pool tables, table tennis, table football and a casino for Rixos high rollers.
A day out
Head to the Old Town for a walk down the Stradun main street, go up on the City Walls walk (€35) for incomparable sea views, peeks into hidden nooks and crannies and back gardens, unfortunate damage from the Balkans War, the harbour and that Insta-opp of the terracotta rooftops.
For the ultimate in “dive” bars, Buza lies on rocks outside the wall (you enter via a short tunnel) and, drinks and views aside, tourists also visit to watch people leaping off the rocks and plummeting 30ft into the sea.
A sea view room at the Hotel Rixos DubrovnikGame of Thrones fans flock to StIgnatius Church steps, used for Cersei’s naked “walk of shame”. Away from incestuous queens, take the cable car up to 1,330ft Mount Srdj. There’s a nice bar and restaurant terrace with more magnificent views of the Old Town and down the coast.
TUI guests can access a range of excursions including a catamaran trip to the Blue Cave and coach visits to sights in neighbouring Montenegro such as the pretty Bay of Kotor and the historic seaside resort of Budva.
Passenger spots graffiti begging Jet2 to stop playing 'moronic' Jess Glynne song
Book the holiday
- TUI offers a seven night B&B stay at the Rixos Premium Dubrovnik hotel, Croatia, from £720pp. Includes flights from Bristol on April 19, 23kg baggage and transfers; other UK airports available plus £150 deposits. You can find out more on tui.co.uk.
- You can get more information at croatia.hr/en-gb.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
